Efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for secondary sleep disorders and sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction: meta-analysis
Buscemi N, Vandermeer B, Hooton N, Pandya R, Tjosvold L, Hartling L, Vohra S, Klassen TP, Baker G
Published in BMJ
Methodology
Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of melatonin for secondary sleep disorders and sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction such as jet lag and shift work.
Key Findings
Melatonin did not produce a clinically meaningful reduction in sleep onset latency in secondary sleep disorders or in sleep restriction conditions, and did not significantly improve sleep efficiency or total sleep time.
Conclusions
Evidence does not support melatonin for secondary sleep disorders, though short-term use appears safe.
Limitations
Pooled heterogeneous populations and dosing regimens; mostly short-term trials.
Supplements Studied
Melatonin did not produce a clinically meaningful reduction in sleep onset latency in secondary sleep disorders or sleep restriction.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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