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Dietary supplements for aggressive behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities: A randomised controlled crossover trial
Author(s) -
Gast David A. A.,
Didden Robert,
Westera Johanna J.,
Rest Ondine,
Hemert Albert M.,
Giltay Erik J.
Publication year - 2023
Publication title -
journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 1360-2322
DOI - 10.1111/jar.13041
Subject(s) - placebo , intellectual disability , randomized controlled trial , crossover study , medicine , confidence interval , placebo group , aggression , physical therapy , psychology , psychiatry , alternative medicine , pathology
Abstract Background Aggressive incidents are common in people with intellectual disabilities. Therefore, we aimed to assess whether supplementation of multivitamins, minerals, and omega‐3 fatty acids (FA) reduces aggressive incidents. Methods We conducted a randomised, triple blind, placebo controlled, single crossover intervention trial. People with intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning, between 12 and 40 years of age, and showing aggressive behaviour were included. Participants received either a daily dose of dietary supplements, or placebo. Primary outcome was the number of aggressive incidents, measured using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS). Results there were 113 participants (placebo, n = 56), of whom 24 (placebo, n = 10) participated in the crossover phase of the trial. All 137 trajectories were included in the analyses. There was no significant difference in mean number of aggressive incidents per day between those assigned to supplements and those who received placebo (rate ratio = 0.93: 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.59–1.45). Conclusion In this pragmatic trial, we did not find significant differences in the outcomes between the supplement and placebo arms. The COVID‐19 pandemic started midway through our trial, this may have affected the results.