How did the randomized Tualang honey trial measure memory and what were the exact cognitive test results?
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Executive summary
The most clearly randomized human trial of Tualang honey enrolled postmenopausal women who were randomly assigned to Tualang honey, estrogen–progestin therapy, or untreated control and measured verbal learning and memory using the Malay version of the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (MVAVLT), finding improved immediate memory and total learning scores but no benefit on delayed recall [1] [2]. Other human and animal studies used standardized memory tests—MVAVLT in schizophrenia patients and novel object recognition, T‑maze or Morris water maze in rodents—and reported improvements in short‑term/working and recognition memory after Tualang honey supplementation, although study designs, durations and sample sizes varied [3] [4] [5] [6] [7].
1. What test battery the randomized human trial used and why that matters
The randomized trial in postmenopausal women assessed verbal learning and memory with the Malay version of the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (MVAVLT), a serial-list learning task that yields measures such as trial‑by‑trial immediate recall, total learning across trials, interference/short‑delay performance and delayed recall; the study reported significant differences in total learning and specific trials (A1, A5, A6, A7) between groups after 16 weeks, which supports an effect on immediate encoding and early consolidation rather than on delayed retention [1] [2].
2. The exact cognitive outcomes reported in that randomized trial
Investigators analyzed MVAVLT scores using repeated‑measures ANOVA and reported statistically significant improvements in mean total learning scores and in trials A1 and A5 for both the Tualang honey and estrogen–progestin groups versus untreated controls; however, improvements in later trials A6 and A7 (reflecting interference and delayed recall) were observed only in the estrogen–progestin group, meaning Tualang honey’s benefit was confined to immediate memory/learning and did not extend to delayed recall [1] [2].
3. Other randomized or controlled human evidence and its metrics
An eight‑week intervention in schizophrenia patients used a Malay version AVLT (MVAVLT) and reported that Tualang honey supplementation improved total learning performance across domains in immediate memory at eight weeks compared with control, a result reported in the trial paper and summarized in PubMed and ScienceDirect entries; the study authors note constraints — sample size and short intervention duration — that limit certainty [3] [8] [4].
4. How animal randomized trials measured memory and what they found
Rodent randomized experiments used canonical behavioral assays: noise‑stressed and aged rats were tested with the novel object recognition task to quantify recognition memory (short‑ and long‑term), and other models used the Morris water maze or T‑maze to evaluate spatial and working memory; across these controlled animal studies, daily Tualang honey (commonly 0.2 g/kg) improved short‑ and long‑term recognition and spatial memory, reduced neuronal loss in hippocampal subfields (CA1/CA2/CA3/DG) and produced better probe‑trial performance, indicating preserved acquisition and retention compared with stressed or hypoxic controls [5] [6] [7] [9] [10].
5. Degree of effect, statistical notes and study caveats
The human randomized trial produced statistically significant gains in immediate/total learning measures (trial‑by‑trial effects A1, A5 and total learning) but not delayed recall, and the schizophrenia study showed improved total learning at eight weeks; animal studies report significant (p<0.05 in cited analyses) behavioral improvements plus histological neuroprotection (reduced dead cells and increased Nissl‑positive neuronal counts) [1] [3] [5] [9]. Authors and systematic reviewers warn the evidence base is heterogeneous: many studies are small, short in duration, use different cognitive endpoints and are sometimes exploratory—limits the generalizability of claims about durable cognitive enhancement in humans [4] [11].
6. Bottom line and research gaps
Randomized human data show Tualang honey can improve measures of immediate verbal learning (MVAVLT total learning and early trial scores) but not delayed recall in the randomized postmenopausal trial, while short trials in schizophrenia report improved immediate learning; rodent randomized studies consistently show improvements in recognition and spatial memory and accompanying hippocampal preservation, but cross‑study differences in design, dosing and endpoints mean mechanistic and long‑term clinical efficacy remain unproven and demand larger, longer randomized trials using standardized cognitive batteries [1] [3] [5] [11].