Evaluation of Valerians’ effect on sleep quantity and quality of menopausal women: cross-over clinical trial

Background: Menopause causes poor sleep quality in women, so that great throngs of menopausal women experience menopause-induced sleep disorders. This study was conducted to determine the effects of valerian extract on sleep quantity and quality of postmenopausal women.

Methods: This triple-blind, randomized, cross-over clinical trial was performed on 144 eligible postmenopausal women. Participants were randomly classified into two groups to use either 700 mg valerian extract (group A) or a placebo (group B) for one month. After a 2-week washout period, the treatment regimens were reversed. Sleep quantity and quality were evaluated using Pittsburgh and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaires at baseline and after both phases of intervention.

Results: Mean score of Pittsburgh scale was 10.9±3.6 at baseline. Valerian reduced this score to 7.8±3.4 and 7.4±3 at the first and the second phase of intervention, respectively (P<0.001). After the first phase of intervention, ISI score was reduced to 2.87±0.62 in group A (P<0.001). It was reduced to 4.02±0.5 in group B after the second phase of intervention (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Daily consumption of 700 mg valerian improved sleep quantity and quality in postmenopausal women