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dc.contributor.authorTiralongo, E
dc.contributor.authorLea, R
dc.contributor.authorWee, S
dc.contributor.authorHanna, M
dc.contributor.authorGriffiths, L
dc.date.accessioned2017-05-03T14:35:22Z
dc.date.available2017-05-03T14:35:22Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.date.modified2011-03-14T07:03:12Z
dc.identifier.issn0032-0943
dc.identifier.doi10.1055/s-0030-1264287
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10072/37196
dc.description.abstractAir travel, especially on intercontinental flights can be stressful. Studies have shown that passengers' well-being is influenced by the cabin environment such as quality of cabin air, oxygen pressure in the cabin, motion or vibration and oil additives used in aircraft engines [1, 2]. Various studies have reported and investigated the occurrence of nasal dryness [3] and the increased risk of developing upper respiratory disorders such as allergic rhinitis [4] and attracting virus or bacteria induced respiratory infections [5, 6]. Studies have shown that Echinacea, one of the most widely used herbal medicines worldwide, can decrease the severity of cold symptoms and improve quality of life if used as early treatment [7-9]. Some studies also suggest positive effects for the prevention of the common cold when using Echinacea [8]. Here we report on a randomised, double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial with 183 participants who were travelling return from Australia to America, Europe or Africa for a period of 1-5 weeks on non-stop commercial flights via economy class. Participants were using coated Echinacea (standardised to 4.42mg alkylamides) or placebo tablets, and trial dosing consisted of three protocols (priming, travel and sick), depending on the phase of travel of the participants and their health status. Outcomes were assessed using a survey which included questions about upper respiratory symptoms (based on WURSS-44), quality of life (based on SF-36) and the occurrence of additional air travel related symptoms. Each participant completed this survey before travel (baseline), after travel (return) and at 4 weeks after return from travel (follow-up). Preliminary results so far indicate that at follow-up a significantly lower number of participants reported respiratory illness in the Echinacea treated group compared to placebo (P=0.02) and a significantly higher number of participants treated with Echinacea reported a 䧯od" quality of life compared to placebo (P=0.005). Moreover, a significantly higher number of participants in the placebo group compared to the Echinacea group reported respiratory illness at follow-up compared to baseline (P=0.044) suggesting that the placebo group had not returned to the pre-travel level in terms of respiratory illness.
dc.description.publicationstatusYes
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherThieme
dc.publisher.placeGermany
dc.relation.ispartofstudentpublicationY
dc.relation.ispartofconferencename7th Tannin Conference/58th International Congress and Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Medical-Plant-and-Natural-Product-Research
dc.relation.ispartofconferencetitlePLANTA MEDICA
dc.relation.ispartofdatefrom2010-08-29
dc.relation.ispartofdateto2010-09-02
dc.relation.ispartoflocationBerlin, GERMANY
dc.relation.ispartofpagefrom1190
dc.relation.ispartofpagefrom1 pages
dc.relation.ispartofpageto1190
dc.relation.ispartofpageto1 pages
dc.relation.ispartofissue12
dc.relation.ispartofvolume76
dc.rights.retentionY
dc.subject.fieldofresearchPlant biology
dc.subject.fieldofresearchTraditional, complementary and integrative medicine
dc.subject.fieldofresearchPharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode3108
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode4208
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode3214
dc.titleThe effectiveness of a standardised Echinacea preparation in preventing colds, flus and other respiratory disorders for air- travellers
dc.typeConference output
dc.type.descriptionE3 - Conferences (Extract Paper)
dc.type.codeE - Conference Publications
gro.facultyGriffith Health, School of Pharmacy
gro.date.issued2010
gro.hasfulltextNo Full Text
gro.griffith.authorWee, Shirley S.
gro.griffith.authorTiralongo, Evelin


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