Author Of 1 Presentation
P0212 - Ginseng as a possible candidate for fatigue management in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a double-blind randomized clinical trial (ID 1629)
Abstract
Background
Fatigue is one of the most common complaints of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). From 50 up to 71.4% of NMOSD patients reported fatigue in their daily life. Fatigue can decrease patients’ quality of life, quality of sleep and it can increase the severity of their pain.
Objectives
Ginseng has shown positive effects on decreasing fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients. Due to similar manifestations between the two diseases, this study was designed to evaluate the same effects on NMOSD.
Methods
This study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial designed and performed in Sina hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2018-2019. A total number of 58 patients were enrolled and underwent treatment with 250-mg ginseng or placebo twice daily for 3 months. Severity of fatigue was measured using the valid and reliable Farsi version of fatigue severity scale (FSS) questionnaire at the time of admission and after completing the study. Questionnaires were filled by patients and the scores were calculated and evaluated by a trained senior neurology resident.
Results
All 58 participants completed the study. Mean age was 36.84 ± 9.37, and 89.7% of patients were female. There was no difference between the study and control group regarding age, EDSS, duration of disease or types of medications used for NMOSD treatment. After administering Ginseng/placebo for 3 months there were no major side effects reported. The FSS was decreased significantly in the study group (40.21 ± 13.51 to 28.97 ± 14.18) comparing to placebo group (35.03 ± 13.51 to 38.79 ± 12.27) after treatment (p-value: <0.001).
Conclusions
This study demonstrates positive results from ginseng on relieving fatigue in NMOSD patients. No major side effects were observed after 3 months of follow-up. More studies are needed to further evaluate ginsengs’ effects and mechanisms of effects on fatigue in NMOSD.