Abstract
Objectives
Zinc deficiency has been shown to affect the central nervous system, according to animal and human studies. In people under methadone-maintenance therapy (MMT), zinc deficiency is accompanied by various consequences. This study intended to evaluate the impact of zinc supplementation on dosage and sleep in people suffering from opioid dependence under MMT.
Methods
Following a clinical trial design, a total of 68 cases referring to outpatient MMT centers in Isfahan province in 2021 were recruited using the convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a demographic questionnaire form, and a methadone dose form, which was performed before providing the intervention, and one and three months later. Data analysis was administered using SPSS version 23.
Results
some sleep quality subcomponents, including the score of sleep efficiency (p = 0.001), sleep disturbances (p < 0.001), and use of sleep medication (p < 0.001) were decreased for those in the intervention group, which was statistically significant. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the control group. Regarding components of subjective sleep quality (p = 0.04) and daily functional impairment (p = 0.01), the overall mean difference (before and after the intervention) between the intervention and control groups was statistically significant. However, There was a significant difference between the intervention and control groups concerning total sleep quality (p = 0.002); however, such difference was not found for methadone consumption (p = 0.73).
Conclusion
Zinc supplementation showed a positive effect on some subcomponents of sleep quality in people under MMT. However, it did not affect the dose of methadone.