Comparing different doses of hydrogen enriched water in a pilot randomized treatment trial in chronic fatigue syndrome

Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic disabling illness without restorative treatments. The aim of this pilot treatment study was to explore the potential benefit of two different dosing schedules for hydrogen enriched water (HRW) for the symptoms and functional limitations of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Methods: A 16-week, two-arm randomized single blind design was used. 50 subjects received either (a) a standard dose of HRW (2–3 daily glasses of HRW) for all 16 weeks or (b) a standard dose for 8 weeks followed by a higher dose of HRW (4–5 daily glasses of HRW) for the remaining 8 weeks. Assessments included: self-report fatigue, physical function and stress, and salivary uric acid as a measure of oxidative stress. All participant activities were completed in their homes. Data were analyzed with linear mixed-effects models for repeated measures. Results: The standard dose condition showed significant improvements in fatigue (p=.002), physical function (p=.045), depression (p=.049), and anxiety (p=.002). The low-to-high dose condition yielded significant improvements in fatigue (p=.029) and physical function (p=.002). No significant outcome differences were observed between the two dosing conditions. No significant changes in salivary uric acid were found in either treatment group. Conclusion: The intervention of HRW did not yield differential levels of improvement across different dosing conditions; however, improvements in fatigue and physical function in the standard dose condition suggest that moderate dosing may be sufficient to generate clinically relevant benefits for debilitated patients with ME/CFS. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06227273. Date of first registration, 26/01/2024.