Effect of add-on melatonin on seizure outcomes and quality of sleep in epilepsy with idiopathic generalized tonic-clonic seizures alone in adult patients: Cross-sectional, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Abstract
Background: Effective treatment of epilepsy is a major challenge in the field of neurology. Studies have suggested that melatonin can work in epilepsy with a good safety profile.
Objectives: This study was performed to determine the effectiveness of melatonin in seizure outcomes, as well as the quality of sleep in patients with generalized epilepsy.
Methods: In this cross-over clinical trial study, 60 patients with epilepsy with idiopathic generalized tonic-clonic seizures alone (EGTCS) and under valproic acid treatment received either melatonin or placebo with a washout period of 2 weeks intermittently. Outcome variables included a reduction in the severity and frequency of epilepsy besides improvement in electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities and sleep quality.
Results: By adding melatonin, a decrease in the mean severity score of epilepsy (according to the Chalfont questionnaire) was 32.33 ± 9.24, while it was 5.58 ± 14.28 in treatment with placebo (p = .002). Evaluation of the number of attacks and EEG results did not disclose any therapeutic efficacy in treatment with melatonin versus placebo. The quality of sleep improved in 40% (first round) and 53.4% (second round) of subjects who received melatonin (p < .001).
Conclusions: Considering that the addition of melatonin to routine anti-seizure treatment was effective in reducing the severity of epilepsy and improving sleep quality, it seems that melatonin can be useful as an adjunct therapy for EGTCS in well-defined…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 60 participants or records.
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