Kava treatment in patients with anxiety

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#aged #aged-80-and-over #anti-anxiety-agents #anxiety #double-blind-method

Kava treatment in patients with anxiety

Geier et al., 2004 | Phytother Res | Rct

Citation

Geier F P, Konstantinowicz T. Kava treatment in patients with anxiety. Phytother Res. 2004-Apr;18(4):297-300

Abstract

In several clinical trials, mainly conducted with a dose of 300 mg kava extract per day, kava has been employed successfully for the treatment of anxiety disorders. The goal of the placebo-controlled double-blind outpatient trial was to obtain more information on the dosage range and efficacy of a kava special extract WS 1490 in patients with non-psychotic anxiety. 50 patients were treated with a daily dose of 3 x 50 mg WS 1490 during a 4-week treatment period followed by a 2-week safety observation phase. In the active treatment group, the total score of the Hamilton anxiety scale (primary efficacy variable), showed a therapeutically relevant reduction in anxiety versus placebo (more than 4 points). In the secondary variables studied, HAMA 'somatic and psychic anxiety' subscales, the Erlangen anxiety, tension and aggression scale (EAAS), the brief personality structure scale (KEPS), the adjective checklist (EWL 60-S) and clinical global impressions scale (CGI), a trend in favour of the active treatment was detectable. WS 1490 was well tolerated and showed a safety profile with no drug-related adverse events or post-study withdrawal symptoms. It can be concluded that the applied 150 mg WS 1490 per day is an effective and safe treatment of non-psychotic anxiety syndromes in the described population.

Key Findings

It can be concluded that the applied 150 mg WS 1490 per day is an effective and safe treatment of non-psychotic anxiety syndromes in the described population.

Outcomes Measured

  • anxiety

Population

Field Value
Population non
Sample Size 50
Age Range See abstract
Condition anxiety

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Anxiety
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kava
  • Male
  • Manifest Anxiety Scale
  • Middle Aged
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Vertical: kava

Provenance

  • PMID: 15162364
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09