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Melatonin Intervention For Neurocognitive Deficits in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort

Melatonin Intervention For Neurocognitive Deficits in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01700959
Enrollment
911
Registered
2012-10-04
Start date
2013-02-06
Completion date
2017-04-19
Last updated
2018-06-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cancer Malignancies

Keywords

Melatonin, Neurocognitive impairment, Sleep disturbance, Childhood cancer survivors

Brief summary

Primary objective: 1. To examine the efficacy of melatonin treatment on neurocognitive functioning in adult survivors of childhood cancer. Secondary objectives: 1. To evaluate the efficacy of melatonin treatment on delayed sleep onset latency in long-term childhood cancer survivors. 2. To investigate whether improvement in sleep onset latency due to melatonin treatment is associated with neurocognitive improvement in long-term childhood cancer survivors. This study is a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial of time release melatonin for adult survivors of childhood cancer who demonstrate impaired neurocognitive functioning and/or difficulty falling asleep.

Detailed description

All participants undergo a general neurocognitive evaluation at baseline and 6-month follow-up, focused on assessment of intelligence, academic skills, attention, processing speed, memory and executive functions. Sleep parameters using self-report and actigraphy will be assessed at three time points during the study: Baseline, 3-months, and 6-months. Participants will be divided into 3 mutually exclusive groups: * Cohort 1: Participant has neurocognitive impairment defined as performance on at least one measure of attention, memory, and/or executive functioning at or below the 10th percentile, AND is absent of delayed sleep onset latency defined as an inability to fall asleep within 30 minutes less than once a week during the past month. * Cohort 2: Participant has neurocognitive impairment defined as performance on at least one measure of attention, memory, and/or executive functioning at or below the 10th percentile, AND has delayed sleep onset latency defined as self-report of an inability to fall asleep within 30 minutes at least once a week during the past month. * Cohort 3: Participant is absent of neurocognitive impairment defined as performance \>10th percentile on all six measures of attention, memory, and executive functioning, AND has delayed sleep onset latency defined as self-report of an inability to fall asleep within 30 minutes \> once a week during the past month. Within each group, participants will be randomly assigned to take either 3 mgs of time release melatonin or placebo 1-2 hours before bedtime each night for 6 months. Psychosocial measures of health-related quality of life and psychological distress will be completed at baseline and following 6 months of melatonin/placebo treatment. Biological samples for serum melatonin levels will be collected at baseline and at the 6 month follow-up evaluation.

Interventions

DRUGmelatonin

Melatonin 3mg time release will be given. Participants will be instructed to take one 3mg time released tablet by mouth approximately 1-2 hours before initiating sleep onset, preferably at the same time each night.

DRUGplacebo

Placebo tablets to match the melatonin will be comprised of inert substances.

Sponsors

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
CollaboratorNIH
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* A St. Jude Life participant who was previously treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital * 10 or more years from diagnosis * 18 years of age or older * Able to speak and understand the English language * Participant has a full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) score \>79. * Cohort 1 participant: * Has neurocognitive impairment defined as performance on at least one measure of attention, memory, and/or executive functioning ≤10th percentile. * Is absent of delayed sleep onset latency defined as an inability to fall asleep within 30 minutes \< once a week during the past month. * Cohort 2 participant: * Has neurocognitive impairment defined as performance on at least one measure of attention, memory, and/or executive functioning ≤10th percentile. * Has delayed sleep onset latency defined as self-report of an inability to fall asleep within 30 minutes ≥ once a week during the past month. * Cohort 3 participant: * Is absent of neurocognitive impairment defined as performance \>10th percentile on all six measures of attention, memory, and executive functioning. * Has delayed sleep onset latency defined as self-report of an inability to fall asleep within 30 minutes ≥ once a week during the past month. * Female participant of childbearing age must not be pregnant or lactating * Female research participant of childbearing age and male research participant of child fathering potential agrees to use safe contraceptive methods

Exclusion criteria

* Known allergy to melatonin or any ingredients of the study product or placebo * Participant currently is taking melatonin * Known sleep apnea or medically treated sleep disorder (e.g. restless leg syndrome) * Known diabetes mellitus - insulin treated * Participant has uncontrolled seizure disorder in past 12 months * Reported current illicit drug or alcohol abuse or dependence * Reported current major psychiatric illness (i.e. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) * Current treatment with: (1) benzodiazepines or other central nervous system depressants, (2) fluvoxamine, (3) anticoagulants (e.g. coumadin), (4) immunosuppressant or corticosteroids, OR (5) nifedipine (Procardia XL(R)) * Employed in a position that requires night work (i.e. 10pm to 6am) * Females who are pregnant or lactating/nursing * History of neurologic event (i.e. traumatic brain injury) unrelated to cancer or its treatment * Sensory impairment (vision, hearing) that prohibits completion of neurocognitive examination

