None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to look at the effect that a micronutrient formula (vitamins and minerals) has on insomnia in teachers working in earthquake affected schools. The null-hypothesis that intervention with micronutrients does not alleviate the symptoms of sleep difficulties will be tested. The alternative hypothesis is that the intervention will alleviate the symptoms of insomnia Participants in this study are teachers working in earthquake affected schools, therefore they are working in a stressful environment. Previous research has shown that these nutrients can lower levels of anxiety and stress. Such symptoms are often related to insomnia and therefore a reduction in these symptoms may lead to a reduction in sleep difficulties in teachers.
Interventions
Intervention is supplementation with a micronutrient formula. All participants will receive the micronutrient formula for 8 weeks. The brand name of the micronutrient formula is EMPowerplus (EMP+). The micronutrient formula will be taken in capsule form, at a dose of 8 capsules per day (two equal doses of 4), during the 8 week intervention phase. Adherence to taking the capsules will be monitored through face to face meetings with the participant and researcher where participants will bring thei
Intervention is supplementation with a micronutrient formula. All participants will receive the micronutrient formula for 8 weeks. The brand name of the micronutrient formula is EMPowerplus (EMP+). The micronutrient formula will be taken in capsule form, at a dose of 8 capsules per day (two equal doses of 4), during the 8 week intervention phase. Adherence to taking the capsules will be monitored through face to face meetings with the participant and researcher where participants will bring their capsules in, and pills will be counted by the researcher. The ingredients contained in an 8 capsule dose are as follows: Vitamin A (as retinal palmitate) 3072 IU, Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) 320mg, Vitamin D (as cholecalciferol) 768 IU, Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopheryl succinate) 192 IU, Thiamin (as thiamin mononitrate) 9.6 mg, Riboflavin 7.2 mg, Niacin (as niacin amide) 48 mg, Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride) 19.2 mg, Folic acid 768 mcg, Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) 480mcg, Biotin 576 mpg, Pantothenic acid (as calcium pantothenate) 11.52 mg, Calcium (as chelate) 704 mg, Iron (as chelate) 7.328 mg, Phosphorus (as chelate) 448 mg, Iodine (from Pacific kelp) 108.8 mcg, Magnesium (as chelate) 320 mg, Zinc (as chelate) 25.6 mg, Selenium (as chelate) 108.8 mcg, Copper (as chelate) 3.84 mg, Manganese (as chelate) 5.12 mg, Chromium (as chelate) 332.8 mcg, Molybdenum (as chelate) 76.8 msg, Potassium (as chelate) 128 mg.
Sponsors
University of Canterbury
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Participants must be teachers 18 years or over working in earthquake affected schools, and must be registered and have at least 2 years experience working full time. They must meet the criteria of 'insomnia' according to the Pittsburgh Insomnia Symptom Questionnaire which they complete during the screening process, and have scores in the 'moderate' or 'severe' range for insomnia symptoms on the Pittsburgh Insomnia Rating Scale -20.
Exclusion criteria
Participants must not be taking psychotropic medications (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics) or prescribed sleep medications. They must not be pregnant or breastfeeding, or intend to attempt to conceive in the near future, and must not have a child 2 years or under. They must not have sleep apnoea. They will be asked to not take any other products for assisting with sleep during the course of the trial.
Outcome results
None listed