Effect of Low Doses of Vitamin C on Salivary Cortisol , Heart Rate , Blood Pressure During Group Presentation
Condition: Stress, Psychological
MeSH terms: Stress, Psychological
Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 4

Summary: 
      Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a well-known antioxidant that is involved in anxiety, stress,
      depression, fatigue and mood state in humans . The purpose of this study is to investigate
      the effect of low doses of vitamin C on decreasing the level of public speaking stress in
      term of salivary cortisol , blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and heart rate . A
      purposive sample of (90) were included in this randomized placeboled trial study (60 students
      were given 500 mg of vitamin c per day for one week a group presentation while 30 other
      students were given placebo for one week before a group presentation) . Salivary cortisol was
      measured by means of commercial immunoenzymatic kits . Blood pressure (systolic and
      diastolic) and heart rate were measured immediately before and after presentation .
    

Detailed description: 
      Experimental randomized placebo trial study approach was designed to meet the previously
      mentioned objectives of the current study. The period of the study is from 1st November 2018
      to 20th April 2019. A random sample of (90) students was taken in this study .

      The students were divided in to two groups :-

        1. Study Group :- included 60 students given vitamin C ( 500 mg per day) for one week
           before presentation .

        2. Placebo :- included 30 students given placebo for one week before presentation.
           Exclusion criteria included : chronic diseases (DM , hypertension), hormonal
           disturbances, psychotic disorders, kidney stones and anemia . Students that have
           previous experience of public speaking were also excluded .

      Participants were asked to rinse their mouth with water before collecting saliva. A minimum
      volume of 1 mL saliva was obtained directly by expectorating into a collecting tube. Food and
      beverages such as tea, soft drinks, and coffee were not permitted 30 minutes prior to any
      sample collection. Because salivary cortisol concentration is independent of flow rate and
      sugarless gum does not interfere with the salivary assay, 21 participants were permitted to
      chew sugarless gum if needed to stimulate saliva flow. Participants were also instructed not
      to brush their teeth 30 minutes before saliva collection and to refrain from wearing lipstick
      on the day of saliva collection (Hellhammer et al., 1987) .
    

Intervention name(s): ascorbic acid; placebo
Intervention type(s): Drug; Other
Intervention description(s): Study Group :- ascorbic acid ( 500 mg per day) for one week before presentation; :- included 30 students given placebo for one week before presentation.
Other intervention name(s): vitamin C
Intervention MeSH terms: Ascorbic Acid
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Experimental randomized placebo trial study approach was designed to meet the previously mentioned objectives of the current study. The period of the study is from 1st November 2018 to 20th April 2019. A random sample of (90) students was taken in this study .
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: vitamin C , salivary cortisol , heart rate , blood pressure