Clinical Research Directory

Online Tai Chi Versus Digital CBT-I for Chronic Insomnia

This multicenter randomized controlled trial will compare online Tai Chi (OTC) with digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I) in adults with chronic insomnia disorder. A total of 172 participants aged 18 to 65 years will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a 6-week standardized online Tai Chi intervention or a 6-week structured dCBT-I intervention. Both groups will receive the same standardized sleep hygiene education. The primary objective is to determine whether online Tai Chi is noninferior to dCBT-I in improving insomnia severity at Week 6, as measured by change in the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) from baseline. Participants will be followed through Week 30. Approximately 120 participants will additionally participate in an actigraphy substudy with 7-day assessments at baseline, Week 6, and Week 30.

Individualized TCM Pattern-Based Thread-Embedding Acupuncture Plus Auricular Acupressure for Chronic Insomnia

Chronic insomnia disorder is a common sleep disorder associated with impaired daytime functioning and may be accompanied by alterations in immune-inflammatory and gut-related biological processes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) uses pattern differentiation to individualize treatment; however, the additional clinical value of pattern-based treatment compared with a standardized protocol remains insufficiently established. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether individualized TCM pattern-based thread-embedding acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure improves sleep quality more effectively than the same therapeutic modalities delivered using a standardized fixed-point protocol in adults with chronic insomnia disorder. Participants will be classified as having either Heart-Spleen Deficiency or Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Deficiency according to prespecified TCM diagnostic criteria and randomized 1:1 to individualized pattern-based treatment or standardized treatment. The primary outcome is the change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score from baseline to the end of treatment. Secondary clinical outcomes include insomnia severity measured by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), gastrointestinal symptoms measured by the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and adverse events. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and fecal calprotectin will be assessed as exploratory systemic and gut-related inflammatory biomarkers. These biomarkers are intended to explore biological correlates potentially relevant to gut-brain interactions and are not considered diagnostic markers of insomnia or direct measures of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Clinical outcomes will additionally be assessed at Week 10, four weeks after completion of scheduled treatment, to evaluate persistence of clinical effects.

A SMART Approach to Evaluating the Benefits of Common Prescription and OTC Medications for Insomnia

The purpose of this study is to assess the relative effectiveness, safety, and durability of the most commonly used prescription (zolpidem, trazodone) and over-the-counter (OTC) (melatonin, diphenhydramine) medications for insomnia, as well as a less commonly used prescription that may have a better risk/benefit profile (doxepin).

Translation and Validation of the French Version of the Sleep Regularity Questionnaire: a New Tool to Address the the Challenge of Sleep Health

Sleep is an essential function for physical and mental health. The mismatch between biological rhythms and the social rhythms of individuals is increasingly common in modern societies. This sleep irregularity can have numerous consequences on mental health, cardiometabolic health, the immune system, functioning, and quality of life. To address the public health issue of sleep irregularity, it is important to be able to obtain a valid and reliable measure. The Sleep Regularity Questionnaire (SRQ) by Dzierzewski et al. addresses this issue, but has never been translated into French. The aim of the study is to translate and validate the French version of the Sleep Regularity Questionnaire.

Effects of Accelerated rTMS on Sleep Architecture in Chronic Insomnia Disorder

Chronic insomnia disorder is a common condition in which people have ongoing difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early. It affects about 10-12% of adults and can lead to daytime problems, stress, and other health issues. Current treatments include talk therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia) and sleep medications, but medications can have side effects and may not work well over the long term. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses applied to the scalp to stimulate specific areas of the brain. It has shown promise in improving sleep quality in people with insomnia by targeting a brain region called the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which plays a role in the overactive brain arousal thought to cause insomnia. The purpose of this study is to find out whether an accelerated course of rTMS using the EXOMIND™ device can improve sleep in adults with chronic insomnia disorder. The study will enroll approximately 70 participants aged 18 to 85 years at a single site in San Francisco. Participants will receive 6 rTMS sessions (3 times per week for 2 weeks). Each session lasts about 25 minutes. The study has three phases: a screening phase (up to 25 days) to confirm eligibility using sleep questionnaires and at-home sleep monitoring, a 2-week open-label treatment phase, and a follow-up phase with visits at 1 month and 3 months after the last treatment session. Total participation lasts up to approximately 139 days. The main goal is to measure whether insomnia severity improves after treatment, using a standard questionnaire called the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The study will also measure changes in objective sleep patterns (such as how long it takes to fall asleep, time spent in deep sleep, and total sleep time) recorded by a home sleep monitoring device, as well as changes in sleep quality, stress levels, and overall clinical impression of improvement. This is an open-label pilot study, meaning all participants will receive the rTMS treatment and there is no placebo group. The study does not involve any medications. Participants must not have certain medical conditions, electronic or metal implants in or near the head, untreated sleep apnea, or active serious psychiatric disorders. Participants who are pregnant or breastfeeding cannot take part.

Comparing Acoustic Resonance Therapy (ART) vs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)

The purpose of this study is to compare changes in sleep quality in patients with moderate to severe insomnia, in participants randomized to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) arm versus those randomized to the SONU Headband Acoustic Resonance Therapy (ART) arm at end of treatment (6 weeks).

