Effects of therapy and medication on sleep and blood pressure in people with insomnia
Official title: 1/2 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trazodone Effects on Sleep and Blood Pressure in Insomnia Phenotypes Based on Objective Sleep Duration: A Sequential Cohort/Randomized Controlled Trial
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-10951138 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how two different treatments—Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and the medication trazodone—can help improve sleep quality and lower blood pressure in adults who struggle with insomnia, especially those who don’t get enough sleep.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,746,681 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3HL161342-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10951138 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 and older who experience insomnia, particularly those with short sleep duration and elevated blood pressure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have insomnia or those whose insomnia is not characterized by short sleep duration may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and the medication trazodone affect sleep quality and blood pressure in adults with different types of insomnia. It focuses on individuals with insomnia characterized by short sleep duration, which is linked to higher health risks. The study will involve a cohort of 600 adults, assessing the effectiveness of CBT-I compared to trazodone, particularly for those who do not respond to CBT-I. Participants will be monitored for changes in sleep duration, blood pressure, and cortisol levels.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for insomnia that also help lower blood pressure and reduce health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results for CBT-I and trazodone in treating insomnia, but this specific approach focusing on insomnia phenotypes is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vgontzas, Alexandros N — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Vgontzas, Alexandros N
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Cognitive behavioral therapy and trazodone for insomnia phenotypes with high blood pressure
A clinical study tests how CBT-I and the sleep drug trazodone work for adults with insomnia and high blood pressure, focusing on a specific sleep duration pattern.
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Insomnia subtypes and sleep meds: CBT-I and trazodone for adults with high blood pressure
We’re testing whether a sleep therapy (CBT-I) and the antidepressant trazodone help adults with insomnia and high blood pressure, especially those with the short-sleep-insomnia subtype.
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Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Trazodone for Sleep and Blood Pressure in Insomnia Subtypes
This program tests how CBT-I and trazodone help sleep and blood pressure in adults with insomnia, focusing on those with short sleep duration versus normal sleep duration.
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Sleep therapy versus trazodone for short-sleep insomnia and high blood pressure
This project compares a talk-based sleep program (CBT-I) and the medication trazodone to help adults with insomnia who also have elevated blood pressure, especially those who sleep less at night.
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Behavioral therapy and trazodone for insomnia types that affect sleep time and blood pressure
This research will compare cognitive behavioral therapy and the medication trazodone to help adults with insomnia and high blood pressure sleep more and lower their blood pressure.
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Cognitive behavioral therapy and trazodone for insomnia-related short sleep and high blood pressure
This project compares talk-based sleep therapy and the medication trazodone to help adults with insomnia sleep longer and lower their blood pressure, especially if they sleep less than usual.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.