Melatonin for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder in Parkinson's disease: a randomised controlled trial

Moran Gilat, Alessandra Coeytaux Jackson, Nathaniel S. Marshall, Deborah Hammond, Anna E. Mullins, Julie M. Hall, Bernard A. M. Fang, Brendon J. Yee, Keith K. H. Wong, Ron R. Grunstein, Simon J. G. Lewis*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

90 Citations (Scopus)
43 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Melatonin may reduce REM-sleep behavior disorder (RBD) symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), though robust clinical trials are lacking. Objective: To assess the efficacy of prolonged-release (PR) melatonin for RBD in PD. Methods: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial with an 8-week intervention and 4-week observation pre- and postintervention (ACTRN12613000648729). Thirty PD patients with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder were randomized to 4 mg of prolonged-release melatonin (Circadin) or matched placebo, ingested orally once-daily before bedtime. Primary outcome was the aggregate of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder incidents averaged over weeks 5 to 8 of treatment captured by a weekly diary. Data were included in a mixed-model analysis of variance (n = 15 per group). Results: No differences between groups at the primary endpoint (3.4 events/week melatonin vs. 3.6 placebo; difference, 0.2; 95% confidence interval = −3.2 to 3.6; P = 0.92). Adverse events included mild headaches, fatigue, and morning sleepiness (n = 4 melatonin; n = 5 placebo). Conclusion: Prolonged-release melatonin 4 mg did not reduce rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder in PD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)344-349
Number of pages6
JournalMovement Disorders
Volume35
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2019. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

  • melatonin
  • Parkinson's disease
  • randomized controlled trial
  • REM sleep behavior disorder
  • sleep disorders

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Melatonin for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder in Parkinson's disease: a randomised controlled trial'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this