Patients' attitudes toward melatonin for musculoskeletal pain: Insights for rehabilitation practice

Physiotherapy. 2025 Dec 10;132:101867. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2025.101867. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the perceptions and attitudes of individuals with chronic MSK pain toward melatonin as a potential treatment for pain management.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING: Nationwide survey conducted via social media platforms and offline advertisements.

PARTICIPANTS: Adults (≥ 18 years) with chronic MSK pain. A total of 254 individuals completed the survey (mean age 60.8 years; 87 % women).

METHODS: Participants completed a custom-designed survey capturing demographics, pain and sleep disturbances, prior melatonin use, and attitudes toward melatonin for pain and sleep.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Descriptive statistics of melatonin use, perceived effectiveness, concerns, and willingness to use melatonin for pain management.

RESULTS: Sleep disturbances were reported by 73 % of participants, with insomnia most common. Forty percent had previously used melatonin, primarily for sleep, yet 57 % of users were uncertain about its analgesic effects. Willingness to use melatonin was expressed by 79 % of users and 83 % of non-users for pain management. General concerns included side effects, drug interactions, efficacy, and cost.

CONCLUSIONS: While less than half of the participants had used melatonin for sleep, there was a positive attitude towards its use as a potential treatment for MSK pain management. Future high-quality randomised controlled trials are needed to assess the effectiveness of melatonin for MSK pain management. CONTRIBUTION OF PAPER.

PMID:41936187 | DOI:10.1016/j.physio.2025.101867