Skip to main content
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Pillser
Search
Sign UpLog In

Black cohosh improves objective sleep in postmenopausal women with sleep disturbance.

  • 2015-05-22
  • Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society 18(4)
    • K Jiang
    • Y Jin
    • L Huang
    • S Feng
    • X Hou
    • B Du
    • J Zheng
    • L Li

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 42
Population
48 postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years with sleep disturbance
Methods
randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled research, daily administration of either black cohosh or placebo for 6 months
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
6 months
Funding
Unclear

Objective

Sleep problems are prominent after menopause. The aim of our study was to look into the effect of black cohosh on both objective and subjective sleep in early postmenopausal women with sleep complaints.

Methods

We performed a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled research during a 6-month period. Forty-eight postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years with sleep disturbance were enrolled and received daily administration of either black cohosh or placebo. Polysomnography and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were performed at the initiation and termination of the study, as well as the Menopause-specific Quality of Life questionnaire and estradiol and follicle stimulating hormone tests. Liver and renal functions and breast and pelvic ultrasound were set as safety measures, carried out every 3 months.

Results

Seventy-six women were interviewed, of whom 42 women completed the whole trial. Compared with placebo, black cohosh treatment led to significant polysomnographic changes, including increased sleep efficiency and decreased wake after sleep onset (WASO) duration, and tended to improve PSQI with a medium effect size. On average, 15.8% of WASO duration was reduced in the black cohosh group. Vasomotor and physical domains of life quality were improved compared with placebo. Safety measures did not yield any adverse event assigned to black cohosh.

Conclusions

In early postmenopausal women with a major sleep complaint, black cohosh effectively improved sleep and might be a safe measure in managing menopausal sleep disturbance.

Research Insights

  • Black Cohosh→Improved Physical Quality of Life

    Vasomotor and physical domains of life quality were improved compared with placebo

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    daily administration (specific dose not stated)
  • Black Cohosh→Improved Sleep Efficiency

    black cohosh treatment led to significant polysomnographic changes, including increased sleep efficiency and decreased wake after sleep onset (WASO) duration

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    daily administration (specific dose not stated)
  • Black Cohosh→Improved Sleep Quality

    tended to improve PSQI with a medium effect size

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    daily administration (specific dose not stated)
  • Black Cohosh→Improved Vasomotor Quality of Life

    Vasomotor and physical domains of life quality were improved compared with placebo

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    daily administration (specific dose not stated)
  • Black Cohosh→Reduced Wake After Sleep Onset

    decreased wake after sleep onset (WASO) duration. On average, 15.8% of WASO duration was reduced in the black cohosh group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    daily administration (specific dose not stated)

Adverse Events Reported

  • Black Cohosh→Overall tolerability

    Safety measures did not yield any adverse event assigned to black cohosh.

    Finding
    Reported
Back to top