Nutritional intervention rich in tryptophan enhances sleep duration and reduces wakefulness during breast cancer treatment.
Henriqueta Vieira Van Keulen, Guilherme Eugênio Van Keulen, Jéssica Pereira Silva et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of a tryptophan-rich dietary intervention on sleep in 50 women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. The intervention group experienced significantly higher total sleep time (TST) in weeks 4 and 5 compared to the control group, with p-values of 0.007 and 0.010, respectively, and reduced wake after sleep onset (WASO) in weeks 2 and 4.
Key findings
- The Sleep Diet Group had significantly higher total sleep time compared to the Control Group in weeks 4 and 5 (p = 0.007 and p = 0.010).
- Wake after sleep onset was significantly lower in the Sleep Diet Group during weeks 2 and 4 (p = 0.011 and p = 0.035).
- No significant differences in deep sleep were observed between groups (p = 0.214).
- Both groups showed subjective improvements in insomnia severity, with no differences between groups.
Why it matters
Sleep disorders are common in women undergoing breast cancer treatment, and effective management is crucial for improving quality of life. Nutritional interventions may offer a non-pharmacological approach to enhance sleep during chemotherapy.