The Impact of Omega-3 on Improving Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review of Current Clinical Research
Authors:   D’Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Bernardes Camila ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA, Malheiros Assad Igor ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,   Department of Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, Yukio Yonekura Vitor ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA, de Azevedo Aguiar Marilia Ribeiro ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,   Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, Canizares Stalin ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA, Rivera-Quinto Luis ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,   Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Sequeira María Lucía ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA, Rudzevicius Lukas ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,   Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH, Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Chemnitz, Lacerda Gruber Aline Aparecida ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA, Perez-Londono Agustin ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,   Division of Urologic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Khater Ahmad G. A. ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,   Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Egyptian Russian University, Cairo, Egypt, Nam Dongwoo ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,   Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea, Dugar Franja ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,   University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, Bojorquez Ortiz Maria Isabel ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,   Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala, Scholl Vanesa ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,   Molecular Biology Laboratory, Conciencia Clinic, Neuquen, Argentina, Linsey Zhao Yinxue ,   Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) Course, Executive and Continuing Professional Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,   University of Pennsylvania, United States
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Omega-3 fatty acids are known to improve cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. While studies have suggested that omega-3 may also enhance sleep quality and regulate melatonin, the data on its efficacy for individuals with poor sleep quality or related disorders must be more consistent. We aim to pave the way for future investigations, ultimately contributing to the clinical management of sleep health. Methods: 87 articles were retrieved from MEDLINE and Cochrane databases through a systematic search strategy, and 19 articles from 2002 to 2022 were included. Inclusion criteria encompassed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies focused on the impact omega-3 on outcomes related to sleep clinical parameters. Exclusion criteria included preclinical studies and literature reviews. Results: The review identified 19 eligible studies, consisting of 9 RCTs and ten observational studies. The results displayed a complex relationship between omega-3 supplementation and sleep quality, with some studies suggesting positive effects, particularly in specific subpopulations. In contrast, others showed no significant impact or even negative effects on sleep. Among the RCTs, 7 showed positive and promising results in favor of omega-3 supplementation for sleep quality, while 1 RCT indicated the need for further studies, and 1 RCT suggested no benefit of omega-3 on sleep quality. Among observational studies, 7 reported positive and promising outcomes with omega-3 supplementation, 2 indicated no benefit in improving sleep quality, and 1 suggested further studies. Conclusion: Based on the available data, our systematic review found that omega-3 improved sleep quality in 74% of the included clinical research; however, such evidence still needs to be conclusive due to high heterogeneity among study designs. Therefore, well-designed clinical studies are required to confirm this conclusion.