Date of Award

2014

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department Chair

John Cavenagh, PhD, PA-C

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) improves mood in healthy adults.

STUDY DESIGN: A review of three peer-reviewed journal articles written in the English language published between 2009 and 2012.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies comparing the effect of EGCG to placebo on mood were found using PubMed and Cochrane databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Outcomes measured in the studies included change in mood. Patient ratings of mood were measured using Mood Visual Analog Scales (Mood VAS), the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST) mood adjective checklist, and the Bond-Lader mood scale.

RESULTS: Wightman et al.1 showed no significant correlation between EGCG consumption and mood. Scholey et al.2, on the other hand, found EGCG’s effect on mood to be significant, increasing calmness and reducing stress with p-values of 0.04 and 0.017 respectively. Brown et al.3 achieved similar findings with a significant increase in hedonic tone (p = 0.048), although decrease in tense arousal did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.056).

CONCLUSIONS: The summative results of these investigations indicate the need for additional studies examining the effects of EGCG on mood. The conflicting evidence provided by Wightman et al.1, Scholey et al.2, and Brown et al.3 leaves the question of EGCG’s efficacy in improving mood in healthy adults largely unanswered. Due to its relative safety, availability, and cost-effectiveness, further studies on efficacy of EGCG in improving mood are warranted.

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