The efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for primary sleep disorders. A meta-analysis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Exogenous melatonin has been increasingly used in the management of sleep disorders.

PURPOSE:

To conduct a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin in the management of primary sleep disorders.

DATA SOURCES:

A number of electronic databases were searched. We reviewed the bibliographies of included studies and relevant reviews and conducted hand-searching.

STUDY SELECTION:

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for the efficacy review, and controlled trials were eligible for the safety review.

DATA EXTRACTION:

One reviewer extracted data, while the other verified data extracted. The Random Effects Model was used to analyze data.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Melatonin decreased sleep onset latency (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -11.7 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -18.2, -5.2)); it was decreased to a greater extent in people with delayed sleep phase syndrome (WMD: -38.8 minutes; 95% CI: -50.3, -27.3; n=2) compared with people with insomnia (WMD: -7.2 minutes; 95% CI: -12.0, -2.4; n=12). The former result appears to be clinically important. There was no evidence of adverse effects of melatonin.

CONCLUSIONS:

There is evidence to suggest that melatonin is not effective in treating most primary sleep disorders with short-term use (4 weeks or less); however, additional large-scale RCTs are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. There is some evidence to suggest that melatonin is effective in treating delayed sleep phase syndrome with short-term use. There is evidence to suggest that melatonin is safe with short-term use (3 months or less).

• Authors: Nina Buscemi, Ben Vandermeer, Nicola Hooton, Rena Pandya, Lisa Tjosvold, Lisa Hartling, Glen Baker, Terry P Klassen, Sunita Vohra
• Journal: Journal of general internal medicine (J Gen Intern Med) Vol. 20 Issue 12 Pg. 1151-8 (Dec 2005) ISSN: 1525-1497 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 16423108 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Systematic Review)

Chemical References

• Hypnotics and Sedatives
• Melatonin

Topics

• Humans
• Hypnotics and Sedatives (therapeutic use)
• Melatonin (therapeutic use)
• Sleep Wake Disorders (drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome