Sleep hormone melatonin tested to stop Post-Surgery confusion in seniors
NCT ID NCT04335968
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether giving melatonin, a natural sleep hormone, could prevent delirium (sudden confusion) in elderly patients after leg fracture surgery. Delirium affects up to 40% of older adults after major surgery and can lead to longer hospital stays and loss of independence. The trial enrolled 357 patients aged 70 and older, giving them either 4 mg of melatonin or a placebo each night from before surgery until five days after.
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 give doctors a simple, safe way to prevent confusion after surgery in older adults.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is completed but results are not yet widely confirmed. Melatonin may not reduce delirium in all patients, and individual responses can vary.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
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
-
hôpital Beaujon
Clichy-sous-Bois, 93390, France
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- A tiny dose of an old drug might stop Post-Surgery brain fog in seniors
- A short nutrition video may boost recovery after knee or shoulder surgery — a trial puts it to the test
- Could a better Pre-Surgery plan ease anxiety and boost recovery?
- Which works better for bone infections: cleaning or replacing hardware?
- Pre-Surgery IV placement could save time and money for patients with difficult veins
- Can a simple massage get knee replacement patients moving faster?