CaffeineNCT06638372
Caffeinated Chewing Gum on Special Forces Performance
A study testing caffeine in people with Caffeine and Placebo, run by National Taiwan Sport University at 1 site in Taiwan.
Trial summary
The purpose of this project is to investigate the effects of caffeine chewing gum on the cognitive functions and special operations capabilities of special forces. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 40 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- What is being tested?
- caffeine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 16 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTaiwan
- Study dates
- 5 Oct 2024to 30 May 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 40 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Active Special Warfare Unit members who have passed the Grade A Special Forces Reserve Training
- No cardiovascular and joint diseases
- Adult male over 20 years old
Who cannot join
- Non-active Special Warfare Unit members
- Have cardiovascular and joint diseases
- Under age
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Caffeinated Chewing Gum on Special Forces Performance: a Cross-over Study
The purpose of this project is to investigate the effects of caffeine chewing gum on the cognitive functions and special operations capabilities of special forces.
Read the detailed description
Using a randomisation crossover design, 20-40 active-duty special forces members who had undergone leave and special forces reserve training were divided into a caffeine trial (CAF) and a placebo trail (PL). After chewing caffeine-containing gum containing 5 mg/kg (CAF group) or caffeine-free gum (PL group) for 15 minutes, then performed a simple reaction test, a stroop test, a visual search test, a grip strength test, a vertical jump test, a 20-metre sprint test, and a counter-terrorism simulation test. A heart rate monitor was used to measure the heart rate and heart rate variability of the participants. Saliva samples were collected and analysed for α-Amylase, cortisol and caffeine concentrations before the test, after a 15-minute break from chewing gum and at the end of the test. Completion time of cognitive functions, grip strength, vertical jump height, 20 m sprint time, time to completion of the counterterrorism simulation test, and target score will be analysed using paired-sample t-tests.
- Being tested
- caffeine
- Keywords
- exercise performance
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
caffeineDietary supplement
The participants chewing either caffeine Gum (CAF trial, containing 3 mg/kg of caffeine) or Placebo Gum (PL) for 10 minutes. After rested for 15 minutes, the participants underwent tests.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| caffeine gum | Experimental | Chewing caffeine gum for 10 minutes Receives: Dietary Supplement: caffeine |
| placebo gum | Placebo comparator | Chewing placebo gum for 10 minutes Receives: Dietary Supplement: caffeine |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Stroop task
The color-word Stroop task were conducted using Psych/Lab for Windows. The reaction time (millisecond) were recorded.
Measured: 15 minutes after intervention
visual search test
The visual search test were conducted using Psych/Lab for Windows. The reaction time (millisecond) were recorded.
Measured: 15 minutes after intervention
Secondary outcomes (1)
anti-terrorist operations
Target shooting and target finding. The completed time (seconds) were recorded.
Measured: 15 minutes after intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Oct 2024
- Study start5 Oct 2024
- Primary completion6 Oct 2024
- Study completion30 May 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for CaffeineStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National Taiwan Sport University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Chih-Hui Chiu, National Taiwan Sport University
- Investigators
- ChihHui Chiu, PhD, Principal investigator, Professor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06638372
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 113-7
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 5 Oct 2024
- Last updated
- 26 Jun 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Shiu YJ, Chen CH, Lin HY, Yang CC, Yen CW, Chang HY, Chen HT, Chiu CH. Caffeinated chewing gum improves military performances in special forces soldiers. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2026 Aug;126(8):4269-4280. doi: 10.1007/s00421-026-06247-0. Epub 2026 May 16.
PubMed 42142184
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 Jun 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Caffeinated Chewing Gum on Special Forces Performance: a Cross-over Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06638372
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 113-7
- Keywords
- exercise performance
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- National Taiwan Sport UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 6 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 May 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this project is to investigate the effects of caffeine chewing gum on the cognitive functions and special operations capabilities of special forces.
Detailed description
Using a randomisation crossover design, 20-40 active-duty special forces members who had undergone leave and special forces reserve training were divided into a caffeine trial (CAF) and a placebo trail (PL). After chewing caffeine-containing gum containing 5 mg/kg (CAF group) or caffeine-free gum (PL group) for 15 minutes, then performed a simple reaction test, a stroop test, a visual search test, a grip strength test, a vertical jump test, a 20-metre sprint test, and a counter-terrorism simulation test. A heart rate monitor was used to measure the heart rate and heart rate variability of the participants. Saliva samples were collected and analysed for α-Amylase, cortisol and caffeine concentrations before the test, after a 15-minute break from chewing gum and at the end of the test. Completion time of cognitive functions, grip strength, vertical jump height, 20 m sprint time, time to completion of the counterterrorism simulation test, and target score will be analysed using paired-sample t-tests.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| caffeine gum | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: caffeineChewing caffeine gum for 10 minutes |
| placebo gum | Placebo comparator | Dietary Supplement: caffeineChewing placebo gum for 10 minutes |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 40 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Active Special Warfare Unit members who have passed the Grade A Special Forces Reserve Training
- No cardiovascular and joint diseases
- Adult male over 20 years old
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Non-active Special Warfare Unit members
- Have cardiovascular and joint diseases
- Under age
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| caffeineThe participants chewing either caffeine Gum (CAF trial, containing 3 mg/kg of caffeine) or Placebo Gum (PL) for 10 minutes. After rested for 15 minutes, the participants underwent tests. | Dietary supplement | caffeine gum, placebo gum |
Primary outcome
Stroop task
Time frame: 15 minutes after intervention
The color-word Stroop task were conducted using Psych/Lab for Windows. The reaction time (millisecond) were recorded.
visual search test
Time frame: 15 minutes after intervention
The visual search test were conducted using Psych/Lab for Windows. The reaction time (millisecond) were recorded.
1 secondary outcome
anti-terrorist operations
Time frame: 15 minutes after intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 26 Jun 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42142184Shiu YJ, Chen CH, Lin HY, Yang CC, Yen CW, Chang HY, Chen HT, Chiu CH. Caffeinated chewing gum improves military performances in special forces soldiers. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2026 Aug;126(8):4269-4280. doi: 10.1007/s00421-026-06247-0. Epub 2026 May 16.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
ChihHui Chiu, PhD principal investigator
Professor
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing caffeine in people with Caffeine and Placebo, run by National Taiwan Sport University at 1 site in Taiwan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Jun 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Taiwan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Stroop task (time frame: 15 minutes after intervention). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06638372, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Jun 2025.