Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2025
Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System
Published on: October 20, 2023
Administration in Efficacy of Melatonin Reducing Headaches in Children With Migraines and Sleep Disorders: A
Afshin Fayyazi1, Abasali Abdollahi2, Ali Moradi2
1Department of Pediatric Neurology, Besat Hospital, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Insights
Melatonin combined with propranolol significantly reduced daily migraine headaches in children with sleep disorders. This combination therapy proved more effective than propranolol alone for migraine symptom relief.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Migraine headaches are common in children, often exacerbated by sleep disorders.
- Melatonin is a potential prophylactic agent for pediatric migraines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of melatonin in managing migraine symptoms in children with co-occurring sleep disorders.
- To compare the effectiveness of melatonin plus propranolol versus propranolol alone in pediatric migraine treatment.
Main Methods:
- A randomized clinical trial involving 30 children (5-15 years) with migraine and sleep disorders.
- Intervention group received melatonin (3 mg/day) + propranolol (1 mg/kg/day); control group received propranolol alone.
- Migraine severity assessed by PEDMIDAS and Likert scale; sleep disorders evaluated using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ).
Main Results:
- The group receiving melatonin and propranolol showed a significant reduction in daily headaches at one and four months post-treatment (P=0.02, P=0.03).
- No significant difference in sleep quality was observed between the melatonin and control groups.
- The study included 30 children, with 9 girls and 21 boys.
Conclusions:
- Combination therapy with melatonin and propranolol is more effective in alleviating migraine headaches in children than propranolol monotherapy.
- Melatonin may be a valuable adjunct treatment for pediatric migraine, particularly in those with sleep disturbances.
Objectives:
Migraine headache after tension headache is the most common primary headache in children, and sleep disorders can aggravate the symptoms. Melatonin has been proposed in some studies for prophylaxis of migraine headaches. This study aimed to evaluate melatonin's effect on migraine symptoms in children with migraine headaches and sleep disorders.
Materials & Methods:
In this randomized clinical trial study, all 30 children aged 5 to 15 years with migraine headaches and sleep disorders were referred to the Pediatric Neurology Clinic and enrolled. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups; the intervention group was treated with melatonin (3 mg daily) and propranolol (1 mg/kg daily), and the control group was treated with propranolol alone (1 mg/kg daily). The severity of the migraine headaches was assessed with PEDMIDAS and a five-point Likert scale. The children's sleep habits questionnaire (CSHQ) assessed children's sleep disorders. The ANOVA and linear regression methods were used to analyze and compare the findings between the groups.
Results:
Out of 30 children participating in the study, 9 were girls, and 21 were boys. The number of daily headaches one month (P = 0.02) and four months (P = 0.03) after treatment was significantly lower in the melatonin group compared to the control group. Regarding sleep quality, there was no significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusion:
Melatonin and propranolol could better alleviate migraine headaches than propranolol alone in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Management of Insomnia
01:17Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
01:23Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
01:15Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...