Melatonin may offer modest relief for chronic musculoskeletal pain, according to a new systematic review in PAIN. Analyzing data from 23 randomized clinical trials, researchers found it reduced pain by roughly nine points on a 100-point scale — comparable to some conventional treatments. But experts say it should complement, not replace, existing pain management strategies.
Melatonin — the affordable, widely available sleep supplement already sitting in many medicine cabinets — may do double duty for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain. A new systematic review published in PAIN analyzed data from 2,028 adults across 23 randomized clinical trials and found that melatonin reduced chronic pain by roughly nine points on a 100-point scale, with more rigorous trials showing reductions closer to 10 points.
The catch? Most of those improvements didn't hit the threshold considered clinically meaningful, and the certainty of evidence was rated low to moderate. Researchers also noted that melatonin improved sleep quality in chronic pain patients — a meaningful bonus, given how tightly pain and poor sleep are intertwined.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: For clinicians managing patients with both chronic pain and sleep disturbances, melatonin may be a low-risk adjunct worth considering — but it's not a standalone fix. Experts stress that persistent sleep or pain issues still warrant a thorough clinical evaluation.
