Acute effects of an Avena sativa herb extract on responses to the Stroop Color-Word test

Berry, Narelle M., Robinson, Matthew J., Bryan, Janet, Buckley, Jonathan D., Murphy, Karen J. and Howe, Peter R. C. (2011) Acute effects of an Avena sativa herb extract on responses to the Stroop Color-Word test. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 17 (7). pp. 635-637. ISSN 1075-5535

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Abstract

Background and aims: Extracts from oat (Avena sativa) herb may benefit cognitive performance. This study investigated whether Neuravena®, an oat herb extract, could acutely improve responses to the Stroop Color–Word test, a measure of attention and concentration and the ability to maintain task focus.  Subjects and methods: Elderly volunteers with below-average cognitive performance consumed single doses (0, 1600, and 2400 mg) of oat herb extract at weekly intervals in a double-blind, randomized, crossover comparison. Resting blood pressure (BP) was assessed before and after supplementation, and a Stroop test was performed.  Results: Significantly fewer errors were made during the color-naming component of the Stroop test after consuming the 1600-mg dose than after the 0-mg or 2400-mg doses (F (1,36)=18.85, p<0.001). In 7 subjects with suspected cognitive impairment, Stroop interference score was also improved by the 1600-mg dose compared to 0- and 2400-mg doses (F (1, 34)=2.40, p<0.01). Resting BP was unaffected by supplementation.  Conclusions: Taking 1600 mg of oat herb extract may acutely improve attention and concentration and the ability to maintain task focus in older adults with differing levels of cognitive status.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: aged,avena,cognition,cognition disorders,cross-over studies,dietary supplements,double-blind method,female,humans,language,male,middle aged,phytotherapy,aerial plant components,plant extracts,stroop test
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Nutrition and Preventive Medicine
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 24 Sep 2016 00:52
Last Modified: 21 Oct 2022 06:33
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/60252
DOI: 10.1089/acm.2010.0450

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