Baek Y, Kim H, Mun S, Lee S. Three-Component Herbal Tea Alleviates Prolonged Fatigue and Improves Sleep Quality: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
Explore (NY) 2018;
14:420-423. [PMID:
30482676 DOI:
10.1016/j.explore.2018.05.001]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Prolonged fatigue is common among adults, yet only a small percentage of affected individuals seek medical attention. Following findings that complementary and alternative medicine can be effective strategies for improving fatigue, we evaluated the effect of an herbal tea regimen on prolonged fatigue.
METHODS
In this pilot randomized controlled trial, participants with prolonged fatigue were randomly allocated to either a tea (n = 20) or control (n = 20) group. The tea group consumed herbal tea consisting of Astragali Radix, Angelicae gigantis Radix, and Zizyphi Fructus twice daily for 4 weeks, whereas the control group received no intervention. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 4 and 8 weeks. The primary outcome was fatigue severity, measured using the Chalder Fatigue Scale. Secondary outcomes included sleep quality, depression symptoms, and quality of life.
RESULTS
Among the 40 individuals screened, 35 completed the study. Fatigue severity was significantly lower in the tea group than the control group at 4 weeks, and within the tea group, fatigue severity and sleep quality improved at the 4- and 8-week follow-ups vs. baseline in the tea group. Depression also significantly improved in the tea group at 8 weeks. There were no changes within the control group on any measure.
CONCLUSION
The findings suggest that our herbal tea formulation reduces fatigue severity and improves sleep quality in adults with prolonged fatigue.
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