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Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Anesthesia-Induced Sleep Therapy for Refractory Insomnia

Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Anesthesia-Induced Sleep Therapy for Refractory Insomnia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07255027
Enrollment
180
Registered
2025-11-28
Start date
2025-12-01
Completion date
2027-08-01
Last updated
2025-11-28

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

Conditions

Insomnia

Keywords

Anesthesia-Induced Sleep, Insomnia, Dexmedetomidine

Brief summary

The incidence of refractory insomnia is rising annually, with traditional therapies offering limited efficacy. Anesthesia-Induced Sleep (AIS), involving anesthetic infusion like dexmedetomidine, is emerging. Its ability to mimic natural sleep architecture is unclear. Studies confirm AIS can shorten latency and improve sleep efficiency, but neuromodulatory mechanisms and long-term efficacy remain unclear with scarce follow-up data. This study used dexmedetomidine-based AIS under polysomnography to validate its induction of normal sleep architecture, evaluate long-term efficacy and safety, and explore mechanisms, aiming to provide a novel non-pharmacological intervention.

Detailed description

The incidence of refractory insomnia has been rising annually, severely impacting patients' quality of life. Traditional pharmacological and physical therapies offer limited efficacy and struggle to achieve long-term relief. Anesthesia-Induced Sleep (AIS), an emerging treatment, typically involves intravenous infusion of anesthetic agents like dexmedetomidine to rapidly induce sleep. However, whether it can mimic natural sleep architecture remains unclear. Recent domestic and international studies have preliminarily confirmed that AIS can shorten latency and improve sleep efficiency. However, issues such as unclear neuromodulatory mechanisms and fluctuating long-term efficacy persist, and large-scale long-term follow-up data remain scarce. This study implemented dexmedetomidine-based AIS under polysomnographic monitoring to validate its ability to induce normal sleep architecture (e.g., restoring slow-wave sleep proportion) while evaluating long-term efficacy and safety. By quantifying sleep parameters and neural electrical activity, we explored potential mechanisms of AIS in reshaping sleep homeostasis. This research aims to provide a novel non-pharmacological intervention strategy for refractory insomnia and advance clinical translation.

Interventions

DRUGDexmedetomidine and conventional oral drug

Dexmedetomidine was administered intravenously once daily for three consecutive days, supplementing conventional oral drug therapy. The dexmedetomidine was administered via a loading dose of 1.5 μg/kg intravenously over 15 minutes, with a subsequent continuous infusion at a maintenance dose of 0.5-0.7 μg/kg/h.

DRUGConventional oral drug therapy

Patients only received conventional oral drug therapy.

Sponsors

Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Mental Health Center
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Beijing Tiantan Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Adults aged 18-65 years meeting ICSD-3 diagnostic criteria for chronic insomnia. * Persistent sleep disturbance (≥3 nights/week for ≥3 months). * Significant daytime impairment (e.g., mood disturbance, cognitive decline). * Treatment-refractory (failed prior pharmacotherapy/non-pharmacotherapy). * No chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, moderate to severe sleep apnea syndrome, or atrioventricular block. * Obtain written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

* Participants with severe concomitant diseases affecting other organ systems. * Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (e.g., AHI ≥30 events/hour) or uncontrolled central sleep apnea. * Pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy. * History of alcoholism or drug dependence. * Suicidal ideation or a severe psychiatric history (e.g., schizophrenia, unstable bipolar disorder). * Participants with a prior allergic reaction to the study drug. * Participants who have recently participated in other clinical studies.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The percentage of NREM-N3 sleep within total sleep time, as recorded by polysomnogram the night before discharge,an average of 7 days.At the night before discharge,an average of 7 days.After the end of anesthesia-induced sleep therapy, the percentage of NREM-N3 recorded by polysomnogram within total sleep time at the night before discharge,an average of 7 days.

Contacts

Primary ContactYan Zhao
718328043@qq.com13911076631

Outcome results

None listed

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