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Wisconsin Ginseng for Cancer Related Fatigue

This study is looking at whether Wisconsin ginseng (American Ginseng) can help reduce fatigue in people with solid-organ cancers. Fatigue is a common and difficult symptom for cancer patients. Researchers want to see if American Ginseng works better than a placebo (an inactive substance) to improve your energy levels. You might be able to join if you are 18 or older, have a solid-organ cancer, and have experienced significant cancer-related fatigue. The main goal is to measure changes in your fatigue levels over 8 weeks. This study aims to find a way to make you feel better during or after cancer treatment.

Study design
This interventional study is comparing American Ginseng to a placebo in 160 participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups.
What's involved
Participants will take either American Ginseng or a placebo by mouth twice daily for 56 days. You will also complete questionnaires.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your fatigue levels will be measured from the start of the study up to 8 weeks.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06395441

Wisconsin Ginseng for Decreasing Cancer Related Fatigue

Recruiting
PHASE3Ages 18+InterventionalSupportive care
Mayo Clinic
~160 participants
Updated 2026-03-30 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:American GinsengPlacebo AdministrationQuestionnaire Administration

At a glance

Recruiting sites
14 of 15 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in fatigue
Measured over Baseline to 8 weeks

Conditions

Malignant Solid Neoplasm

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Solid Neoplasm

NCT06395441

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 15 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Essentia Health Cancer Center

    Duluth, Minnesotastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Essentia Health Deer River Clinic

    Deer River, Minnesotastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Essentia Health Fosston

    Fosston, Minnesotastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Essentia Health Hibbing Clinic

    Hibbing, Minnesotastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Essentia Health Saint Joseph's Medical Center

    Brainerd, Minnesotastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Essentia Health Sandstone

    Sandstone, Minnesotastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Essentia Health St. Mary's Detroit Lakes Clinic

    Detroit Lakes, Minnesotastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Essentia Health Virginia Clinic

    Virginia, Minnesotastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Daniel S. Childs, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Who to contact

Clinical Trials Referral Office
[email protected]
855-776-0015
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age ≥ 18 years
Has received or is receiving treatment for a solid-organ malignancy (not hematologic)
History of cancer-related fatigue as defined by an average score ≥ 4 over the past 30 days on the numeric analogue scale. Patients can answer questions orally rather than completing worksheet
Baseline control of insomnia: Insomnia ≤ 4 on Linear Analogue Scale. Patients can answer questions orally rather than completing worksheet
Baseline control of pain: Pain ≤ 4 on Linear Analogue Scale. Patients can answer questions orally rather than completing worksheet
Life expectancy ≥ 6 months
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0, 1 or 2
Hemoglobin ≥ 10.0 g/dL (patients must not have been transfused in the preceding 90 days to meet this criterion) (≤ 180 days prior to registration)
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST) ≤ 3 x upper limit normal (ULN) (≤ 180 days prior to registration)
Creatinine ≤ 1.5 x ULN (≤ 180 days prior to registration)
No clinical suspicion of hypothyroidism within 180 days prior to registration \[if clinical suspicion of hypothyroidism exists, a documented thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) \< 5 milli-international units per liter (mIU/L) is required\]
Negative pregnancy test done ≤ 7 days prior to registration, for persons of childbearing potential only
Ability to complete questionnaire(s) by themselves or with assistance
Provide informed consent

Exclusion

Any known hypersensitivity to ginseng
Currently using any other pharmacologic agents to specifically treat fatigue including psychostimulants or antidepressants. Note: Antidepressants used to treat items other than fatigue (such as hot flashes or depression) are allowed if the patient has been on a stable dose for ≥ 30 days and plan to continue such for 8 weeks. Exercise is allowed
Psychiatric disorder such as poorly controlled depression, manic depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, or schizophrenia (defined per medical history)
Use of erythropoietic agents ≤ 6 months
Uncontrolled hypertension on more than three occasions (diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100, systolic ≥ 160) measured ≤ 180 days prior to randomization
Surgery that required general anesthetic ≤ 30 days prior to randomization
Malnutrition, active infection, severe depression, or significant pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease (as determined by the attending clinician), as they could impact fatigue
Use of any over the counter herbal/dietary supplement marketed for fatigue or energy (for example, products containing any type of ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, guarana, or anything called an "adaptogen")
Currently using an antidiabetic drug, warfarin or monamine oxide inhibitor
Treating provider anticipates a change to the anti-cancer treatment program in the next 8 weeks (i.e., the intervention period)

What this trial measures

  • Change in fatigueBaseline to 8 weeks

    Will be measured by the Linear Analog Scale for Fatigue, a single-item questionnaire rating fatigue over the pats week on a scale of 0-10 where 0=no fatigue at all and 10=fatigue as bad as it can be.