ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Melatonin Use in the ICU: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Pooled result · DeliriumResult — go to the resultRelative risk 0.72 95% CI 0.58–0.89Authors' conclusion
Our findings suggest that melatonin administration in the critically ill may improve perceived sleep and reduce delirium, without increasing adverse effects.
Study context
- Population
- Adults admitted to the ICU
- Participants
- 3,895 adults · 32 randomized clinical trials (RCTs)
- Comparison
- Melatonin vs no melatonin
- Outcome
- Delirium
Methodological detailsrandom-effects model, GRADE certainty assessment
- Random-effects model
- GRADE certainty assessment
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Relative risk
0.72
95% CI 0.58–0.89
Melatonin vs No melatonin
RR 0.72 (95% CI 0.58–0.89)
Further pooled results
| Outcome | MD (d) (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| ICU LOSLow certainty | −0.57 (−0.95 to −0.18) | |
| −1−0.500.5Difference, d (linear scale) |
| Outcome | SMD (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Reported sleep qualityLow certainty | 0.54 (0.01–1.07) | |
| −0.500.511.5Difference (linear scale) |
Sleep awakenings, anxiety, agitation, PTSD incidence, ICU mortality, post-ICU functional status
- Evidence uncertain (very low certainty for sleep awakenings, anxiety, agitation, PTSD; low certainty for ICU mortality and post-ICU functional status)
Safety
- Melatonin may result in a slight reduction in frequency of adverse events
- Low certainty
Original publication
Melatonin Use in the ICU: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Crit Care Med. Published 15 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →