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Meta‐analysis of the General Effects of a Standardized Lycium barbarum Fruit Juice Shown in Randomized, Double‐blind, Placebo‐controlled Human Clinical Studies
Author(s) -
Amagase Harunobu,
Hsu ChiuHsieh Paul
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.716.1
Subject(s) - placebo , medicine , randomized controlled trial , physical therapy , pathology , alternative medicine
Four randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trials with a total of 161 participants (18‐72 years age) were pooled to study the general effects of orally consumed 120 ml/day of Lycium barbarum , as a standardized juice, GoChi. A questionnaire consisting of clinical symptoms graded 0‐5 and the score changes were analyzed between GoChi and placebo at pre‐ and post‐intervention in a significance level of 5%. Meta‐analysis by R program was conducted for score changes using standardized mean differences (treatment effect sizes) and the associated standard errors. Under a random effects model, GoChi group (n=81) had statistically significant improvements in weakness, stress, mental acuity, ease of awakening, shortness of breath, focus on activity, sleep quality, daydreaming and overall feelings of health and well‐being compared to the placebo group (n=80). Under a fixed effects model, GoChi group had additional statistically significant improvements in fatigue, depression, circulation and calmness compared to the placebo. For binary outcomes, odds ratios (OR) and the standard errors were used in the Mantel‐Haenszel method. GoChi group had statistically significant higher chance of improvements indicated by OR in fatigue, dizziness and sleep quality compared to the placebo. Three studies had statistically significant heterogeneity in procrastination and shoulder stiffness.