A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Panax Ginseng for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Advanced Cancer
Yennurajalingam S, et al
Published in Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Methodology
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT01375114) in patients with cancer-related fatigue of 4 or more on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System; standardised Panax ginseng 400 mg twice daily or matching placebo for 28 days; primary endpoint change in the FACIT-F fatigue subscale from baseline to day 29.
Key Findings
127 patients with advanced cancer and fatigue scoring 4 or more out of 10 were randomised to standardised Panax ginseng 400 mg twice daily or matching placebo for 28 days, with 112 (88.2%) evaluable. FACIT-F fatigue scores improved significantly in both arms, from 22.4 to 30.1 with ginseng and from 24.0 to 30.4 with placebo (p < 0.001 within each group). The improvement at day 29 did not differ between groups (7.5 versus 6.5 points, p = 0.67), and quality of life, anxiety, depression, symptoms and function were also no different. Any-grade toxicities were fewer with ginseng (28 of 63 versus 33 of 64, p = 0.024), and the authors state there is no justification for recommending ginseng for cancer-related fatigue.
Conclusions
Both PG and placebo result in significant improvement in CRF. PG was not significantly superior to placebo after 4 weeks of treatment. There is no justification to recommend the use of PG for CRF.
Limitations
Only 4 weeks of treatment in 127 patients, and the large placebo response leaves open whether a longer or higher-dose course might separate from placebo; the population was advanced cancer patients at a single centre.
Supplements Studied
Both PG and placebo result in significant improvement in CRF. PG was not significantly superior to placebo after 4 weeks of treatment. There is no justification to recommend the use of PG for CRF.
Both PG and placebo result in significant improvement in CRF. PG was not significantly superior to placebo after 4 weeks of treatment. There is no justification to recommend the use of PG for CRF.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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