Topical Effects of Tarragon Oil Extract on Pain Intensity, Stiffness, and Physical Function of the Knee Joint in Patients with Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
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Abstract
Background: Knee osteoarthritis is the most prevalent chronic joint condition. This study investigates the topical effectiveness of tarragon oil extract in managing knee osteoarthritis symptoms.
Materials and methods: A total of 90 eligible participants were recruited for this clinical trial through convenience sampling from patients visiting the outpatient rheumatology clinic at Taleghani Hospital in Gonbad-e Kavus, Iran. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: intervention (tarragon oil extract applied topically three times daily, every other day for 3 weeks), placebo (sweet almond oil applied topically three times daily, every other day for 3 weeks), and control (routine care). The severity of osteoarthritis was measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) at four time points: baseline, immediately, 1 week, and 3 weeks after the intervention period (3 weeks). Data analysis also carried out using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: The group treated with tarragon oil extract showed a statistically significant improvement in knee joint pain, stiffness, and physical function scores immediately following the intervention compared to both baseline measures (p < 0.001) and the control and placebo groups (pain F2,87 = 41/725, stiffness F2,87 = 30/277, physical function F2,87 = 102/276, p < 0.001, η² = 0.007). However, these benefits were not sustained at subsequent assessment points, with no notable differences over time relative to baseline or between groups.
Conclusions: The topical application of tarragon oil extract demonstrates potential as a short-term therapeutic option for managing knee osteoarthritis symptoms, representing a complementary approach in nursing care. Nonetheless, further standardized comparative studies are required to validate its long-term efficacy.
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