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- Title
The efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for primary sleep disorders. A meta-analysis.
- Authors
Buscemi, Nina; Vandermeer, Ben; Hooton, Nicola; Pandya, Rena; Tjosvold, Lisa; Hartling, Lisa; Baker, Glen; Klassen, Terry P.; Vohra, Sunita
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>Exogenous melatonin has been increasingly used in the management of sleep disorders.<bold>Purpose: </bold>To conduct a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin in the management of primary sleep disorders.<bold>Data Sources: </bold>A number of electronic databases were searched. We reviewed the bibliographies of included studies and relevant reviews and conducted hand-searching.<bold>Study Selection: </bold>Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for the efficacy review, and controlled trials were eligible for the safety review.<bold>Data Extraction: </bold>One reviewer extracted data, while the other verified data extracted. The Random Effects Model was used to analyze data.<bold>Data Synthesis: </bold>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.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>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).
- Subjects
MELATONIN; HORMONES; TRYPTAMINE; SLEEP disorders; INSOMNIA; WAKEFULNESS
- Publication
JGIM: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2005, Vol 20, Issue 12, p1151
- ISSN
0884-8734
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0243.x