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Effects of melatonin intake on depression and anxiety in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Archives of women's mental health
April 1, 2024
Ahsen Demirhan Kayacik et al. (2 authors)
Meta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewJournal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine the effects of melatonin supplementation on depression and anxiety in postmenopausal women through a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.

Results Summary

Melatonin significantly reduced depression (SMD -0.166, p < 0.05) and improved anxiety (SMD -0.806, p < 0.05) in postmenopausal women, suggesting its potential as a treatment for these conditions during menopause.

Population

Postmenopausal women

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (2)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
melatonin intake
decrease
menopausal depression
menopausal women
SMD -0.166, CI = -0.288/-0.045, p < 0.05
significantly reduced
#1
melatonin use
decrease
menopausal anxiety
postmenopausal women
SMD -0.806, CI = 1.491/-0.120, p < 0.05
significantly improved
#2
Abstract

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of melatonin intake on depression and anxiety in postmenopausal women. To identify RCTs examining the effect of melatonin supplementation on depression and anxiety scores in postmenopausal women, a comprehensive electronic search was conducted via the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Science direct, Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science databases using the keywords ("melatonin" OR "N-acetyl serotonin") AND ("menopause" OR "climacteric") AND ("depression" OR "anxiety"). The search strategy was applied to articles published between January 2000 and April 2023. The Cochrane tool was used to evaluate the bias risk in RCTs. For the meta-analysis, fixed effect models and random effect models were employed based on heterogeneity. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis in Our Study guidelines were followed. Five RCTs were included in the study, with a total sample size of 441 (experimental: 227 and control: 214). When the effect of melatonin use on depression in menopausal women was analysed, it was found that melatonin significantly reduced menopausal depression (SMD - 0.166, CI =  - 0.288/ - 0.045, p < 0.05). When the effect of melatonin use on anxiety in postmenopausal women was analysed, it was found that melatonin significantly improved menopausal anxiety (SMD - 0.806, CI = 1.491/ - 0.120, p < 0.05). Melatonin is promising as a potential treatment to help depression and anxiety in the postmenopausal period. More high-quality studies are needed to determine their safety.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansMelatoninFemalePostmenopauseRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicAnxietyDepressionMiddle Aged
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations2
Citations/Year2.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score2.70
Normalized Score0.66
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