Chamomile extract significantly improved sleep quality among the elderly, suggesting its potential as a safe sleep-promotion tool for this population.
In a single-blind randomized controlled trial, sixty elderly individuals from a daycare nursing home in Karaj, Iran, were randomly assigned into a control group or a treatment group. Those in the treatment group received 200mg chamomile extract capsules, administered twice daily for 28 consecutive days, while the placebo group received 200mg capsules of wheat flour in the same manner. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at four different time points: immediately before the experimental period, two weeks into the study, right after completing the 28-day cycle, and two weeks post-intervention.
Results showed no significant difference between the control and treatment groups in their baseline sleep quality, with both presenting poor scores. However, following the 28-day intervention, the treatment group, who received chamomile extract, demonstrated notably better sleep quality than the placebo group, with the exception of the habitual sleep efficiency component of the Sleep Quality Index. These findings suggest that chamomile extract can be employed as a safe and effective means to enhance the sleep quality of elderly people.
