An alternative treatment for anxiety: a systematic review of human trial results reported for the Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Pratte MA, Nanavati KB, Young V, Morley CP
Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) · 74 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Systematic review (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- University or hospital
- State University of New York
- Government
- Health Resources and Services Administration
- Government
- U.S. Public Health Service
- University or hospital
- State University of New York Upstate Medical University
- Government
- PHS HHS
- Grants
- U.S. Public Health Service (D54 HP 05462)
Based on 5 listed funder(s).
Publication
- Published
- 2014-11-18 · J Altern Complement Med · vol. 20 · issue 12 · pp. 901–908
- Publisher
- Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
- Cited
- 143 citations · more than 90% of similar papers · 2.9× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 21 works
- Access
- Open access (repository copy)
- Research areas
- Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Cardiac Health and Mental Health
- Keywords
- Medicine, Withania somnifera, Anxiety, Randomized controlled trial, Placebo, Traditional medicine, Alternative medicine, Naturopathy, CINAHL, Physical therapy, Psychiatry, Psychological intervention, Internal medicine
- MeSH
- humans, plant extracts, medicine, ayurvedic, phytotherapy, anxiety, anxiety disorders, psychotherapy
4 authors
From US
- Morgan A. PratteSUNY Upstate Medical University; Yale University
- Kaushal B. NanavatiSUNY Upstate Medical University
- Virginia B. YoungSUNY Upstate Medical University
- Christopher P. Morley · correspondingSUNY Upstate Medical University
Abstract
Objective
To assess existing reported human trials of Withania somnifera (WS; common name, ashwagandha) for the treatment of anxiety.
Design
Systematic review of the literature, with searches conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Google Scholar by a medical librarian. Additionally, the reference lists of studies identified in these databases were searched by a research assistant, and queries were conducted in the AYUSH Research Portal. Search terms included "ashwagandha," "Withania somnifera," and terms related to anxiety and stress. Inclusion criteria were human randomized controlled trials with a treatment arm that included WS as a remedy for anxiety or stress. The study team members applied inclusion criteria while screening the records by abstract review.
Intervention
Treatment with any regimen of WS.
Outcome measures
Number and results of studies identified in the review.
Results
Sixty-two abstracts were screened; five human trials met inclusion criteria. Three studies compared several dosage levels of WS extract with placebos using versions of the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, with two demonstrating significant benefit of WS versus placebo, and the third demonstrating beneficial effects that approached but did not achieve significance (p=0.05). A fourth study compared naturopathic care with WS versus psychotherapy by using Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores as an outcome; BAI scores decreased by 56.5% in the WS group and decreased 30.5% for psychotherapy (p<0.0001). A fifth study measured changes in Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores in WS group versus placebo; there was a 44.0% reduction in PSS scores in the WS group and a 5.5% reduction in the placebo group (p<0.0001). All studies exhibited unclear or high risk of bias, and heterogenous design and reporting prevented the possibility of meta-analysis.
Conclusions
All five studies concluded that WS intervention resulted in greater score improvements (significantly in most cases) than placebo in outcomes on anxiety or stress scales. Current evidence should be received with caution because of an assortment of study methods and cases of potential bias.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher.
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