Effect of Chamomile Extract on Sleep Quality of the Elderly

Abstract

Background: The elderly often face difficulties in achieving a comfortable sleep. Due to its relaxing properties, chamomile may be effective in improving sleep quality in the elderly. <br/>Aim: to determine the effect of Chamaemelum Nobile extract on the sleep quality of hospitalized elderly in nursing homes of Isfahan. <br/>Methods: This study is a clinical trial with pretest and post test. The study population was 77 cases of elderly hospitalized in nursing homes. Participants were selected through random continuous sampling and divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received 400 mg oral capsules of chamomile twice daily after lunch and after dinner for 4 weeks. Quality of sleep in both groups was measured using the standard questionnaire of Sleep Quality Questionnaire Index (PSQI) before and after intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 17 using descriptive statistics and paired t and independent t-tests. <br/>Results: The age of the participants in this study was 74.3±10.6 years and 53.2% of the participants were women. Mean score of sleep quality in the control group was 8.1±4.3 before the intervention and 8.2±4.0 after the intervention (p>0.05). Mean sleep quality score for the intervention group was 8.8±4.3 before the intervention and 5.0±3.7 after the intervention (P<0.001). <br/>Conclusion: Oral administration of chamomile extract has sedative properties and can be effective in the improvement of the quality of sleep in older adults.