An interventional study of Non-Invasive Superficial Craniocervical Lymphatic Drainage (NSCLD) and sham-intervention treatment in Sleep Deprivation, sponsored by Tao Liu. Recruiting at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-01-13.
Sponsored by Tao Liu · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This Effects of Non-Invasive Superficial Craniocervical Lymphatic Drainage (NSCLD) on Memory and Cognitive Function in Adults with Sleep deprivation: A Proof-of-Concept Study aims to investigate the effects of Non-Invasive Superficial Craniocervical Lymphatic Drainage (NSCLD) on memory and cognitive function in adults experiencing sleep deprivation(SD). Given the known impact of SD on cognitive performance, this study seeks to explore whether NSCLD, as a non-invasive intervention, can mitigate the cognitive impairments associated with SD.
Sleep deprivation (SD) is widespread in modern society, particularly among medical students, residents, and individuals in high-stress occupations. Numerous studies have demonstrated that acute sleep deprivation significantly impairs cognitive processes such as attention, working memory, and executive function. Even short-term cognitive impairment can have serious consequences, including impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, and increased error rates.
Currently, interventions targeting cognitive decline following sleep deprivation are limited. Common strategies primarily include medications (such as caffeine and modafinil) and restorative sleep. However, these methods have limitations in both clinical and real-life settings: on one hand, medications may lead to tolerance and side effects, and on the other hand, restorative sleep often cannot reverse cognitive impairment in the short term. Therefore, developing a safe, convenient, and rapidly effective non-pharmacological intervention is of great significance.
In recent years, the glymphatic system has garnered increasing attention. This system is believed to play a key role in clearing metabolic waste from the brain, regulating sleep structure, and maintaining neurocognitive function. Superficial craniocervical lymphatic drainage (SCLD) has been proposed as a potential mechanism to improve cognitive function by enhancing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and lymph, reducing neuroinflammation, and minimizing the accumulation of metabolic waste.
In June 2025, a study published in Nature provided the first in vivo evidence supporting this hypothesis. Researchers applied non-invasive mechanical stimulation to the superficial lymphatic system on the skin surface of the mouse neck, resulting in a doubling of CSF drainage efficiency to cervical lymph nodes and correction of impaired brain-lymphatic efflux function in aged mice. These findings provide direct mechanistic support for the potential application of non-invasive SCLD intervention in humans.
Therefore, this study aims to establish an acute sleep deprivation model in healthy adults and explore the immediate effects of NSCLD intervention on cognitive function, with the goal of providing preliminary clinical evidence for non-pharmacological intervention strategies related to the brain-lymphatic pathway.
300 studies on the registry are indexed under Sleep Deprivation; 60 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 30 is below the median of 45 across 248 interventional studies indexed under Sleep Deprivation.
Browse Sleep Deprivation studies →Tao Liu is the lead sponsor of 4 studies on the registry; 4 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
NSCLD for 30 minutes, repeated after a 10-minute interval
Device: Non-Invasive Superficial Craniocervical Lymphatic Drainage (NSCLD)
Device: sham-intervention treatment
Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving NSCLD or a control group receiving a sham-intervention treatment. Cognitive function will be assessed using standardized tests before and after the intervention.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving NSCLD or a control group receiving a sham-intervention treatment. Cognitive function will be assessed using standardized tests before and after the intervention.
Digit Span Test
Evaluate memory function. 1 point for each correct string of numbers. Total score: forward score + backward score. Higher scores mean a better outcome.
Time frame: Day 1 (Baseline) and Day 2, repeat after a 2-week washout period
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
The maximum score is 30 points. ≥26 points is normal. Higher scores mean a better outcome.
Time frame: Day 1 (Baseline) and Day 2, repeat after a 2-week washout period
Changes in anxiety, stress, irritability, etc. before and after instant massage
use Multidimensional VAS Battery. 0 points are "not at all", and 100 points are "extremely strong" (points 0- 100)
Time frame: Day 1 (Baseline) and Day 2, repeat after a 2-week washout period
Brain metabolic markers and other metabolic indicators
Collect blood for analysis of Aβ42/40, T-Tau, p-tau217, Plasma cortisol, Salivary α-Amylase and β-Endorphin.
Time frame: Day 1 (Baseline) and Day 2, repeat after a 2-week washout period
EEG power in alpha, beta, delta and theta band
Measure the power of different frequency bands of EEG and compare the changes.
Time frame: Day 1 (Baseline) and Day 2, repeat after a 2-week washout period
Heart rate variability (HRV)
Analyze the different indicators of HRV, including RMSSD, LF, HF, LF/HF ratio, SDNN, etc.
Time frame: Day 1 (Baseline) and Day 2, repeat after a 2-week washout period
modified TOEFL iBT
Developed by English language professionals based on TOEFL difficulty and standards, with self-compiled test papers. Full marks: 100 points. To evaluate working memory, learning memory, attention allocation, information processing speed, executive functions (such as planning and monitoring), and the retrieval and integration of long-term memory, among other aspects.
Time frame: Day 1 (Baseline) and Day 2, repeat after a 2-week washout period
Computerized Cognitive Assessment
Use N-back task and Psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) ,measure metrics such as reaction time and accuracy rate.
Time frame: Day 1 (Baseline) and Day 2, repeat after a 2-week washout period
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate brain functional activity.
Time frame: Day 1 (Baseline) and Day 2, repeat after a 2-week washout period
Plan to share: Undecided
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