Journal Article Epublish
PubMed: 42038874 DOI: 10.31661/gmj.v14i.3913
Evaluating Ma-ol-asal Syrup for Chemotherapy-induced Fatigue in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients: A Randomized Double-blinded Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial :
Galen Med J 14:e3913
Authors: Ata Amani, Bayazid Ghaderi, Mehdi Pasalar, Khaled Rahmani, Kiarash Zare, Thomas Rampp, Ghazaleh Heydarirad
Affiliations
- Traditional Medicine and Materia Medica Research Center and Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Cancer and Immunology Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
- Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Liver and Digestive Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
- Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Evang. Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Chemotherapy-induced fatigue (CIF) is a common and debilitating side effect in cancer patients, particularly those with gastrointestinal cancers. This study explores the potential of Ma-ol-asal, a traditional Persian herbal syrup, as a holistic, supportive approach to alleviate CIF's physical and psychological burdens.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 120 gastrointestinal cancer patients with fatigue, randomly assigned to receive 10 mL of Ma-ol-asal (compound honey syrup) or placebo thrice daily for four weeks. Fatigue was assessed with validated scales at baseline and post-intervention once, with data analyzed to evaluate efficacy.
RESULTS
After withdrawals, 42 patients per group remained. No significant demographic or lab differences were observed. Both groups had comparable scores post-treatment across all measures, with no significant differences. Adverse events, mainly nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, were similar. Perception of benefit varied between groups.
CONCLUSION
Our study shows Ma-ol-asal syrup isn't superior to placebo for chemotherapy-induced fatigue, highlighting significant placebo effects. This emphasizes the need to understand harnessing placebo responses to improve symptom management safely.
MeSH
Neoplasms, Drug Therapy, Gastrointestinal Neoplasms, Fatigue, Chemotherapy