Melatonin treatment has consistent but transient beneficial effects on sleep measures and pain in patients with severe chronic pain: the DREAM-CP randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbance is a major issue for patients with chronic pain. Melatonin has been shown to improve symptoms of fibromyalgia, but its efficacy in other chronic non-malignant pain conditions is not fully known. Hence, we determined the effect of melatonin in patients with severe noncancer chronic pain.

METHODS

This was a randomised double-blinded crossover trial of modified-release melatonin as Circadin™ compared with placebo. Sixty male and female subjects with chronic severe pain were randomised to receive either 2 mg of Circadin™ or placebo before sleep for 6 weeks, followed by a >4 week washout, then crossing over to the other treatment. Sleep disturbance, quality, and latency were measured using three different validated sleep assessment tools. The primary outcome measure was self-reported sleep disturbance after 6 weeks of treatment. Adverse events were also recorded.

RESULTS

Sleep disturbance after 6 weeks was not significantly altered by melatonin treatment, but differences between melatonin and placebo treatment periods after 3 weeks were seen: sleep disturbance (P=0.014), latency (P=0.04), overall sleep quality (P=0.004), and effect of pain on sleep (P=0.032). Pain intensity scores improved during both treatment periods (both P<0.001). There were no differences in adverse events between treatment periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Circadin™ treatment did not improve sleep disturbance in patients with severe chronic pain compared with placebo at 6 weeks, but there were consistent improvements in aspects of sleep in the shorter term. Given its favourable safety profile, it could be beneficial for some patients with chronic pain.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN12861060.