CompletedPhase 2

Can Rhodiola Crenulata Intake Improve Oxygen Saturation and Decrease the Incidence of Acute Mountain Sickness

Taiwan125 participantsStarted 2010-10

Plain-language summary

Traditional folk medicine in the Arctic and Himalayan areas used Rhodiola species to enhance physical endurance, prevent aging, resist acute mountain sickness (AMS), and to treat fatigue, depression, anemia, impotence and respiratory infections. Rhodiola crenulata are widely used to prevent AMS in Himalayan areas and Lhasa in Tibet but none was examined by human study. The investigators conducted a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, crossover study to investigate the efficacy of Rhodiola crenulata in preventing AMS.

Who can participate

Age range20 Years – 55 Years

SexALL

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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * age between 20 and 55 years. * able to complete the study protocol of 9-day study regimens and mountain climbing twice. * no prophylactic medication or herb one month before ascent. * maintaining the same living conditions and habits four months before the first mountain climbing and four months between two mountaineering. * living in the same altitude or within a difference of 200 meters. * no additional physical training. * no plan to gain or loss weight. * no altitude exposure above 2500m. Exclusion Criteria: * any history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, cerebral neoplasm, mania, renal or hepatic insufficiency. * women in pregnancy or intending of pregnancy during the 4-month study period.

What they're measuring

Incidence measured by Lake Louise acute mountain sickness score (LLS) ≥ 3 with headache and one other symptom.

Timeframe: within 18 hours after ascent to altitude 3100m

Trial details

NCT IDNCT01536288

SponsorChang Gung Memorial Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2011-05