Department Researchers Join National Study on Menopause-Related Insomnia

The Behavioral Sleep Medicine Lab in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine is set to play a crucial role in a new study funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) aimed at investigating the impact of menopause on women’s sleep. Menopause-related insomnia is one of the most disruptive and costly symptoms during perimenopause, often leaving patients and healthcare providers uncertain about the most effective and safe treatments. The study seeks to address these uncertainties by comparing three different treatment options.

The clinical trial will recruit up to 900 English- and Spanish-speaking women who are experiencing perimenopause or early post-menopause. Participants will be randomized to one of three treatments: web-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, trazodone (a commonly used medication for sleep), and daridorexant (a new FDA-approved insomnia medication). The researchers will then track how the differing treatments affect the subjects’ sleep, quality of life, mood, and cognition. The University of Utah is one of five sites participating in this study, alongside Mass General/Brigham, Henry Ford Hospital, Northern Light East Main Health, and Rhode Island Hospital

Public Health professor Kelly Baron, who acts as Principal Investigator of the study for the University of Utah effort, emphasized the significance of this research. “This is a really important study and has a huge potential to improve the lives of women during perimenopause,” she said. Family and Community Medicine faculty member Dr. Benjamin Brown is co-investigator of the study, with Camille Moreno, assistant professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology, also providing support. Three patients from the University of Utah are participating on the patient and stakeholder advisory board, ensuring that the study remains patient-centered and relevant to those it aims to help.

By examining the effectiveness and safety of these treatments, the study aims to provide valuable insights that can guide both patients and healthcare providers in making informed decisions about managing menopause-related insomnia. The findings could lead to improved quality of life for many women experiencing disruptions to their sleep.