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NCT Number: NCT07598734

Doxepin Alone or Combined With Ramelteon Versus Placebo for Improving Sleep Quality After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Many patients experience poor sleep during recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Disturbed sleep can last weeks to months and may worsen pain, slow healing, and reduce overall quality of life. Few safe, effective, evidence-based options exist to improve sleep during this recovery period. This study aims to determine whether the medications doxepin, either alone or in combination with ramelteon, can improve sleep quality during early recovery after TKA. The investigators will also evaluate whether improved sleep leads to better pain control, knee function, and overall quality of life.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

University of Washington Medical Center Hip & Knee Center

Seattle, Washington, 98133, United States

Location contact

Nicholas M Hernandez, MD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Portia Morgan

CONTACT

[email protected]

206-668-3674

About this study

This randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial seeks to answer the following question: Is doxepin or combination therapy consisting of doxepin plus ramelteon superior to placebo in terms of (1) sleep quality as measured by the Insomnia Severity Index, (2) postoperative knee function as measured by KOOS-JR, KOOS-PS, or (3) overall health-related quality of life during the first three months after total knee arthroplasty.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Those receiving primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA)
  • 80 years or less, age 18 or greater

Exclusion criteria

  • History of cardiovascular bundle branch block
  • Actively taking selecrtive serotoin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or having treatment via counseling/psychotherapy for major depression or anxiety, bipolar, or psychotic disorder
  • Pre-operative narcotics (defined as more than 1 prescription in the past 3 months)
  • Self-reported use of alcohol in excess of >2 drinks/day (in men) and > 1 drink/day (in women)
  • Use of prescription sleep aids (e.g., Ambien, Trazadone) prior to surgery (i.e., melatonin or other OTC sleep aids are permitted)
  • History of major sleep disorder (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy)
  • Pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant in the next 3 months post-surgery. No pregnancy testing will be performed; screening will rely solely on participant self-report.
  • Unable to take the study medication(s) due to contraindications with other medications the patient uses
  • Have been diagnosed with (or are at risk of) narrow-angle or angle-closure glaucoma. In order to be eligible, participants must be able to report that they have had their eyes dilated within the past year without problems.
  • Have severe urinary retention or difficulty emptying your bladder.
  • Had glaucoma-related eye procedures (e.g., laser iridotomy)
  • Ongoing use of glaucoma eye drops.

Treatment and study plan

Doxepin 6 mg

Drug

Doxepin 6 mg administered orally once nightly for sleep during the first 6 weeks of the postoperative period following total knee arthroplasty

Ramelteon 8 mg

Drug

Ramelteon 8 mg administered orally once nightly for sleep during the first 6 weeks of the postoperative period following total knee arthroplasty

Placebo tablets

Drug

Placebo administered orally once nightly for sleep during the first 6 weeks of the postoperative period following total knee arthroplasty

Primary outcomes

  1. Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores (sleep quality)

    Time frame: Baseline; 2 weeks postoperatively; 6 weeks postoperatively; 3 months postoperatively

    Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) The Insomnia Severity Index is a 7-item self-reported questionnaire assessing the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia.

    • Score range: 0 to 28
    • Interpretation: Higher scores indicate worse insomnia severity

    Score categories:

    • 0-7: No clinically significant insomnia
    • 8-14: Subthreshold insomnia
    • 15-21: Clinical insomnia (moderate severity)
    • 22-28: Clinical insomnia (severe)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical Function Short Form (KOOS-PS)

    Time frame: Baseline; 2 weeks postoperatively; 6 weeks postoperatively; 3 months postoperatively.

    Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical Function Short Form (KOOS-PS):

    The KOOS-PS is a 7-item patient-reported outcome measure assessing knee-related physical function, including activities such as rising from bed, putting on socks, rising from sitting, bending to the floor, twisting/pivoting, kneeling, and squatting . Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (None to Extreme). Scores are transformed to a normalized scale ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating worse physical function (greater disability).

  2. Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS-JR)

    Time frame: Baseline; 2 weeks postoperatively; 6 weeks postoperatively; 3 months postoperatively

    Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS-JR):

    The KOOS-JR is a patient-reported outcome measure assessing knee pain, stiffness, and functional limitations during activities of daily living over the past week, including tasks such as twisting/pivoting, stair navigation, standing, rising from sitting, and bending . The instrument consists of 7 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale (None to Extreme). Raw scores (range 0-28) are summed and converted to an interval score ranging from 0 to 100, where 0 represents total knee disability and 100 represents perfect knee health (higher scores indicate better outcomes)

  3. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global-10 (PROMIS-10)

    Time frame: Baseline; 2 weeks postoperatively; 6 weeks postoperatively; 3 months postoperatively

    Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global-10 (PROMIS-10):

    The PROMIS-10 is a 10-item patient-reported outcome measure assessing global physical health, mental health, pain, fatigue, and social functioning. Items are scored on 5-point Likert scales (e.g., Excellent to Poor; Not at all to Very much), with one pain item scored from 0 to 10. Raw scores are summed and converted to standardized T-scores for Global Physical Health and Global Mental Health, each ranging approximately from 0 to 100 (mean 50, standard deviation 10), where higher scores indicate better health status

Other outcomes

  1. 90-Day Hospital Readmission Status

    Time frame: Within 90 days postoperatively

    Hospital readmission status within 90 days following primary total knee arthroplasty, defined as any unplanned inpatient admission to a hospital occurring within 90 days after the index procedure. This is a dichotomous outcome (Yes/No), where "Yes" indicates that a readmission occurred and represents a worse outcome.

