Trial Outcomes & Findings for Double-Blind Trial of a Probiotic Supplement to Reduce the Symptoms of Schizophrenia (NCT NCT01242371)

NCT ID: NCT01242371

Last Updated: 2019-02-05

Results Overview

The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) measures psychiatric symptomatology, especially related to psychosis. The complete PANSS contains ratings for 30 symptoms, including 7 positive symptoms, 7 negative symptoms, and 16 general psychiatric symptoms. The severity of each symptom is rated on a scale ranging from 1 (minimal) to 7 (extreme); higher scores indicate increased symptomatology. Total PANSS scores include scores from all categories and range from 30 to 210 units on a scale.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

65 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

14 weeks (week 0 to week 14)

Results posted on

2019-02-05

Participant Flow

We enrolled n=65 participants drawn from rehabilitation and treatment programs in Central Maryland. Dates of recruitment 11/2010-01/2012.

We used a 2 week placebo run in for all participants prior to randomization. This placebo run in was followed by the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Probiotic Supplement
Probiotic supplement 1 tablet by mouth daily for 14 weeks
Identical-appearing Placebo
Identical appearing placebo 1 tablet by mouth daily for 14 weeks
Overall Study
STARTED
33
32
Overall Study
COMPLETED
31
27
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
2
5

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Probiotic Supplement
Probiotic supplement 1 tablet by mouth daily for 14 weeks
Identical-appearing Placebo
Identical appearing placebo 1 tablet by mouth daily for 14 weeks
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
2
2
Overall Study
Protocol Violation
0
3

Baseline Characteristics

Double-Blind Trial of a Probiotic Supplement to Reduce the Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Probiotic Supplement
n=33 Participants
Probiotic supplement 1 tablet by mouth daily for 14 weeks
Identical-appearing Placebo
n=32 Participants
Identical appearing placebo 1 tablet by mouth daily for 14 weeks
Total
n=65 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
32 Participants
n=5 Participants
32 Participants
n=7 Participants
64 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Continuous
44.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.0 • n=5 Participants
48.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.4 • n=7 Participants
46.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.4 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
10 Participants
n=5 Participants
13 Participants
n=7 Participants
23 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
23 Participants
n=5 Participants
19 Participants
n=7 Participants
42 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
33 participants
n=5 Participants
32 participants
n=7 Participants
65 participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 14 weeks (week 0 to week 14)

Population: Week 0 data is based on the number of participants in the probiotic supplement group (n=33) and the placebo group (n=32) who began the treatment phase. Week 14 data is based on the number of participants in the probiotics supplement group (n=31) and the placebo group (n=27) who completed the treatment phase.

The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) measures psychiatric symptomatology, especially related to psychosis. The complete PANSS contains ratings for 30 symptoms, including 7 positive symptoms, 7 negative symptoms, and 16 general psychiatric symptoms. The severity of each symptom is rated on a scale ranging from 1 (minimal) to 7 (extreme); higher scores indicate increased symptomatology. Total PANSS scores include scores from all categories and range from 30 to 210 units on a scale.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Probiotic Supplement
n=33 Participants
Probiotic supplement 1 tablet by mouth daily for 14 weeks
Identical-appearing Placebo
n=32 Participants
Identical appearing placebo 1 tablet by mouth daily for 14 weeks
Change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Score From the Start to the End of the Double-blind Treatment Phase (Week 0 to Week 14)
Wk 0 (Begin Treatment) PANSS Total Score, n=33,32
67.55 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.64
69.56 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.73
Change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Score From the Start to the End of the Double-blind Treatment Phase (Week 0 to Week 14)
Wk 14 (End Treatment) PANSS Total Score, n=31,27
67.42 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.66
67.69 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.86

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 14 weeks (weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14)

Self report rating of difficulty moving bowels on a 4 point scale from "no difficulty" to "severe difficulty"

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 16 weeks (baseline prior to placebo run in to week 14)

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

Adverse Events

Probiotic Supplement

Serious events: 2 serious events
Other events: 19 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Identical-appearing Placebo

Serious events: 1 serious events
Other events: 21 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
Probiotic Supplement
n=33 participants at risk
Probiotic supplement 1 tablet by mouth daily for 14 weeks
Identical-appearing Placebo
n=32 participants at risk
Identical appearing placebo 1 tablet by mouth daily for 14 weeks
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Dehydration
3.0%
1/33 • Number of events 1 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
0.00%
0/32 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
Psychiatric disorders
Schizophrenia exacerbation
6.1%
2/33 • Number of events 3 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
3.1%
1/32 • Number of events 1 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Probiotic Supplement
n=33 participants at risk
Probiotic supplement 1 tablet by mouth daily for 14 weeks
Identical-appearing Placebo
n=32 participants at risk
Identical appearing placebo 1 tablet by mouth daily for 14 weeks
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Dermatological condition
3.0%
1/33 • Number of events 1 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
9.4%
3/32 • Number of events 6 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea
27.3%
9/33 • Number of events 9 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
18.8%
6/32 • Number of events 8 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Gastrointestonal symptoms (excluding diarrhea)
15.2%
5/33 • Number of events 5 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
21.9%
7/32 • Number of events 9 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
Renal and urinary disorders
Genitourinary condition
6.1%
2/33 • Number of events 2 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
6.2%
2/32 • Number of events 3 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
Nervous system disorders
Headache
6.1%
2/33 • Number of events 3 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
3.1%
1/32 • Number of events 1 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Musculoskelatol condition
6.1%
2/33 • Number of events 2 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
6.2%
2/32 • Number of events 2 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
Psychiatric disorders
Psychiatric condition
12.1%
4/33 • Number of events 4 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
6.2%
2/32 • Number of events 2 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Upper respiratory illness
36.4%
12/33 • Number of events 14 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.
31.2%
10/32 • Number of events 10 • Adverse events were collected over a 16 week period, including the 2 week placebo run in and the 14 week double-blind treatment phase.

Additional Information

Dr. Faith Dickerson

Sheppard Pratt

Phone: 410-938-4359

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place