Trial reportNutrition journal2016
Probiotic administration among free-living older adults: a double blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Trial report in Nutrition journal, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT01837940 (Efficacy of a Dietary Supplementation With Lactobacillus Reuteri DSM 17938 for Digestive Health in an Elderly Population), which is not on this map. Cited by 29 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Efficacy of a Dietary Supplementation With Lactobacillus Reuteri DSM 17938 for Digestive Health in an Elderly Population
Who cites it
29 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 69 citations in OpenAlex.
- The efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on anxiety, depression, and sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.BMC psychiatry · 2025Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Efficacy of probiotics on stress in healthy volunteers: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials.Brain and behavior · 2020Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Prebiotics and probiotics for depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials.Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews · 2019Pooled it
- Pooled it
- The effect of probiotic supplementation on perceived stress and bowel function in healthy young adults: evidence from a randomized controlled trial in Makkah.Frontiers in nutrition · 2025Trial
- Bacillus Subtilis (BG01-4Nutrients · 2023Trial
- Consumption of OLL1073R-1 yogurt improves psychological quality of life in women healthcare workers: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.BMC gastroenterology · 2021Trial
- Article
- Role of the gut microbiome in psychological symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel diseases.Seminars in immunopathology · 2025Review
- Probiotics' Effects in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression: A Comprehensive Review of 2014-2023 Clinical Trials.Microorganisms · 2024Review
- Article
- Effects of 'Healthy' Fecal Microbiota Transplantation against the Deterioration of Depression in Fawn-Hooded Rats.mSystems · 2022Article
- Probiotics synergized with conventional regimen in managing Parkinson's disease.NPJ Parkinson's disease · 2022Article
- A Reciprocal Link Between Gut Microbiota, Inflammation and Depression: A Place for Probiotics?Frontiers in neuroscience · 2022Review
- Intake of MPRO3 over 4 Weeks Reduces Glucose Levels and Improves Gastrointestinal Health and Metabolism.Microorganisms · 2021Article
- Mental health as a prerequisite for functioning as optimally as possible in old age: A phenomenological approach.Nursing open · 2021Review
- The Effect of Probiotics on Health Outcomes in the Elderly: A Systematic Review of Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Studies.Microorganisms · 2021Review
- Gut Microbiota Interaction with the Central Nervous System throughout Life.Journal of clinical medicine · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDiseases of the digestive system have been found to contribute to a higher symptom burden in older adults. Thus, therapeutic strategies able to treat gastrointestinal discomfort might impact the overall health status and help older adults to increase their overall health status and optimal functionality.
objectiveThe aim of this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri on digestive health and wellbeing in older adults.
methodsThe study enrolled general older adults (>65 years). After eligibility screening qualified subjects (n = 290) participated in a 2-arm study design, with each arm consisting of 12 weeks of intervention of either active or placebo product. Primary outcome measure was set to changes in gastrointestinal symptoms and secondary outcome measures were changes in level of wellbeing, anxiety and stress. Follow up was performed at 8 and 12 weeks.
resultsNo persistent significant effects were observed on the primary or secondary outcome parameters of the study. A modest effect was observed in the probiotic arm, were levels of stress decreased at week 8 and 12. Similarly, we found that subjects suffering from indigestion and abdominal pain, respectively, showed a significant decrease of anxiety at week 8 after probiotic treatment, but not at week 12.
conclusionThe RCT failed to show any improvement in digestive health after daily intake of a probiotic supplement containing L. reuteri. Neither was any significant improvement in wellbeing, stress or anxiety observed. Even though the RCT had a negative outcome, the study highlights issues important to take into consideration when designing trials among older adults.
trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov/ NCT01837940 .
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.