Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Nursing, Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Science, Birjand, Iran
2 Department of Phytopharmaceuticals (Traditional Pharmacy), School of Pharmacy, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
3 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
4 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
5 Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Research and Development Unit, Valiasr Hospital, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis is a prevalent musculoskeletal problem. This study was conducted to determine the effect of tarragon oil on pain intensity, stiffness, and physical function of the knee joint in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Methods: In this clinical trial conducted in Birjand, Iran, convenience sampling and the random allocation method were used to assign 90 patients with knee osteoarthritis to the intervention group (tarragon oil, 3 times per day, every other day), a placebo group (sesame oil, 3 times per day, every other day), and a control group (no intervention) for three weeks. Stiffness, pain, and physical function were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index WOMAC scale at four time points: before, immediately after, one week after, and three weeks after. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19 software and statistical tests, including repeated measures ANOVA, ANOVA, and chi-square at a significance level of p = 0.05. The trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (code: IRCT20220403054396N1).
Results: Patients in the tarragon group showed significant improvements in mean pain, joint stiffness, and physical function of the knee joint at all time points compared to baseline (p = 0.001). There was a significant difference in stiffness between the tarragon, control, and placebo groups immediately, one week, and three weeks after the intervention. Physical function differed among the groups at one week and three weeks post-intervention. However, no significant difference was found in pain between the three groups at the three observation points.
Conclusion: Tarragon oil can be effective in improving stiffness and physical function in osteoarthritis patients. However, further research is needed due to the limited studies available.
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