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Updated: May 10, 2026

Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Shugan Jieyu Capsules for the Treatment of Insomnia
Published on: February 17, 2023
Treatment-resistant insomnia treated with pregabalin
G Di Iorio1, I Matarazzo, L Di Tizio
1Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University, G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
This study highlights pregabalin as a potential treatment for refractory insomnia, particularly when linked to subsyndromal Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). Pregabalin demonstrated significant efficacy where other treatments failed, offering a novel therapeutic avenue.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Insomnia is a common sleep disorder often co-occurring with psychiatric conditions like depression and anxiety.
- Refractory insomnia presents a significant clinical challenge, resisting conventional treatments.
Observation:
- A patient with depression, anxiety, and a sensory-motor disorder experienced persistent insomnia.
- Subsyndromal Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) symptoms were present but did not meet full diagnostic criteria.
Findings:
- Standard treatments including antidepressants, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines showed limited efficacy.
- Pregabalin was highly effective in treating the intractable insomnia with no reported side effects.
Implications:
- Pregabalin may be a valuable therapeutic option for resistant insomnia, especially in cases with subsyndromal RLS.
- This finding suggests a potential role for pregabalin in managing complex sleep-wake disturbances beyond established indications.
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