  2. Medication Compliance

    Time frame: 2 weeks postoperatively; 6 weeks postoperatively

    Medication Compliance:

    Medication adherence assessed using patient self-report and pill counts when feasible. Self-reported adherence is measured by patient-reported proportion of prescribed doses taken, and pill counts are used to calculate the percentage of medication consumed relative to the prescribed amount. Adherence is expressed as a percentage from 0 to 100%, where higher values indicate better compliance.

  3. Length of Stay (LOS)

    Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural

    Length of Stay (LOS):

    Length of hospital stay following primary total knee arthroplasty, defined as the number of days from hospital admission to discharge (continuous variable, ≥0 days), where higher values indicate longer hospitalization (worse outcome).

  4. Discharge Destination

    Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural

    Discharge Destination:

    Discharge disposition following primary total knee arthroplasty, categorized as home versus skilled nursing facility. This is a categorical outcome where discharge to a skilled nursing facility represents a worse outcome compared to discharge home.

  5. Postoperative Mobility (Step Count)

    Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural

    Postoperative Mobility (Step Count):

    Postoperative mobility assessed by the number of steps taken during inpatient physical therapy sessions following primary total knee arthroplasty. Step count is recorded as the total number of steps ambulated (continuous variable, ≥0), where higher values indicate better functional recovery.

  6. Level of Assistance Required for Ambulation

    Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural

    Level of Assistance Required for Ambulation:

    Level of assistance required during inpatient physical therapy following primary total knee arthroplasty, categorized as independent, 1-person assist, 2-person assist, or maximal assist. This is an ordinal outcome where greater assistance requirements indicate worse functional recovery.

  7. Postoperative Falls

    Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural; 3 months postoperatively

    Postoperative Falls: Occurrence of patient falls during hospitalization or within the follow-up period after primary total knee arthroplasty, defined as any unintentional descent to the ground or lower level documented in the medical record. This is a dichotomous outcome (Yes/No), where "Yes" indicates a fall occurred and represents a worse outcome.

  8. Postoperative Delirium

    Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural; 3 months postoperatively

    Occurrence of delirium during hospitalization or follow-up after primary total knee arthroplasty, defined by clinical documentation of acute confusional state or use of delirium-related precautions (e.g., 1:1 sitter, physical restraints). This is a dichotomous outcome (Yes/No), where "Yes" indicates delirium occurred and represents a worse outcome.

  9. Pressure Ulcers (Bed Sores)

    Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural; 3 months postoperatively

    Pressure Ulcers (Bed Sores):

    Development of pressure ulcers during hospitalization or follow-up after primary total knee arthroplasty, defined as localized injury to the skin or underlying tissue documented in the medical record. This is a dichotomous outcome (Yes/No), where "Yes" indicates a pressure ulcer occurred and represents a worse outcome.

  10. Postoperative Opioid Consumption (Morphine Milligram Equivalents)

    Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural; 3 months postoperatively

    Postoperative Opioid Consumption (Morphine Milligram Equivalents):

    Total postoperative opioid use following primary total knee arthroplasty, calculated as cumulative morphine milligram equivalents (MME) administered during hospitalization and follow-up. This is a continuous variable (≥0 mg), where higher values indicate greater opioid consumption (worse outcome).

  11. Postoperative Medical Complications

    Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural

    Postoperative Medical Complications:

    Occurrence of medical complications following primary total knee arthroplasty, including myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism, cerebrovascular accident, acute kidney injury, respiratory failure, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, gastrointestinal obstruction, and need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission during the same hospitalization. This is a composite dichotomous outcome (Yes/No), where "Yes" indicates that one or more complications occurred and represents a worse outcome.

  12. Postoperative Surgical Complications

    Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural; 3 months postoperatively

    Occurrence of surgical complications following primary total knee arthroplasty, including reoperation, periprosthetic fracture, dislocation, infection, and postoperative stiffness. This is a composite dichotomous outcome (Yes/No), where "Yes" indicates that one or more complications occurred and represents a worse outcome.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Gerald Y Liao, MS

CONTACT

[email protected]

617-710-7211

Nicholas M Hernandez, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

530-514-1275

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Washington

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Doxepin Versus Doxepin and Ramelteon Versus Placebo to Improve Sleep Quality After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
May 20, 2026
Registry last updated
May 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.