ABSTRACT
Introduction: : Incidental reports collected in clinical trials suggest that amongst participants, omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil (‘omega-3’) may be difficult to blind.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic evaluation of blinding success in a 24-week trial of omega-3 versus an oil-based placebo. Within 1 week of supplement commencement (Week 1), a blinding questionnaire was completed by 131 children enrolled in a trial of omega-3 for the treatment of disruptive behaviour disorders. A version of the questionnaire was also completed by their parents at Week 1, and by the children at the end of supplement administration (Week 24). Results: : Participants were unable to differentiate omega-3 from placebo, and accuracy did not improve as a function of: the confidence of guesses, reason for guesses, notice of any change, beliefs about what should change, or time. Child and parent guesses also showed high concordance. Conclusion: Taken together, these data provide strong evidence that the identity of omega-3 can be blinded to participants.There has been growing interest in the use of dietary supplementation to treat psychiatric disorders. In particular, supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids has been researched as a potential means of preventing and managing psychopathology. These fatty acids are ingested through dietary sources (e.g. fish), with inadequate concentrations implicated in psychiatric morbidity. This has given rise to clinical trials that evaluate the supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids.
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