Delayed sleep phase syndrome

Overview

Melatonin has the strongest evidence in this batch for delayed sleep phase syndrome (WA 76, high effect, evidence, and trust; nine studies). Most research shows oral melatonin helps young adults and children with delayed sleep patterns fall asleep faster and shift sleep earlier, using doses from about 0.3–5 mg daily for up to nine months in adults and 1–6 mg before bedtime for up to a month in children.

Some studies also report improvements in mood, energy, and body pain in young adults with this sleep pattern. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for dosing ranges and trial details.

Effect graph

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Relevant supplements

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Melatonin	★★★★★	High

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Studies

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MelatoninView supplement →

Consider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeHighEvidenceHighTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Most studies show that taking melatonin by mouth helps young adults and children with delayed sleep patterns fall asleep faster and go to sleep earlier.
Adults have used doses from 0.3 to 5 mg daily for up to nine months, and children have taken 1 to 6 mg before bedtime for up to a month.
Melatonin can also improve mood, energy, and reduce body pain in young adults with this sleep pattern.

Browse 9 studies3 meta-analyses

RCTA randomized controlled trial with bright light and melatonin for the treatment of delayed sleep phase disorder: effects on subjective and objective sleepiness and cognitive function2013

An RCT in delayed sleep phase disorder found combined bright light and melatonin over 3 months improved daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and cognitive function, with benefits wearing off after treatment ended.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 3 months
Population: Young adults

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MetaMeta-analysis: melatonin for the treatment of primary sleep disorders2013n=1,683

A meta-analysis of 19 primary sleep disorder trials (1,683 subjects) found melatonin reduced sleep onset latency by 7.1 minutes, increased total sleep time by 8.3 minutes, and improved overall sleep quality.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Adults
Participants: 1,683

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RCTMelatonin treatment effects on adolescent students' sleep timing and sleepiness in a placebo-controlled crossover study2012

A 5-week crossover study of adolescent students found 1 mg afternoon melatonin advanced sleep onset by 68 minutes, lengthened sleep by 62 minutes, and reduced morning sleepiness vs placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 5 weeks
Dose: 1 mg
Population: Children/adolescents
Ages: 14–19

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RCTAntidepressant action of melatonin in the treatment of Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome2010n=12

An RCT of 20 DSPS patients found 5 mg melatonin for 4 weeks significantly reduced depression scores (CES-D and Hamilton) in the 8 patients with comorbid depressive symptoms.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 4 weeks
Dose: 5 mg
Population: Depression patients
Participants: 12

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MetaThe use of exogenous melatonin in delayed sleep phase disorder: a meta-analysis2010n=91

A meta-analysis of DSPD trials found melatonin advanced endogenous melatonin onset by 1.18 hours, sleep onset by 0.67 hours, and reduced sleep-onset latency by 23 minutes.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Adults
Participants: 91

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MetaThe efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for primary sleep disorders. A meta-analysis2005n=12

A meta-analysis found melatonin decreased sleep onset latency by 11.7 minutes overall, with a clinically important 38.8-minute reduction in delayed sleep phase syndrome but only 7.2 minutes in insomnia.

Effect: Benefit
Participants: 12

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Effects of melatonin on the quality of life in patients with delayed sleep phase syndrome2000

A study of 43 DSPS patients found 5 mg melatonin for 2–9 months significantly improved all SF-36 quality-of-life scales except role limitations due to emotional problems.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 2–9 months
Dose: 5 mg
Population: ALL patients

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Clinical trialDelayed sleep phase syndrome: A placebo-controlled cross-over study on the effects of melatonin administered five hours before the individual dim light melatonin onset1998n=25

A crossover study of 30 DSPS patients found 5 mg melatonin given 5 hours before individual DLMO advanced melatonin onset by ~1.5 hours and improved sleep continuity on polysomnography.

Effect: Benefit
Dose: 5 mg/day
Population: DSPS patients
Participants: 25

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Clinical trialEvaluating the role of melatonin in the long-term treatment of delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS)1998n=61

A long-term study of 61 DSPS patients found 96.7% reported melatonin helpful for sleep timing, though 91.5% relapsed within 1 year of stopping 5 mg/day treatment.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12–18 months
Dose: 5 mg
Population: Adults
Participants: 61

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Evidence visualised

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Purchase-guidance distribution

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Effect-size distribution

How large the reported benefits tend to be

Study distribution across 1 supplements for delayed sleep phase syndrome (dsps) (9 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Meta-analyses	Share
Melatonin	★★★★★76%	9	3	100%

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Delayed sleep phase syndrome

Overview

Effect graph

Relevant supplements

Studies

Evidence visualised

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