Only 12 spots left

~12 spots leftby Dec 2025

Shoonya Meditation for Sleep Deprivation
(REST Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byBalachundhar Subramaniam, MD, MPH

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Must not be taking: Cognition enhancers

Disqualifiers: Neurological, Psychiatric, Alcohol, Stroke, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial investigates if regular meditation can help people who don't get enough sleep by improving heart function and relaxation. The study will compare cognitive performance and sleep quality between those who meditate and those who don't.

Research Team

Balachundhar Subramaniam, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthy adults over 18 living in the US who either practice Shoonya meditation or nap regularly. They must be able to travel to Boston and not have a history of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, major neurological conditions, sleep disorders, heart issues, or consume excessive caffeine.

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 18, live in the US, nap often, and don't meditate.

I am over 18, live in the US, and can travel to Boston for a meditation program.

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy

I have a history of a neurological condition.

I am currently taking medication to improve my memory or thinking.

See 10 more

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Data Collection

Participants undergo baseline data collection including cognitive tests and polysomnography recording for sleep architecture and quality

1 weekend

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Shoonya Meditators practice meditation twice a day for two months; Control and Nap Practitioners continue their usual routine

2 months

Post-Intervention Data Collection

Intervention group undergoes data collection after 2 months of meditation practice; Control and Nap Practitioners undergo data collection at baseline

1 weekend

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cognitive performance and sleep architecture post-intervention

2 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

Nap Practitioners (Behavioral Intervention)
Shoonya Meditation (Behavioral Intervention)
Shukha Kriya Practice (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study examines how a 15-minute Shoonya meditation affects sleep patterns and cognitive performance after both restful sleep and sleep deprivation compared to regular nappers. It also looks at changes in heart rate variability linked with high-frequency brain activity.

Participant Groups

3Treatment groups

Active Control

Placebo Group

Group I: Control MeditatorsActive Control1 Intervention

Control subjects will be individuals that have learned the prerequisite meditation to Shoonya meditation. This meditation is called Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya. Control subjects will not learn Shoonya meditation while they are participating in the study. One weekend of data collection will occur at baseline.

Group II: Shoonya MeditatorsActive Control1 Intervention

This is intervention arm. Participants will learn and practice the fifteen minute shoonya meditation - described as a process of conscious non-doing- and shakti chalana kriya, which is a set of breathing exercises designed as a preparatory practice to shoonya meditation. Participants will practice shoonya meditation twice a day for two months. A weekend of data collection will happen at baseline and two months after they learn the practice.

Group III: Nap PractitionersPlacebo Group1 Intervention

This is an observational arm of regular nappers. Individuals that take naps at least two times a week will be invited to undergo all of the study procedures for one weekend of data collection.