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Adding insomnia therapy to time-restricted eating for weight loss in adults

Tests insomnia therapy added to time-restricted eating in adults with overweight or obesity and insomnia.

Key facts

Who runs it
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Where
Hong Kong, Hong KongSee the site
Trial code
Registry title
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia as an Adjunct to Time-restricted Eating on Weight Loss in Adults With Overweight or Obesity and Chronic Insomnia
Status
Not yet recruiting
People taking part
50 people, planned
Started
25 Aug 2026
Expected to end
30 Jun 2027
Type of study
Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • Flexible Time-restricted eating group (FTRE)
  • Flexible Time-restricted eating plus cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia group (CBTI+FTRE)
Record updated
18 August 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for ethnic Chinese adults with chronic insomnia and overweight or obesity. It tests time-restricted eating alone or together with cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia.

Age
18 years or older
Sex
All sexes can join
Disease stage
Chronic insomnia (trouble sleeping at least 3 nights a week for at least 3 months, with daytime problems) and overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2)
Earlier treatment
Cannot have had CBTI before. Cannot be getting any psychological treatment for insomnia now. Cannot have used GLP-1 receptor agonists or other prescription weight-loss medicines in the past 3 months.

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Known cardiovascular disease
  • Type 1 or 2 diabetes
  • Night shift work
  • Breastfeeding, pregnant or trying to become pregnant
  • Smoking

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 15 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Ethnic Chinese
  • Age 18 years or older
  • Fulfill the criteria of chronic insomnia defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) , which are:; manifestation of predominant, subpar sleep quantity or quality; ii. exhibition of any sleep difficulties ranging from sleep initiation, sleep maintenance to early awakening with the inability to restore sleep; concomitant presentation of significant distress or impairment, including fatigue or low energy, cognitive impairment, mood disturbance, behavioral problems, impaired occupational or academic functioning, impaired interpersonal or social functioning and negative impact on caregiver or family functioning; iv. sleep difficulty occurs at least three nights per week; v. sleep difficulty has been persistent for at least three months; and vi. sleep difficulty is not affected regardless of adequate opportunity given for sleep
  • With Overweight or obesity: BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2
  • Weight stable for the past 3 months
  • Habitual eating window ≥ 10 hours

Who cannot take part

  • Current use of GLP-1 receptor agonists or other prescription weight-loss medications within the past 3 months
  • Currently on a special or prescribed diet for other reasons
  • Currently receiving any psychological treatment for insomnia
  • Previously received CBTI
  • Known cardiovascular disease
  • Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Night shift workers
  • Breastfeeding, pregnant or trying to become pregnant
  • Smokers

Where in Hong Kong

  • Kwok Sports Building, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong, Hong KongContact: Angus Pak-hung YU, PhDNo longer taking part

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Obesity (being overweight due to excess body fat) is a common health condition that increases the risk of developing problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Time-restricted eating (TRE), which involves eating all meals within a set period each day, has become a popular and simple approach for weight management. However, not everyone achieves the same results from TRE. Research suggests that poor sleep and chronic insomnia can increase hunger, affect food choices, and lead to higher calorie intake, which may make weight loss more difficult.

Read full original descriptionShow less

This study aims to examine whether improving sleep can enhance the effectiveness of flexible time-restricted eating (FTRE) for weight loss. Participants will receive either FTRE alone or FTRE combined with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI), a well-established treatment for chronic insomnia. By comparing these two approaches, this study will help determine whether addressing sleep problems can improve weight management outcomes in individuals with overweight or obesity and chronic insomnia. The findings may contribute to the development of more effective and comprehensive lifestyle programmes for improving both sleep and weight-related health.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • FTREExisting treatment, for comparison

    Flexible Time-restricted Eating

    Treatment: Flexible Time-restricted eating group (FTRE)

  • CBTI+FTRETreatment being tested

    Flexible Time-restricted Eating plus Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia

    Treatment: Flexible Time-restricted eating plus cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia group (CBTI+FTRE)

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI) as an Adjunct Intervention for Time-restricted Eating on Weight Loss in Adults With Overweight or Obesity and Chronic Insomnia
Plain-language title
Adding insomnia therapy to time-restricted eating for weight loss in adultsGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 13 November 2026.
Record updated
18 August 2026