{"id":7630,"date":"2018-07-06T14:00:35","date_gmt":"2018-07-06T21:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=7630"},"modified":"2018-07-06T08:14:23","modified_gmt":"2018-07-06T15:14:23","slug":"melatonin-improves-sleep-quality-and-reduces-anxiety-after-a-tbi-traumatic-brain-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/melatonin-improves-sleep-quality-and-reduces-anxiety-after-a-tbi-traumatic-brain-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Melatonin improves sleep quality and reduces anxiety after a TBI (traumatic brain injury)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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New research shows that melatonin improves sleep quality and reduces anxiety after a TBI (traumatic brain injury). The study, Efficacy of melatonin for sleep disturbance following traumatic brain injury: a randomised controlled trial<\/a>\u00a0was completed in Australia and used a prolonged-release (also called timed-release) melatonin product.<\/p>\n

The study participants, 67% of whom were male, had mild to severe TBI and sleep disturbances as a result of their injuries (most of which were from car accidents). There were 2 study groups, with one group given 2mg of prolonged-release melatonin for 4 weeks and then switched to a placebo for 4 weeks (with a 48-hour window in between). The other group did the opposite.<\/p>\n

The prolonged-release melatonin was made by Sigma Pharmaceuticals Australia and called Circadin<\/a>. Each night 2\u00a0hours before bedtime, 2mg of Circadin was taken by study participants. They received a reminder text message each night.<\/p>\n

These are the study results for sleep:<\/p>\n

Melatonin was associated with a significant and moderate reduction in PSQI [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index] global scores, indicating improved sleep quality.<\/p>\n

There was no significant reduction in sleep onset latency with melatonin compared to placebo.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What this means is that overall quality of sleep improved but there was no change in the time it takes to fall asleep (sleep onset latency). The latter is to be expected with prolonged-release or timed-release melatonin.<\/p>\n

The study concluded that:<\/p>\n

The present results, therefore, suggest that melatonin may be useful in treating sleep disturbances in patients with TBI.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With better sleep quality you would expect reduced fatigue and improved vitality – both were reported by study participants.<\/p>\n

Melatonin associated with a small decrease in self-reported anxiety<\/h2>\n

What is interesting is that melatonin was also associated with a small decrease in self-reported anxiety (no differences in depression were reported.) The authors suggest that one possible mechanism of this may be that melatonin acts a muscle relaxant. In this commentary: Potential action of melatonin in insomnia<\/a>, the authors equate the beneficial effects of melatonin to benzodiazepines:<\/p>\n

many of the actions of melatonin on sleep propensity, anxiety, thermoregulation, and convulsions resemble those reported following administration of benzodiazepines. It is possible that some of these actions of melatonin may be mediated via peripheral benzodiazepine receptors<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

They are suggesting that with melatonin we get the sleep improvement (sleep propensity<\/a> is the readiness to transit from wakefulness to\u00a0sleep, or the ability to stay asleep if already\u00a0sleeping), relaxation effects and antianxiety benefits of benzodiazepines.<\/p>\n

But you get none of the side-effects, tolerance issues and withdrawal nightmares with a benzodiazepine which do more harm than good<\/a>. On a side notes: this month World Benzodiazepine Day<\/a>\u00a0is celebrated to create awareness and offer support for benzo sufferers.<\/p>\n

I would have picked something more inert for the placebo ingredients<\/h2>\n

I would have picked something more inert for the placebo ingredients: mannitol (106mg), acacia (11\u00a0mg) and pure icing sugar (106\u00a0mg). Mannitol, a sugar alcohol, can cause bloating and diarrhea in some individuals and although the amount is tiny (5g of sugar equals 1 teaspoon), sugar consumption is not ideal before bed.\u00a0As I would expect adverse symptoms:<\/p>\n

were more frequently reported during placebo treatment. The most commonly reported symptoms were neurological, followed by bodily pain, gastrointestinal and dermatologic.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In Australia, melatonin cannot be purchased over the counter (OTC) at health stores or via online retailers, unlike in the USA, and is only available by prescription. I\u2019m all for melatonin being available OTC but the silver lining to this is that companies that make melatonin, such as Circadin<\/a>, have a vested interest in the research. Research is expensive and time-consuming and we get to benefit too.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that this research is applicable to anyone with low melatonin, whether or not a prior TBI has occurred.<\/p>\n

There are many root causes of insomnia \u2013 how I work with clients<\/h2>\n

In those with TBI, sleep disturbances are common, and the authors do report reduced evening and overnight melatonin production in this population. However, there are many root causes of insomnia, with low melatonin being one possible root cause \u2013 in TBI and in those who have not had a TBI.<\/p>\n

One study limitation is that they didn\u2019t measure melatonin levels or circadian rhythm (salivary cortisol) in all of the study participants so we can\u2019t be sure everyone did have low melatonin.<\/p>\n

And melatonin isn\u2019t going to work in all instances of insomnia. It\u2019s one root cause I look at.<\/p>\n

This is how I work with clients who have insomnia:<\/p>\n