The SUNNY Trial

Psyc student Nurina Katta in STAR Trial image

We are no longer recruiting participants for the SUNNY Trial.

The SUNNY trial investigates whether a vitamin and mineral formula can improve children’s emotion dysregulation and irritability and has a beneficial impact on the overall wellbeing of the children and their families.

The product used in this study is called EMPowerplus Lightning Stiks, which are powdered straws that contain a blend of 36 vitamins, minerals and amino acids, also known as multinutrients.  The EMP+ multinutrient formula is the most studied multinutrient formula in the world and scientific evidence has shown its beneficial effects on mental health.

What does the study involve?

Children enrolled in the SUNNY Trial will be randomised to either start the multinutrients right away or to have the start delayed by one month. Every four weeks, the multinutrient formula will either be withdrawn or instated for a period for two months. Finally, all participants will take the multinutrients for additional twelve weeks.

Participation in the trial involves taking a Lightning Stik once a day. Further, the parents will answer various questionnaires about their children’s behaviour via a web-survey that measure levels of emotion dysregulation/irritability, inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, sleep, diet, mood, and side effects every two weeks. In addition, the participants meet with the study coordinator once a month to collect additional data in person (or via Zoom/online), where parents and children will answer one questionnaire jointly.

Who is eligible to take part?

We are looking for children who:

  • Are between 5-10 years of age
  • Do not take medications for any psychological concerns (e.g. Ritalin)
  • Are having issues with emotion dysregulation and irritability

A diagnosis is NOT required for entry into this study.

Check eligibility

Contact

Nurina Katta

nurina.katta@pg.canterbury.ac.nz