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The Utility of Melatonin for the Treatment of Sleep Disturbance After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review.

Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
February 1, 2023
Maree Cassimatis et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleScoping ReviewHuman Study
Extracted Claims (12)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
melatonin supplementation
no change
tolerability
individuals with sleep disturbance after traumatic brain injury (TBI)
-
has good tolerability after short-term use
#1
melatonin
increase
subjective sleep quality
participants with TBI-induced sleep disturbance
-
significant improvements in
#2
melatonin
increase
objective sleep efficiency
participants with TBI-induced sleep disturbance
-
significant improvements in
#3
melatonin
increase
total sleep time
participants with TBI-induced sleep disturbance
-
significant improvements in
#4
melatonin
decrease
self-reported fatigue
participants with TBI-induced sleep disturbance
-
reductions in
#5
melatonin
decrease
anxiety
participants with TBI-induced sleep disturbance
-
reductions in
#6
melatonin
decrease
depressive symptoms
participants with TBI-induced sleep disturbance
-
reductions in
#7
melatonin
no change
adverse events
participants with TBI-induced sleep disturbance
-
no serious adverse events were reported after
#8
melatonin
increase
sleep quality
individuals with sleep disturbance after TBI
-
beneficial to
#9
melatonin
increase
sleep duration
individuals with sleep disturbance after TBI
-
beneficial to
#10
melatonin
increase
sleep efficiency
individuals with sleep disturbance after TBI
-
beneficial to
#11
melatonin
increase
mental health
individuals experiencing co-occurring disorders of mood and sleep disturbance post-injury
-
improved
#12
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the utility of melatonin supplementation as a treatment option for individuals with sleep disturbance after traumatic brain injury (TBI). DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was conducted in 6 electronic databases (Medline, AMED, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus) from earliest records to April 2022. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were eligible for inclusion if they met the following criteria: a) human participants with sleep disturbance after TBI, b) melatonin or melatonergic agent used as an intervention to treat sleep disturbance, and c) outcomes of melatonin administration reported. All TBI severity types (mild, moderate, and severe) were eligible. The initial search retrieved a total of 595 articles, with 9 studies meeting the eligibility criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently extracted data from eligible studies and assessed methodological quality. Extracted data consisted of participant and injury characteristics, melatonin interventional properties, and sleep outcome. Methodological quality was assessed via the Downs and Black checklist. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 251 participants with TBI-induced sleep disturbance (mean age range: 14.0-42.5 years) were included. Melatonin, Circadin (prolonged-release melatonin), or Ramelteon (melatonin receptor agonist) were administered. Dosages and intervention duration ranged from 2 to 10 mg and 3 to 12 weeks, respectively. Eight out of 9 studies reported positive outcomes after melatonin treatment. Significant improvements in subjective sleep quality, objective sleep efficiency, and total sleep time were found with melatonin. Reductions in self-reported fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were also observed with melatonin treatment. No serious adverse events were reported after melatonin administration. CONCLUSION: Melatonin has good tolerability after short-term use and the potential to be a therapeutic agent for those with sleep disturbance after TBI. Melatonin was shown to be beneficial to sleep quality, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency. Additional clinically relevant outcomes of improved mental health suggest that melatonin use may be a promising treatment option for individuals experiencing co-occurring disorders of mood and sleep disturbance post-injury.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentAdultHumansYoung AdultAnxietyBrain Injuries, TraumaticMelatoninSleepSleep Wake Disorders
Study Links
Citation Metrics
Total Citations8
Citations/Year4.0
Relative Citation Ratio2.69
NIH Percentile82.5%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
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