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CompletedNCT06452953Updated Jun 11, 2024

Modified Suanzaoren Decoction Versus Eszopiclone for the Treatment of Chronic Insomnia Disorder

An interventional study of suanzaoren decoction and Eszopiclone 1 mg in Chronic Insomnia Disorder, sponsored by Central South University. Completed at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-06-11.

Sponsored by Central South University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 3 years 8 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Sep 2020, registered May 2024).
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
85
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to observe the cognitive function and clinical efficacy of modified Suanzaoren decoction and eszopiclone in the treatment of chronic insomnia disorder patients, and to investigate the possible neural mechanisms using MRI techniques.

Read the detailed description

The subjects were enrolled and divided into two treatment groups using the randomized numeric table method. Each group received either modified Suanzaoren decoction or eszopiclone treatment for a period of 4 weeks. General demographic data were collected, and changes in sleep, mood, cognitive function, and rs-fMRI before and after treatment were observed. Assessment tools included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) for subjective measures, as well as the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and polysomnography (PSG) for objective evaluation.

02

Conditions studied

  • Chronic Insomnia Disorder

Keywords

  • suanzaoren decoction
  • eszopiclone
  • polysomnography
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Central South University is the lead sponsor of 131 studies on the registry; 29 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Have adequate comprehension ability, with at least 9 years of education.
  • Western medical diagnosis criteria (meeting the diagnostic criteria for chronic insomnia disorder in ICSD-3).
  • Patient's subjective dissatisfaction with either the total duration or quality of sleep: difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, or early awakening.
  • Frequency of sleep problems: occurring at least 3 nights per week, and persisting for at least 3 months.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals who have used sedatives or hypnotics, or psychiatric medications in the week prior to enrollment.
  • Individuals who regularly consume strong tea, have a high smoking volume, or are dependent on coffee.
  • Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Patients with severe primary diseases such as severe cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, other mental disorders, or severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
  • Individuals with allergies or multiple drug allergies.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
85 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    suanzaoren decoction

    The modified Suanzaoren decoction consists of 30.0g of jujube kernel, 15.0g of Chuanchang rhizome and poria, 3.0g of licorice, and 3.0g of amber. It is administered once in the morning and once in the evening.

    Drug: suanzaoren decoction

  • Active comparator
    eszopiclone

    Eszopiclone: Take 1mg nightly before bedtime.

    Drug: Eszopiclone 1 mg

Interventions

  • Drugsuanzaoren decoction

    The Suanzaoren decoction is a Chinese herbal formula known for nourishing the blood, calming the mind, and nourishing the heart and liver

    Also known as: Suan Zao Ren Tang

  • Eszopiclone is used in the treatment of various types of insomnia.

    Also known as: Estorra

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. The improvement of insomnia before and after treatment was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

    The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a self-reported questionnaire that assesses sleep quality and disturbances over a one-month time interval. It consists of 19 items that generate seven "component" scores: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. The sleep condition before and after treatment is reflected using polysomnography

    Polysomnography is a comprehensive test used to diagnose sleep disorders. It records various body functions during sleep, including brain waves, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rhythm, and breathing patterns. This information helps clinicians evaluate sleep quality and diagnose sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, and REM behavior disorder.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  2. The depression condition before and after treatment is evaluated by Hamilton Depression Rating scale

    The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale is a widely used tool to measure the severity of depression in individuals. It consists of 17 items that assess various symptoms of depression, such as mood, guilt, suicidal thoughts, and sleep disturbances. Each item is scored based on the severity of the symptom, and the total score indicates the overall severity of depression, with higher scores indicating more severe depression.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  3. The anxiety condition before and after treatment is evaluated by Hamilton Anxiety Rating scale

    The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) is a widely used tool for assessing the severity of anxiety symptoms in individuals. It consists of 14 items that measure various aspects of anxiety, including psychological, physical, and behavioral symptoms.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

  4. The cognition function before and after treatment is evaluated by Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status

    The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) is a widely used neuropsychological assessment tool designed to evaluate cognitive function across various domains. It consists of 12 subtests that assess attention, language, visuospatial/constructional abilities, and immediate and delayed memory.

    Time frame: 4 weeks

07

Study locations

1 site
  • The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
    Changsha, China
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Guo Z, Zhang L, Han Y, Yan H, Yao P, Lv D, Yuan Y, Zhao J, Chen L, Guo W. Altered Effective Connectivity of Precuneus Subregions and Associated Gene Profiles in Chronic Insomnia Disorder Patients Before and After Treatment. Brain Behav. 2026 May;16(5):e71448. doi: 10.1002/brb3.71448. PubMed 42157543 ↗
  • Yao P, Guo X, Guo Z, Lin W, Liu M, Chen M, Li J, Cui LB, Lv D. Clinical efficacy of modified suanzaoren decoction compared to esazolam tablets in the treatment of chronic insomnia disorder. Front Psychiatry. 2025 Jul 24;16:1533652. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1533652. eCollection 2025. PubMed 40778328 ↗
  • Zhang L, Guo Z, Han Y, Yan H, Lv D, Yao P, Zhao J, Chen L, Guo W. Altered cerebral functional activity and its associated genetic profiles underlying chronic insomnia disorder before and after treatment. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2025 Jun;26(5):211-223. doi: 10.1080/15622975.2025.2503938. Epub 2025 May 18. PubMed 40384005 ↗
09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Ran from Sep 2020 to primary completion in Oct 2023, 37 months.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
May 30, 2024
First posted
Jun 11, 2024
StartActual
Sep 10, 2020
Primary completionActual
Oct 31, 2023
CompletionActual
Mar 1, 2024
Last update
Jun 11, 2024
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jun 11, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06452953
Collaborators
The Third Hospital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Responsible party
Guo Wenbin (Professor of Psychiatry Department of Psychiatry of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Central South University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jun 11, 2024
Start date
Sep 10, 2020
Primary completion
Oct 31, 2023
Completion
Mar 1, 2024
Last update
Jun 11, 2024

Study contacts

Wenbin Guo
principal investigator · Central South University

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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