. 2021 May 2;22(1):318.

doi: 10.1186/s13063-021-05252-2.

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

Barbara J Meyer¹, Mitchell K Byrne², Colin H Cortie³, Natalie Parletta⁴, Alison Jones⁵, Simon Eckermann⁶, Tony Butler⁷, David Greenberg^{8

9}, Marijka Batterham¹⁰, Francesca Fernandez¹¹, Peter W Schofield¹², Pia C Winberg¹³, Kate Bowles¹⁴, Jean Dally¹⁵, Anne-Maria Martin¹⁵, Luke Grant¹⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, Lipid Research Centre, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong and Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. bmeyer@uow.edu.au.
² School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
³ School of Medicine, Lipid Research Centre, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong and Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
⁴ Centre for Population Health Research, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia.
⁵ DVC (Health and Communities), University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
⁶ Australian Health Services Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
⁷ Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
⁸ School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
⁹ Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network, Anzac Pde., Matraville, NSW, 2035, Australia.
¹⁰ School of Mathematics & Applied Statistics, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
¹¹ School of Health and Behavioural Science, Australian Catholic University, Banyo, QLD, 4014, Australia.
¹² School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2300, Australia.
¹³ Venus Shell Systems, PO Box 2149, Bomaderry, NSW, 2541, Australia.
¹⁴ School of the Arts, English and Media, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
¹⁵ Corrective Services NSW, 20 Lee St, Haymarket, NSW, 2000, Australia.

PMID: 33934704
PMCID: PMC8088826
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05252-2

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

Barbara J Meyer et al. Trials. 2021.

. 2021 May 2;22(1):318.

doi: 10.1186/s13063-021-05252-2.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, Lipid Research Centre, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong and Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. bmeyer@uow.edu.au.
² School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
³ School of Medicine, Lipid Research Centre, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong and Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
⁴ Centre for Population Health Research, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia.
⁵ DVC (Health and Communities), University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
⁶ Australian Health Services Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
⁷ Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
⁸ School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
⁹ Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network, Anzac Pde., Matraville, NSW, 2035, Australia.
¹⁰ School of Mathematics & Applied Statistics, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
¹¹ School of Health and Behavioural Science, Australian Catholic University, Banyo, QLD, 4014, Australia.
¹² School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2300, Australia.
¹³ Venus Shell Systems, PO Box 2149, Bomaderry, NSW, 2541, Australia.
¹⁴ School of the Arts, English and Media, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
¹⁵ Corrective Services NSW, 20 Lee St, Haymarket, NSW, 2000, Australia.

PMID: 33934704
PMCID: PMC8088826
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05252-2

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.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

1. Parletta N, Milte CM, Meyer BJ. Nutritional modulation of cognitive function and mental health. J Nutr Biochem. 2013;24(5):725–743. - PubMed
1. Gesch CB, Hammond SM, Hampson SE, Eves A, Crowder MJ. Influence of supplementary vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids on the antisocial behaviour of young adult prisoners - randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry. 2002;181(1):22–28. - PubMed
1. Zaalberg A, Nijman H, Bulten E, Stroosma L, van der Staak C. Effects of nutritional supplements on aggression, rule-breaking, and psychopathology among young adult prisoners. Aggress Behav. 2010;36(2):117–126. - PubMed
1. Indig D, Topp L, Ross B, Mamoon H, Border B, Kumar S, et al. 2009 NSW inmate health survey: key findings report. Sydney: Justice Health; 2010.
1. GISSI Prevezione Investigators Dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E after myocardial infarction: results of the GISSI-Prevenzione trial. Lancet. 1999;354(9177):447–455. - PubMed

Publication types

Actions

MeSH terms

Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions

Substances

Actions

Grants and funding

GNT1113396/National Health and Medical Research Council

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
- scite Smart Citations
Research Materials
- NCI CPTC Antibody Characterization Program

Save citation to file

Email citation

Add to Collections

Add to My Bibliography

Your saved search

Create a file for external citation management software

Your RSS Feed

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

Affiliations

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

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

References

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

Other Literature Sources

Research Materials