Sleep quality during treatment with Bryophyllum pinnatum: An observational study on cancer patients

Introduction: Bryophyllum pinnatum is an herbal medication used in anthroposophic medicine, and has been shown to be associated with improvements of sleep quality in pregnancy [1]. Only few and minor or moderate side-effects have been reported [2,3]. Cancer patients frequently suffer from poor sleep quality. Here the sleep quality of cancer patients during treatment with B. pinnatum was investigated.

Patients and methods: In this prospective, observational study, cancer patients suffering from sleep problems were treated with B. pinnatum (350 mg tablets, corresponding to 50% of leaf press juice, Weleda AG, Arlesheim, dosage at physician's consideration, but most frequently 2 tablets with the dinner and 2 before going to bed). Sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSGI), daily sleepiness (Epworth Sleeping Scale, ESS) and fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale, FSS) were assessed at the beginning of the treatment and after 3 weeks. Possible adverse drug reactions perceived by the patients during the treatment were recorded. From the 28 recruited patients, 21 completed both questionnaires and were considered in the present analysis. Data are expressed as mean ± S.D.

Results: Patients were 62.5 ± 8.68 years old and in their majority female (18 out of 21). A preliminary analysis of the data revealed that during treatment with B. pinnatum the PSQI decreased from 12 ± 3.5 to 9 ± 3.4 (p < 0.01), and ESS changed from 8 ± 3.0 to 7 ± 3.8 (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant change in FSS. The treatment was well tolerated by the majority of the patients, with only 6 patients reporting possible side-effects (fatigue n = 3, dry throat n = 1, agitation n = 1, difficult digestion n = 1). No serious adverse drug reactions were detected.

Conclusion: Bryophyllum pinnatum seems to be a suitable treatment for sleep problems of cancer patients. Controlled clinical trials on the use of B. pinnatum in sleep disorders are urgently needed.

Keywords: Kalanchoe pinnata, cancer, sleep problems

References:

[1] Lambrigger-Steiner C, Simões-Wüst AP et al. Sleep quality in pregnancy during treatment with Bryophyllum pinnatum: An observational study. Phytomedicine 2014; 21: 753 – 757

[2] Plangger N, Rist L, et al. Intravenous tocolysis with Bryophyllum pinnatum is better tolerated than beta-agonist application. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2006; 124(2): 168 – 172

[3] Betschart C, von Mandach U, et al. Randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial with Bryophyllum pinnatum versus placebo for the treatment of overactive bladder in postmenopausal women. Phytomedicine 2013; 20(3 – 4): 351 – 358