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Thursday 31 December 2015

Willow bark extract (Salicis cortex) for gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis – Results of a cohort study with a control group

Volume 15, Issue 11, November 2008, Pages 907–913

Abstract

Study objective

The examination of the effectiveness and tolerance of willow bark extract in patients with gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis compared to conventional therapies.

Methods

In an open, multicentric observational study with reference treatment, 90 patients were treated with a standardised willow bark extract preparation, 41 patients with a standard therapy prescribed by a doctor and 8 patients with a combination of the two. After 3 and finally 6 weeks the effectiveness and tolerance were determined by the doctor (clinical findings, recording of adverse events, global tolerance) and by the patients (WOMAC questions concerning pain and stiffness, questions on general state of health).

Results

A total of 88 patients in the willow bark group and 40 patients in the reference group completed the study. The doctors and patients judged the effectiveness in both groups to be comparable. After 6 weeks the effectiveness of the willow bark extract tended to be assessed as better than in the group undergoing conventional therapy. Also in the subgroup of chronically sick patients (>3 months), after 6 weeks the effectiveness of both forms of treatment was comparable; however, the effect was slower to set in the willow bark group than in the reference group. Doctors and patients assessed the tolerance of the willow bark extract to be better than the conventional therapy. Adverse effects of the drugs did not occur in the willow bark group; one case each of reflux symptoms occurred in the reference group and the

Conclusions

For treating mild or fairly severe cases of gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis the effect of willow bark extract is comparable to that of standard therapies, without the corresponding side effects having to be accepted.

Keywords

  • Classic naturopathic methods;
  • Degenerative joint complaints;
  • Phytoactive drugs;
  • Willow bark Salicis cortex Ph. Eur

Corresponding author at: Abteilung für Naturheilkunde – Klinik Blankenstein, Vogelsang 5 – 11, 45527 Hattingen, Germany.