The efficacy of a herbal complex (Gingko biloba, Panax ginseng, Bacopa monerii and Rhodiola rosea) in the management of excessive daytime sleepiness

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Good sleep is essential to health, yet university students are sleep deprived due to later bedtime and experience sleepiness during the day (Patte et al., 2017), Sleepiness is referred to an increase propensity to fall asleep and excessive sleepiness and sleep disorders are common in our society today (Bittencourt et al., 2005). Previous research suggested that sleep can affect academic performance (Halik et al.2016), this is because students were observed falling asleep in university rooms (Eden, 2006). Brand et al., (2009) also mentioned that students feel sleepy during certain periods of the day especially during classes, during low stimulation and during car or bus rides. AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of a herbal complex (Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, Bacopa monerii & Rhodiola rosea) in the management of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in terms of Epworth sleepiness scale (John, 1991) and Stanford sleepiness scale (Hoddes et al, 1973). METHODOLOGY

The study was conducted at the Durban University of Technology and 31 participants were chosen according to a specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The sample was then randomly divided into an active group (herbal treatment) consisting of 21 participants and a placebo group of 10 participants. The measuring tools that were used were Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) (Appendix C) and Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) (Appendix D). The initial consultation with the researcher consisted of signing the informed consent forms, case taking, physical examinations and filling in the ESS. Thereafter there were two follow up consultations; a week after the first consultation (the second consultation) at which point the treatment/placebo was dispensed and again two weeks from the second consultation which was the last day of the study and at which point medication containers were returned and final case taking and physical examinations were performed. The ESS was completed at recruitment, at the second consultation (both pre-treatment) and at close out and the SSS was completed for a period of three weeks (one week pre-treatment) and two weeks post treatment.

RESULTS

The data analysis methods that were used in the study were; Cronbach alpha score, One sample Kolmogorov-Simrnov test, Fisher‟s exact test, Pearson‟s correlation test, Independent sample test and ANOVA for ESS and mixed factorial ANOVA was used to evaluate the SSS. In conclusion in terms of the ESS both groups improved significantly over time; degrees of improvement however were not statistically dissimilar although a review of mean scores indicates the active group as having lower scores suggesting a clinically significant trend. SSS data however confirmed statistically significant differences between groups in favour of the active group confirming the herbal complex superior effect over placebo in the treatment of EDS.