Sleep intervention shows effects in human trials

Du Y, Wang J, Zhang C, Guo Q, Hao X, Zhang W, Jiao G · Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (2026)

Result: A randomized controlled trial of 72 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy found that a staged progressive dynamic-static Neiyanggong intervention significantly reduced cancer-related fatigue (PFS-R total score interaction effect F=94.810, P<0.001, η²=0.807) and improved sleep quality (PSQI total score interaction effect Wald χ²=292.975, P<0.001) compared to routine care. After three chemotherapy cycles, fatigue scores were significantly lower in the Neiyanggong group (P<0.05), and notable improvements were seen in sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and daytime dysfunction (P<0.001).

Markham P, Peluso MJ, Hsiang-Yi Chou S, McCorkell L, O'Quinn S, Reading C, Ahlem C, Petit CM, Yan J, Palumbo JM · BMJ open (2026)

Result: This phase 2, triple-blind, placebo-controlled RCT will evaluate bezisterim (20 mg twice daily for 12 weeks) in 208 adults aged 18-69 with long COVID symptoms lasting at least 3 months. Outcomes include cognition, fatigue, sleep, post-exertional malaise, and quality of life measured via Cogstate Battery and PROMIS scales.

Zhao J, Zhang C, Li H, Qiu Y, Li J, Cao H, Zhou X, Guan S, Wang J, Yao M · Frontiers in medicine (2026)

Result: Intranasal dexmedetomidine significantly improved subjective and objective postoperative sleep outcomes compared to placebo or other controls. Sleep efficiency and total sleep time increased, sleep latency reduced, and the risk of sleep disturbance decreased by 47% (RR=0.53).

Tanzmeister S, Harringer L, Vogel LL, Schienle A · Journal of psychosomatic research (2026)

Result: In a randomized controlled trial of 122 inpatients with cardiovascular disease, open-label placebos (OLPs) added to treatment as usual and self-monitoring did not significantly improve cardiac anxiety, sleep quality, or well-being compared to control groups. All groups showed significant improvements over time, but no between-group differences were found for any primary outcome.

M&#xfc;ller HL · Frontiers in endocrinology (2026)

Result:

Shou M, Ye M, Lou C, Chen X, Yao Y, Yan J, Zhou W, Fu Z, Liu Z · Frontiers in medicine (2026)

Result: This systematic review and meta-analysis of 51 RCTs (n=41,821) for hormone therapy and 16 RCTs (n=1,191) for phytoestrogens found that both interventions reduced psychological symptoms in menopausal women, especially mood and anxiety. Tibolone showed a significant improvement in depression (SMD 0.93, 95% CI 0.62-1.24). Post-menopausal women experienced greater benefits for sleep quality with hormone therapy and for depression and anxiety with phytoestrogens compared to perimenopausal women.

Zhong K, Ma X, He F, Xu Y, Ren Y, Fu L, Chen Z, Shen G · Frontiers in public health (2026)

Result: A meta-analysis of 12 RCTs involving 1,057 college students found that Tai Chi significantly reduced depression (SMD = -0.67), anxiety (SMD = -0.79), and stress (SMD = -0.40), and improved sleep quality (MD = -2.14). The evidence supports Tai Chi as an effective intervention for mental health in this population, though sleep quality findings showed substantial heterogeneity.

Koo TH, Shibli F, Mari A, Bar N, Fass R · Journal of clinical gastroenterology (2026)

Result: A systematic review of 5 RCTs involving 1495 patients found that PPI therapy consistently improved nighttime heartburn relief and GERD-related sleep disturbances compared to placebo in three placebo-controlled trials. Subjective sleep quality and sleep-related daytime functioning also generally improved with PPI therapy, though findings were more heterogeneous across trials.