Scoping review of the effectiveness of melatonin on sleep quality and latency
Keywords:
SLEEP QUALITY, INSOMNIA, MELATONIN, SLEEP DISORDERS, DRUG TREATMENT.Abstract
Introduction: the treatment of sleep disorders represents a significant clinical challenge in both adults and children.
Objective: to review the current evidence on the use of melatonin in the treatment of insomnia.
Methods: document review using the PRISMA methodology. Scientific databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus were consulted, prioritizing recent studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. The search focused on parameters such as sleep latency, duration, and quality, ensuring methodological rigor and scientific validity.
Development: melatonin, a key hormone in the regulation of circadian rhythms, has shown promising effects in the treatment of insomnia, particularly in reducing sleep latency and increasing total sleep duration. Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses reveal that its administration can shorten the time to fall asleep by 5 to 12 minutes and prolong sleep by up to 60 minutes, with improved subjective perception. Its safety profile is favorable, with few adverse effects, making it an attractive alternative to traditional hypnotics. Its efficacy appears to be greatest in insomnia related to circadian rhythm disturbances, in older adults, and in mild cases. However, further research is needed to confirm its usefulness in chronic or secondary insomnia.
Conclusions: melatonin may improve sleep in some cases, but the evidence is inconsistent and of low quality. Although safe in the short term, its long-term effects are unknown, and clinical recommendations vary, requiring further research.
Downloads
References
1. Doghramji P. Prevalence of Sleep Disorders in Primary Care Clinics. NeurologyLive [Internet]. 2022 [Citado 20/05/2025]. Disponible en: https://www.neurologylive.com/view/prevalence-of-sleep-disorders-in-primary-care-clinics
2. Soyka M, Wild I, Caulet B, Leontiou C, Lugoboni F, Hajak G. Long-term use of benzodiazepines in chronic insomnia: a European perspective. Front Psychiatry [Internet]. 2023 Aug 2 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 14: 1212028. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10433200/
3. Lynch B. Long-Term Effects Of Benzodiazepine Abuse [Internet]. Addiction Center; 2024 [Citado 20/05/2025]. Disponible en: https://www.addictioncenter.com/benzodiazepines/long-term-effects/
4. Trauer JM, Qian MY, Doyle JS, Rajaratnam SM, Cunnington D. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med [Internet]. 2015 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 163(3): 191–204. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26054060/
5. Padilla-Gil DN. El sueño: fisiología y homeostasis. Rev Colombiana Cienc Anim. Recia [Internet]. 2023 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 15(1): e985. Disponible en: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379615705_El_sueno_fisiologia_y_homeostasis
6. Peters GL. Migraine overview and summary of current and emerging treatment options. Am J Manag Care [Internet]. 2019 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 25(2Suppl): S23-S34. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30681821/
7. Eigenbrodt AK, Ashina H, Khan S, et al. Diagnosis and management of migraine in ten steps. Nat Rev Neurol [Internet]. 2021 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 17(8): 501-514. Disponible en: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41582-021-00509-5
8. Adams AM, Buse DC, Leroux E, et al. Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes - International (CaMEO-I) Study: Methods and multi-country baseline findings for diagnosis rates and care. Cephalalgia [Internet]. 2023 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 43(6): 3331024231180611. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37314231/
9. Morin CM, Benca R. Chronic insomnia. Lancet [Internet]. 2012 Mar 31 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 379(9821): 1129-41. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22265700/
10. Sateia MJ, Buysse DJ, Krystal AD, Neubauer DN, Heald JL. Clinical practice guideline for the pharmacologic treatment of chronic insomnia in adults: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. J Clin Sleep Med [Internet]. 2017 Feb 15 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 13(2): 307-349. Disponible en: https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.6470
11. Espie CA, Kyle SD, Williams C, Ong JC, Douglas NJ, Hames P, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of online cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia disorder delivered via an automated media-rich web application. Sleep [Internet]. 2012 Jun 1 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 35(6):769-81. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22654196/
12. Vargas I, Egeler M, Walker J, Benitez DD. Examining the barriers and recommendations for integrating more equitable insomnia treatment options in primary care. Front Sleep [Internet]. 2023 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 2: 1279903. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11361330/
13. Riemann D, Baglioni C, Bassetti C, Bjorvatn B, Dolenc Groselj L, Ellis JG, et al. European guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia. J Sleep Res [Internet]. 2017 Dec [Citado 20/05/2025]; 26(6): 675-700. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28875581/
14. Riemann D, Baglioni C, Bassetti C, Bjorvatn B, Dolenc Groselj L, Ellis JG, et al. The European Insomnia Guideline: An update on the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia 2023. J Sleep Res [Internet]. 2023 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 32(6): e14035. Disponible en: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jsr.14035
15. Del Rio Verduzco A, Salari A, Haghparast P. Efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy in chronic insomnia: A review of clinical guidelines and case reports. Ment Health Clin [Internet]. 2023 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 13(5): 244–254. Disponible en: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10732122/
16. Ariza-Salamanca DF, Venegas M, Parejo K, Amado S, Echeverry J, Calderón-Ospina CA. Expert Consensus on the Use of Diphenhydramine for Short-Term Insomnia: Efficacy, Safety, and Clinical Applications. J Clin Med [Internet]. 2025 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 14(10): 3297. Disponible en: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/10/3297
17. Trigo FS, Pinto NC, Pato MV. Long-Term Insomnia Treatment with Benzodiazepines and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review. NeuroSci [Internet]. 2025 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 6(1):11. Disponible en: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4087/6/1/11
18. Salahub C, Wu PE, Burry LD, Soong C, Sheehan KA, MacMillan TE, et al. Melatonin for Insomnia in Medical Inpatients: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med [Internet]. 2023 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 12(1): 256. Disponible en: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/1/256
19. Maruani J, Reynaud E, Chambe J, Palagini L, Bourgin P, Geoffroy PA. Efficacy of melatonin and ramelteon for the acute and long-term management of insomnia disorder in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sleep Res [Internet]. 2023 Dec [Citado 20/05/2025]; 32(6): e13939. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37434463/
20. Marupuru S, Arku D, Campbell AM, Slack MK, Lee JK. Use of Melatonin and/or Ramelteon for the Treatment of Insomnia in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med [Internet]. 2022 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 11(17): 5138. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36079069/
21. Yi M, Wang S, Wu T, Zhang X, Jiang L, Fang X. Effects of exogenous melatonin on sleep quality and menopausal symptoms in menopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Menopause [Internet]. 2021 Mar 26 [Citado 20/05/2025; 28(6): 717-725. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33784263/
22. Ferracioli-Oda E, Qawasmi A, Bloch MH. Meta-analysis: Melatonin for the treatment of primary sleep disorders. PLoS One [Internet]. 2013 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 8(5): e63773. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23691095/
23. Gendy MN, Lagzdins D, Schaman J, et al. Melatonin for Treatment-Seeking Alcohol Use Disorder patients with sleeping problems: A randomized clinical pilot trial. Sci Rep [Internet]. 2020 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 10: 8739 Disponible en: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-65166-y
24. Yuan F, Dong H, Gong J, Wang D, Hu M, Huang W, et al. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials on the Effects of Turmeric and Curcuminoids on Blood Lipids in Adults with Metabolic Diseases. Adv Nutr [Internet]. 2019 Sep 1 [Citado 20/05/2025]; 10(5): 791-802. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31212316/
25. Wei S, Smits MG, Tang X, Kuang L, Meng H, Ni S, et al. Efficacy and safety of melatonin for sleep onset insomnia in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sleep Med [Internet]. 2020 Apr [Citado 20/05/2025]; 68:1-8. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31982807/
26. Fatemeh G, Sajjad M, Niloufar R, Neda S, Leila S, Khadijeh M. Effect of melatonin supplementation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Neurol [Internet]. 2022 Jan [Citado 20/05/2025]; 269(1): 205-216. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33417003/
27. Cruz-Sanabria F, Bruno S, Crippa A, Frumento P, Scarselli M, Skene DJ, et al. Optimizing the Time and Dose of Melatonin as a Sleep-Promoting Drug: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis. J Pineal Res [Internet]. 2024 Aug [Citado 20/05/2025]; 76(5): e12985.Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38888087/
Downloads
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Carlos Alberto Valverde Gonzalez, Lexter Ivan Mihalache Bernal, Edison Sotalin Nivela
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who have publications with this journal agree to the following terms: Authors will retain their copyrights and grant the journal the right of first publication of their work, which will be publication of their work, which will be simultaneously subject to the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY-NC 4.0) that allows third parties to share the work as long as its author and first publication in this journal are indicated.
Authors may adopt other non-exclusive license agreements for distribution of the published version of the work (e.g.: deposit it in an institutional telematic archive or publish it in a volume). Likewise, and according to the recommendations of the Medical Sciences Editorial (ECIMED), authors must declare in each article their contribution according to the CRediT taxonomy (contributor roles). This taxonomy includes 14 roles, which can be used to represent the tasks typically performed by contributors in scientific academic production. It should be consulted in monograph) whenever initial publication in this journal is indicated. Authors are allowed and encouraged to disseminate their work through the Internet (e.g., in institutional telematic archives or on their web page) before and during the submission process, which may produce interesting exchanges and increase citations of the published work. (See The effect of open access). https://casrai.org/credit/
