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Chinese Herbal Sachet Therapy for Sleep Quality in Menopausal Women
Sponsor: Macao Polytechnic University
Summary
Many women sleep poorly during the menopausal transition. Some prefer not to take hormone therapy or sleeping tablets, and ask their nurses about other options. This study tested a traditional Chinese medicine aromatic sachet containing ten herbs, chosen by a panel of experts. Women placed the sachet beside their pillow each night for nine weeks and removed it each morning. One hundred and twenty-two women aged 45 to 59 who reported poor sleep and were recruited in Macao took part. Half received the herbal sachet and half received a placebo sachet, which was identical in appearance, weight and packaging and carried a herbal scent, but did not contain the herbs being tested. Participants were not told which sachet they had been given. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at the start of the study and again after 3, 6 and 9 weeks.
Official title: Effect of Chinese Herbal Sachet Therapy on Improving Sleep Quality of Midlife Women in Macao: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
45 Years - 59 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
122
Start Date
2023-12-01
Completion Date
2024-03-31
Last Updated
2026-08-19
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Traditional Chinese medicine aromatic sachet
Aromatic sachet containing Albizia flower 12 g, lavender 12 g, Acorus (Acorus tatarinowii) 5 g, rose (Rosa rugosa) 12 g, white chrysanthemum 12 g, Atractylodes (Atractylodes lancea) 12 g, Angelica sinensis 12 g, mugwort 12 g, chuanxiong 7 g and cinnamon bark (Cinnamomi Cortex) 7 g, 103 g total, ground to powder and sealed in a non-woven inner bag (12 x 16 cm) inside a non-woven outer bag (13 x 18 cm). Used nightly within 30 cm of the pillow for nine weeks and replaced every three weeks.
Placebo aromatic sachet
Odour-plausible placebo sachet containing Agastache rugosa, Angelica dahurica, Pueraria montana var. lobata, Plantago asiatica and pumice, matched to the active sachet in appearance, weight and packaging. Used nightly beside the pillow for nine weeks and replaced every three weeks.
Locations (1)
Macao Polytechnic University
Macao, Macau