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Neurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Baseline and 6 months after start of therapyEfficacy of melatonin treatment on neurocognitive functioning in adult survivors of childhood cancer (Cohorts 1 and 2 only). The measures were analyzed to compare change in neurocognitive performance from baseline to 6 months between active treatment and placebo groups. The unit of measure is a standardized z-score with a mean of 0 and standard deviation of 1. A higher z-score represents a better outcome.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Baseline and six months after start of therapyEfficacy of melatonin on delayed sleep onset latency in long-term childhood cancer survivors (Cohorts 2 and 3 only). The measures were analyzed to compare change in sleep onset latency from baseline to 6 months between active treatment and placebo groups.
Neurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Baseline and six months after start of therapyInvestigate whether improvement in sleep onset latency due to melatonin treatment is associated with neurocognitive improvement in long-term childhood cancer survivors (Cohort 2). The change in neurocognitive performance from baseline to 6 months will be examined in relation to change in sleep onset latency. The unit of measure is a standardized z-score with a mean of 0 and standard deviation of 1. The unit of measurement is a correlation coefficient (Pearson's R2). The range is from -1.0 to 1.0. A zero indicates no correlation while values closer to -1.0 or 1.0 reflect a stronger association. A negative correlation suggests that as sleep latency decreased, neurocognitive functioning improved.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

911 participants were enrolled and screened between February 2013 and June 2017. Of the 911, 298 were ineligible and 33 withdrew prior to randomization. 580 were randomized.

Pre-assignment details

The remaining 580 participants were categorized into three mutually exclusive groups: (1) neurocognitive impairment (NI) without delayed sleep onset latency (DSOL), (2) NI with DSOL, and (3) No NI with DSOL. Participants were then randomized to take melatonin or placebo.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Melatonin: NI Without DSOL
Participants receive 3 mgs of time-release melatonin 1-2 hours prior to bedtime for 6 months. melatonin: Melatonin 3mg time release will be given. Participants will be instructed to take one 3mg time released tablet by mouth approximately 1-2 hours before initiating sleep onset, preferably at the same time each night.
58
Placebo: NI Without DSOL
Participants receive a placebo identical to the time-release melatonin and are instructed to take it 1-2 hours prior to bedtime for 6 months. placebo: Placebo tablets to match the melatonin will be comprised of inert substances.
58
Melatonin: NI With DSOL
Participants receive 3 mgs of time-release melatonin 1-2 hours prior to bedtime for 6 months. melatonin: Melatonin 3mg time release will be given. Participants will be instructed to take one 3mg time released tablet by mouth approximately 1-2 hours before initiating sleep onset, preferably at the same time each night.
62
Placebo: NI With DSOL
Participants receive a placebo identical to the time-release melatonin and are instructed to take it 1-2 hours prior to bedtime for 6 months. placebo: Placebo tablets to match the melatonin will be comprised of inert substances.
68
Melatonin: No NI With DSOL
Participants receive 3 mgs of time-release melatonin 1-2 hours prior to bedtime for 6 months. melatonin: Melatonin 3mg time release will be given. Participants will be instructed to take one 3mg time released tablet by mouth approximately 1-2 hours before initiating sleep onset, preferably at the same time each night.
66
Placebo: No NI With DSOL
Participants receive a placebo identical to the time-release melatonin and are instructed to take it 1-2 hours prior to bedtime for 6 months. placebo: Placebo tablets to match the melatonin will be comprised of inert substances.
68
Total380

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002FG003FG004FG005
Overall StudyAdverse Event011202
Overall StudyIneligible212001
Overall StudyNoncompliant991718159
Overall StudySide effects148441
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject1591211812

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicMelatonin: NI Without DSOLPlacebo: NI Without DSOLMelatonin: NI With DSOLPlacebo: NI With DSOLMelatonin: No NI With DSOLPlacebo: No NI With DSOLTotal
Age, Continuous32.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.1
36.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.1
32.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.8
32.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.3
35.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9
36.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.2
34.46 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.7
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants0 Participants2 Participants4 Participants1 Participants0 Participants7 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
55 Participants52 Participants59 Participants61 Participants59 Participants61 Participants347 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
3 Participants6 Participants1 Participants3 Participants6 Participants7 Participants26 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
6 Participants5 Participants8 Participants9 Participants1 Participants7 Participants36 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants3 Participants1 Participants5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
52 Participants53 Participants53 Participants59 Participants62 Participants59 Participants338 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
26 Participants24 Participants37 Participants39 Participants35 Participants46 Participants207 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
32 Participants34 Participants25 Participants29 Participants31 Participants22 Participants173 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
EG004
affected / at risk
EG005
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 580 / 580 / 620 / 680 / 660 / 68
other
Total, other adverse events
37 / 5837 / 5852 / 6260 / 6857 / 6658 / 68
serious
Total, serious adverse events
2 / 582 / 589 / 626 / 682 / 6610 / 68

Outcome results

Primary

Neurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.

Efficacy of melatonin treatment on neurocognitive functioning in adult survivors of childhood cancer (Cohorts 1 and 2 only). The measures were analyzed to compare change in neurocognitive performance from baseline to 6 months between active treatment and placebo groups. The unit of measure is a standardized z-score with a mean of 0 and standard deviation of 1. A higher z-score represents a better outcome.

