title: Efficacy of Caraway Oil Poultices in Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome--A Randomized Controlled Cross-Over Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a frequent gastrointestinal disorder, with only limited evidence regarding self-management approaches. This study tested the efficacy of caraway oil poultices (CarO) for treating IBS.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized controlled open-label cross-over trial included three treatment periods with hot CarO and hot olive oil poultice (OlivH) or nonheated poultices (OlivC) with olive oil as control interventions. Patients applied each intervention daily for 3 weeks. The primary outcome was symptom severity (IBS-SSS); secondary outcomes included responder rates (improvement ≥ 50 IBS-SSS), quality of life (EQ-5D, IBS-QOL), psychological distress (HADS), adequate relief, and safety.
  
  
  RESULTS
  48 patients with IBS were included (40 females, 53.9 ± 14.4 years). A significant difference was found for symptom severity in favor of CarO compared to OlivC (difference -38.4, 95% CI -73.6, -3.1, p = 0.033), but not compared to OlivH (difference -24.3, 95% CI -56.5, 7.9, p = 0.139). Responder rates were highest for CarO compared to OlivH and OlivC (43.9, 20.0, 18.9%, respectively). Within the CarO, 51.8% reported adequate relief compared to 23.5% (OlivH) and 25.8% (OlivC). One adverse event (gastrointestinal infection) was reported during CarO.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hot caraway oil poultices appear effective and safe, although their effects may be a result of the heat application. Patients reported highest levels of subjective benefit from caraway oil poultices, making their use appropriate in the self-management of IBS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Romy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lauche
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Janzen
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lüdtke
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cramer
authors.forename: Gustav
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dobos
authors.forename: Jost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Langhorst
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069463:Olive Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D029974:Carum
chemical_list: D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; C104525:caraway oil