Abstract
Amylobarbitone sodium, butobarbitone, quinalbarbitone sodium, and a placebo were compared in a controlled, double-blind trial in psychiatric patients with insomnia. An apparatus recording movement in bed is described, with sleep assessments by night nurses and patients. All three barbiturates significantly reduced movement and gave significantly longer, less broken and sounder sleep, without increased incidence of "hang-over." There was no follow-on effect from night to night. With effective doses there was no significant difference between these barbiturates in onset and duration of hypnotic action, although usually accepted as either short or intermediate acting.