Effectiveness of Ginger on Pain and Function in Knee Osteoarthritis: A PRISMA Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Araya-Quintanilla F, Gutiérrez-Espinoza H, Muñoz-Yañez MJ, Sánchez-Montoya U, López-Jeldes J · Pain Physician

Reaches the opposite conclusion to the 2015 meta-analysis on overlapping trials. Capsules versus placebo gave a mean pain difference of −7.88 mm and a knee-function standardized mean difference of −1.61 that did not reach significance (p = 0.24); topical ginger versus standard treatment was non-significant for both pain (p = 0.19) and function (p = 0.12). The authors conclude there is insufficient evidence to support oral ginger over placebo, and describe the evidence base as heterogeneous and of poor methodological quality.

Population

Seven clinical trials meeting eligibility, four pooled, of oral or topical ginger in knee osteoarthritis

Intervention

Ginger capsules or topical ginger

Comparator

Placebo or standard treatment

Limitations

Only four of seven eligible trials were poolable, and the confidence interval reported for the pain difference is presented without a sign convention that makes it easy to read. Two meta-analyses of a small overlapping trial set reaching opposite conclusions is a statement about the trial set.