Sleep Disorders, Circadian RhythmEarly Phase 1NCT05701969
Effect of Melatonin on Sleep Patterns of Resident Trainees During Night Float Shift
A Early Phase 1 study testing Melatonin in people with Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm, run by University of Virginia at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Anesthesiology residency requires extended and overnight shifts, which may negatively impact the quantity and quality of sleep. Previous studies have investigated the effect of night float shift work on anesthesiology resident sleep and performance and demonstrated that total sleep quantity and time spent in deep and… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm
- What is being tested?
- Melatonin
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 30 May 2022to 30 Jun 2028
- Phase
- Early Phase 1
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Post-Graduate Year 1-5
- Current enrollment in anesthesiology, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, general medicine, or pediatrics residency at the Unversity of Virginia
Who cannot join
- Current use of sleep aids
- Diagnosed sleep disorder
- History of a pacemaker or other medical device.
- pregnant or breast-feeding females
- Bleeding disorders
- Depression
Show all 9Show fewer
- High blood pressure
- Seizure disorders
- History of transplant on immunosuppression therapy.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908-0710
Keita Ikeda, PhD, 9195931174, ki2d@uvahealth.org
About this study
Anesthesiology residency requires extended and overnight shifts, which may negatively impact the quantity and quality of sleep.
Previous studies have investigated the effect of night float shift work on anesthesiology resident sleep and performance and demonstrated that total sleep quantity and time spent in deep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were significantly reduced during night float and did not return to baseline after 3 nights of recovery.
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, which regulates the circadian rhythm that governs sleep. Exogenous melatonin may be used as a sleep aid and is available over the counter in the United States. Melatonin is effective in realigning the circadian rhythm disorder caused by night shift work and increasing sleep duration; however, melatonin's effect on improving sleep in resident trainees has not been investigated. The investigators propose a prospective double-blinded randomized control trial to investigate the effect of melatonin on sleep quantity and quality in resident physicians assigned to a night float system.
Read the detailed description
Residents in Post-Graduate Years 1-7 enrolled in residency programs with a night float system (anesthesiology, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, general medicine, and pediatrics) will be invited to participate in the study. A clinical study coordinator will assist in obtaining informed consent. After informed consent is obtained, participants will be randomized to receive either 3 mg melatonin or a matching placebo control. Medications will be prepared and randomization performed by the University of Virginia Pharmacy. Both participants and study coordinators will be blinded to the treatment group. Participants will be provided with a 12-day supply of medication at the start of the night float week. They will be instructed to take one capsule at least 20 minutes prior to going to bed at night or during the day after completing their night float shift. Subjects will be given a portable electroencephalography (EEG) monitor (ZMachine© Insight+ monitor (General Sleep Corporation, Euclid, OH))12 and will be shown how to apply the machine, monitor its functionality, and troubleshoot minor issues. They will be asked to wear the device for 2-3 nights of baseline sleep, 5-6 days of sleep during night float, and 3-4 nights of recovery following night float, for a total of 12 consecutive days. Baseline sleep data will serve as a control for each subject. EEG data collected will include: Light Sleep, Deep Sleep, REM, Arousals, Total Sleep Time, Sleep Efficiency, Latency to Persistent Sleep, Wake After Sleep Onset, Total Deep Sleep, Total REM Sleep, and Time Out of Bed. Data from two different night float periods separated by at least 2 weeks will be collected (one-week melatonin and one-week placebo in random order). Residents will also be asked to complete a daily questionnaire assessing daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and the use of caffeine or other stimulants.
- Conditions
- Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm
- Being tested
- Melatonin, Placebo
- Medical subject headings
- Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
MelatoninDietary supplement
Melatonin
PlaceboOther
Placebo control
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Melatonin group | Experimental | These subjects will receive melatonin Receives: Dietary Supplement: Melatonin |
| Placebo group | Placebo comparator | These subjects will receive placebo Receives: Other: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Total Sleep Time (TST)
Measured in hours and fraction of hours, with a portable electroencephalography monitor ZMachine© Insight+ monitor (General Sleep Corporation, Euclid, OH)
Measured: 2 weeks
Secondary outcomes (6)
Light Sleep
Measured in hours and fraction of hours, with a portable electroencephalography monitor ZMachine© Insight+ monitor (General Sleep Corporation, Euclid, OH)
Measured: 2 weeks
Deep Sleep
Measured in hours and fraction of hours, with a portable electroencephalography monitor ZMachine© Insight+ monitor (General Sleep Corporation, Euclid, OH)
Measured: 2 weeks
Rapid Eye Movement Sleep
Measured in hours and fraction of hours, with a portable electroencephalography monitor ZMachine© Insight+ monitor (General Sleep Corporation, Euclid, OH)
Measured: 2 weeks
Latency to Persistent Sleep (LPS)
Measured in hours and fraction of hours, with a portable electroencephalography monitor ZMachine© Insight+ monitor (General Sleep Corporation, Euclid, OH)
Measured: 2 weeks
Wake after Sleep Onset (WASO)
Measured in hours and fraction of hours, with a portable electroencephalography monitor ZMachine© Insight+ monitor (General Sleep Corporation, Euclid, OH)
Measured: 2 weeks
Sleep Efficiency (SE)
monitor ZMachine© Insight+ monitor (General Sleep Corporation, Euclid, OH)
Measured: 2 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Jan 2023
- Study start30 May 2022
- Primary completion30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Sleep Disorders, Circadian RhythmStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of VirginiaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Early Phase 1
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- a prospective double-blinded randomized control trial to investigate the effect of melatonin on sleep quantity and quality in resident physicians assigned to a night float system.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Virginia
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Lauren Dunn, MD, University of Virginia
- Investigators
- Lauren Dunn, MD PHD, Principal investigator, University of Virginia
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05701969
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HSR210118
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 6 Jan 2023
- Last updated
- 4 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Melatonin on Sleep Patterns of Resident Trainees During Night Float Shift
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05701969
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HSR210118
- Conditions
- Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm
- Phase
- Early Phase 1
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of VirginiaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 May 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 27 Jan 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Anesthesiology residency requires extended and overnight shifts, which may negatively impact the quantity and quality of sleep.
