Can melatonin help ICU patients snap out of delirium?
NCT ID NCT03438526
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether giving melatonin at bedtime can help older ICU patients (55+) recover faster from hypoactive delirium, a state of confusion and low activity. Researchers will compare melatonin to a placebo in 190 patients, measuring how long delirium lasts and overall recovery. The goal is to restore normal sleep-wake cycles and improve outcomes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Melatonin
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a simple, safe way to reduce delirium duration and improve recovery in older ICU patients.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with 190 participants. Melatonin may not outperform placebo, and results may not apply to all ICU patients.
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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
Locations
-
University Hospital Basel
RECRUITINGBasel, 4031, Switzerland
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.