Date of Award
2020
Degree Type
Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review
Degree Name
Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not curcuminoids are effective in reducing pain in adults with knee osteoarthritis.
STUDY DESIGN: This is a systematic review which evaluates three randomized controlled trials (RCT’s) published in peer reviewed journals between 2016-2018.
DATA SOURCES: The data sources used for this review were found using PubMed and Cochrane Library. Data was chosen based on relevance to the clinical question and if patient-oriented evidence that matters (POEMS) were included.
OUTCOMES MEASURED: All three studies measured curcuminoids and its effects on pain reduction in adults with knee osteoarthritis using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 24 items divided into 3 subscales: Pain (5), Stiffness (2), Physical Function (17).
RESULTS: All three studies contained continuous data, therefore, p-values were reported for each of the studies. A p-value of ≤0.05 was reported by all three RCTs, thus concluding the data to be statistically significant. Each of the studies found with statistical significance that curcuminoids reduced pain in the adults with knee osteoarthritis reported by the participants of the trials. A study by Haroyan et al. (BMC complementary and alternative medicine. 2018;18(1):7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29316908. doi: 10.1186/s12906-017-2062-z.) concluded that curcuminoids in combination with boswellic acid may be more effective than curcuminoids alone when evaluating efficacy of pain reduction in adults with knee osteoarthritis.
CONCLUSIONS: After analysis of the three randomized controlled trials, evidence conducted in this review is conclusive that the use of curcuminoids can effectively reduce pain in adults with knee osteoarthritis.
Recommended Citation
Tanna, Lauren, "Are Curcuminoids Effective in Reducing Pain in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis?" (2020). PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship. 557.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/pa_systematic_reviews/557