Effects of Passiflora incarnata Linnaeus on polysomnographic sleep parameters in subjects with insomnia disorder: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study

• Published in: International clinical psychopharmacology Vol. 35; no. 1; p. 29
• Main Authors: Lee, Jeewon, Jung, Han-Young, Lee, Soyoung Irene, Choi, Ji Ho, Kim, Shin-Gyeom
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives - adverse effects; Hypnotics and Sedatives - therapeutic use; Male; Middle Aged; Passiflora; Plant Extracts - adverse effects; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Polysomnography; Severity of Illness Index; Sleep - drug effects; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders - drug therapy; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1473-5857
• DOI: 10.1097/YIC.0000000000000291

The purpose of the present double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical study was to investigate the effects of Passionflower on polysomnographic sleep parameters in subjects with insomnia disorder. A total number 110 adult participants (mean age = 40.47 ± 11.68, Female = 53.6%) met the inclusion criteria of insomnia disorder according to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). After randomization, patients received either the Passionflower extract or the placebo for 2 weeks. Patients underwent an overnight polysomnography and completed sleep diaries, Insomnia Severity Index, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Within group comparisons were analyzed with paired t-tests or Wilcoxon's signed rank tests, and between-group comparisons were analyzed with independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U Tests, as appropriate. Total sleep time (TST) was significantly increased in the Passionflower group compared with placebo (Passionflower vs placebo, 23.05 ± 54.26 vs -0.16 ± 53.12; P = 0.049). Sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset (WASO) significantly improved after 2 weeks in the Passionflower group but there was no difference compared with the placebo group. The current study demonstrated the positive effects of Passionflower on objective sleep parameters including TST on polysomnography in adults with insomnia disorder. Further study is needed to investigate the clinical efficacy of Passionflower on insomnia.