scholarly journals An Investigation into the Effects of a Curcumin Extract (Curcugen®) on Osteoarthritis Pain of the Knee: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Adrian L. Lopresti ◽  
Stephen J. Smith ◽  
Shavon Jackson-Michel ◽  
Timothy Fairchild
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Knee Pain ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Walk Test ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Chair Stand ◽  
Stand Test ◽  
Pain Ratings

Curcumin, a phytochemical from the spice turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to have pain-relieving effects. In this 8-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 101 adults with knee osteoarthritis received either 500 mg twice daily of a standardised curcumin extract (Curcugen®) or placebo. Outcome measures included the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), knee pain ratings, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score for Osteoarthritic Knees (JOA), PROMIS–29, and performance-based testing comprising the 40-m fast-paced walk test, 6-min walk test, timed up-and-go test, and 30-s chair stand test. Compared to the placebo, curcumin significantly reduced the KOOS knee pain score (p = 0.009) and numeric knee pain ratings (p = 0.001). Curcumin was also associated with greater improvements (p ≤ 0.05) than the placebo on the timed up-and-go test, 6-min walk test, and the JOA total score; but not the 30-s chair stand test or 40-m fast-paced walk test. Pain-relieving medication was reduced in 37% of participants on curcumin compared to 13% on placebo. The findings support the potential efficacy of curcumin for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee but studies of longer duration, varying treatment doses, differing curcumin extracts, and the use of other objective outcome measures will be helpful to expand on these findings.

Efficacy of a standardised saffron extract (affron®) as an add-on to antidepressant medication for the treatment of persistent depressive symptoms in adults: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 1415-1427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian L Lopresti ◽  
Stephen J Smith ◽  
Sean D Hood ◽  
Peter D Drummond
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Persistent Depression ◽  
Saffron Extract

Background: As a stand-alone intervention, saffron has efficacy for the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression. However, research as an adjunct agent is limited. Aims: The effects of saffron as an adjunct to pharmaceutical antidepressants in adults with persistent depression was investigated. Methods: In this eight-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, adults with persistent depression, currently taking a pharmaceutical antidepressant were given a placebo or a saffron extract (affron®, 14 mg b.i.d.). Primary outcome measures included the clinician-rated Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and self-rated MADRS (MADRS-S). Secondary outcome measures included the Antidepressant Side-Effect Checklist (ASEC) and Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Results: Of the 160 participants enrolled, 139 provided usable data. Based on the MADRS, depressive symptoms decreased more in participants taking saffron compared with a placebo, with reductions of 41 and 21%, respectively ( p = 0.001). However, scores on the MADRS-S decreased 27 and 26% in the saffron and placebo conditions, respectively ( p = 0.831). Saffron was associated with a greater reduction in adverse effects of antidepressants ( p = 0.019), although this was non-significant after covarying for baseline values ( p = 0.449). Quality of life improved in both groups with no significant between-group differences ( p = 0.638). Conclusion: Adjunctive administration of a standardised saffron extract (affron®) for eight weeks was associated with a greater improvement in depressive symptoms as measured by the clinician-rated MADRS but not the self-report MADRS-S. Given the conflicting results, further research is needed to clarify the clinical benefits of saffron as an adjunctive treatment for adults with persistent depressive symptoms despite antidepressant drug treatment.

The effectiveness of pulsed ultrasound treatment on pain, function, synovial sac thickness and femoral cartilage thickness in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind clinical, controlled study

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 1474-1484
Author(s):  
Ali Karakaş ◽  
Banu Dilek ◽  
M Abdulkerim Şahin ◽  
Hülya Ellidokuz ◽  
Özlem Şenocak
Keyword(s):  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Knee Pain ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Pulsed Ultrasound ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Femoral Cartilage ◽  
Group I ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Pain At Rest

Objective: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of therapeutic pulsed ultrasound on pain, function, synovial sac and femoral cartilage in knee osteoarthritis. Design: Randomized, double-blind, controlled study Setting: Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Subjects: A total of 96 patients with knee osteoarthritis Interventions: Participants were randomized into two groups; Group I ( n = 48, pulsed ultrasound) and Group II ( n = 48, sham ultrasound). The sessions were held three times a week for 8 weeks. The study continued for 12 weeks (with 4 weeks follow-up). All participants performed exercises at home for 12 weeks. Main measures: Knee pain (at rest and ADLs) was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS). Functionality was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) questionnaire. Femoral cartilage and synovial sac thickness was measured using ultrasonography. All evaluations were performed at the baseline, at the 8 and 12 weeks after baseline. Results: The study was completed with a total of 75 patients ( n = 39 in group I and n = 36 in group II). The mean (SD) pain at ADLs score at baseline and week 12 was 7.2 (2.1), with 3.6 (2.9) in the group I, and 6.7 (2.0) and 4.3 (2.2) in the group II, respectively. Both groups presented significant improvements in terms of pain and function ( P < 0.001). There was no difference between groups for any parameters. Conclusion: Treatment of pulsed ultrasound has no positive effect on knee pain, function, femoral cartilage and synovial sac thickness in knee osteoarthritis.

scholarly journals Assessment of safety and efficacy of Karallief® Easy ClimbTM, an herbal extract blend for supporting joint health: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Krishna Rajendran ◽  
Karen F. Vieira ◽  
Rajendran Ramaswamy ◽  
Robert M. Koffie ◽  
Ravikumar Rajendran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Joint Space ◽  
Herbal Extract ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Chair Stand ◽  
Stand Test ◽  
Chair Stand Test

Background: Osteoarthritis is common among the aging population worldwide. The current techniques to manage osteoarthritis focus on relieving pain and slowing the progression of the disease. Herbal or natural supplements have shown promise in achieving both these treatment goals. Two new proprietary herbal extract blends, Karallief® Easy ClimbTM (KEC) and herbal extracts with glucosamine (HEG), are combinations of several natural products shown to be effective in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The current study tested the efficacy and safety of KEC and HEG versus a placebo control.Methods: This is a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study. A total of 120 patients were divided into 3 groups and were given KEC, HEG and Placebo in the ratio 1:1:1. Treatment results were assessed using the 30 second chair stand test, WOMAC test, knee flexion test and joint space measurement using X-rays of the knee joint.Results: The study found that the herbal supplements HEG and KEC significantly reduced osteoarthritis-related knee pain and increased joint mobility and were safe to use during 120 days of treatment. Both supplements resulted in an improvement in the 30 second chair stand test results, WOMAC pain scores, knee flexion, and joint space width as measured by X-ray, as compared to the placebo.Conclusions: Natural supplements such as HEG and KEC improve knee osteoarthritis symptoms and can be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with osteoarthritis.

Effect of mattress encasings on atopic dermatitis outcome measures in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study: The Dutch mite avoidance study

2002 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 500-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert-Jan Oosting ◽  
Marjolein S. de Bruin-Weller ◽  
Ingrid Terreehorst ◽  
Zana Tempels-Pavlica ◽  
Rob C. Aalberse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Placebo
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