The effects of melatonin on tinnitus and sleep

Uchechukwu C. Megwalu, Joshua E. Finnell, Jay F. Piccirillo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

GOAL: To determine if melatonin improves tinnitus and if this improvement is related to improvement in sleep. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective open-label study of 24 patients with tinnitus. The patients took 3 mg of melatonin per day for 4 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of observation. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were administered. RESULTS: The mean THI score decreased significantly between weeks 0 and 4, and between weeks 0 and 8. The mean PSQI significantly decreased between weeks 0 and 4 (P < 0.0001), and between weeks 0 and 8 (P = 0.0003). The change in PSQI was significantly associated with the change in THI between weeks 0 and 4. The change in PSQI was not significantly associated with the change in THI between weeks 0 and 8. The change in the PSQI in the first 4 weeks was associated with the initial PSQI. There was no association between the initial THI and the change in the THI in the first 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: Melatonin use is associated with improvement of tinnitus and sleep. There was an association between the amount of improvement in sleep and tinnitus. The impact of melatonin on sleep was greatest among patients with the worst sleep quality, but its impact on tinnitus was not associated with the severity of the tinnitus. SIGNIFICANCE: Melatonin may be a safe treatment for patients with idiopathic tinnitus, especially those with sleep disturbance due to tinnitus. EBM rating: C-4

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)210-213
Number of pages4
JournalOtolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Volume134
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2006
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The effects of melatonin on tinnitus and sleep'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this