Non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder

Overview

Melatonin (WA 76; high effect size, high evidence, medium trust) has high-strength evidence for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder. Oral melatonin at doses of 0.5–4 mg daily in children and 0.5–10 mg daily in adults, used for up to six years, can improve sleep problems related to circadian rhythm disorders in blind children and adults.

This is among the better-supported supplement uses in this batch, with high ratings across effect size, evidence, and trust from six studies. Melatonin targets the circadian timing disruption characteristic of this condition.

See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for dose and outcome detail.

Effect graph

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Melatonin	★★★★★	High

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Studies

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How we scored this

Effect SizeHighEvidenceHighTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Taking melatonin by mouth in doses of 0.5–4 mg daily for children and 0.5–10 mg daily for adults, for up to six years, can help improve sleep problems related to body clock disorders in blind children and adults.

Browse 6 studies

Controlled trialMelatonin acutely improves the neuroendocrine architecture of sleep in blind individuals2003

In 12 totally blind subjects, a single 5 mg melatonin dose before bedtime improved sleep and associated neuroendocrine patterns versus placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Dose: 5 mg/day

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Clinical trialThe effects of low-dose 0.5-mg melatonin on the free-running circadian rhythms of blind subjects2003n=10

In 10 blind subjects with free-running rhythms, melatonin 0.5 mg daily entrained cortisol rhythms and improved subjective sleep versus placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Dose: 0.5–10 mg/day
Participants: 10
Ages: 32–65

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Controlled trialEntrainment of free-running circadian rhythms by melatonin in blind people2000

In 7 totally blind subjects with free-running rhythms, melatonin 10 mg entrained circadian rhythms to a 24-hour cycle versus placebo in a crossover study.

Effect: Benefit
Dose: 10 mg/day

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Melatonin in circadian sleep disorders in the blind1999

In 49 blind subjects, those without light perception often had free-running rhythms; melatonin treatment improved non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder symptoms.