@article{96fb14eb985840cdafc8cbc1dbe00e60,
title = "The effect of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on aggressive behaviour in adult male prisoners: A structured study protocol for a multi-centre, double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial and translation into policy and practice",
abstract = "Background: Interventions to better manage aggressive behaviour and reduce recidivism are a primary concern for corrective services. Nutritional interventions to correct prisoner behaviour have been largely overlooked in the literature. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary intake influences aggressive behaviours and that nutritional supplementation with omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) could attenuate both the severity and frequency of aggressive behaviour. Methods: Adult male prisoners who have a history of aggressive behaviour (n = 600) will be recruited from at least 6 Correctional Centres and randomised to receive either n-3 LCPUFA or placebo supplementation for a 16-week duration. Treatment will be with either 1 g/day of n-3 LCPUFA (694 mg DHA and 397 mg EPA) or placebo capsules, which are a corn/soy oil blend and are identical in size and colour. The primary outcome measure is the Inmate Behavioural Observation Scale (IBOS): an objective measure of aggressive behaviour. Secondary outcome measures include questionnaires (including aggression, attention deficit disorder, impulsivity, depression/anxiety/stress scales), engagement in programmes, recidivism and quality of life. Baseline and post-intervention assessments include the IBOS, questionnaires and blood to measure the levels of n-3 LCPUFA. Discussion: To conclusively test the potential that increasing n-3 LCPUFA intakes can improve rates of prisoner aggression and associated mental health and violence-related social system management costs, we propose an adequately powered multi-centre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial, examining the effects of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on aggressive behaviour in adult male prisoners. If successful, this study will inform prisoner policy with respect to nutrition and by inference contribute to a broader community approach to preventative mental health practices. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12618001665224. Registered on 10 October 2018.",
keywords = "Aggressive behaviour, Attention deficit disorder, Correctional centres, Incarcerated, Inmate, Jails, Mental health, Omega-3, Prisoner, Violence",
author = "Meyer, {Barbara J.} and Cortie, {Colin H.} and Natalie Parletta and Alison Jones and Simon Eckermann and Tony Butler and David Greenberg and Marijka Batterham and Francesca Fernandez and Schofield, {Peter W.} and Winberg, {Pia C.} and Kate Bowles and Jean Dally and Martin, {Anne Maria} and Luke Grant and Mitchell Byrne",
note = "Funding Information: DSM Nutritional Products are acknowledged for their cash and in-kind (algal and placebo oil supplements) contributions. BJM, MKB, NP, AJ, SE, TB, DG, MB, FF, PWS, PCW, JD, AMM and LG conceived and designed the study and acquired the funding; BJM, MKB, DG and LG acquired ethics approval; BJM, MKB, CHC and KB will train the Correctional Officers; CHC and BJM will supervise the Correctional Officers; DG and AJ will assess the medical records of prisoners and determine their eligibility; CHC will analyse the blood samples for omega-3 levels; MKB will interpret the psychological data; Correctional Officers on secondment to the research project will acquire the data supervised by CHC, BJM and MKB; MB will analyse the data; SE will analyse the health economics data; BJM, MKB, NP, AJ, SE, TB, DG, MB, FF, PWS, PCW, JD, AMM, LG and CHC will interpret the data; BJM, MKB, TB, DG, PWS, PCW, KB, JD, AMM and LG will translate the outcomes into policy and practice. All authors read and approve the final manuscript. NHMRC Partnership Grant (GNT1113396) Does Omega-3 Supplementation Attenuate Aggressive Behaviour: A Multi-Centre Randomised Controlled Trial of a Broadly Disseminable Strategy. The partner organisations are DSM Nutritional Products and Correctional Centres in NSW and the Department for Correctional Services SA. DSM Nutritional Products provided the supplements (active and placebo) as well as cash for this research but they have no input into the design of the study and collection, analysis and interpretation of data and reporting of results. Access to the dataset will be determined on a needs basis by the lead investigator, CIA BJM. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021, The Author(s). Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",
year = "2021",
month = dec,
doi = "10.1186/s13063-021-05252-2",
language = "English",
volume = "22",
pages = "1--18",
journal = "Trials",
issn = "1745-6215",
publisher = "BioMed Central",
number = "1",
}