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[Usefulness of melatonin for developmental sleep and emotional/behavior disorders--studies of melatonin trial on 50
A Ishizaki1, M Sugama, N Takeuchi
1Oji Clinic, Division of Medicine, Tokyo.
Insights
Melatonin effectively treated sleep disorders in children and young adults with developmental disorders, improving sleep in most patients. While side effects occurred, melatonin was deemed useful for many, particularly when sleep improved emotional regulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Sleep disorders are prevalent in individuals with developmental disorders, impacting their behavior and quality of life.
- Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles and is often considered for sleep disturbances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of melatonin for sleep disorders and associated emotional/behavioral disturbances in children and young adults with developmental disorders.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 50 children and young adults (ages 3-28) with developmental disorders (autism, mental retardation, severe motor and intellectual disability) and sleep disorders.
- Assessed sleep disorder types (insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders) and behavioral changes before and after melatonin administration.
- Monitored for efficacy and side effects, including next-day drowsiness and behavioral changes.
Main Results:
- Melatonin was effective in 42 out of 50 patients for sleep disorders, with 39 insomnia and 3 circadian rhythm disorder patients showing improvement.
- Emotional and behavioral improvements, particularly reduced excitability, were observed in patients whose sleep disorders improved.
- Side effects, such as drowsiness and excitement, occurred in 17 patients but were not serious. Efficacy sometimes diminished with continued use.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin is a useful treatment for sleep disorders in individuals with developmental disorders, with a notable positive impact on emotional regulation.
- Treatment effectiveness is influenced by sleep disorder type, environmental factors, and mental condition.
- Despite potential side effects, melatonin was judged useful for 34 out of 50 patients, highlighting its therapeutic potential.
Abstract:
We studied the usefulness of melatonin for sleep disorders and emotional/behavior disturbances of patients with developmental disorders. The efficacy and side effects of melatonin at bedtime were evaluated in 50 children and young adults with sleep disorders (3-28 years old, 41 males and 9 females, autism [AU] in 27 patients, mentally retardation [MR] in 20 patients, and severe motor and intellectual disability [SMID] in 3 patients). The sleep disorders consisted of various types of insomnia in 44 patients and of circadian rhythm sleep disorders in 6 patients. Thirty nine of the insomnia patients and 3 of the circadian rhythm sleep disorder patients experienced improvement in response to melatonin. In some cases, the efficacies were diminished after the daily medication of melatonin. With the emotional/behavior disturbances, excitabilities were often improved in cases whose sleep disorders were also improved. There was almost no change in contrariness, stereotyped behavior and in school/workshop refusal. Melatonin at bedtime was efficacious in 42 of the 50 patients with sleep disorders. In 17 patients, there were side effects (residual drowsiness on the next morning, awakening in the middle of sleep, excitement after awakening and before going to sleep, etc.). But these side effects were not serious. The effects of melatonin were influenced by the type of sleep disturbances, the factors of the environment and the mental conditions. Taking side effects into account, we judged melatonin to be useful in 34 patients.