Efficacy of Omega-3 and Korean Red Ginseng in Children with Subthreshold ADHD: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of combined omega-3 and Korean red ginseng supplementation on ADHD symptoms and cognitive function in children with subthreshold ADHD. METHOD: 120 children from 6 to 12 years with subthreshold ADHD were enrolled in this 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebocontrolled study. The primary outcome was measured by Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale (ADHD-RS). Children Behavior Check List (CBCL), and neuropsychological tests assessing attention, memory, and executive function were included as secondary primary outcome measures. RESULTS: Significant effects on the scores of ADHDRS, as well as several subscales of CBCL including ADHD and attention problem subscales were revealed. CONCLUSION: The combination of omega-3 and Korean red ginseng may have beneficial effects in children with subthreshold ADHD. Increased clinical awareness of ADHD symptoms even at a subthreshold level is needed.

Effect of Omega-3 and Korean Red Ginseng on Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: An Open-Label Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 and Korean red ginseng on improving attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and cognitive function in children with ADHD. METHODS: A total of 40 children aged 6 to 12 years diagnosed with ADHD participated in this open-label trial. Participants received daily supplements containing 500 mg of omega-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid, 294 mg; docosahexaenoic acid, 206 mg) and 3 mg of Korean red ginseng extract (combination of ginsenoside Rg1, Rb1, and Rg3) for 12 weeks. No psychotropic drug was allowed during the study period. ADHD symptoms were assessed using the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale. Neuropsychological tests on sustained attention, short-term memory, and executive function were also assessed. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, participants showed significant improvements on ADHD-RS (31.12 ± 8.82 at baseline, 24.15 ± 11.45 at endpoint; p < 0.001) and CGI-S (3.38 ± 1.18 at baseline, 2.94 ± 1.00 at endpoint; p < 0.001). On the Continuous Performance Test, commission errors significantly decreased, while reaction time significantly increased. Immediate recall and delayed recall on both Auditory Verbal Learning Test and Complex Figure Test showed significant improvements. Scores of Color-Word Task from Stroop Color-Word Test also showed significant improvements after the treatment. The supplement was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot study suggest that the combination of omega-3 and Korean red ginseng may improve ADHD symptoms and cognitive function including attention, memory, and executive function in children with ADHD. Future randomized placebo-controlled trials with a larger sample is warranted.

Effects of Passiflora incarnata Linnaeus on polysomnographic sleep parameters in subjects with insomnia disorder: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study.

The purpose of the present double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical study was to investigate the effects of Passionflower on polysomnographic sleep parameters in subjects with insomnia disorder. A total number 110 adult participants (mean age = 40.47 ± 11.68, Female = 53.6%) met the inclusion criteria of insomnia disorder according to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). After randomization, patients received either the Passionflower extract or the placebo for 2 weeks. Patients underwent an overnight polysomnography and completed sleep diaries, Insomnia Severity Index, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Within group comparisons were analyzed with paired t-tests or Wilcoxon's signed rank tests, and between-group comparisons were analyzed with independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U Tests, as appropriate. Total sleep time (TST) was significantly increased in the Passionflower group compared with placebo (Passionflower vs placebo, 23.05 ± 54.26 vs -0.16 ± 53.12; P = 0.049). Sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset (WASO) significantly improved after 2 weeks in the Passionflower group but there was no difference compared with the placebo group. The current study demonstrated the positive effects of Passionflower on objective sleep parameters including TST on polysomnography in adults with insomnia disorder. Further study is needed to investigate the clinical efficacy of Passionflower on insomnia.