Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a soft, wearable patch that uses low-intensity ultrasound to stimulate deep brain regions involved in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep while simultaneously recording brain activity through integrated electrodes. The device, named NEUSLeeP, adheres to the skin and operates without medication or surgery.
In a study published in Nature Communications, 28 participants used the patch in real-world conditions. On average, they entered REM sleep 43 minutes sooner and remained in that stage for about 16 minutes longer compared with baseline measurements. The effects appeared in both healthy sleepers and individuals reporting some sleep difficulties, and participants described the patch as comfortable with minimal adverse effects.
Beyond sleep architecture, the researchers measured physiological and neural changes. Among healthy participants, NEUSLeeP stimulation increased heart rate variability, a common marker of the body's capacity to regulate stress. Functional brain imaging also revealed alterations in circuits associated with emotion processing.
REM sleep is linked to emotional regulation and stress adaptation, and disruptions in this stage have been associated with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Current treatments such as medication or behavioral therapy can have side effects or may not directly target the mechanisms that sustain REM sleep.
The research team, led by biomedical engineering assistant professor Huiliang "Evan" Wang and recent Ph.D. graduate Kai Wing "Kevin" Tang, included collaborators from UT's Dell Medical School, UT Health San Antonio, and Virginia Tech. Co-principal investigators Gregory Fonzo and Vincent Mysliwiec emphasized the potential for noninvasive sleep optimization in mental health care.
The investigators plan larger trials to test whether the device can benefit people with chronic insomnia, depression, and PTSD. They also envision applications in home sleep monitoring, neuroscience research, and personalized sleep therapy.
A patent application has been filed, and the group is working with the university's commercialization office to explore pathways toward clinical availability. The study was funded through university and federal research sources.
Independent replication in larger, more diverse cohorts will be needed to confirm the initial findings and to clarify long-term safety and efficacy.
Wearable ultrasound patch boosts REM sleep without drugs or surgery
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