Rositsa M. Nedeva1, Nadezhda Sl. Vladimirova1, Boyan K. Mednikarov1, Petko D. Ginev2, Maria N. Peneva3, Georgy N. Alexandrov3, Evgenia I. Barzashka4
1NA „Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov“, Varna, 73 Vasil Drumev str., tel. +359 887011291; +359 888 286590; +359 52 55222; e-mail: info@naval-acad.bg
2MMA Sofia, Sofia, 3 Georgi Sofiiski str., tel. +359 885328998; e-mail: vma@vma.bg
3MC Evrozdrave-Bulgaria Ltd, Sofia, 7 Rusaliiski prohod str., tel. +359 886796137; +359 888 378812; e-mail: daflorn@abv.bg
4MU-Pleven, College of Medicine, Pleven, 1 St. Kliment Ohridski str., tel. +359888364789; e-mail: jeni.barzashka@gmail.com
Introduction: Maritime profession is extreme test of crew’s mental health. Use of psychobiotics is one way to aid crew resilience. Psychobiotics are live bacteria that by improving gut microbiome benefit host’s mental health.
Aim of study is to establish the effect of probiotic Lactobacillus bulgaricus DWT1 on mental resilience of RV421 St. St. Cyril and Methodius crew during first Bulgarian Military Antarctic Expedition.
Materials and methods: Study was conducted with the crew (25 individuals), divided into groups – taking and not taking probiotic. Research methods include measuring the level of anxiety and depression by Zung questionnaires and survey to assess sleep quality. Data were processed by statistical program SPSS19.
Results: Individuals, taking probiotic, showed no statistically significant differences in anxiety and depression levels before and after voyage. They maintained sleep quality under the extreme conditions of expedition. Individuals, not taking probiotic, had a significant increase in anxiety and depression which correlatively worsened their sleep.
Conclusion: The probiotic used supports crew’s mental resilience by maintaining gut-brain axis, protects against depression, anxiety, improves sleep. The voyage of RV421 to Antarctica is a model for studying the effects of the psychobiotic Lactobacillus bulgaricus DWT1 on the mental health of people subjected to extreme stress.