Sleeping pill may help older adults recover better after surgery

NCT ID NCT05823844

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Columbia University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 23, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether the sleep medication suvorexant can improve restorative sleep and reduce insomnia in older adults recovering from elective surgery. Participants aged 50 to 90 who have a history of insomnia will receive either suvorexant or a placebo during their hospital stay. The study measures total sleep time and tracks sleep patterns over several days to see if the drug helps restore normal sleep after surgery.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: a sleep medication called suvorexant (Belsomra), an orexin receptor antagonist
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a way to improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia after surgery in older adults.
What could go wrong: This is a relatively small, early-phase trial, so results may not apply to everyone. The medication may cause daytime sleepiness or other side effects.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Emergence Delirium insomnia Parasomnias

As listed by the trial registrant

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

POSTOPERATIVE DELIRIUM POSTOPERATIVE INSOMNIA

Contacts and locations

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Locations

NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital/CUMC Milstein Hospital Building

New York, New York, 10032/10034, United States

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