Controlled-released oral melatonin supplementation for hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Objective: Oral melatonin is a potential alternative treatment for hypertension, but high-quality and relevant meta-analyses have not yet been conducted. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether oral melatonin supplementation could reduce daytime/asleep blood pressure, reduce cardiovascular risks, improve sleep quality, and if it is well-tolerated compared with placebo. Design and method: Relevant articles were searched in multiple databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Complete, and Cochrane Library, from their inception to June 2021. The included studies were randomized controlled trials that recruited patients with hypertension, using oral melatonin as the sole intervention, and investigated its effect on blood pressure. The mean out-of-office (including 24-h, daytime, and asleep) systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, sleep quality, and side effects were compared between the melatonin and placebo arms using pairwise random-effect meta-analyses. The risk of bias assessment was conducted using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Results: Four studies were included; only one study was considered to have a low risk of bias. No study reported cardiovascular risk or outcomes. Only controlled-release melatonin (but not immediate-release preparation) reduced asleep systolic blood pressure by 3.57 mm Hg (95% confidence interval: -7.88–0.73; I2 = 0%). It might also reduce asleep diastolic blood pressure and awake diastolic blood pressure, but these…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Evaluating the Evidence Base of Melatonin, Light Exposure, Exercise, and Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Patients with Insomnia Disorder
- Use of Melatonin and/on Ramelteon for the Treatment of Insomnia in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Influence of evening light exposure on polysomnographically assessed night-time sleep: A systematic review with meta-analysis
- Use of melatonin in children and adolescents with idiopathic chronic insomnia: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and clinical recommendation
- Significant potential of melatonin therapy in Parkinson’s disease – a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Meta-Analysis: Melatonin for the Treatment of Primary Sleep Disorders
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.