RCT of Adjunctive Curcumin and the Meru Health Program

NCT ID: NCT04744545

Last Updated: 2023-07-13

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-02-01

Study Completion Date

2021-12-30

Brief Summary

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This is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the Meru Health Program plus adjunctive curcumin (MHP-CUR) versus Meru Health Program only (MHP-ONLY) for adults with depression. Meru Health is a 12-week integrative treatment program based on several evidence-based practices and overseen by licensed clinical therapists that is delivered via a Smartphone app. The primary objective of the study is to determine the feasibility, initial efficacy (depressive symptoms), and potential harms of taking adjunctive curcumin supplementation during the 12-week MHP among adults with depression. Secondary objectives include comparing changes in inflammation biomarkers, anxiety, worker productivity, and burnout that occur during the program between those in MHP-CUR and MHP-ONLY.

Detailed Description

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This is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the Meru Health Program plus adjunctive curcumin (MHP-CUR) versus Meru Health Program only (MHP-ONLY) for adults with depression. Meru Health is a 12-week integrative treatment program based on several evidence-based practices and overseen by licensed clinical therapists that is delivered via a Smartphone app. The primary objective of the study is to determine the feasibility, initial efficacy (depressive symptoms), and potential harms of taking adjunctive curcumin supplementation during the 12-week MHP among adults with depression. Secondary objectives include comparing changes in inflammation biomarkers, anxiety, worker productivity, and burnout that occur during the program between those in MHP-CUR and MHP-ONLY.

This feasibility study will use a randomized controlled trial of up to 60 adult patients with depression. Patients will be recruited through Facebook ads, complete online and telephone/Zoom screening and, if eligible, invited to participate in the 12-week Meru Health program. One group will be randomized to being in the MHP plus receiving curcumin supplementation (MHP-CUR) and the other will be randomized to being in the MHP only (MHP-only). The MHP overseen by a licensed therapist who is available to the participant as needed via text messaging and, when requested, telephone. The program is delivered via an app downloaded to the user's Smartphone made available via email. The lab orders will be sent to each patient's Ultalabs center of choice or, if preferred, done in the patient's home. All study participants (in both groups) will be asked to get their blood drawn before starting the program, 6 weeks into the program, and just after the 12-week program. Two vials of blood will be taken at each visit, one to test for high sensitivity-CRP (hs-CRP) levels and the other to test for interleukin (IL-6) levels. 2ml of serum is needed for each vial. Patients in both groups will receive a wearable HRVB device via US mail; patients in the MHP-CUR group will also receive curcumin supplements via US mail. All non-laboratory study assessments will be made via the app and online via email.

Conditions

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Depression

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Randomized controlled trial with two study groups.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
Outcomes assessors will not have information about each participant's study group.

Study Groups

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Meru Health Program plus adjunctive curcumin (MHP-CUR)

Meru Health Program (12 week program) with participants taking 2 turmeric supplements (1500mg/day) curcumin.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Meru Health Program

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

12 week evidence-based mental health intervention overseen by a licensed clinical therapist delivered via Smartphone app

Curcumin

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

1500mg/day curcumin plus black pepper to aid absorption

Meru Health Program (MHP-ONLY)

Meru Health Program (12 week program)

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Meru Health Program

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

12 week evidence-based mental health intervention overseen by a licensed clinical therapist delivered via Smartphone app

Interventions

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Meru Health Program

12 week evidence-based mental health intervention overseen by a licensed clinical therapist delivered via Smartphone app

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Curcumin

1500mg/day curcumin plus black pepper to aid absorption

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* 18 years or older
* Patient presenting to the Meru Health online clinic
* Able to read and understand English
* Own a Smartphone
* Willing to commit to doing program practices for 10 minutes a day, 6 days a week for 12 weeks
* PHQ-9 of 10 or higher

Exclusion Criteria

* Lifetime bipolar disorder or a psychotic disorder
* Possible cognitive impairment
* Substance use disorder in the past 3 months
* Active suicidal ideation with at least some intent to act
* Pregnant, breastfeeding, or desiring to become pregnant in the next 6 months
* Self-reported current suffering from a major medical illness including neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory disorders, anemia, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, coagulation disorder, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia
* Self-reported current use of glucocorticoids, antibiotics, anticoagulant medications, antioxidant supplements (including curcumin), herbal supplements, or ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
* Self-reported past suffering from an infection or illness over the past month
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Meru Health, Inc.

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Online

Denver, Colorado, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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#20-MERU-106

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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