A Randomized, Single-Blind Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Brief Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Insomnia Patients Under Medication Treatment At Nguyen Trai Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

Insomnia disorder is considered quite common and is recognized as a risk factor for psychiatric disorders. In industrialized countries, chronic insomnia disorder is estimated to affect about 5-10% of the population, with some studies indicating that this rate can reach up to 33% among adults. Research in the Netherlands has shown that insomnia symptoms increase the risk of developing, relapsing, and prolonging mood disorders in men and are associated with recurrent anxiety disorders in women. Without treatment, insomnia disorders are challenging to improve and can impact patients' economic stability and health. Treating insomnia can support recovery and prevent mental disorders, particularly mood disorders. One of the commonly referenced non-pharmacological treatments for insomnia worldwide is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). This therapy has been recognized by the American College of Physicians as a first-line and highly effective treatment for insomnia. However, it still faces several barriers to widespread application in clinical practice, such as resource constraints and the time commitment required from patients. As a result, some studies abroad have shown that physicians may be reluctant to recommend CBT-I alone, even though it is considered the preferred treatment. To address these challenges, numerous international studies have expanded the range of providers (such as pharmacists and nurses) or adopted shortened versions, such as Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia (BBT-I), in hospitals or community pharmacies. BBT-I has been proven effective among older adults with a 2+2 design (two in-person sessions and two follow-up calls) and among younger adults using an electronic format. This is a brief, evidence-based therapy designed to encourage the application of CBT-I techniques in primary healthcare settings, demonstrating effectiveness when performed by healthcare providers with basic training. A significant advantage of combining CBT-I and BBT-I in treating insomnia is the reduction in medication use. When effectively implemented, it can shorten treatment duration, reduce hospitalization rates, decrease adverse effects from drug interactions, and improve patients' quality of life, ultimately reducing the financial burden on healthcare facilities and improving the quality of medical services. In Vietnam, CBT-I and BBT-I therapies are not yet widely applied or popularized. Based on the current situation and the desire to apply these therapies in treating chronic insomnia patients to improve quality of life and reduce medication costs, in 2023, Nguyen Trai Hospital collaborated with Thong Nhat Hospital and the Saigon Center for Pharmaceutical Science and Technology to conduct a city-level scientific and technological research program on the application of BBT-I in supporting the treatment of chronic insomnia in the elderly. The research developed a "Sleep Support Guide" as a resource for healthcare workers to counsel patients and provide essential information related to insomnia. Results from the study also showed that BBT-I could help improve sleep-related parameters, life quality, and sleep quality among elderly patients. However, the study had some limitations, such as being conducted only on elderly subjects, with a follow-up period of one month post-intervention for sleep parameters and three months for medication usage metrics, without a cost-effectiveness comparison with medication-only treatments. Therefore, further in-depth research with a wider range of subjects and a comparison with standard hospital treatments is necessary for broader application of this method in practice. Objective 1: To investigate the characteristics of chronic insomnia patients receiving medication at Nguyen Trai Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Objective 2: To assess the effectiveness of BBT-I in improving sleep quality and quality of life after one and three months compared to non-application in chronic insomnia patients receiving medication at Nguyen Trai Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Objective 3: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of BBT-I in improving sleep quality and quality of life when applied to chronic insomnia patients receiving medication at Nguyen Trai Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

FMT for Insomnia Disorder (FMT-SLEEP)

Insomnia disorder is characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or early morning awakening accompanied by symptoms such as irritability or fatigue during wakefulness. It is one of the most prevalent health concerns in the population and in clinical practice, with more than one-third of adults experience transient insomnia at some point in their lives. In about 40% of cases, insomnia can develop into a more chronic condition. The COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated sleep problems, with a reported global prevalence of sleep disturbances reaching 40-49%. The implications of insomnia disorder are substantial, encompassing social, economic, psychological, and physical aspects. Behavioural, cognitive, and pharmacological interventions can all be effective for insomnia. Pharmacological treatment is commonly used but may have drawbacks such as adverse events and inconclusive safety data for certain medications. Many licensed drugs can be effective in the acute treatment of insomnia but are associated with poor tolerability, or information about long-term effects is not available. Alternatively, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), has been recommended as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia in adults of any age according to the American and European guidelines. But issue of accessibility, compliance/adherence, and moderate response limit the practicality and applicability of CBT-I. Recent evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays a role in regulating sleep behaviour, both directly and indirectly. This has led to the exploration of gut microbiota modulation as a potential therapy for insomnia. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which is the infusion of faeces from healthy donors to the gut of affected subjects, has shown impressive therapeutic effects for various diseases. Several real-world studies have demonstrated improvements in symptoms of insomnia disorder following FMT. One previous study also indicated the potential of FMT in alleviating post-COVID insomnia. In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the investigators aim to assess the efficacy of FMT in improving insomnia disorder. Two groups will be recruited in 1:1 ratio. The intervention group will receive FMT while the control group will receive normal saline as placebo. Both groups will have the same assessments.