The effect of
melatonin, a chronobiotic
drug, was explored in 29 patients with
chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and Dim Light
Melatonin onset (DLMO) later than 21.30 hours, reflective of delayed circadian rhythmicity. The patients took 5 mg of
melatonin orally, 5 h before DLMO during 3 months. Their responses to the checklist individual strength (CIS), a reliable questionnaire measuring the severity of personally experienced
fatigue, were assessed twice with a 6-week interval immediately before the treatment and once after 3 months treatment. In the pre-treatment period the
fatigue sub-score improved significantly.
After treatment, the total CIS score and the sub-scores for
fatigue, concentration, motivation and activity improved significantly. The sub-score
fatigue normalized in two of the 29 patients in the pre-treatment period and in eight of 27 patients during treatment. This change was significant. In the patients with DLMO later than 22.00 hours (n=21) the total CIS score and the sub-scores for
fatigue, concentration and activity improved significantly more than in the patients (n=8) with DLMO earlier than 22.00 hours.
Melatonin may be an effective treatment for patients with CFS and late DLMO, especially in those with DLMO later than 22.00 hours.