Time frame: Baseline and 6 months after start of therapy

Population: Analysis based on intent to treat. Include participants who were randomized and completed the 6-month assessment.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Melatonin: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Sustained Attention Difference0.06 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 1.11
Melatonin: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Working Memory Difference0.17 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.67
Melatonin: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Long-term Verbal Memory Difference0.02 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 1.16
Melatonin: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Cognitive Flexibility0.31 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 1.22
Melatonin: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Cognitive Fluency Difference0.14 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.68
Melatonin: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Auditory Attention Difference0.35 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 1.02
Placebo: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Auditory Attention Difference0.18 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.87
Placebo: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Sustained Attention Difference0.16 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 1.3
Placebo: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Cognitive Fluency Difference0.21 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.74
Placebo: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Long-term Verbal Memory Difference-0.03 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 1.04
Placebo: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Cognitive Flexibility0.31 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 1.06
Placebo: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Working Memory Difference0.07 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.82
Melatonin: NI With DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Sustained Attention Difference0.24 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 1.16
Melatonin: NI With DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Working Memory Difference0.03 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.75
Melatonin: NI With DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Cognitive Flexibility0.31 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 1.37
Melatonin: NI With DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Auditory Attention Difference0.06 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 1.11
Melatonin: NI With DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Long-term Verbal Memory Difference-0.13 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.98
Melatonin: NI With DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Cognitive Fluency Difference0.16 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.64
Placebo: NI With DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Cognitive Fluency Difference0.18 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.63
Placebo: NI With DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Long-term Verbal Memory Difference-0.15 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 1.29
Placebo: NI With DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Cognitive Flexibility0.18 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 1.19
Placebo: NI With DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Sustained Attention Difference0.08 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 1.39
Placebo: NI With DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Working Memory Difference0.004 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.76
Placebo: NI With DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function.Auditory Attention Difference0.37 Z-scoreStandard Deviation 0.96
Secondary

Neurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.

Investigate whether improvement in sleep onset latency due to melatonin treatment is associated with neurocognitive improvement in long-term childhood cancer survivors (Cohort 2). The change in neurocognitive performance from baseline to 6 months will be examined in relation to change in sleep onset latency. The unit of measure is a standardized z-score with a mean of 0 and standard deviation of 1. The unit of measurement is a correlation coefficient (Pearson's R2). The range is from -1.0 to 1.0. A zero indicates no correlation while values closer to -1.0 or 1.0 reflect a stronger association. A negative correlation suggests that as sleep latency decreased, neurocognitive functioning improved.

Time frame: Baseline and six months after start of therapy

Population: Analysis based on intent to treat includes Cohort 2 participants randomized to melatonin who completed the 6-month assessment. Cohorts 1 and 3 were not assessed. 2 assessments of the primary outcome collected in Cohort 2 included self-report and actigraphy. 50 is the total number with actigraphy data. Data were missing for 12 participants.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Melatonin: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Working Memory Difference0.04 Z-score
Melatonin: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Auditory Attention Difference0.22 Z-score
Melatonin: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Long-term Verbal Memory Difference0.07 Z-score
Melatonin: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Cognitive Flexibility0.30 Z-score
Melatonin: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Cognitive Fluency Difference-0.22 Z-score
Melatonin: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Sustained Attention Difference-0.10 Z-score
Placebo: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Cognitive Fluency Difference0.03 Z-score
Placebo: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Sustained Attention Difference-0.16 Z-score
Placebo: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Long-term Verbal Memory Difference-0.02 Z-score
Placebo: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Cognitive Flexibility0.15 Z-score
Placebo: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Working Memory Difference-0.001 Z-score
Placebo: NI Without DSOLNeurocognitive Function as Measured by Performance on Standardized Tests of Attention, Memory, and Executive Function, and Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Auditory Attention Difference-0.09 Z-score
Secondary

Sleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.

Efficacy of melatonin on delayed sleep onset latency in long-term childhood cancer survivors (Cohorts 2 and 3 only). The measures were analyzed to compare change in sleep onset latency from baseline to 6 months between active treatment and placebo groups.

Time frame: Baseline and six months after start of therapy

Population: Analysis based on intent to treat. Includes participants who were randomized and completed the 6-month assessment.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Melatonin: NI With DSOLSleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Sleep onset latency - actigraphy5.66 minutesStandard Deviation 29.7
Melatonin: NI With DSOLSleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Sleet onset latency - self-report-20.59 minutesStandard Deviation 23.73
Placebo: NI With DSOLSleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Sleet onset latency - self-report17.79 minutesStandard Deviation 37.19
Placebo: NI With DSOLSleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Sleep onset latency - actigraphy-10.96 minutesStandard Deviation 30.21
Melatonin: No NI With DSOLSleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Sleet onset latency - self-report-18.14 minutesStandard Deviation 27.06
Melatonin: No NI With DSOLSleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Sleep onset latency - actigraphy-8.47 minutesStandard Deviation 23.95
Placebo: No NI With DSOLSleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Sleet onset latency - self-report-29.03 minutesStandard Deviation 64.49
Placebo: No NI With DSOLSleep Onset Latency as Measured by Actigraphy and Self-report.Sleep onset latency - actigraphy1.95 minutesStandard Deviation 39.71

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026