Effect of oral saffron capsules on sleep quality in patients with diabetes at Zabol-Iran

Introduction: People with diabetes have delayed sleep compared to ordinary people and do not have good sleep quality because of impaired glucose level. Saffron effect on insomnia in several studies on animals have checked, and beneficial results for it have observed. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study aiming to determine the effect of oral saffron capsules on sleep quality in diabetic patients in the city of Zabol in 2016. This study conducted on 50 diabetic patients in Zabol city which were qualified for inclusion criteria for the study. The sleep quality of patients assessed with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Then the intervention was done as a daily intake of one 300 mg capsule of saffron in the intervention group and a placebo capsule in the control group, for a week, every day between hours 12 to 14 am and after taking lunch. After a week, sleep quality measured again. Results: After the intervention, the comparison of the mean scores of two groups showed a significant difference (P = 0.001). Also, comparison of a total mean score of sleep quality in patients before and after intervention showed statistically significant difference in two groups (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Results of this study showed that daily administration of saffron oral capsules improves sleep quality in diabetic patients. Saffron can use for improving sleep quality in diabetic patients along with other existing therapies.