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Do you are someone you know have trouble staying asleep? Is it affecting daytime activities? Studies of investigational medications are under way for people who have trouble sleeping or staying asleep, characterized by waking up throughout the night (sleep maintenance insomnia).

You may qualify for participation in our insomnia research study if you are over the age of 18, have trouble staying asleep through the night and are impacted in your daily life by sleep problems. Insomnia study participants will receive study related physical exams, medication and compensation for time and travel.

If you or if someone you know are interested in learning more about insominia causes and treatments, please call our office at 585-288-0890 to schedule an appointment for a free screening, and to discuss our insomnia study.

Sincerely,


Patricia S. Larrabee, RN NP
Director
> > Get Started with our Insomnia Study < <

What are Clinical Trials?

They are research studies that answer specific questions about vaccines, new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work.

Why participate in clinical trials?

Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research.

How is insomnia defined?

Insomnia is a symptom or syndrome rather than a disease that results in decreased quantity or quality of sleep. It is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or simply having “unrefreshing” sleep. It is a very common problem, and is more common in women than men. Insomnia can be of transient, short, or chronic duration. For many people, insomnia is related to an underlying problem such as situational stress, anxiety, grief, or depression, or to a medical problem such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome. Circadian rhythm disorders related to shift work or jet lag also contribute to insomnia. People with insomnia can experience daytime fatigue or sleepiness, inability to concentrate, irritability, anxiety, depression, or forgetfulness. If you suffer from insomnia, you should consult your doctor, as there may be an underlying disorder causing your problem.

What do sleep experts recommend for insomnia?

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. Establish a relaxing bedtime routine: take a bath, read a book or do something calming before bed. Make sure your sleep environment is dark, quiet, cool, and comfortable. Avoid or limit your use of stimulants like caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas, chocolate), decongestants, or tobacco before bed. Avoid or limit your intake of alcohol before going to sleep. Alcohol’s depressant effect helps people fall asleep, but not to stay asleep. Exercise regularly, but avoid exercise within a few hours before going to bed. Learn to reduce or manage the stress in your life. Avoid daytime naps. Use the bed only for sleep and sex; keep the bedroom free from distractions like television, computers, and work. Remember that the multispectrum light of TV stimulates the central nervous system. Avoid going to sleep hungry, but also avoid eating just before bedtime, as this not only adversely effects sleep, but can also cause gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Get out of bed if you can’t fall asleep within 15–20 minutes. Read under a dim lamp until you are drowsy. Only spend time in bed when you are actually sleepy or sleeping. Don’t watch the clock—it can cause anxiety about sleep. Keep a journal or sleep log to record both good and poor nights' sleep. This can help you recognize patterns and expose activities that trigger sleeplessness.

What insomnia treatments are available?

Medications that currently are available by prescription are known to improve sleep by reducing the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, increasing sleep duration, and/or reducing the number of awakenings during sleep. There are several types of prescription sleeping pills, such as the benzodiazepines like temazepam (Restoril). There are also the newer medications such as zolpidem (Ambien®), zaleplon (Sonata®), and eszopiclone (Lunesta®). Over-the-counter medications that are available for the treatment of insomnia are mainly sedating antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®).

What new insomnia treatments are being studied?

Rochester Clinical Research is performing a clinical trial on medication for those individuals who have difficulty staying asleep, and suffer from frequent awakenings in the night. To participate, please contact us. For more general information on Insomnia, go to: http://www.sleepassociation.org/index.php?p=insomnia http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/110.html