The Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Sleep Quality of ICU Nurses: A Double Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study examined the effect of zinc supplementation on the sleep quality (SQ) of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. In a double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 54 ICU nurses were randomly assigned to the intervention group ( n = 27) that received 220 mg zinc sulfate capsules every 72 hours for 1 month and the control group ( n = 26) that received placebo. Sleep quality of ICU nurses was measured by calculating the total quality sleep score using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The serum zinc level was a secondary outcome. All measurements were calculated at both baseline and 1 month after intervention. The total PSQI, subjective SQ, and sleep latency scores for the intervention group were significantly lower than the control group, which means that the SQ of ICU nurses in the intervention group improved from baseline. The serum zinc level of the intervention group at the end of the study was significantly higher than the control group, which means that zinc supplementation improved participants' serum zinc level. Based on these findings, the researcher suggested that zinc supplementation could be associated with better SQ, subjective SQ, and sleep latency in this group of workers.

The effect of zinc supplementation on fatigue among elderly community dwellers: A parallel clinical trial

“…Furthermore, as a result of zinc supplementation, serum zinc levels in the intervention group increased significantly, which was consistent with most previous studies 29,30 . Karagozoglu et al study aimed to determine the effect of zinc supplementation on serum zinc concentrations in the elderly.…”

Effects of Diet on Sleep: A Narrative Review

“…The methods employed to measure sleep outcomes varied across studies. Seven studies used subjective measures (i.e., diaries/logbooks and sleep questionnaires) [31][32][33][34][35][36][37], while one study used PSG/EEG [38,39], and five studies used a combination of PSG/EEG or actigraphy, and subjective measures [39][40][41][42][43].…”

“…One study examining zinc supplementation in individuals with below-optimal zinc levels (≤ 79.9 µg/dL) observed improvements in global sleep quality scores on the PSQI, subjective sleep quality, and sleep onset latency scores [32]. A separate study, which administered astaxanthin (a keto-carotenoid) in combination with zinc [43], observed a significant improvement in sleep onset latency, but no effects on total sleep time or sleep efficiency.…”

Wheel-Running Behavior Is Negatively Impacted by Zinc Administration in a Novel Dual Transgenic Mouse Model of AD

“…This study showed that Zn has the ability to improve sleep after being ingested for several months. Baradari et al (2018) also found that zinc improved sleep quality and sleep latency in nurses; the dose used was 220 mg. However, ingestion of too much Zn may be problematic in AD patients since administration of Zn could possibly lead to enhanced AD pathology as discussed below.…”