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Melatonin treatment has consistent but transient beneficial effects on sleep measures and pain in patients with severe chronic pain: the DREAM–CP randomised controlled trial.
- Source :
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BJA: The British Journal of Anaesthesia . Apr2024, Vol. 132 Issue 4, p725-734. 10p. - Publication Year :
- 2024
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Abstract
- Sleep disturbance is a major issue for patients with chronic pain. Melatonin has been shown to improve symptoms of fibromyalgia, but its efficacy in other chronic non-malignant pain conditions is not fully known. Hence, we determined the effect of melatonin in patients with severe noncancer chronic pain. This was a randomised double-blinded crossover trial of modified-release melatonin as Circadin™ compared with placebo. Sixty male and female subjects with chronic severe pain were randomised to receive either 2 mg of Circadin™ or placebo before sleep for 6 weeks, followed by a >4 week washout, then crossing over to the other treatment. Sleep disturbance, quality, and latency were measured using three different validated sleep assessment tools. The primary outcome measure was self-reported sleep disturbance after 6 weeks of treatment. Adverse events were also recorded. Sleep disturbance after 6 weeks was not significantly altered by melatonin treatment, but differences between melatonin and placebo treatment periods after 3 weeks were seen: sleep disturbance (P =0.014), latency (P =0.04), overall sleep quality (P =0.004), and effect of pain on sleep (P =0.032). Pain intensity scores improved during both treatment periods (both P <0.001). There were no differences in adverse events between treatment periods. Circadin™ treatment did not improve sleep disturbance in patients with severe chronic pain compared with placebo at 6 weeks, but there were consistent improvements in aspects of sleep in the shorter term. Given its favourable safety profile, it could be beneficial for some patients with chronic pain. ISRCTN12861060. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *CHRONIC pain
*PAIN measurement
*SLEEP interruptions
*SLEEP duration
*SLEEP quality
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00070912
- Volume :
- 132
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- BJA: The British Journal of Anaesthesia
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 175794125
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2024.01.012