Tart Cherry Juice for Sleep in Older Adults with Insomnia: a Pilot Study of Feasibility and Comprehensive Mechanisms

Description

The purpose of this research study is test if a study that asks older adults with sleep problems to consume tart cherry products is feasible and determine if it can change sleep patterns. This study is a total of 12 weeks. Participants will be asked to consume tart cherry juice for 4 weeks and the placebo juice for 4 weeks, while wearing a digital monitor that measures sleep. Blood (about 3 teaspoons) and urine (about 2 tablespoons) samples will be taken before and after consuming both juices to measure certain biological markers related to sleep.

Conditions

Sleep Problems, Insomnia

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The purpose of this research study is test if a study that asks older adults with sleep problems to consume tart cherry products is feasible and determine if it can change sleep patterns. This study is a total of 12 weeks. Participants will be asked to consume tart cherry juice for 4 weeks and the placebo juice for 4 weeks, while wearing a digital monitor that measures sleep. Blood (about 3 teaspoons) and urine (about 2 tablespoons) samples will be taken before and after consuming both juices to measure certain biological markers related to sleep.

Tart Cherry Juice for Sleep in Older Adults with Insomnia: a Pilot Study of Feasibility and Comprehensive Mechanisms

Tart Cherry Juice for Sleep in Older Adults with Insomnia: a Pilot Study of Feasibility and Comprehensive Mechanisms

Condition
Sleep Problems
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Roslindale

Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States, 02131

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Men and women aged ≥65 years
  • * Self-reporting insomnia (e.g., trouble sleeping approximately 3 nights a week for at least 6 months and/or an Insomnia Severity Index score ≥ 10 points)
  • * Usual bed-time between 8:00 pm and 1:00 am
  • * Unwilling to follow the study protocol
  • * Inability to properly use the wearable device, complete smartphone-based surveys, or follow the intervention protocol
  • * Self-report of medically diagnosed sleep disorders except insomnia (e.g., sleep apnea)
  • * Current and consistent use of sleep aids or hypnotic prescriptions (e.g., trazadone)
  • * Self-report of cognitive impairment, dementia, or other neurological disorder
  • * Are on unstable medications (i.e., change within the last 3 months) for other conditions
  • * Have an allergy to the intervention products
  • * Self-report history of diabetes
  • * Current alcohol (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test ≥4 points33,34) or drug use disorder (Drug Abuse Screening Test,35,36 DAST-10\>2 points)
  • * Are excessive caffeine drinkers (\>5 cups of caffeinated beverages a day)
  • * Any other reason/condition the PI and investigative team believe this intervention would be unsafe

Ages Eligible for Study

65 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Courtney Millar,

Courtney Millar, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Hebrew SeniorLife, Marcus Institute of Aging, Harvard Medical School

Study Record Dates

2026-03-01