Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the way valerian, an herbal sleep agent, is absorbed and distributed in the body. This study will also compare the effects of valerian after 1 week versus after 2 weeks.


Clinical Trial Description

Sleep disturbances are common among the elderly and may increase the risk for depression and early mortality. Use of over-the-counter sleep aids may disrupt sleep patterns and have serious side effects. Herbal medicines have the potential to improve sleep quality. Evidence suggests that valerian may improve sleep with a low rate of side effects, but its efficacy has not been thoroughly examined in the elderly. This study will determine the effectiveness and pharmacokinetics (PK) of valerian in older adults who experience disturbances in their sleep.

This study will last 8 weeks. At the sleep clinic, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either valerian or placebo on the first night of study enrollment. Participants will have an intravenous (IV) line inserted into their arms and multiple blood draws will be taken during their sleep for PK studies. The next day, participants will be sent home for a drug wash-out period and will return after 1 week for a 3-night stay at the clinic on Nights 8, 9, and 10. On Night 8, participants will adjust to their surroundings and begin a sleep log to describe the quality of their sleep; they will continue to note observations on their sleep in the sleep log for the duration of the study. Recordings of each participant's sleeping and breathing patterns will be taken on Nights 8 and 9 to screen for sleep disorders. On Night 10, participants will again be randomly assigned to receive either valerian or placebo. After Night 10, participants will be sent home and asked to continue taking their assigned intervention nightly for 11 nights. Participants will be asked to continue their sleep logs and begin a symptom log describing insomnia symptoms. After 11 nights, participants will return for another 3-night stay at the clinic on Nights 22, 23, and 24; participants will receive either valerian or placebo. Participants will then be sent home for a 12-day drug wash-out period; participants will return to the clinic for Nights 37 and 38. Night 37 will be an adaptation night; on Night 38, participants will be given the intervention they were not yet assigned on Night 24. After Night 38, participants will be asked to go home and continue their second treatment for 11 nights; participants will come back to the sleep clinic for another 3-night stay on Nights 50, 51, and 52 for observation and PK studies. After Night 52, participants will be sent home and asked to continue their sleep and symptoms logs for two more nights, then mail the logs to study researchers for analysis.

During this study, participants will be asked to keep logs of the quality of their sleep and of the insomnia symptoms they may be experiencing. In addition to the logs, post-sleep interviews will be used to assess the quality of participants' sleep and the number of awakenings. Participants' heart and breathing rates and leg movements will be measured during their stays at the sleep clinic. Participants will also have an activity monitoring device attached to either their wrist or waist for most of the study. ;


Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment


Related Conditions & MeSH terms

  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

NCT number NCT00097604
Study type Interventional
Source University of Washington
Contact
Status Completed
Phase Phase 2
Start date September 2004
Completion date April 2008

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Enrolling by invitation NCT03276585 - Night in Japan Home Sleep Monitoring Study
Recruiting NCT05000528 - Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Patient Therapeutic Education on Chronic Insomnia N/A
Completed NCT04661306 - The Better Sleep for Supporters With Insomnia Study N/A
Completed NCT03673397 - The Acute Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Sleep in Patients With Depression N/A
Completed NCT01784614 - A Study of LY2624803 in Japanese Participants With Transient Insomnia Phase 1
Completed NCT00365261 - Effect of Eszopiclone on Sleep Disturbance and Pain in Cancer Phase 4
Completed NCT00380003 - Efficacy Study of EVT 201 to Treat Insomnia Phase 2
Completed NCT00183378 - Using Behavioral Programs to Treat Sleep Problems in Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease N/A
Completed NCT00946530 - Light Treatment for Sleep/Wake Disturbances in Alzheimer's Disease N/A
Completed NCT00630175 - Evaluation of the Hypnotic Properties of Zolpidem-MR 12.5 mg and Zolpidem 10 mg Marketed Product Compared to Placebo in Patients With Primary Insomnia Phase 3
Completed NCT00079664 - Comparing Tai Chi Training to a Low-Stress Physical Activity to Enhance Sleep in Older Adults Phase 1
Completed NCT00044629 - Combined Behavioral/Pharmacological Therapy for Insomnia Phase 2
Completed NCT01154023 - Behavioral Intervention for Insomnia in Older Adults N/A
Recruiting NCT04417153 - Who Benefits More? Optimising Mindfulness Based Interventions for Improved Psychological Outcomes
Completed NCT04560595 - Remote Guided Caffeine Reduction N/A
Recruiting NCT04986007 - Addressing Nocturnal Sleep/Wake Effects on Risk of Suicide in Older Adults N/A
Completed NCT03852966 - Better Sleep in Psychiatric Care - ADHD Pilot Study N/A
Terminated NCT00750919 - Twenty-six Week Extension Trial of Org 50081 (Esmirtazapine) in Outpatients With Chronic Primary Insomnia (176003/P05721/MK-8265-007) Phase 3
Recruiting NCT04550507 - Mind-Body Interventions to Mitigate Effects of Media Use on Sleep in Early Adolescents N/A
Recruiting NCT05226585 - Mechanisms of Change in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) N/A