The Impact of Nighttime Mouth Taping on Sleep Quality
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Authors
Emily Dimock
Issue Date
2026
Type
Language
Keywords
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Abstract
Sleep quality is an important factor in overall health, academic performance, and daily functioning, but many college students experience poor sleep even without a diagnosed sleep disorder. The purpose of this study is to examine whether taping the mouth during sleep improves sleep quality in college students without diagnosed sleep disorders. While previous research has looked at the use of mouth taping in individuals with sleep-related conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, less is known about its impact on the general population. Additionally, many earlier studies relied primarily on self-reported data, which can be subjective. This study aims to address these gaps by combining objective sleep measurements with participant reported data. This research uses a three-week crossover study design. Participants are instructed to limit caffeine intake to no more than 200 mg per day and to avoid caffeine after 2:00 p.m. Before the study begins, participants visit the Human Performance Lab to receive a sleep monitor and mouth tape. Throughout the three weeks, participants wear an ActTrust2 watch each night to track sleep duration and sleep disturbances. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group tapes their mouth during sleep for the first 10 days and then sleeps normally for the final 10 days, while the second group follows the opposite order. Daily reminders are sent to encourage participants to wear the sleep monitor, apply mouth tape when required, and complete a daily survey. Subjective sleep quality and daytime fatigue levels are assessed using daily surveys and the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ). This study is currently in progress. It is expected that mouth taping during sleep will lead to increased total sleep time, fewer nighttime awakenings, and reduced daytime fatigue. The findings from this study may help determine whether nighttime mouth taping is a simple and effective strategy to improve sleep quality in college students.