title: Efficacy of orally administered Silexan in patients with anxiety-related restlessness and disturbed sleep--A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: The anxiolytic effect of Silexan, a patented active substance with an essential oil produced from Lavandula angustifolia flowers, was investigated in patients with anxiety-related restlessness and disturbed sleep. 170 out-patients with a diagnosis of restlessness (ICD-10 R45.1), a Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) total score ≥18 points and ≥2 points for HAMA items 'Tension' and 'Insomnia' participated in this randomized, double-blind trial and received 80mg Silexan or placebo once daily for 10 weeks. Patients with clinically important other psychiatric or neurological disorders potentially interfering with the assessment of treatment efficacy were excluded. Outcome variables were the HAMA as well as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale, a State Check inventory and the Clinical Global Impressions questionnaire. In the Silexan group the HAMA total score decreased from an average of 25.5±6.0 points at baseline to 13.7±7.0 points at treatment end, compared to a decrease from 26.5±6.1 to 16.9±9.8 for placebo, corresponding to decreases of 12.0 and 9.3 points (marginal means), respectively (group difference: p=0.03, ANCOVA with factor treatment and baseline value as covariate). In all outcome measures the treatment effect of Silexan was more pronounced than with placebo. According to the HAMA, 48.8% and 33.3% of the patients were responders (Silexan, placebo; reduction ≥50%; p=0.04) and 31.4% and 22.6% achieved remission (HAMA<10; p=0.20). 33.7% (Silexan) and 35.7% (placebo) of the participants reported adverse events. The study confirms the calming and anxiolytic efficacy of Silexan.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: sci-biolpsy@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors: Siegfried
authors: S
authors: Kasper
authors: Privat-Nerven-Klinik Dr. med. Kurt Fontheim, Liebenburg, Germany.
authors: Ion
authors: I
authors: Anghelescu
authors: Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, Karlsruhe, Germany.
authors: Angelika
authors: A
authors: Dienel
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D027523:Lavandula; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D000068776:Sleep Aids, Pharmaceutical / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; D000068776:Sleep Aids, Pharmaceutical; C045718:lavender oil
keywords: Anxiety; Clinical trial; Lavender; