Rocking Devices and the Role of Vestibular Stimulation on Sleep—A Systematic Review

Abstract

Rocking devices are widely used across different age groups to facilitate sleep. This review discusses the current literature on rocking devices and how passive vestibular stimulation influences sleep architecture, sleep oscillations, and cognitive performance. We included eight studies that conducted research with rocking devices in humans (7) and mice (1) during daytime naps and/or nighttime sleep, respectively. Overall, vestibular stimulation during sleep induced faster sleep onset, coupled with more N2 in daytime naps or N3 in nighttime sleep. Vestibular stimulation also led to more sleep spindles and better memory consolidation. Optimal stimulation intensity was around 25 cm/s2, and lower intensities led to smaller effects. The findings suggest a sweet spot for vestibular stimulation intensity, promoting deeper sleep at the cost of wakefulness or N1 sleep without compromising REM sleep. While further studies are needed to thoroughly investigate the motion parameters that drive the impact on sleep and cognitive performance, rocking devices may present a promising therapeutic tool for people with disrupted sleep patterns.