A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study of ginger extracts and ibuprofen in osteoarthritis

Bliddal H, Rosetzsky A, Schlichting P, Weidner MS, Andersen LA, Ibfelt HH, Christensen K, Jensen ON, Barslev J · Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

Ranked ibuprofen above ginger above placebo on both the pain visual analogue scale (Friedman 24.65, p < 0.00001) and the Lequesne index (20.76, p < 0.00005). But in the crossover analysis proper, ginger did not differ significantly from placebo; the advantage over placebo appeared only in exploratory tests confined to the first treatment period. No serious adverse events on active treatment.

Population

Adults with hip or knee osteoarthritis, double-blind double-dummy three-period crossover with a 1-week washout, 3 weeks per period

Intervention

Ginger extract

Comparator

Ibuprofen, and placebo, within the same participants

Limitations

Three-week periods in a three-way crossover, and the authors state plainly that the significant ginger effect emerged only from exploratory analysis of the first period. Recorded as the null in this topic; it is also the trial that gives the ibuprofen comparison its shape.