Omega-3 Supplements to Reduce Antisocial Behaviour in Young Offenders

Singapore Prison Service

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3; Phase 2

Conditions: Antisocial Behavior

Treatments: Combination Product: Placebo; Other: Treatment as Usual; Combination Product: Omega-3

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03627312

SingaporePS

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study aims to examine the effects of providing omega-3 supplements on young offenders' antisocial behaviour. Participants will be randomized into three groups: (1) Omega-3, (2) Placebo and (3) Treatment as Usual. Self report and correctional officer ratings of behaviour will be assessed at 0 months (baseline), 3 months (end of supplementation), 6 months and 12 months. The investigators hypothesize that omega-3 supplementation will reduce antisocial behaviour among the young offenders.

Full description

This study follows up on two prior omega-3 supplementation Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) conducted on young offenders - one in the UK (Gesch et al. 2002) and the Netherlands (Zaalberg et al. 2009).

Enrollment: 181 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 16 to 21 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Admission into young offender's institution

Exclusion criteria

• Allergy to fish and fish products
• Serious mental illness and intellectual disability
• Ability to read and write at the level required to complete self report questionnaires

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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181 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Omega-3

Experimental group

Description:

this group receives a fruit juice drink containing omega-3

Treatment:

Other: Treatment as Usual

Combination Product: Omega-3

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

this group receives the same fruit juice drink as in the experimental group, but it does not contain omega-3

Treatment:

Other: Treatment as Usual

Combination Product: Placebo

Treatment as Usual

Other group

Description:

this group do not receive a fruit juice drink

Treatment:

Other: Treatment as Usual