2 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Chronic insomnia is a prevalent disorder associated with increased health care costs, impaired functioning, and an increased risk for developing serious psychiatric disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) and benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BzRA) medications are the most widely supported approaches for insomnia management. Unfortunately, few studies have compared the psychological/behavioral therapies and BzRAs for insomnia treatment. Moreover, insomnia treatment studies have been limited by small, highly screened study samples, fixed-dose and fixed-agent pharmacotherapy strategies that do not represent usual adjustable dosing practices, relatively short follow-up intervals, and reliance on self-report or polysomnographic (PSG) sleep parameters as outcomes, rather than on more clinically relevant indicators of remission. Finally, studies have yet to test the benefits of treatment sequencing for those who do not respond to initial their insomnia therapy. This multi-site project will address these limitations. Two study sites will enroll a total of 224 participants who meet broad criteria for a chronic insomnia disorder, and a sizeable portion (60%) of this sample will have insomnia occurring comorbid to a psychiatric disorder. Participants will be evaluated with clinical assessments and PSG, and then will be randomly assigned to first-stage therapy with an easy-to-administer behavioral insomnia therapy (BT) or zolpidem (most widely prescribed BzRA). Centrally trained therapists will administer therapies according to manualized, albeit flexible, treatment algorithms. Initial outcomes will be assessed after 6 weeks, and treatment remitters will be followed for the next 12 months on maintenance therapy. Those not achieving remission will be offered re-randomization to a second, 6-week treatment involving pharmacotherapy (zolpidem or trazodone) or psychological therapy (BT or cognitive therapy-CT). All participants will be re-evaluated 12 weeks after protocol initiation, and at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups while continuing their final treatment. Insomnia remission, defined categorically as a score \< 8 on the Insomnia Severity Index, will serve as the primary outcome for treatment comparisons. Secondary outcomes will include sleep diary and PSG sleep measures; subjective ratings of sleep and daytime function; adverse events; dropout rates; and treatment acceptability. Our over-arching goal is to obtain new information that aids in the development of clinical guidelines for managing insomnia sufferers with and without comorbid psychiatric conditions.
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PROSOMNIA Sleep Therapy (PSTx) for individuals suffering from chronic insomnia, sleep deprivation, and REM sleep disorders. Chronic insomnia, characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, significantly affects patients and quality of life, mood, and cognitive function. REM sleep disorders, in which the body struggles to enter or maintain restful REM sleep, can worsen these issues. The trial introduces a novel therapy using anesthesia-induced sleep, targeting sleep homeostasis and improving sleep architecture. Objectives: The primary goals of the trial are to determine: 1. Whether PROSOMNIA Sleep Therapy increases the quality of REM sleep. 2. Whether PSTx increases the duration of REM and/or NREM sleep. 3. Whether PSTx decreases the time it takes participants to fall asleep (sleep onset latency). Participants will receive ONE (1) PROSOMNIA Sleep Therapy session lasting between 60-120 minutes. Each session uses Diprivan/Propofol to induce sleep, and is monitored via an EEG to ensure proper sleep stages, particularly REM sleep. Participant Criteria: Inclusion: Adults aged 18-65 with diagnosed or undiagnosed chronic insomnia or sleep deprivation. Exclusion: Patients with severe obesity, significant cardiovascular, neurological, or psychiatric conditions, or those with an ASA status above II. Study Design: This trial is non-randomized, single-arm and open-label, with all participants receiving the PSTx. The trial does not include a comparison group, as the focus is on evaluating the immediate, direct effects of the therapy. Participants will undergo continuous EEG monitoring during therapy sessions, allowing researchers to track brain activity and sleep stages in real-time. This method ensures that sleep cycles, particularly REM sleep, are optimized for therapeutic benefit. Therapy Methodology: PROSOMNIA Sleep Therapy leverages anesthesia to mimic natural sleep patterns and enhance the efficiency of REM sleep. Diprivan/Propofol is used to induce REM sleep, while EEG monitoring tracks and maintains proper sleep architecture throughout the session. The therapy promotes the clearance of adenosine, a compound that builds up during wakefulness and drives the need for sleep. Adenosine is cleared during REM sleep, reducing sleep pressure and improving cognitive function. Outcome Measures: Primary Outcomes: Researchers will measure the increase in REM sleep duration, improvement in sleep quality (via self-reported questionnaires), and a reduction in sleep onset latency. Secondary Outcomes: These include changes in mood, cognitive function, and blood serum uric acid levels. Patient-reported outcomes will also be tracked through tools like the PROSOMNIA Sleep Quiz, which is specifically designed for PSTx. Significance: Chronic insomnia and REM sleep disorders affect millions globally, leading to cognitive impairment, mood disturbances, and poor overall health. Traditional treatments, including pharmacological approaches and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), often provide suboptimal results for many individuals. PSTx offers a novel, therapeutic approach to restoring sleep balance and enhancing the overall quality of sleep, particularly for those who have not responded to conventional treatments. Study Process: Recruitment and Baseline Assessments: Participants undergo a comprehensive sleep assessment, including sleep questionnaires and polysomnography, to establish a baseline for sleep quality and duration. Blood serum uric acid levels will also be measured to track any biochemical changes due to therapy. Therapy Sessions: Only one (1) PROSOMNIA Sleep Therapy session will be administered, with the session lasting between 60-120 minutes. Diprivan/Propofol is used to induce sleep, and EEG will monitor brain activity to ensure the proper balance of sleep stages. Post-Therapy Follow-up: Follow-up assessments will occur at 24 hours, 7 days, and 30 days post-treatment. Researchers will analyze the therapy effects on REM sleep, mood, cognitive function, and other health indicators. Potential Implications: If successful, this trial could revolutionize how we treat sleep disorders by targeting the underlying mechanisms of sleep pressure and REM sleep disruption. PROSOMNIA Sleep Therapy may offer a safe, effective, and immediate alternative for patients who have exhausted other treatment options. Key Concepts: Homeostatic sleep drive, (Process S), caused by adenosine buildup during wakefulness, is disrupted by chronic insomnia. This impacts cognitive function health and recovery. Anesthesia-induced REM sleep via PSTx helps regulate this homeostatic sleep stage, offering deeper and more restorative sleep compared to other sleep therapies. The study uses statistical methods like ANOVA and Chi-square to measure outcomes.