Sleep Disturbances in Children and Adolescents With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): a Rand… (NCT07418554) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingPhase 3
Sleep Disturbances in Children and Adolescents With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): a Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial to Investigate the Efficacy of Pediatric Prolonged-release Melatonin
France120 participantsStarted 2027-01-01
Plain-language summary
Among the most sensitive and persistent symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children are sleep disturbances in the insomnia spectrum (sleep onset disturbances, fragmented sleep with multiple nocturnal awakening, early morning awakening) as well as nightmares, affecting over 50% of children and adolescents one year after the initial trauma. There are currently no gold standard treatments or pharmacological treatment recommendations specifically for these sleep disturbances in children and adolescents with PTSD, despite the fact that they have a significant effect on daytime functioning and overall mental health of the children and their families. If not treated appropriately, these sleep disturbances in children and adolescents persist over time, and further increase anxiety in children. Sleep disturbances associated with PTSD are predictive of the persistence and long-term outcome of PTSD itself and associated depressive symptomatology, and of a decreased response rate to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for PTSD.
We have previously shown in an international multicenter study that pediatric prolonged release melatonin (PedPRM) has high beneficial effects on sleep disturbances of the insomnia spectrum in children ages 2-17.5 years with autism spectrum disorder, and consecutive positive effects on children's daytime behavior, including anxiety and depressive symptomatology. Its benefit-risk ratio has proven to be excellent over a 2-year follow-up. Beyond its therapeutic benefit on mental health through improvement of sleep, melatonin may have a direct effect on reducing anxiety levels and overall daytime functioning in children, as well as sleep and daytime function in caregivers.
Our study will be the first randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy of prolonged release melatonin on sleep disturbances in children and adolescents with PTSD, as well as on PTSD symptoms, associated daytime function and overall mental health in these children and their caregivers.
Who can participate
Age range
2 Years – 18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
Children and adolescents (2 -17.5 years) with:
* A diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as defined by DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
* Current significant sleep disturbances defined as ≤6 hours of continuous sleep and/or ≥0.5-hour sleep latency from lights-off on 3 out of 5 nights and/or nightmare disorder as defined by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Third Edition (ICSD-3, Sateia, 2014), for a minimum 3 months, based on parent report and patient medical history
* No response to at least 4 weeks of sleep hygiene
* Negative pregnancy test for females with childbearing potential
* Written informed consent provided by both parents or a legal guardian, as well as the children / adolescents themselves, if possible
* Stable doses of non-excluded medications for at least 3 months
Exclusion Criteria:
* Known systemic or severe acute disease whose care would hinder attendance at appointments
* Pregnancy, breastfeeding
* Known diagnosis of another significant sleep disorder (e.g., moderate to severe sleep apnea)
* Treatment with any form of melatonin within 2 weeks prior to screening
* Unresponsiveness to previous prolonged release melatonin within the 2 years prior to the study
* Known allergy to melatonin or lactose
* Use of prohibited medication (benzodiazepine, z-drug, antihistaminic, among others) within 2 weeks prior to screening
* Start of a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) targeting sleep disturbances…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Difference in sleep-diary derived total sleep time after 13 weeks of treatment