Alternative Medicine/Supplement Use to Induce Sleep: A Global Perspective

Abstract

Sleep medicine has considered a worldwide perspective to investigate and treat sleep disturbances and disorders. Large scale epidemiological studies along with World Health Organization sponsored studies using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health system, have categorized patient complaints about their sleep. The current study was designed as a qualitative investigation of an aspect of a common patient sleep complaint—difficulty falling asleep. The aim of the study was to identify some of the sleep onset practices which may or may not include a treatment for sleep onset. A social media approach was used to capture the qualitative comments about sleep from individuals responding to a Facebook questionnaire. The questionnaire was in English and Portuguese (per the second author). The individual responses were from 12 countries/6 continents. Modal responses in terms of alternative medicine use and day time practices to promote sleep are represented.