Reducing burnout and stress symptoms with rhodiola

Researchers from Germany and Austria have found that the flowering herb Rhodiola rosea can be used to improve symptoms of patients with burnout syndrome. In their study, which was published in the journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, they noted that this is the first clinical trial of its kind to explore the benefits of R. rosea in burnout patients.

• Earlier studies have found that R. rosea can improve an organism’s tolerance against stress. The researchers posited that this could offer a promising approach when it came to treating stress-related burnout.
• The team sought to increase a person’s resistance to stress, which they believe will address the root of the issue and prevent complications.
• To test their hypothesis, the team designed an exploratory, open-label, multicenter, single-arm trial.
• In total, 118 patients agreed to be part of the study.
• The participants were given a daily dose of 400 mg R. rosea extract for over 12 weeks. To assess the efficacy of the extract, the team used the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Burnout Screening Scales I and II, Sheehan Disability Scale, Perceived Stress Questionnaire, Number Connection Test, Multidimensional Mood State Questionnaire, Numerical Analogue Scales for measuring stress. In addition, they used Patient Sexual Function Questionnaire and the Clinical Global Impression Scales to assess the effects of stress on a person’s sexual life.
• The team found that those who took R. rosea extract exhibited notable improvements in their symptoms over time.

In sum, the results of the study could be used to further investigate the benefits of R. rosea in patients with burnout syndrome.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

Journal Reference:

Kasper S, Dienel A. MULTICENTER, OPEN-LABEL, EXPLORATORY CLINICAL TRIAL WITH RHODIOLA ROSEA EXTRACT IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM BURNOUT SYMPTOMS. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 22 March 2017;13:889–898. DOI: 10.2147/NDT.S120113