This page contains additional content about the article Melatonin prolonged-release tablets (Circadin) for primary insomnia in older people, first published in NPS RADAR in May 2010.

Getting to sleep (GTS)

How would you compare getting sleep using the medicine with how you usually get to sleep without the medicine?

  • More difficult than usual/easier than usual
  • Slower than usual/quicker than usual
  • Felt less drowsy than usual/felt more drowsy than usual

Quality of sleep (QOS)

How would you compare the quality of sleep using the medicine with your usual non-medicated sleep?

  • More restless than usual/more restful than usual
  • More wakeful periods than usual/fewer wakeful periods than usual

Awakening from sleep (AFS)

How did your awakening after being medicated compare with your usual pattern of awakening without the medicine?

  • More difficult than usual/easier than usual
  • Took longer than usual/took shorter than usual

Behaviour following wakening (BFW)

How did you feel when you woke up?

  • Tired/alert

How do you feel now?

  • Tired/alert

How was your sense of balance and co-ordination upon getting up?

  • More clumsy than usual/less clumsy than usual