Omega-3 Supplements to Reduce Antisocial Behaviour in Young Offenders

Omega-3 Supplements to Reduce Antisocial Behaviour in Young Offenders: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 2Phase 3

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT03627312

Enrollment

181

Registered

2018-08-13

Start date

2011-03-01

Completion date

2013-07-31

Last updated

2018-08-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Antisocial Behavior

Brief summary

The study aims to examine the effects of providing omega-3 supplements on young offenders' antisocial behaviour. Participants will be randomized into three groups: (1) Omega-3, (2) Placebo and (3) Treatment as Usual. Self report and correctional officer ratings of behaviour will be assessed at 0 months (baseline), 3 months (end of supplementation), 6 months and 12 months. The investigators hypothesize that omega-3 supplementation will reduce antisocial behaviour among the young offenders.

Detailed description

This study follows up on two prior omega-3 supplementation Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) conducted on young offenders - one in the UK (Gesch et al. 2002) and the Netherlands (Zaalberg et al. 2009).

Interventions

COMBINATION_PRODUCTOmega-3

1g of omega-3 supplement to be taken per day for a duration of 3 months in the form of a fruit juice drink

COMBINATION_PRODUCTPlacebo

Fruit juice drink only

OTHERTreatment as Usual

Young Offenders Intervention Programme

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

MALE

Age

16 Years to 21 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Admission into young offender's institution

Exclusion criteria

* Allergy to fish and fish products * Serious mental illness and intellectual disability * Ability to read and write at the level required to complete self report questionnaires

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Change in Antisocial Behaviour (Aggression) at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months	0 Months (baseline), 3 Months, 6 Months, 12 Months	Proactive and Reactive Aggression Questionnaire (23 items). Scale of 0 (Never), 1 (Sometimes) and 2 (Often). Total range: 0 (min) to 46 (max). Higher scores indicate higher levels of aggression. 2 subscales: proactive aggression (range: 0 to 22) and reactive aggression (range: 0 to 22). Total and subscale scores computed by summing up the respective items.
Change in Antisocial Behaviour (Conduct and Oppositional Defiance) at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months	0 Months (baseline), 3 Months, 6 Months, 12 Months	Conduct and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Questionnaire (20 items). Scale of 0 (Never), 1 (Sometimes) and 2 (Often). Total range: 0 (min) to 40 (max). Higher scores indicate higher levels of Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder and antisocial behaviour. 2 subscales: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (range: 0 to 16),Conduct Disorder (range: 0 to 24). Total and subscale scores are computed by summing up the respective items.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Schizotypal Personality	0 Months (baseline), 3 Months, 6 Months, 12 Months	Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire - Brief. The questionnaire consist of 22 items, with participants providing responses in a binary (Yes / No) format. Yes is scored as a 1, while No is scored a 0, therefore the scale ranges from 0 (min) to 22 (max). Higher scores represent greater levels of schizotypal personality pattern. There are three subscales: interpersonal (range: 0 to 8), cognitive perceptual (range: 0 to 8) and disorganized (0 to 6). Both total and subscale scores are computed by summing up the respective items.

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026