The effect of chamomile extract on motor function and quality of life in persons with Parkinson's disease: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

Masoud, Seyed Ali; Adib-Hajbaghery, Mohsen; Dadkhah-Tehrani, Mahsa; Hakimzade, Zeynab

doi:10.48307/nms.2025.503215.1558

The effect of chamomile extract on motor function and quality of life in persons with Parkinson's disease: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Seyed Ali Masoud ¹

Mohsen Adib-Hajbaghery ²

Mahsa Dadkhah-Tehrani ²

Zeynab Hakimzade ²

¹ Department of Neurology, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran

² Trauma Nursing Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran

10.48307/nms.2025.503215.1558

Abstract

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that impairs motor function (MF) and reduces quality of life (QOL). Although animal studies suggest that chamomile extract may enhance MF and muscle endurance in PD models, its effects in humans remain unexplored.
Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of chamomile extract on MF and QOL in individuals with PD.
Methods: In 2022, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in Kashan, Iran, including 50 patients with PD, randomized into two groups via block randomization. One group received chamomile extract capsules, while the other received wheat flour capsules, for 28 days. Data were collected at baseline and after the intervention using a demographic questionnaire, the Short Parkinson's Evaluation Scale for Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease (SPES/SCOPA), and the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). Analyses followed intention-to-treat (ITT) principles and complete-case approaches, employing Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Quade’s tests.
Results: Baseline QOL scores did not differ significantly between groups (chamomile: 92.02±11.27; placebo: 88.46±15.88; P=0.56). Post-intervention, QOL improved in both groups, although the between-group difference was not statistically significant (67.94±31.50 vs. 63.12±32.15; P=0.68). The chamomile group had a higher baseline MF score than the placebo group (65.16±6.59 vs. 59.32±10.42; P=0.03). By the end of the study, MF scores declined in both groups, without significant between-group differences (56.07±16.25 vs. 54.77±21.80; P=0.31).
Conclusion: Compared with placebo, chamomile extract was associated with modest improvements in MF and QOL. The observed changes in the placebo group may reflect psychological effects. Further studies with larger samples, higher dosages, and extended follow-up are warranted.

Keywords

Parkinson disease

Chamomile

Quality of life

Motor activity

Subjects

Nursing

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