Abstract:
The effect of melatonin, a chronobiotic drug, was explored in 29 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and Dim Light Melatonin onset (DLMO) later than 21.30 hours, reflective of delayed circadian rhythmicity. The patients took 5 mg of melatonin orally, 5 h before DLMO during 3 months.
Their responses to the checklist individual strength (CIS), a reliable questionnaire measuring the severity of personally experienced fatigue, were assessed twice with a 6-week interval immediately before the treatment and once after 3 months treatment.
In the pre-treatment period the fatigue sub-score improved significantly. After treatment, the total CIS score and the sub-scores for fatigue, concentration, motivation and activity improved significantly. The sub-score fatigue normalized in two of the 29 patients in the pre-treatment period and in eight of 27 patients during treatment. This change was significant.
In the patients with DLMO later than 22.00 hours (n=21) the total CIS score and the sub-scores for fatigue, concentration and activity improved significantly more than in the patients (n=8) with DLMO earlier than 22.00 hours. Melatonin may be an effective treatment for patients with CFS and late DLMO, especially in those with DLMO later than 22.00 hours.
Source: van Heukelom RO, Prins JB, Smits MG, Bleijenberg G. Influence of melatonin on fatigue severity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and late melatonin secretion. Eur J Neurol. 2006 Jan;13(1):55-60. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16420393