The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to determine the effect of traditional herbal supplements on general fatigue and negative emotions in generally healthy graduate students. The main questions it aims to answer are: • Whether the traditional herbal supplements can ameliorate fatigue and negative emotions of young adults
Participants will: * Take oral herbal supplements or placebo as randomized for four weeks * Be evaluated for the fatigue, anxiety, and depression levels at baseline and four weeks after the intervention * Record sleep variables each day for five weeks Researchers will compare the intervention group (receiving herbal supplements) with the placebo group (receiving placebo) to see if oral herbal supplements have effects on the outcomes and to examine the anti-fatigue effect two weeks after intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
24
Astragalus-based Kuan Sin Yin
Placebo starch powder with 10% Kuan Sin Yin
National Yang-Ming University
Taipei, Taiwan
RECRUITINGChange from Baseline Fatigue Level to Four Weeks
Measured by validated Chinese version of Chalder's Fatigue Scale, the score of which ranges from 0-33, with the higher representing a higher fatigue level (i.e. a worse outcome).
Time frame: At week one (baseline) and week five (four weeks after the intervention)
Change from Baseline Sleep Quality to Four Weeks
Measured by the Chinese version of PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), the score of which ranges from 0-21, with the higher representing a worse sleep quality (i.e. a worse outcome).
Time frame: At week one and week five
Change from Baseline Negative Emotion Scores to Four Weeks
Measured by the Chinese version of DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items), the score of which ranges from 0-63, with the higher scores representing a higher negative emotion level (i.e. a worse outcome).
Time frame: At week one and week five
Change from Baseline Negative Emotion States to Four Weeks
Measured by the Chinese version of STAI-Y (State Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form Y), the score of which ranges from 20-80, with the higher representing a higher negative emotion level (i.e. a worse outcome).
Time frame: At week one and week five
Sleep Variables (Efficiency, Length, Midsleep time)
Measured by sleep diary
Time frame: Each day from week one through week five
Change from Baseline Fatigue At Each Week up to Six Weeks
Measured by validated Chinese version of Chalder's Fatigue Scale, the score of which ranges from 0-33, with the higher representing a higher fatigue level (i.e. a worse outcome).
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Time frame: Each week since week one until week seven