Rhodiola Reduces Fatigue, Boosts Focus - Clinical Trial

clinical-trial PMID: 19016404

Quick Summary: Feeling stressed and tired? A study found that a specific Rhodiola rosea extract (SHR-5) helped reduce fatigue and improve focus in people with stress-related fatigue. This extract also seemed to help the body manage its stress response.

Does Rhodiola Help With Fatigue?

Yes! This study looked at a special Rhodiola rosea extract called SHR-5. People taking this extract for 28 days reported feeling less tired and had better focus compared to those taking a placebo (a sugar pill).

What The Research Found

Less Fatigue: People taking Rhodiola felt less burned out and tired.

Better Focus: Rhodiola helped people concentrate better and made them less likely to make mistakes on attention tests.

Stress Response: Rhodiola seemed to help the body manage its stress response, as measured by a hormone called cortisol.

Study Details

Who was studied: 60 adults (men and women) aged 20-55 who were diagnosed with stress-related fatigue.

How long: The study lasted for 28 days.

What they took: Half the people took 576 mg of the SHR-5 Rhodiola rosea extract daily (in pill form). The other half took a placebo (a dummy pill).

What This Means For You

If you're struggling with stress-related fatigue, this study suggests that a specific Rhodiola rosea extract (SHR-5) might help. It could potentially reduce your tiredness and improve your ability to focus. Always talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement.

Study Limitations

Small Study: The study only included a small number of people, so more research is needed.

Short-Term: The study only looked at the effects for 28 days. We don't know if the benefits last longer.

Specific Extract: The results apply specifically to the SHR-5 extract. Other Rhodiola products might not have the same effects.

Specific Population: The study focused on people with a specific type of fatigue. It may not apply to everyone.

Key Findings

The study demonstrated that Rhodiola rosea extract SHR-5 (576 mg/day) significantly reduced stress-related fatigue symptoms and improved attention metrics compared to placebo over 28 days. Key outcomes included significant improvements in Pines' burnout scale (p<0.05), Conners' CCPT-II attention indices (omissions, Hit RT SE, variability; p<0.05), and a modified cortisol awakening response. While both groups showed post-treatment improvements in mental health (SF-36), depression (MADRS), and some attention measures (indicating a placebo effect), the SHR-5 group exhibited statistically superior results in specific fatigue and cognitive parameters. No serious adverse events were attributed to SHR-5.

Study Design

This was a phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group clinical trial conducted in 2009. Participants (n=60; males and females aged 20–55 years) met Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare criteria for stress-related fatigue syndrome. Participants were randomised into two equal groups (SHR-5: n=30; placebo: n=30). Assessments occurred at baseline (Day 1) and after 28 days of intervention using validated tools: SF-36 (quality of life), Pines' burnout scale, MADRS (depression), Conners' CCPT-II (attention), and salivary cortisol response to awakening. Data analysis employed between-within analyses of variance.

Dosage & Administration

Participants received four tablets daily of either SHR-5 extract (total 576 mg extract/day) or matching placebo for 28 consecutive days. The extract was standardised as SHR-5, derived specifically from the roots of Rhodiola rosea L.

Results & Efficacy

SHR-5 demonstrated statistically significant efficacy versus placebo in:
- Pines' burnout scale (p<0.05), indicating reduced fatigue symptoms.
- CCPT-II attention metrics: omissions (p<0.05), Hit Reaction Time Standard Error (Hit RT SE; p<0.05), and variability (p<0.05), reflecting improved concentration and reduced attentional lapses.
- Salivary cortisol response to awakening showed a significant pre- versus post-treatment difference between groups (p<0.05), suggesting modulation of HPA-axis stress response. Effect sizes were not quantified in the provided summary, but all reported significant outcomes met p<0.05 thresholds. Placebo effects were observed in mental health (SF-36) and MADRS scores for both groups.

Limitations

The study had a modest sample size (n=30 per group), potentially limiting statistical power for subgroup analyses or less pronounced effects. The 28-day duration precludes conclusions about long-term efficacy or safety. Participants were diagnosed using specific Swedish criteria for fatigue syndrome, which may limit generalisability to other fatigue definitions or populations. The absence of active comparators (e.g., conventional antidepressants) restricts contextualisation of SHR-5's relative efficacy. Long-term follow-up data were not collected.

Clinical Relevance

For adults diagnosed with stress-related fatigue syndrome meeting the study's criteria, 576 mg/day of standardised Rhodiola rosea SHR-5 extract may provide clinically meaningful reductions in fatigue symptoms and improvements in sustained attention within 4 weeks. The observed cortisol response modulation suggests a potential mechanism involving stress-response regulation. Users should note this applies specifically to the SHR-5 root extract formulation; other Rhodiola extracts or doses may not yield equivalent results. Consultation with a healthcare provider is advised before use, particularly for individuals with diagnosed fatigue syndromes.