Background:
Sound sleep is needed for our overall health and optimum our productivity. Sleep quality affects people's work performance, mood, safety, and quality of life. Changing times and advancements in technology couples with altered lifestyles have taken a toll on human health. Poor sleep quality reduces short-term memory, cognitive abilities, and motor skills for all age groups. The high prevalence of poor sleep quality in every age group has triggered a growing worldwide demand for a safe, effective and easily available herbal cure.
Therefore, in this study I assessed the efficacy of aqueous extract (tea) of Euphorbia hirta (Dudhiya) in improving sleep quality in persons aged 20 to 50 years with self-reported sleep disturbance.
Objective of the Study:
The main objective of the study is to assess the efficacy of oral intake of aqueous extract(Tea) of E.hirta compared with placebo (PBO) in improving sleep quality in terms of having regular sound sleep and freshness in the daytime work.
Sample Size:
Literature review have shown that sample size were included 24, 25, , 60, 112, 165 and 258 participants in sleep disorder related study. However, prior study on Withania somnifera in insomnia and anxiety has shown that the mean of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at the baseline was 13.08 and Standard Deviation (SD) 1.51, post-treatment \& after follow up it was 9.15 and SD 1.8372. Based on this mean and SD, the estimated enrollment of 5 per treatment group among those with poor sleep would provide the study with a statistical power of 95% (α = 0.05) and confidence interval of 95% to detect significant improvements in sleep quality. By using OpenEpi online calculator, my required sample size is 10. Due to chance of loss to follow up and placebo effect (5%), my inflated sample size is total number of 32 participants which is three times larger than estimated sample size.
Duration of Study:
Duration of study for each participant was 05 months days with "day one advertisement" for screening followed by randomization for the treatment. The duration of the active participation of each participant 2 consecutive weeks or 14 days.
Study area was included Dhaka, Narayanganj and Munshiganj districts and study centre was Dr. Hakeem Md. Yousuf Harun Bhuiyan Hospital, Hamdard University Bangladesh.
Methods:
Participants was recruited by using online and printed advertisement of the study. Advertisements was posted on the online page of dept. of public health as well as other faculties of Hamdard University Bangladesh. Printed advertisement was posted on notice board of different faculties of Hamdard University Bangladesh along with providing in-person. Advertisements was also posted on online social networking platforms (such as Facebook, Facebook groups, LinkedIn). The relevant study requirements with an email address and phone number was included in the advertisement.
Interested respondent was contact to the investigator, and he/she was invited to come to Dr. Hakeem Md. Yousuf Harun Bhuiyan Hospital, Hamdard University Bangladesh for assessing sleep quality by self-reported Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and checking physical parameters (i.e. general appearance, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), pulse rate, body temperature, blood pressure and respiratory rate) as well. Participants who met eligible criteria along with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score equal or greater than 6, and above mentioned physical parameters were normal -enrolled in this study.
After enrollment, they were randomized (by third party) into two groups to receive either the intervention or the placebo for 2 consecutive weeks or 14 days. A Sleep Diary also provided to each participants and instructed to complete it every morning within one hour after wake up. Participants were got reminder for taking intervention tea and completing sleep diary regularly every 2/3 days interval.
After completing intervention period, Participants were fulfilled another Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire for post-intervention assessment, and also fulfilled Sleep Diary was collected.
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index contains seven component scores are, where the total score ranges from 0 to 21 points (0-3 points for each component). Lower scores indicate better sleep status. The global score is also calculated, with scores \> 5 used to classify participants as "poor sleepers" and scores ≤5 used to classify participants as "good sleepers".
The outcome measure will be assessed by the differences between pre and post-intervention Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score as well as the percentage reduction in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index compared with placebo.
To evaluate Subjective Sleep Efficiency (sSE) during the period of oral intake of aqueous extract of the intervention or placebo from sleep diary.
An intention-to-treat analysis will be conducted for patients who have received intervention at least once. Data will be presented as mean±SD and percentage of reduction in the change of improving sleep quality with a 95% confidence interval and p=0.05. sSE also be evaluated as percentage. Difference between two means will be compared with independent two sample t-test.
Efficacy Assessment:
1. Difference of baseline and post intervention mean by PSQI compared with PBO
2. Comparison of sSE between 1st and 14th day of intervention period from sleep diary
3. Assess the % of reduction of PSQI global score
Data and Safety Monitoring:
To maintain the quality of this trial, data \& safety monitoring will be conducted by Data \& Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). The members of the DSMB was included that individual who was not involved directly in this research. For this clinical trial, DSMB members was joined from the Faculty of Unani and Ayurvedic Medicine of Hamdard University Bangladesh.
Safety Assessment:
Safety assessment was obtained from the incidence and type of adverse events during study period.
