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Ginkgo Biloba Tree
Extract
Study of Ginkgo Biloba Extract in the Treatment of Tinnitus
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Summary
This important study of 103 tinnitus out-patients during a 13-month treatment period was carried out by ten
E.N.T. specialists, using the double blind, drug versus placebo method. The results were conclusive as regards
the effectiveness of Ginkgo Biloba Extract and made it possible to determine the prognostic value of different parameters. Of special importance among these parameters were site and
periodicity of the
disease. However, the Ginkgo Biloba Extract treatment improved the condition of all the tinnitus patients, irrespective of the
prognostic factor.
Tinnitus, a very continual symptom, troublesome both for the patient, and for the physician who lacks certainty as
to what therapeutic approach to take in tinnitus treatment.
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The fact that tinnitus is relatively benign when present alone explains why it is encountered most frequently in
everyday practice. In order to study tinnitus cases of recent onset, that is, less than a year old, it was necessary
to carry out a private study, despite the complexity of organization.
This study had the purpose of qualifying the efficacy of treatment of recent tinnitus with Ginkgo Biloba Extract
(EGb 761, Rokan, Intersan), a product widely prescribed in this indication because of the etiopathogenic
hypothesis considered. Ginkgo Biloba Extract (EGb) has been found active in ischemic processes, in membral
exchanges, and on certain neurotransmitters. This study also sought to demonstrate prognostic factors making it possible to determine profiles for patients responding to treatment in general.
*Rokan (Ginkgo Biloba). Recent results in Pharmacology and Clinic Edited by E.W. Funfgeld
Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York 1998, pp 245-250
Ten inner ear specialists in private practice participated in the study and contributed 103 case histories in 12
months. After randomization, the patients were treated in a double-blind for three months either with EGb or with
a placebo strictly identical in appearance. The dosage was 4 mL per
day in two doses. The duration of treatment could not be less than one month in order to draw conclusions as to a possible therapeutic success or failure.
The patients included had recent tinnitus, that is, appearing less than a year earlier. Excluded from the study
were patients suitable for surgical or anti-infectious treatment, those suffering with acute inner or middle ear
infections (otitis, Eustachian salpingitis), or associated pathological disorders capable of skewing analysis of
results. Also excluded were patients already under treatment and for whom the evolution was favorable, as well
as those who required medical treatment which might interfere with evaluation of the results.
Results
Both treatment groups, Gingko Biloba and Placebo - were analyzed in order to very comparability at the time of
admission to the study; 161 variables were analyzed to make sure the groups were very similar in overall characteristics. This is important to make sure the study is comparing apples to apples, and not apples to
oranges! Both groups were also comparable for length of time the syndrome had been present, and for age and
sex. There was also no difference with respect to the consumption of tobacco or alcohol, the (effect on the
middle ear, barotraumas, phonotrauma, ototoxic involvement), and the associated syndromes (vertigo,
hypoacusis). Analysis of the tonal audiometry performed at the time of admission to the study also showed no
difference between the two groups.
Analysis of the Ginkgo Biloba Extract Study
Comparison of the two groups showed a significant difference in favor of the Ginkgo Biloba Extract group.
Time before disappearance of tinnitus, or distinct improvement in the ringing in the ears showed a statistically
significant difference in favor of the group treated with Ginkgo Biloba Extract, and the improvement in symptoms
occurred much faster than the few in the placebo group who also saw improvement. The median time before
disappearance or distinct improvement in 50% of the tinnitus cases, was 70 days in the Ginkgo Biloba Extract
group and 119 days in the placebo group.
The level and progression of intensity of the tinnitus during the study
period appeared to be statistically better in the Ginkgo Biloba Extract group. Almost 3 times as many individuals on Ginkgo Biloba Extract showed reduced
level of tinnitus symptoms and progression compared to the placebo group.
There was a marked decrease in tinnitus related ear and hearing impairment during the study
period whereby the Ginkgo Biloba Extract experienced about 50% better result than the placebo control group.
Statistical analysis showed that three variables have very important considerations: the history of the tinnitus or
ringing in the ears - (more than 30 days, less than 30 days), the tinnitus or ear ringing location - (unilateral,
bilateral), and periodicity of the tinnitus or ear ringing - (permanent,
intermittent). Study of the links among these three variables made it possible to demonstrate five different prognostic classes.
Conclusion
This multicenter study, performed by ORL specialists in private practice, with a rigorous methodology, despite
the difficulties which this includes in a field in which the subjective component is significant, as it confirms the results of treatment with placebo, brought together 103 case histories of recent tinnitus.
It was thus possible to meet the two objectives established:
1) to verify the efficacy of treatment with Ginkgo Biloba Extract.
2) to analyze the prognostic value of the various parameters by demonstrating those whose influence was
determinant (history, site and periodicity), as well as to specify the modalities of their interaction.
Thus - the net result of the study establishes that Tinnitus characterized as recent, unilateral and intermittent, has
a good prognosis in treatment with Ginkgo Biloba Extract. Treatment with Ginkgo Biloba Extract improves the
evolution of the tinnitus regardless of its prognostic factors. Order your Arches Tinnitus Remedy online today!
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