The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the compliance and acceptability of the probiotic Smile Probio 45B in healthy adults, as well as its effect on gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue levels, and quality of life. Specifically, the study examines the effect of probiotic intake on improving health-related quality of life, reducing self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, as well as regulating stool consistency and frequency. In addition, its impact on participants' self-reported energy levels is investigated, with a particular emphasis on reducing fatigue symptoms. Participants will: * take 1 capsule daily (with a main meal) during the first and second week of the intervention, and 3 capsules daily (after each main meal) during the third and fourth week of the intervention, for a total duration of 30 days. * complete a three-day food record on a weekly basis. * record their daily bowel habits, including the number of bowel movements and their consistency/form, according to the Bristol Stool Chart, which will be provided to them. * complete questionnaires assessing health-related quality of life \[WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life)\],a health status questionnaire \[EQ-5D (EuroQol-5D)\] and a questionnaire evaluating energy levels and fatigue \[Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ)\]. * complete, at baseline and at the end of each intervention week a weekly symptom assessment questionnaire. * undergo body composition assessment at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the study. * complete an acceptability questionnaire at the end of the intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
Participants will receive probiotic supplement: 1 capsule daily for 2 weeks, followed by 3 capsules daily for 2 weeks.
School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics
Trikala, Thessaly, Greece
Daily compliance and stool consistency using the Bristol Stool Form Scale
Participants will record their daily compliance and stool consistency using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Adherence to the intervention will be evaluated by recording the number of days the probiotic was consumed. To prevent potential non-compliance, participants weill be contacted via telephone on a weekly basis. At the conclusion of the study, participants will be asked to return all empty packaging and any remaining capsules.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Acceptability of the probiotic using an acceptability questionnaire
At the end of the intervention, participants will complete an acceptability questionnaire, including questions regarding ease of use of the probiotic, perceived product safety, and intention to recommend it to others.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention
Effect of Smile Probio 45B on gastrointestinal symptoms
Participants will complete a weekly symptom assessment questionnaire at baseline and at the end of each week of the intervention. The questionnaire will include questions on how frequently they experienced skin reactions, headaches, changes in bowel movement frequency, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence, acidic taste, and sleep difficulties. Responses will be recorded on a Likert scale (not at all = 1, rarely = 2, occasionally = 3, often = 4, and daily = 5). Higher scores mean a worse outcome.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Effect of Smile Probio 45B on fatigue levels
Fatigue levels will be assessed using the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS), which consists of 11 Likert-scale questions designed to distinguish between physical and mental fatigue. Responses will be scored using the Likert method (0-3), yielding a total fatigue score ranging from 0 to 33, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue severity. Permission for the use of this questionnaire was requested and obtained from the respective creator.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Effect of Smile Probio 45B on quality of life using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire
Quality of life (QoL) will be assessed using EQ-5D-5L, a standardized instrument for measuring generic health status, comprising five dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The EQ-5D-5L index score will be calculated using the validated country-specific value set, converting health states into a single index value ranging from 0 to 1, where higher values indicate better health-related quality of life.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Effect of Smile Probio 45B on quality of life using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire
Quality of life (QoL) will be assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life-Abbreviated version), which consists of 26 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale and evaluates four domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment, along with two items assessing overall quality of life and general health. Domain scores will be calculated and transformed to a 0-100 scale according to World Health Organization guidelines, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
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