Multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial of Harmonizing the Liver and Spleen in the treatment of Primary Insomnia

ISRCTN ISRCTN22001145
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN22001145
Secondary identifying numbers Z13110200680000
Submission date
26/04/2014
Registration date
15/05/2014
Last edited
04/02/2016
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Many people suffer from trouble with sleeping because of social, hormonal and behavioral changes. Hypnotics are the most common treatment for insomnia. More or less hypnotics may change the normal structure of sleep, which causes worse daytime impairment. Chinese herbs have fewer side effects than hypnotics. We will evaluate the effectiveness of Chinese herbs to improve the treatment of patients with insomnia.

Who can participate?
Any patient aged 18 to 65 years who has suspected insomnia within the recruited sites will be included in the study.

What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group will receive Chinese herb granules and the group will get placebo (dummy) granules. All groups will be measured at the start of the study, after 4 weeks of treatment, after 8 weeks of treatment, just before both groups get one final treatment booster session, and again after 1 month to see if the treatment is effective in the long term.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Possible benefits for participants are deeper and longer sleep, and improvements of daily functioning that may have been affected by long-term sleep problems, like social functioning. We do not foresee any additional risks to patients in either group of the study.

Where is the study run from?
The study is set up and run by Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Dongfang Hospital and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Dongzhimen Hospital.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2014 to September 2016

Who is funding the study?
Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission (China)

Who is the main contact?
Prof Qing-Quan Liu, Chief Investigator
Dr Xue-Qi Zhu ,Trial Coordinator (zhuxueqi615@hotmail.com)

Contact information

Prof Qing-Quan Liu
Scientific

Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University
23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District
Beijing
100010
China

Study information

Study designMulti-center double-blind randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleA multi-center double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to test the clinical efficacy and safety of harmonizing the liver and spleen in the treatment of primary insomnia
Study acronymHLSPI
Study objectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of Chaihuguizhiganjiang-suanzaoren decoction granules in patients with primary insomnia.
Ethics approval(s)Medical Ethics Committee of the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine; 03/07/2014
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPrimary insomnia
InterventionThe subjects were treated once daily for 8 weeks with herb or placebo granules.

The experimental intervention is chaihuguizhiganjiang-suanzaoren decoction granules, based on 13 TCM herbs/products.

The control intervention is placebo granules, concluded 5% herbal decoction and 95% saccharose, and is similar to the experimental granules in the aspects of color, taste, smell and package.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureSleepiness measured using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Assessments will be measured at baseline, post-treatment evaluation and the 12-week follow-up evaluations.
Secondary outcome measures1. Changes in the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-treatment evaluation and the 12-week follow-up evaluations.
2. Sleep efficiency (SE) from sleep diary will be conducted every day until 12-week follow-up.
3. Changes in the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-treatment evaluation and the 12-week follow-up evaluations.
4. A safety evaluation of the intervention.
Overall study start date01/10/2013
Completion date30/09/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants258
Key inclusion criteria1. Men or women aged 18 to 65 years
2. Primary insomnia diagnosed from The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV)
3. Syndromes of spleen deficient and liver heat according to the traditional Chinese medicine clinical trial guiding principles for the treatment of insomnia.
4. Sleep difficulties lasting 1 month or longer, complaint of poor sleep (difficulty initiating and/or maintaining sleep, early morning awakening, or non-restorative sleep)
5. Not to receive another treatment during the clinical trial period
6. Written and informed consent
Key exclusion criteria1. Diagnosis of secondary insomnia
2. The score of Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) greater than 60 or the score of Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) greater than 63
3. Possible significant mental (e.g. depression) or physical health problems (e.g. cardiovascular disease)
4. A primary diagnosis of alcohol or substance dependency
5. A learning disability
6. Women in pregnancy and lactation or without contraception
Date of first enrolment01/10/2013
Date of final enrolment30/09/2016

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • China

Study participating centre

Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University
Beijing
100010
China

Sponsor information

Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission (China)
Government

Building 2, the 7th hospital
Sijiqing Street, Haidian District
Beijing
100195
China

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/034k14f91

Funders

Funder type

Government

Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission (China)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol article protocol 02/02/2016 Yes No

Editorial Notes

03/02/2016: Publication reference added.