Date of Award

2016

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Department Chair

John Cavenagh, MBA, PhD, PA-C

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does exogenous melatonin improve quality of sleep in patients experiencing sleep disturbances secondary to chronic diseases?”

Study Design: Three Randomized, placebo-controlled studies (RCT) published in 2010, 2013 and 2008. Data Sources: All RCTs searched and located using PubMed database.

Outcomes Measured: Clinical outcome for all three articles using quality of sleep or quality of life questionnaires such as the Leeds Sleep Evaluation. All of which evaluated POEMs, and were self reported by participants.

Results: In a randomized control study (RCT) by Serfaty et al, sleep quality improved by lessening time needed to get to sleep, but was not specific to either the experimental or placebo group. The RCT by Russcher et al. also indicated that there was no significant increase in quality of life for participants given exogenous melatonin. Only the RCT by Koch et al. showed significant improvement in quality of sleep with the use of melatonin in participants by decreasing time needed to fall asleep, increasing sleep time and improving overall quality of sleep.

Conclusions: The data obtained was insufficient to conclusively support the use of exogenous melatonin to alleviate sleep disturbances secondary to chronic disease. Two of the three RCTs included in this systematic review were not able to show significant data in support of the positive effects of exogenous melatonin on sleep patterns.

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