Study Title
Cognitive and Psychological Effects of Ginseng Supplementation in Healthy Adults: A Scoping Review
Principal Investigator
Sarah Armes -
Affiliation
NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition & Health
Start Date
23/01/2026
End Date
23/04/2026
Study Objective
To systematically map and characterise the existing human intervention evidence on the effects of ginseng supplementation on cognitive performance and related psychological outcomes in healthy adults, and to identify evidence gaps and the feasibility of future systematic reviews or meta analyses.
Short Abstract
This scoping review aims to map the extent, characteristics, and key findings of human intervention studies examining the effects of ginseng supplementation on cognitive and related psychological outcomes in healthy adults. Following PRISMA ScR guidance, the review will identify randomised controlled trials assessing domains such as memory, attention, executive function, reaction time, mood, fatigue, and stress. Evidence will be synthesised narratively and presented in tabular form to describe intervention characteristics, outcome measures, and methodological features, with the goal of identifying research gaps and informing future systematic reviews or meta analyses.
Study Design
Scoping review
Population
Healthy adults aged 18 years and above, without diagnosed cognitive impairment or neurological disease
Sample Size
Not applicable (review)
Inclusion Criteria
Human intervention studies will be included if they involve healthy adults aged 18 years and above without diagnosed cognitive impairment or neurological disease; evaluate any form of ginseng supplementation derived from Panax species (e.g., Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius), including all preparation types such as extracts, powders, capsules, whole root, fermented or hydroponic preparations, administered using acute or chronic supplementation protocols; include a comparator group such as placebo, active comparator, diet-as-usual, or no-treatment control; assess primary outcomes related to cognitive performance (including memory, attention, reaction time, executive function, and vigilance) and/or secondary outcomes such as mood, fatigue, stress-related indicators, psychometric measures, or neurocognitive biomarkers; and use a randomised controlled trial design, including parallel or crossover designs.
Exclusion Criteria
Studies will be excluded if they are animal or in vitro studies; involve participants with diagnosed cognitive impairment or neurological disorders; investigate multi-ingredient formulations in which ginseng constitutes less than 75% of the intervention; examine Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) due to differing active constituents; use observational study designs; or are reviews, editorials, commentaries, or conference abstracts without full data available.
Intervention/Exposure
Ginseng supplementation derived from Panax species (e.g., Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius), across a range of preparation types (extracts, powders, capsules, whole root; fermented or hydroponic preparations), doses, and supplementation durations (acute and chronic).
Outcome Measures
Primary outcomes:
Cognitive performance measures (e.g., memory, attention, executive function, reaction time, vigilance)
Secondary outcomes:
Mood, fatigue, stress-related outcomes
Psychometric measures and neurocognitive assessments
Funding Source
Not specified
Collaborating Institutions
Not specified
Ethics Approval
Not applicable
Publication Status
Not Yet Published
Keywords
Ginseng; cognition; cognitive performance; mood; fatigue; stress; healthy adults; dietary supplements; scoping review
Data Collection Methods
Systematic literature searches of electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar), followed by dual independent screening, structured data extraction, and narrative synthesis in line with scoping review methodology.
Primary Data Availability
Not Applicable
Contact Information
Sarah Armes -