Elsevier

Biological Psychiatry

Volume 30, Issue 4, 15 August 1991, Pages 371-376
Biological Psychiatry

The effects of exogenous melatonin on the total sleep time and daytime alertness of chronic insomniacs: A preliminary study

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(91)90293-UGet rights and content

Abstract

The effects of exogenous, supraphysiologic doses of melatonin on the total sleep time and daytime alertness of patients with chronic insomnia was examined in a double blind, single crossover study. Melatonin (75 mg per os) or identical placebo was administered at 10 pm daily to 13 insomniac patients for 14 consecutive days. A significant increase in the subjective assessment of total sleep time and daytime alertness was demonstrated with melatonin but not with placebo. However, 7 of the 13 patients reported that the active treatment had no significant effect on subjective feelings of well-being.

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