Previous studies have investigated the effect of night float shift work on anesthesiology resident sleep and performance and demonstrated that total sleep quantity and time spent in deep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were significantly reduced during night float and did not return to baseline after 3 nights of recovery.
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, which regulates the circadian rhythm that governs sleep. Exogenous melatonin may be used as a sleep aid and is available over the counter in the United States. Melatonin is effective in realigning the circadian rhythm disorder caused by night shift work and increasing sleep duration; however, melatonin's effect on improving sleep in resident trainees has not been investigated. The investigators propose a prospective double-blinded randomized control trial to investigate the effect of melatonin on sleep quantity and quality in resident physicians assigned to a night float system.
Detailed description
Residents in Post-Graduate Years 1-7 enrolled in residency programs with a night float system (anesthesiology, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, general medicine, and pediatrics) will be invited to participate in the study. A clinical study coordinator will assist in obtaining informed consent. After informed consent is obtained, participants will be randomized to receive either 3 mg melatonin or a matching placebo control. Medications will be prepared and randomization performed by the University of Virginia Pharmacy. Both participants and study coordinators will be blinded to the treatment group. Participants will be provided with a 12-day supply of medication at the start of the night float week. They will be instructed to take one capsule at least 20 minutes prior to going to bed at night or during the day after completing their night float shift. Subjects will be given a portable electroencephalography (EEG) monitor (ZMachine© Insight+ monitor (General Sleep Corporation, Euclid, OH))12 and will be shown how to apply the machine, monitor its functionality, and troubleshoot minor issues. They will be asked to wear the device for 2-3 nights of baseline sleep, 5-6 days of sleep during night float, and 3-4 nights of recovery following night float, for a total of 12 consecutive days. Baseline sleep data will serve as a control for each subject. EEG data collected will include: Light Sleep, Deep Sleep, REM, Arousals, Total Sleep Time, Sleep Efficiency, Latency to Persistent Sleep, Wake After Sleep Onset, Total Deep Sleep, Total REM Sleep, and Time Out of Bed. Data from two different night float periods separated by at least 2 weeks will be collected (one-week melatonin and one-week placebo in random order). Residents will also be asked to complete a daily questionnaire assessing daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and the use of caffeine or other stimulants.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- a prospective double-blinded randomized control trial to investigate the effect of melatonin on sleep quantity and quality in resident physicians assigned to a night float system.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Melatonin group | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: MelatoninThese subjects will receive melatonin |
| Placebo group | Placebo comparator | Other: PlaceboThese subjects will receive placebo |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Post-Graduate Year 1-5
- Current enrollment in anesthesiology, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, general medicine, or pediatrics residency at the Unversity of Virginia
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Current use of sleep aids
- Diagnosed sleep disorder
- History of a pacemaker or other medical device.
- pregnant or breast-feeding females
- Bleeding disorders
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| MelatoninMelatonin | Dietary supplement | Melatonin group |
| PlaceboPlacebo control | Other | Placebo group |
Primary outcome
Total Sleep Time (TST)
Time frame: 2 weeks
Measured in hours and fraction of hours, with a portable electroencephalography monitor ZMachine© Insight+ monitor (General Sleep Corporation, Euclid, OH)
6 secondary outcomes
Light Sleep
Time frame: 2 weeks
Deep Sleep
Time frame: 2 weeks
Rapid Eye Movement Sleep
Time frame: 2 weeks
Latency to Persistent Sleep (LPS)
Time frame: 2 weeks
Wake after Sleep Onset (WASO)
Time frame: 2 weeks
Sleep Efficiency (SE)
Time frame: 2 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Lauren Dunn, MD PHD principal investigator
University of Virginia
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Early Phase 1 study testing Melatonin in people with Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm, run by University of Virginia at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Early Phase 1 (sometimes called Phase 0) studies give a very small amount of a treatment to a few people, mainly to see how the body handles it.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Keita Ikeda, PH.D. (9195931174, ki2d@uvahealth.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Total Sleep Time (TST) (time frame: 2 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 May 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.