Effect of Omega-3 Supplements on Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Memory and Sleep Quality Among Saudis

NCT07157241 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: HAPO-02-K-012-2021-11-832UmmAlQuraU
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study looked at whether taking omega-3 supplements can help reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and improve memory and sleep quality in Saudi adults who feel highly stressed or anxious. Omega-3 is a healthy fat found in fish oil that may help the brain and mood. A total of 64 adults took part. They were randomly split into two groups. One group took omega-3 capsules (500 mg EPA + 250 mg DHA) every day for three months. The other group took a placebo (an inactive oil). Neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was taking which capsules to keep the study fair. Before and after the three months, all participants completed simple questionnaires about their stress, anxiety, depression, sleep, and everyday memory. The results showed that people who took omega-3 had lower stress, anxiety, and depression scores and reported better sleep quality and memory compared to those who took the placebo. This suggests that taking omega-3 supplements may help improve mental wellbeing and sleep in people with high stress and anxiety.

Conditions

Healthy Adults; Anxiety; Depression; Sleep Quality; Everyday Memory; Psychological Distress

Keywords

omega-3; stress; anxiety; mental distress; Psychological Distress; healthy adults; depression; sleep Quality; Everyday Memory; Saudi Arabia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from the baseline for the following scales: Perceived Stress General Anxiety Disorder-7 Depression Level measured using PHQ-9 Sleep Quality Daytime sleepiness and sleep disorders Memory failure in everyday life.

  Primary Outcome Measures: 1. Change in Perceived Stress Perceived Stress Scale (0-40, higher = more stress). Self-reported at baseline and 3 months. 2. Change in Anxiety Level Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (0-21, higher = more anxiety). Self-reported at baseline and 3 months. 3. Change in Depression Level Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (0-27, higher = more depression). Self-reported at baseline and 3 months. 4. Change in Sleep Quality Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (0-21, higher = poorer sleep quality). Self-reported at baseline and 3 months. 5. Change in Daytime Sleepiness Epworth Sleepiness Scale (0-24, higher = more sleepiness). Self-reported at baseline and 3 months. 6. Change in Everyday Memory Failures Everyday Memory Questionnaire (0-25, higher = more frequent memory failures). Self-reported at baseline and 3 months.

  Baseline and 3 months after intervention

Study Arms (2)

Control

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

corn oil 400 mg capsule a day for for three months

Dietary Supplement: Control group (placebo)

intervention group

EXPERIMENTAL

mega-3 capsules with a concentration of 1000 mg/day for three months (NOW Foods- Ultra omega-3 500 EPA/250 DHA).

Dietary Supplement: Intervention

Interventions

Intervention DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

omega-3 capsules with a concentration of 1000 mg/day for three months (NOW Foods- Ultra omega-3 500 EPA/250 DHA).

intervention group

Control group (placebo) DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

corn oil capsule /day for 3 months

Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• high psychological distress did not take any omega-3 supplements for the last 6 month

You may not qualify if:

• younger than 18 pregnant breastfeeding anyone with supplements and chronic diseases

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Umm Al-Qura University: lead

Study Sites (1)

university of Umm Al-Qura

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Azhar W, Qadhi A, Abusudah W, Ghabashi M, Aljaadi AM, Alyamani R, Awlya O, Almohmadi N, Alsemeri A, Felemban A, Alturki G, Almatrafi L, Zafarani R, Kamfar Y, Azzeh F, Ghafouri K. The effects of Omega-3 supplementation on stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and everyday memory in individuals with psychological distress: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Affect Disord. 2026 Apr 15;399:121055. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.121055. Epub 2025 Dec 27.

  PMID: 41461240 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Depression; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Interventions

Methods; Control Groups

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Investigative Techniques; Epidemiologic Research Design; Epidemiologic Methods; Research Design

Study Officials

• Alaa Qadhi, Ph.D

  Umm Al-Qura University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr. Wedad Azhar, Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 11, 2025
• First Posted: September 5, 2025
• Study Start: February 27, 2022
• Primary Completion: February 12, 2024
• Study Completion: August 16, 2024
• Last Updated: September 5, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SA (1)