Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid and sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and longitudinal studies
Abstract
CONTEXT: Omega-3, a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA), may help promote healthy sleep outcomes. However, evidence from randomized controlled trials are inconclusive.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the impact of omega-3 LC-PUFA supplementation and related dietary intervention in clinical trials as well as omega-3 LC-PUFA exposure in longitudinal studies on human's sleep-related outcome.
DATA SOURCES: The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and AMED databases were searched from inception to November 2019. Randomized controlled trials, clinical trials that included a control group, and longitudinal studies that reported the intake of omega-3 LC-PUFA and sleep-related outcomes were included.
STUDY SELECTION: A total of 20 studies with 12 clinical trials and 8 longitudinal studies were identified for inclusion.
DATA EXTRACTION: Participant characteristics, study location, intervention information, and sleep-related outcome measurements were reported. Included studies were appraised with Cochrane risk-of-bias tools and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95%CIs were pooled with fixed or random effect models.
RESULTS: Omega-3 LC-PUFA may improve infants' sleep organization and maturity. It reduced the percentage of infants' active sleep (WMD = -8.40%; 95%CI, -14.50 to -2.29), sleep-wake transition (WMD = -1.15%; 95%CI, -2.09 to -0.20), and enhanced the percentage of wakefulness…
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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.
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