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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Apr 27;13(5):1473.
doi: 10.3390/nu13051473.

Effects of Saffron Extract on Sleep Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial

Barbara D Pachikian  1 , Sylvie Copine  1 , Marlène Suchareau  2 , Louise Deldicque  1   3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of Saffron Extract on Sleep Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial

Barbara D Pachikian et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

A saffron extract has been found to be effective in the context of depression and anxiety, but its effect on sleep quality has not been investigating yet using objective approaches. For this purpose, a randomized double-blind controlled study was conducted in subjects presenting mild to moderate sleep disorder associated with anxiety. Sixty-six subjects were randomized and supplemented with a placebo (maltodextrin) or a saffron extract (15.5 mg per day) for 6 weeks. Actigraphy was used to collect objective data related to sleep quality at baseline, at the middle and at the end of the intervention. Sleep quality was also assessed by completion of the LSEQ and PSQI questionnaires and quality of life by completion of the SF-36 questionnaire. Six weeks of saffron supplementation led to an increased time in bed assessed by actigraphy, to an improved ease of getting to sleep evaluated by the LSEQ questionnaire and to an improved sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, and global scores evaluated by the PSQI questionnaire, whereas those parameters were not modified by the placebo. In conclusion, those results suggest that a saffron extract could be a natural and safe nutritional strategy to improve sleep duration and quality.

Keywords: LSEQ; PSQI; SF-36; actigraphy; crocetin; crocins; insomnia; quality of life; safranal; sleep disorder.

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Conflict of interest statement

The funders participate to the setup of the study design and to the redaction of the publication. However, the funder had no role in data collection, analyses and interpretation of the data.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of the study design.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CONSORT flow diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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