Mineral rich algae with pine bark improved pain, physical function and analgesic use in mild-knee joint osteoarthritis, compared to Glucosamine: A randomized controlled pilot trial.

Mineral rich algae with pine bark improved pain, physical function and analgesic use in mild-knee joint osteoarthritis, compared to Glucosamine: A randomized controlled pilot trial. Complement Ther Med. 2020 May;50:102349 Authors: Heffernan SM, McCarthy C, Eustace S, FitzPatrick RE, Delahunt E, De Vito G Abstract INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterised by synovial joint pain, functional disability and affects ∼13 % of people worldwide, of which ∼16-27 % report Knee-OA (KOA). Glucosamine (Glu) is the most widely used nutraceutical treatment for OA despite a lack of scientific consensus, therefore alternative nutraceutical treatments are required. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Lithothamnion species, seawater-derived magnesium and pine bark (Aq+) on pain, symptoms and improve physical function in symptomatic (sKOA), compared to Glu. METHODS: 358 participants were screened. In a double-blinded crossover pilot-trial, sKOA participant (n = 30) were randomly assigned to either the Glu group (2000 mg day-1) or Aq+ (3056 mg day-1) for 12 weeks (clinicaltrials.gov:NCT03106584). The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score was used to assess subjective pain and symptoms. Timed-up-and-Go (TuG) and Six minute walking distance were used to assess functional change and analgesic use was recorded. RESULTS: Aq+ improved pain, with a large effect (P < 0.01, d' = 0.73, 95 %CI 0.201-1.265) a...
Source: Complementary Therapies in Medicine - Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Tags: Complement Ther Med Source Type: research