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Kava for generalized anxiety disorder: A review of current evidence (2018)
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition that involves excessive worry and anxiety, which may be brought forth by little to no identifiable triggers, and leads to significant impairment of the activities of daily life in patients. The current standards of treatment involve the prescription of pharmaceuticals like antidepressants and psychoactive brain depressants like benzodiazepines, which have variable efficacy and a significant profile of side effects. The use of naturally derived treatment options (phytotherapeutics), such as Kava (Piper methysticum), instead of pharmacotherapeutics, may provide a safer treatment alternative. Ooi et al. (2018) conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate existing literature on the use of Kava to treat GAD. After analyzing 12 articles in their review, the authors found two-placebo controlled trials and a reference-controlled trial (totalling 130 participants) that supported the use of Kava in the treatment of GAD, in addition to reported evidence on beneficial patient experiences and improved cardiovascular vagal control with the use of Kava. Meta-analyses revealed that the efficacy of Kava, at a reported safe dosage regimen of 120-280 mg/day for 4-8 weeks, was variable in GAD. Kava represents an attractive treatment option for individuals who are keen on using natural stress-reducing alternatives, or who adopt a more natural ingredient-focused lifestyle. The authors conclude that the literature evidence to support Kava as a treatment alternative to GAD is inconclusive, and that decision making awaits the results of a larger, multicentric trial that is currently ongoing. [NPID: Kava, generalized anxiety disorder, meta-analysis, phytomedicine, systematic review]
Year: 2018
