ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Melatonin and delirium in the intensive care units: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Pooled result · Low to moderate risk of bias trialsResult — go to the resultRelative risk 0.89 95% CI 0.73–1.09Authors' conclusion
The results suggest that compared to placebo, melatonin does not reduce delirium incidence in critically ill patients. Similarly, no effect was observed on mortality.
Study context
- Population
- Critically ill patients in the ICU
- Participants
- 2,209 patients · 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Comparison
- Melatonin vs placebo
- Outcome
- Incidence of delirium
Methodological detailsprimary analysis restricted to trials with low to moderate risk of bias
- Primary analysis restricted to trials with low to moderate risk of bias
Pooled result
Low to moderate risk of bias trials
Relative risk
0.89
95% CI 0.73–1.09
Melatonin vs Placebo
RR 0.89 (95% CI 0.73–1.09)
As reported in the abstract
Further pooled results
| Outcome | RR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Incidence of delirium, all trials (secondary analysis)13 RCTs, 2830 patients | 0.86 (0.70–1.04) | |
| Mortality (primary analysis)7 RCTs, 2165 patients | 0.87 (0.73–1.02) | |
| Mortality (secondary analysis)8 RCTs, 2396 patients | 0.92 (0.79–1.06) | |
| 0.512Relative risk (log scale) |
Original publication
Melatonin and delirium in the intensive care units: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Intensive Care Med. Published 6 October 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →