Effect of Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) on Sleep Quality of Menopausal Women: A Double-blinded, Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial

• Published in: Journal of menopausal medicine 2018-12, Vol.24 (3), p.204
• Main Authors: Maliheh Afiat, Fatemeh Rajab Dizavandi, Leila Kargarfard, Seyede Houra Mosavi Vahed, Masumeh Ghazanfarpour
• Format: Article
• Language: Korean
• Subjects: Foeniculum; Menopause; Sleep; Sleep wake disorders
• ISSN: 2288-6478; 2288-6761

Objectives: Aim of present study was designed to investigate the soporific effect of fennel among menopausal women. Methods: The present double-blinded and placebo-controlled trial examined the fennel effect on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Total score and relevant 7 components, including sleep duration, sleep latency, use of sleeping medication, subjective sleep quality, sleep disturbances, daytime dysfunction and habitual sleep efficiency among 50 menopausal women compared to control group within a 12-week follow-up. Results: The patients in both groups reported no certain side effects and all subjects completed the study. The mean actual sleep duration was 5 hours and 66 minutes. Intergroup comparison revealed no statistically significant differences in the mean total PSQI score (P = 0.439), subjective sleep quality (P = 0.826), habitual sleep efficiency (P = 0.127), sleep disturbances (P = 0.130), use of sleeping medication (P = 0.52) and daytime dysfunction (P = 0.439). A tendency toward significant between 2 groups was seen concerning the sleep duration (P = 0.059). Intergroup comparison showed significantly borderline levels (P = 0.059). Conclusions: The treatment of 12 weeks with fennel caused a slight effect that did not reach to significant. These findings should be considered cautiously because of small sample size, short-term follow-up and subjective measure of sleep quality. (J Menopausal Med 2018;24:204-209)