Effectiveness Not Established

Bryophyllum pinnatum

for Sleep-Wake Disturbances

Bryophyllum pinnatum is a perennial herb that has been used in folklore medicine in several countries. This herb contains a wide range of chemical compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, lipids, and organic acids. Various plant extracts have central nervous system depression, analgesia, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and sedative effects. Bryophyllum pinnatum has been studied for its effect on sleep-wake disturbances among patients with cancer.

Research Evidence Summaries

Simoes-Wust, A.P., Hassani, T.A., Muller-Hubenthal, B., Pittl, S., Kuck, A., Meden, H., . . . Bryophyllum Collaborative Group. (2015). Sleep quality improves during treatment with Bryophyllum pinnatum: An observational study on cancer patients. Integrative Cancer Therapies. Advance online publication.

Study Purpose

To investigate the effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum (B pinnatum) on sleep quality in patients with cancer

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

B pinnatum is an herbal medicine previously found to improve sleep quality in pregnant women. Patients were included in the review of records if they were diagnosed with cancer and had been prescribed B pinnatum 50% (350 mg tablets at varying dosages) for at least 21 consecutive days for sleep-wake disturbance. The tablets contained 50% leaf-pressed juice on lactose, and dosages ranged from three to eight tablets per day. Study assessments were done at baseline and on day 22.

Sample Characteristics

  • N = 20
  • MEAN AGE = 61 years (SD = 10.4 years)
  • MALES: 15%, FEMALES: 85%
  • KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Various cancer types with the majority being breast cancer; average time since diagnosis was five years
  • OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: The majority of women were postmenopausal, and the duration of sleep problems was an average of two years. 65% of participants received previous therapy with mistletoe.

Setting

  • SITE: Single-site  
  • SETTING TYPE: Outpatient    
  • LOCATION: Switzerland

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

  • PHASE OF CARE: Late effects and survivorship
  • APPLICATIONS: Palliative care

Study Design

Retrospective, observational study

Measurement Instruments/Methods

  • Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

Results

During treatment with B pinnatum, sleep quality improved from a mean PSQI score of 12.2 (SD = 3.62) to 9.1 (SD = 3.61) (p = 0.002). Improvement was seen in sleep latency and habitual sleep efficiency (p < 0.03). Patients receiving B pinnatum took fewer sleep medications. In most cases, patients took two tablets twice daily. There were very few minor side effects, and no severe adverse reactions were reported. One patient reported an improvement in hot flashes.

Conclusions

B pinnatum may be helpful in the management of sleep disturbances in patients with cancer.

Limitations

  • Small sample (< 30)
  • Risk of bias (no control group)
  • Risk of bias (no blinding)
  • Risk of bias (no random assignment)

 

Nursing Implications

The findings of this study suggest that B pinnatum may be helpful for patients with cancer who have insomnia; however, evidence is weak because of study design limitations and the small sample size. The positive findings seen here suggest that additional research on the use of B pinnatum is warranted.

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