Effects of Ephedra on the State-Trait Anxiety in Female Adults: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study

Yang, Chang-sop; Hsing, Li-chang; Jeong, Hyun-suk; Kim, Lak-hyung; Kwak, Min-jung; Seo, Eui-seok; Jang, In-soo

The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine > Volume 28(2); 2007 > Article

Original Article

The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine 2007;28(2): 346-353.

마황복용이 성인여성의 상태-특성 불안에 미치는 영향 : 무작위배정 이중맹검 임상연구

양창섭¹, 형례창¹, 정현숙¹, 김락형², 곽민정³, 서의석¹, 장인수¹

¹우석대학교 한의과대학 한방내과학교실
²우석대학교 한의과대학한방신경정신과학교실
³평택대학교 정보통계학과

Effects of Ephedra on the State-Trait Anxiety in Female Adults: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study

Chang-sop Yang¹, Li-chang Hsing¹, Hyun-suk Jeong¹, Lak-hyung Kim², Min-jung Kwak³, Eui-seok Seo¹, In-soo Jang¹

¹Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University
²Department of Oriental Psychiatry, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University
³Department of Information Statistics, Pyongtaek University

Correspondence

In-soo Jang ,Tel: 063-220-8608, Fax: 063-220-8616, Email: kmdjang@woosuk.ac.kr

Published online: June 30, 2007.

ABSTRACT

Background:
Over a thousand years of clinical preparation of Ephedrain traditional Korean medicine has confirmed effectiveness and security. Recently, Ephedra-containing herbal preparations to treat obesity are common. The aim of this study is to identify effects of Ephedra on psychological anxiety.

Objectives:
To determine effects of Ephedraon psychoactivity and autonomic nervous system.

Methods :
The study design was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The subjects of this study were healthy adults. They were allocated to either the Ephedragroup (N=66) or the placebo group (N=32). Ephedra(8 g) or a placebo in similar opaque capsules was given twice a day for 2 weeks. Anxiety score was estimated with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory before first and after last medication. 36 of the Ephedragroup and 24 of the placebo group finished the trial and were analyzed. Paired samples T-test and independent samples T-test were applied to statistical analysis.

Results:
The following result was obtained: After taking Ephedra, state anxiety increased significantly. In the placebo group, both state and trait anxiety increased although significance was not reached.

Conclusions:
It is concluded that the intake of Ephedraplays a significant role in the increase of anxiety in healthy adults. It is suggested that anxiety level change should be considered when using Ephedra in clinics.

Key words: Ephedra, Mahuang, STAI, Randomized Controlled Trial.