Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov
Slow Wave Induction by Propofol to Eliminate Depression (SWIPED) Stage II
Slow Wave Induction by Propofol to Eliminate Depression (SWIPED) Stage II (NCT06867549) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Depression, sponsored by Washington University School of Medicine. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.
About This Trial
The investigators hypothesize that brief behavioral therapy and targeted propofol infusion in depressed geriatric patients will augment subsequent slow wave sleep and improve clinical and cognitive outcomes. The team will recruit 70 participants for a double-blinded placebo controlled randomized controlled trial. Two propofol infusions, 2-6 days apart, will be administered, targeting either a low propofol dose arm (minimal EEG slow waves, brain effect-site concentration 1-2 mcg/ml) or moderate dose propofol arm (maximal induction of EEG slow waves, brain effect site concentration of \>2.5 mcg/ml). The pharmacologic intervention will be paired with 3-4 sessions of Brief Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia for all participants. To minimize bias, there will be no specific gender or ethnic background consideration for enrollment. This will be a single site investigation at Washington University Medical Center.
What Stage of Research Is This?
Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Depression and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.
This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.
Target enrollment of 70 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Depression subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.
Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)
These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.
Original Eligibility Criteria
View original clinical language
Treatments Being Tested
Propofol
Targeted propofol infusion in TRD patients will induce sedation. Dosage of propofol is determined based upon EEG markers and treatment arm.
Electroencephalography (EEG)
EEG will be recorded during propofol infusion and during overnight sleep. Sleep EEG data will be acquired for a minimum of one night prior to the first sedation session, providing a baseline measure. Additional overnight sleep recordings will be performed on day of sedation and subsequent nights.
Brief Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
Trained staff will provide evaluation and up to 3 follow up appointments of BBTI for all participants. These will be done remotely to assess behavioral approaches to improve overall sleep habits.
Locations (1)
Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.
How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial
Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06867549), the sponsor (Washington University School of Medicine), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.
Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.
Authoritative Sources
The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCT06867549 clinical trial studying?
The investigators hypothesize that brief behavioral therapy and targeted propofol infusion in depressed geriatric patients will augment subsequent slow wave sleep and improve clinical and cognitive outcomes. The team will recruit 70 participants for a double-blinded placebo controlled randomized controlled trial. Two propofol infusions, 2-6 days apart, will be administered, targeting either a low propofol dose arm (minimal EEG slow waves, brain effect-site concentration 1-2 mcg/ml) or moderate dose propofol arm (maximal induction of EEG slow waves, brain effect site concentration of \>2.5 mcg/… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.
Who can participate in NCT06867549?
Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.
How do I contact the trial site for NCT06867549?
Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.
Is participating in a clinical trial safe?
Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.
Where can I verify the data on this page?
Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.
How This Page Is Built
Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT06867549. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06867549. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."
Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.
Last updated 2026-06-07 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.