Stress-related disorders are among the most prevalent and expensive medical consequences of participation in military operations. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA/DHA derived from fish oil are known to benefit both neuronal development in the young, and cognition and mood in various populations. It is possible that soldiers receiving Omega-3 EPA/DHA will exhibit significantly higher cognitive performance, better affect/mood state, and less combat stress symptomatology compared to the placebo after 12 weeks of supplementation. A goal would be to reduce the prevalence of combat stress injuries in military personnel.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
256
Three 1g capsules/day for three months; this corresponds to a total of 2520mg EPA+DHA/day
Three 1g corn oil capsules/day for three months
US Military Base
Camp Taji, Iraq
primary psychometric assessment battery
Specific components include: Zung Depression Scale (ZDS) Zung Anxiety Scale (ZAS) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)
Time frame: 3 months
omega-3 fatty acid status
finger-prick blood spot is collected for determination of fatty acid composition and profile.
Time frame: 3 months
secondary psychometric assessment battery
This battery will generate index scores in the area of: Memory, Psychomotor Speed, Reaction Time, Cognitive Flexibility, and Complex Attention. It will also include the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUdIT). Military-specific components include Post-Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA), Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI), Combat Exposure Scale (CES), and parts of the Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory (edited).
Time frame: 3 months
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