Effect of melatonin on postoperative sleep quality: a meta-analysis / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To systematically evaluate the effect of melatonin on postoperative sleep quality.Methods:Databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, China Biomedical Literature Database and China Science and Technology Journal Database were searched from inception to January 30, 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of melatonin versus placebo on postoperative sleep quality.The outcomes analyzed were visual analog scale (VAS) score, sleep quality scale score, subjective sleep scale score, St.Mary′s Hospital sleep questionnaires score, sleep latency, total sleep time, number and duration of awakenings, and incidence of postoperative sleep disturbance.Statistical analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.4 software and Stata 16 software, and the trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted using the TSA 0.9.5.10 Beta software. Results:Eleven RCTs involving 822 patients were finally enrolled, with 431 patients in melatonin group and 391 patients in placebo group.The results of meta-analysis showed that melatonin significantly decreased postoperative VAS and sleep quality scale scores, and increased the postoperative subjective sleep scale and St.Mary′s Hospital sleep questionnaires scores, a daily dose of melatonin 6 mg produced a better efficacy, and it also prolonged the postoperative total sleep time and decreased the incidence of postoperative sleep disorders ( P<0.05), However, it had no effect on postoperative sleep latency and the number and duration of awakenings ( P>0.05). The results of TSA showed that although the actual sample size did not reach the expected sample size, the accumulated Z value crossed the traditional boundary value and the TSA boundary value, which indicated that the results of this meta-analysis had stability and further confirmed the efficacy of melatonin in improving postoperative sleep quality. Conclusions:Melatonin can improve postoperative sleep quality and a daily dose of melatonin 6 mg exerts a better efficacy.