Can a sleep therapy and melatonin combo help older adults beat chronic insomnia?

NCT ID NCT07695246

First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether adding melatonin to cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) improves sleep in adults aged 60 and older with chronic insomnia. Participants are randomly assigned to receive CBT-I plus melatonin, CBT-I plus a placebo, or sleep education plus a placebo, all over four weekly group sessions. The goal is to see if the combination reduces insomnia symptoms more than CBT-I alone or education alone.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Melatonin 3 mg immediate-release
What this could lead to
If successful, this could point toward a combined behavioural and medication approach to improve sleep in older adults without long-term drug dependence.
What could go wrong
This is a relatively small, early-stage trial, and the effects of melatonin added to CBT-I may be modest. Results may not apply to all older adults or those with other health conditions.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Sleep Research Clinic and Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong

    Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

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