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Cited by 541Circadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and related disordersSleep and Work-Related Fatigue

Effects of exogenous melatonin on sleep: a meta-analysis

Brzezinski, Amnon, Vangel, Mark G., Wurtman, Richard J., Norrie, Gillian, Zhdanova, Irina, Ben-Shushan, Abraham, Ford, Ian·2005·Sleep Medicine Reviews
DOI 10.1016/j.smrv.2004.06.004
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Abstract

Exogenous melatonin reportedly induces drowsiness and sleep, and may ameliorate sleep disturbances, including the nocturnal awakenings associated with old age. However, existing studies on the soporific efficacy of melatonin have been highly heterogeneous in regard to inclusion and exclusion criteria, measures to evaluate insomnia, doses of the medication, and routes of administration. We reviewed and analyzed (by meta-analysis) available information on effects of exogenous melatonin on sleep. A MEDLINE search (1980 to December 2003) provided English-language articles, supplemented by personal files maintained by the authors. The analysis used information derived from 17 different studies (involving 284 subjects) that satisfied inclusion criteria. Sleep onset latency, total sleep duration, and sleep efficiency were selected as the outcome measures. The study effect size was taken to be the difference between the response on placebo and the mean response on melatonin for each outcome measured. Melatonin treatment significantly reduced sleep onset latency by 4.0 min (95% CI 2.5, 5.4); increased sleep efficiency by 2.2% (95% CI 0.2, 4.2), and increased total sleep duration by 12.8 min (95% CI 2.9, 22.8). Since 15 of the 17 studies enrolled healthy subjects or people with no relevant medical condition other than insomnia, the analysis was also done including only these 15 studies. The sleep onset results were changed to 3.9 min (95% CI (2.5, 5.4)); sleep efficiency increased to 3…

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.smrv.2004.06.004

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  • The greatest amount of evidence is available regarding valerian extracts and melatonin.

    “Of these, the greatest amount of evidence is available regarding valerian extracts and melatonin. 44-47”

    From Clinical Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Insomnia in Adults (2008) · cites this paper as [45]

  • Available evidence suggests that valerian has small but consistent effects on sleep latency, with inconsistent effects on sleep continuity, sleep duration, and sleep architecture.

    “Available evidence suggests that valerian has small but consistent effects on sleep latency, with inconsistent effects on sleep continuity, sleep duration, and sleep architecture.”

    From Clinical Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Insomnia in Adults (2008) · cites this paper as [45]

  • Meta-analyses have demonstrated that melatonin has small effects on sleep latency, with little effect on WASO or TST.

    “Meta-analyses have demonstrated that melatonin has small effects on sleep latency, with little effect on WASO or TST.”

    From Clinical Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Insomnia in Adults (2008) · cites this paper as [45]

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Authors
Brzezinski, A., Vangel, M. G., Wurtman, R. J., Norrie, G., Zhdanova, I., Ben-Shushan, A., & Ford, I.
Affiliations
  • Hadassah Medical Center (IL)
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
  • University of Glasgow (GB)
  • Boston University (US)
Corresponding author
Wurtman, Richard J.
ORCID
Venue
Sleep Medicine Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2005-02
Volume
9
Issue
1
Pages
41-50
ISSN
1087-0792 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.smrv.2004.06.004
OpenAlex
W2135777766
Cited by
541
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 32 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 20
FWCI
2.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Sleep Medicine Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health (MH-28783, 5M01 RR1066-25)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
Keywords
exogenous melatonin, sleep latency, total sleep duration, sleep efficiency, insomnia, nocturnal awakenings, aging, healthy volunteers
MeSH terms
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drug Administration Schedule, Humans, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Melatonin, Reference Values, Sleep, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome, Cross-Over Studies, Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm

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