Enhancing Slow Wave Sleep, Cognition and Physiology through Acoustic Stimulation

Slow wave sleep is the deepest, most restorative stage of sleep and is critical for general physical and mental wellbeing but is disrupted with increasing age, or poor sleep habits. This thesis validated the use of an automated, acoustic device on slow wave sleep, cognition, and cardiovascular outcomes in healthy adults. Acoustic stimulation enhanced slow wave sleep, leading to improved executive function, attention, alertness and heart rate variability. This device is now commercially available, and may be used to provide immediate benefits to social and workplace productivity, and as a long-term intervention for healthy ageing.