Shaken but unstirred? Effects of micronutrients on stress and trauma after an earthquake: RCT evidence comparing formulas and doses

Rucklidge J, Andridge R, Gorman B, Blampied N, Gordon H, Boggis A.
Human Psychopharmacol Clin Exp (2012) DOI: 10.1002/hup.2246 ^{epub early release}

 

ABSTRACT:

OBJECTIVES: To compare two micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) formulas (Berocca™ and CNE™) and assess their impact on emotions and stress related to the 6.3 earthquake on February 22nd 2011 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

METHODS: 91 adults experiencing heightened anxiety or stress 2–3 months following the earthquake were randomized to Berocca™, CNE™ low dose (CNE4), or CNE™ high dose (CNE8), for 28 days and monitored weekly via on-line questionnaires and followed 1 month post-trial. A nonrandomized control group (n = 25) completed questionnaires at baseline and 4 weeks.

RESULTS: All treatment groups experienced significant declines in psychological symptoms (p < .001). CNE™ groups experienced greater reduction in intrusive thoughts as compared with Berocca™ (p = .05), with no group differences on other measures of psychological symptoms. However, CNE8 group reported greater improvement in mood, anxiety, and energy (p < .05) with twice as many reporting being “much” to “very much” improved and five times more likely to continue taking CNE™ post-trial than Berocca™ group. Treated participants had better outcomes on most measures over 4 weeks as compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS: This study supports micronutrients as an inexpensive and practical treatment for acute stress following a natural disaster with a slight advantage to higher doses ACTRN 12611000460909.

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