Why are we running this study?
The study aims to evaluate the effects of a postbiotic delivered in the large intestine (colon) on the stress response, mood state, sleep and cognition in healthy young male subjects with elevated self-reported stress levels.
How is the study conducted?
This study will be executed as a hybrid study (partially decentralised) and the total study duration of your participation will be 9 days (+/- 2 days), excluding the screening and enrolment time.
- Screening will be remotely conducted via an online video call
- Days 1-6 will be remotely conducted
- Day 7 – you are required to attend one approximately 2 hour in-person clinic visit.
All of the required items will be shipped to you at your place of residence, including the standard meals for Day 7.
You will be randomly placed into one of the three following groups:
- 250mg of the postbiotic in regular release capsules
- 250mg of the postbiotic in colonic-delivery capsules
- Placebo capsules
As this is a double-blind clinical trial, neither you nor the research team will know which group you belong to.
In addition to the above you are asked to do the following:
- Consume the capsule product daily in the morning for 7 days
- On Day 7, take an additional capsule 5 hours post the first capsule before the in-person clinic visit
- Wear a smartwatch for the full 7 days (including sleeping)
- Complete several quick e-questionnaires daily online using a tablet or a smartphone with internet access
- During the clinic visit, we will be collecting saliva samples from you as well as requesting you to complete certain questionnaires/tasks
How can I participate?
If you are interested to participate in this study, you may proceed to complete the pre-screening form at the bottom of the page, for the study team to assess your potential eligibility. If your information indicates that you may be eligible for the study, a study team member will follow up with you within 7 working days to schedule an online consent session and a detailed screening session.
The information you provide in the pre-screening form will be stored in a password-protected computer and will be available to the A*STAR research team members for research purposes only. All the information collected from you will be kept confidential and will only be used for this research. Remember that your participation is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time. You also have the option to exit the survey without completing it.
To find out more, email us at pias@sics.a-star.edu.sg or simply fill in the form below.