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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
Use of transdermal melatonin delivery to improve sleep maintenance during daytime
D Aeschbach1, B J Lockyer, D-J Dijk
1Division of Sleep Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. daeschbach@hms.harvard.edu
Abstract:
Oral melatonin (MEL) can improve daytime sleep, but the hormone's short elimination half-life limits its use as a hypnotic in shift workers and individuals with jet lag or other sleep problems. Here we show, in healthy subjects, that transdermal delivery of MEL during the daytime can elevate plasma MEL and reduce waking after sleep onset, by promoting sleep in the latter part of an 8-h sleep opportunity. Transdermal MEL may have advantages over fast-release oral MEL in improving sleep maintenance during adverse circadian phases.
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