Chinese Herbal Sachet Therapy for Sleep Quality in Menopausal Women (NCT07757724) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Chinese Herbal Sachet Therapy for Sleep Quality in Menopausal Women
Macau122 participantsStarted 2023-12-01
Plain-language summary
Many women sleep poorly during the menopausal transition. Some prefer not to take hormone therapy or sleeping tablets, and ask their nurses about other options. This study tested a traditional Chinese medicine aromatic sachet containing ten herbs, chosen by a panel of experts. Women placed the sachet beside their pillow each night for nine weeks and removed it each morning.
One hundred and twenty-two women aged 45 to 59 who reported poor sleep and were recruited in Macao took part. Half received the herbal sachet and half received a placebo sachet, which was identical in appearance, weight and packaging and carried a herbal scent, but did not contain the herbs being tested. Participants were not told which sachet they had been given. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at the start of the study and again after 3, 6 and 9 weeks.
Who can participate
Age range
45 Years – 59 Years
Sex
FEMALE
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:
* Aged 45 to 59 years; self-reported sleep disturbance during the menopausal transition with a baseline Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score of at least 5; normal olfactory function; fluent in reading and writing Chinese; able to use a smartphone application for daily adherence logging; provided written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Severe systemic illness such as cancer or renal or hepatic failure; drug-induced insomnia; severe drug allergy history; acute respiratory illness; drug or alcohol dependence; secondary insomnia due to pain; pregnancy or lactation; current use of non-pharmacological sleep interventions such as acupuncture; current or newly initiated hormone replacement therapy, or unstable hypnotic medication use during the study period.
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
Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score