It is estimated that up to 90% of people will have a sleep concern over their adult life. According to a worldwide survey, one out of two people report unsatisfactory sleep. In Colombia, a Latin American country, more than 60% of adults report sleep concerns. For a long time, positive effects on sleep of plant extracts have been described, and more recently their mechanisms of action and safety have been largely elucidated. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of a supplement formulation based on natural products (Saffron, Tea extract, Lemon Balm and Valerian) on objective and subjective sleep parameters.~This is a randomized, doble-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. The primary outcome is sleep efficiency. A sample size of 60 participants is needed for having a power of 95%, a one type error of 5% and a minimal difference of at least 2.8% between groups in the primary outcome. As we estimate a loss to follow-up of 10%, 66 participants will be enrolled. The main inclusion criteria will be having a poor sleep quality demonstrated as having a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) equal to or greater than five. In a random allocation design, one group of participants will receive the active intervention and the other one will receive a placebo with similar organoleptic features. The study will be executed in three main phases: First, a run-in phase where eligible participants will receive the active intervention during one week, and only those with adherence 85% or greater continue to the next phase. Second, a wash-out phase in which participants will not receive any intervention but actigraphic data will be collected. Finally, in the third (intervention) phase participants will be randomized following a minimization algorithm to the active or placebo group, to be taken for six weeks. Subjective and objective sleep variables will be measured at the beginning and the end of the study.
Sleep disorders are highly prevalent all around the world and have a strong negative impact on quality of life (QoL). In Colombia, up to 60% of adults report any sleep disturbance and more than 45% have required medical assistance for this. There is abundant anecdotal and scientific evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of several plant extracts on sleep quality. In this context, the development of safe and effective natural products may have a positive impact on sleep and general QoL.