systematic_review
    2016
    High Quality

    Pharmacotherapies for sleep disturbances in dementia

    McCleery J, et al.

    Published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

    Methodology

    Cochrane systematic review of randomized controlled trials of drug treatments for sleep disturbance in people with dementia, with actigraphy-based and clinician-rated sleep outcomes and adverse events.

    Key Findings

    No difference was found between melatonin and placebo for sleep efficiency, time awake after sleep onset, or number of night-time awakenings in people with dementia; trazodone showed some benefit on total night-time sleep in a single small trial, and evidence for other agents was insufficient.

    Conclusions

    From single studies, we found no difference between melatonin and placebo groups for sleep efficiency, time awake after sleep onset, or number of night-time awakenings.

    Limitations

    Very few eligible trials, each small and mostly single studies per drug, short follow-up, and low-certainty evidence overall precluding pooled conclusions.

    Supplements Studied

    Melatonin
    Compound

    From single studies, we found no difference between melatonin and placebo groups for sleep efficiency, time awake after sleep onset, or number of night-time awakenings.

    Related Health Concerns

    Study Details

    Year:2016
    Sample Size:222
    Duration:10 weeks
    Quality Score:9/10

    Disclosures

    Funding

    Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group; no commercial sponsorship reported.

    This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.