Probiotics to prevent gut and sleep problems during short overseas trips
Official title: Effect of Probiotic Intervention on Travel-Related Health Conditions During Short-Term Overseas Travel
Run by Universiti Sains Malaysia · NCT07163819 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will try a probiotic versus placebo in healthy adults traveling abroad for less than a week to see if it reduces gut symptoms, sleep disruption, and microbiome changes.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 46 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Universiti Sains Malaysia Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Haidian, Beijing Municipality and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 31, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2025 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2025 |
| Registry record updated | September 17, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07163819 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Healthy adults planning a short (less than 7 days) round-trip international trip who can attend study visits and have not used antibiotics or probiotics in the prior four weeks are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with chronic or severe systemic illnesses, recent antibiotic or probiotic use, long-term immunosuppressive or excluded medications, allergies to probiotic ingredients, or inability to complete study procedures are unlikely to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial gives healthy adults either a probiotic or matching placebo before and during a short (under 7 days) round-trip overseas journey. Investigators collect stool samples and symptom, sleep, and well-being data before, during, and after travel to measure changes in gut microbiota composition, gut immunity markers, microbial function, and antibiotic-resistance genes. The study excludes people with recent antibiotic or probiotic use, major chronic disease, certain long-term medications, or allergies to probiotic components. Outcomes compare symptom rates, sleep and anxiety measures, and microbiome and resistance-gene changes between the probiotic and placebo groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the probiotic could reduce travel-related gastrointestinal symptoms and sleep disruption and help maintain a healthier gut microbiome during short overseas trips.
How similar studies have gone: Previous randomized trials and meta-analyses have shown modest reductions in traveler's diarrhea and some gastrointestinal symptoms with certain probiotics, but effects on overall microbiome stability and antibiotic-resistance genes remain less certain.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Generally healthy adults * Scheduled to undertake a short-term round trip (less than 7 days) to abroad * Able to complete study procedures * Willing to take intervention products Exclusion Criteria: * Use of antibiotics, probiotics, hormones, immunosuppressants, biologics or JAK inhibitors within four weeks prior to study * Chronic or severe systemic diseases (including cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, malignant or psychiatric disorders) * Uncontrolled parasitic infections * Long-term use of corticosteroids, growth hormone, vitamin B12, lysine or inositol * Major surgery within one month * Allergy to probiotic components * Other conditions deemed inappropriate by investigators
Where it's running
-
Tsinghua University Science and Technology
Haidian, Beijing Municipality, China Recruiting -
Universiti Sains Malaysia
George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ai Zhou, Ph.D. — Tsinghua University Science and Technology
- Study coordinator: Min Tze Liong, Ph.D.
- Email: mintze.liong@usm.my
- Phone: 6046532114
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Low-Grade Laser Therapy vs. Paracetamol for orthodontic pain in Malay women
This study tests whether low-level laser therapy can reduce pain from braces better than paracetamol in young Malay women starting orthodontic treatment.
-
Exergames-acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Breast Cancer Depression and Anxiety
This trial tests whether a combined exergame-based program with acceptance and commitment therapy helps reduce depression and anxiety in breast cancer survivors compared with ACT alone or standard care.
-
Bifidobacterium XLTG11 to support growth, immune health, and reduce allergies in infants at higher allergy risk
This trial tests whether daily Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11 for 180 days can reduce allergic, respiratory, and gastrointestinal symptoms and change gut microbiome and immune markers in infants under 3 with higher allergy risk.
-
Online self-check to identify your gum disease risk and guide preventive care
This project will test whether an online questionnaire can accurately identify gum disease risk in adults with natural teeth.
-
Kelulut honey as an add-on treatment for juvenile open-angle glaucoma
This trial will test whether taking 30 g of Kelulut (stingless bee) honey daily for three months helps lower inflammation, protect retinal nerve fibers, and improve dry eye in people aged 15–40 with juvenile open-angle glaucoma who are already on standard treatment.
-
Eight-Week Baduanjin for Chronic Low Back Pain in Office Workers
A simple eight-week Baduanjin exercise program is tested to see if it can reduce back pain and improve function in office workers with long-standing low back pain.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.