Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 is safe and effective in the treatment of mild dementia - a meta-analysis of patient subgroups in randomised controlled trials.

Background: Mild dementia is distressing for patients and their relatives. Due to its chronic and progressive nature, healthcare systems are at risk of being overwhelmed by the increasing number of affected patients. Thus, there is a need for safe and well-tolerated treatments that can be initiated at the earliest stages.

Objectives: This meta-analysis of clinical trials aimed to assess the treatment effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in patients with mild dementia.

Methods: Eligible randomised placebo-controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. Data of patients with mild dementia (defined as the SKT Short Cognitive Performance Test total scores from 9 to 15) were selected.

Results: The meta-analysis was performed with pooled data from four eligible trials comprising 782 patients with mild dementia. Treatment with 240 mg EGb 761 daily was significantly superior to placebo in cognition (p = 0.04), global assessment (p = 0.01), activities of daily living (p = 0.01) and quality of life (p = 0.02). Standardised effects were medium to large. The frequency of adverse events was alike in patients treated with EGb 761 and placebo (p = 0.66).

Conclusions: The meta-analysis demonstrates that patients with mild dementia benefit from EGb 761 in terms of cognition, activities of daily living, global assessment and quality of life.