The effectiveness of Melissa officinalis on sleep problem in patients with chronic heart failure

Abstract

Abstract Background: Numerous studies have documented high prevalence rate of major depression in patients with heart failure. Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Melissa officinalis on sleep problems in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: In a randomized, controlled trial study eighty patients (40 in each group) with chronic heart failure and experiencing insomnia were allocated randomly into intervention and control groups. The patients in the intervention group, received 12 ml M. officinalis syrup in addition to conventional treatment one hour before going to bed for 4 weeks. A demographic questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to collect data. Questionnaires were completed by all subjects before and after the intervention. Results: The time duration of waiting for falling asleep in the intervention group was significantly less than the control group (p=0.001). The hours during which the subjects were fully asleep was significantly more than the control group (p< 0.05). Conclusion: M. officinalis may improve the quality of sleep in patients with chronic heart failure who experience insomnia.