Sleep and cardiac autonomic modulation in older adults: Insights from an at-home study with auditory deep sleep stimulation.

ABSTRACT: The autonomic nervous system regulates cardiovascular activity during sleep, likely impacting cardiovascular health. Aging, a primary cardiovascular risk factor, is associated with cardiac autonomic disbalance and diminished sleep slow waves. Therefore, slow waves may be linked to aging, autonomic activity and cardiovascular health. However, it is unclear how sleep and slow waves are linked to cardiac autonomic profiles across multiple nights in older adults. We conducted a randomized, crossover trial involving healthy adults aged 62-78 years. Across 2 weeks, we applied auditory stimulation to enhance slow waves and compared it with a SHAM period. We measured sleep parameters using polysomnography and derived heart rate, heart rate variability approximating parasympathetic activity, and bl

SUBMITTER: Huwiler S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11911050 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature