Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. A randomized, placebo-controlled, trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba as a complementary therapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


METHODS
Children and adolescents with ADHD received methylphenidate (20-30 mg/day) plus either G. biloba (80-120 mg/day) or placebo for 6 weeks. Parent and teacher forms of the ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) were completed at baseline, week 2, and week 6. Treatment response was defined as 27% improvement from baseline in the ADHD-RS-IV.


RESULTS
Compared with placebo, more reduction was observed with G. biloba regarding ADHD-RS-IV parent rating inattention score (-7.74 ± 1.94 vs. -5.34 ± 1.85, P < 0.001) and total score (-13.1 ± 3.36 vs. -10.2 ± 3.01, P = 0.001) as well as teacher rating inattention score (-7.29 ± 1.90 vs. -5.96 ± 1.52, P = 0.004). Response rate was higher with G. biloba compared with placebo based on parent rating (93.5% vs. 58.6%, P = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
The G. biloba is an effective complementary treatment for ADHD. Further studies with longer treatment duration are warranted in this regard. IRCT2014111519958N1.
Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: shakibaei@med.mui.ac.ir.
Fereshteh
F
Shakibaei
Department of Psychiatry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: mehrsa.radmanesh@gmail.com.
Mehrsa
M
Radmanesh
Department of Psychiatry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: elsalari@yahoo.com.
Elham
E
Salari
Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address: behzad.mahaki@gmail.com.
Behzad
B
Mahaki
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008774:Methylphenidate
Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity; Complementary therapies; Ginkgo biloba; Herbal medicine; Methylphenidate