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KAVA KAVA in Generalized Anxiety: A Double-Blind Trial

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What is being tested

Venlafaxine ER

+ Sugar pill

+ Kava

Drug
Who is being recruted

Anxiety Disorders

+ Mental Disorders

See all eligibility criteria
How is the trial designed

Treatment Study

Placebo-ControlledPhase 2
Interventional
Study Start: June 2002
See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorNational Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Last updated: January 13, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Study start date: June 1, 2002

Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

Kava kava (KAV) is a plant-derived treatment widely used in Europe to treat anxiety disorders. Several studies suggest that KAV may be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms; however, trial data are limited. This study will compare KAV, the drug venlafaxine-XR (VEN), and placebo for the treatment of GAD. This study will last 10 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive KAV, VEN, or placebo for 8 weeks. Participants will then undergo a 1-week tapering of their medication followed by an additional week of observation. Self-report scales and questionnaires will be used to assess the anxiety, depression, and functional impairment of participants. Side effects, vital signs, and laboratory measures will be monitored throughout the study.

Official TitleKAVA KAVA in Generalized Anxiety: A Double-Blind Trial 
Principal SponsorNational Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Last updated: January 13, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Protocol

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.
Design Details

16 patients to be enrolled

Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.

Treatment Study

These studies test new ways to treat a disease, condition, or health issue. The goal is to see if a new drug, therapy, or approach works better or has fewer side effects than existing options.



Eligibility

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.
Conditions
Criteria

Any sex

Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.

Healthy volunteers not allowed

If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.

Conditions

Pathology

Anxiety DisordersMental Disorders

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Study Plan

Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.
Treatment Groups
Study Objectives

3 intervention groups are designated in this study

33.333% chance of being blinded to the placebo group

Treatment Groups

Group I

Active Comparator
Venlafaxine ER

Group II

Experimental
Kava

Group III

Placebo
Inert placebo pills as duble dummy - up to 4 per day for kava and 3 per day for venlafaxine

Study Objectives

Primary Objectives

Study Centers

These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.
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SuspendedNo study centers