A pilot randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial on topical chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) oil for severe carpal tunnel syndrome

作者：Hashempur Mohammad Hashem; Lari Zeinab Nasiri; Ghoreishi Parissa Sadat; Daneshfard Babak; Ghasemi Mohammad Sadegh; Homayouni Kaynoosh^*; Zargaran Arman

来源：Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2015, 21(4): 223-228.

DOI：10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.08.001

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Neuropathy
• Matricaria chamomilla
• Chamomile oil
• Traditional Persian Medicine
• Herbal medicine

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of standardized topical Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) oil in patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome, as a complementary treatment.
Method: A pilot randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Twenty six patients with documented severe carpal tunnel syndrome were treated in two parallel groups with a night splint plus topical chamomile oil or placebo. They were instructed to use their prescribed oil for 4 weeks, twice daily. Symptomatic and functional status of the patients and their electrodiagnostic parameters were evaluated when enrolled and after the trial period, as our outcome measures.
Results: A significant improvement of symptomatic and functional status of patients in the chamomile oil group was observed (p = 0.019 and 0.016, respectively) compared with those in the placebo group. However, electrodiagnostic parameters showed no significant changes between the two groups.
Conclusion: Chamomile oil improved symptomatic and functional status of patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome.

• 出版日期2015-11