A Study of Oral Kavalactones Effect on Nurses

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This research study is being done to assess the impact of taking Kava extract (Piper methysticum), a dietary supplement on cortisol in a healthy nursing population.

Official Title
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The Effect of Oral Kavalactones on Cortisol, Measures of Burnout, and Motivation in Nurses

Conditions
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Stress

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Kavalactones
* Drug: Placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Surgical services nurses at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Able to participate fully in all aspects of the study. Willing to use birth control for the duration of the study (if of childbearing potential). Understood and signed study informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive. Persons with a menstrual cycle who are not willing and able to use an approved contraceptive during the study (female sterilization (tubal ligation, hysterectomy), IUD or another implant, oral or injectable contraceptive, contraceptive patch/ring, diaphragm/cervical cap, male sterilization (vasectomy), male condom, female condom, sponge/spermicide) (Persons who do not have sex with men can participate without the use of an approved contraceptive). Use of kava or kava-containing products within the past 8 weeks. Any prior adverse reaction or known sensitivity or allergy to kava or related botanicals (peppers). Use of acetaminophen that cannot be discontinued or replaced with an NSAID during the study. Use of oral corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone) or other steroids (e.g., prednisone). Alcohol use greater than 1 drink per day. Use of kratom within the past 8 weeks. Recent history of clinical depression or anxiety diagnosis. Known significant liver disease or dysfunction. Known significant kidney disease or dysfunction. Known Addison's or Cushing's Disease. Known catecholamine imbalance or medication use which influences catecholamine levels. History or current diagnosis of cancer (except for successfully treated basal cell carcinoma diagnosed less than 5 years prior to screening or cancer in full remission more than 5 years after diagnosis). Recent history or acute disease or unstable medical condition. Surgery planned during the course of the trial. A known history of any condition or factor judged by the investigator to preclude participation in the study or which might hinder adherence.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Kava Group<br>Subjects will receive Kavalactones for 28 days | Dietary Supplement: Kavalactones<br>* Three 75 mg capsules orally once daily within one hour of bedtime (225 mg total/day)<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo Group<br>Subjects will receive placebo for 28 days | Drug: Placebo<br>* Three capsules orally once daily within one hour of bedtime. Looks exactly like the study drug, but it contains no active ingredient.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in Cortisol | Blood serum cortisol levels reported in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) | Baseline, 4 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in burnout | Measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel - MBI-HSS (MP): The MBI-HSS (MP) addresses three scales: Emotional Exhaustion measures feelings of being emotionally overextended and exhausted by one's work; Depersonalization measures an unfeeling and impersonal response toward patients; Personal Accomplishment measures feelings of competence and successful achievement in one's work. | Baseline, 4 weeks | 
| Change in motivation | Measured using the Cravings for Rest and Volitional Energy Expenditure (CRAVE) survey developed to measure motivation states for physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Subjects indicate how much they want or desire to perform activities by circling the number along each line between 0 (not at all) and 10 (more than ever). | Baseline, 4 weeks | 
| Change in mood | Measured using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21). The DASS-21 is a non-diagnostic, validated instrument to assess perceived levels of depressed, stressed, or anxious emotional states over the past seven days. Scores for each state range from 0-42 and can be summed to generate a total score reflecting overall negative mood. | Baseline, 4 weeks | 
| Change in sleep | Measured using the PROMIS Sleep Disturbance -Short Form 6a to assess self-reported perceptions of sleep quality, sleep depth, and restoration associated with sleep. This includes perceived difficulties and concerns with getting to sleep or staying asleep, as well as perceptions of the adequacy of and satisfaction with sleep. | Baseline, 4 weeks | 
| Change in quality of life | Measured using the Linear Analogue Self-Assessment (LASA) - LASA-1 single item Likert scale of 10 points (0-10) which measures quality of life, with higher score indicating better quality of life. | Baseline, 4 weeks | 
| Change in stress | Measured using The Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS) that elicits self-reported personal stress levels. The scores range from 0-40, with higher scores indicating more severe stress. | Baseline, 4 weeks | 
| Change in cognition | Measured using CNS Vital Signs in-office neurocognitive testing, a non-invasive clinical procedure to efficiently and objectively assess a broad spectrum of brain function performance or domains under challenge (cognition stress test). | Baseline, 4 weeks | 
| Adverse events | Number of adverse events reported | 4 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Nursing Professionals