Kava for generalised anxiety disorder: a 16-week double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study
Sarris J, Byrne GJ, Bousman CA, Cribb L, Savage KM, Holmes O, Murphy J, Macdonald P, Short A, Nazareth S, Jennings E, Thomas SR, Ogden E, Chamoli S, Scholey A, Stough C
Published in Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
Methodology
Sixteen-week double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial of aqueous kava extract (240 mg kavalactones daily) in adults with generalised anxiety disorder, with liver function monitoring
Key Findings
Kava did not differ from placebo on the primary Hamilton Anxiety outcome, and elevations in gamma-glutamyl transferase were more common with kava.
Conclusions
A larger, longer, rigorous trial found no anxiolytic benefit of kava and a liver-enzyme safety signal.
Limitations
Single formulation; possible dosing or population differences from earlier positive trials.
Supplements Studied
Kava did not differ from placebo on the primary Hamilton Anxiety outcome, and elevations in gamma-glutamyl transferase were more common with kava.
Outcomes Measured
Kava did not differ from placebo on the primary Hamilton Anxiety outcome, and elevations in gamma-glutamyl transferase were more common with kava.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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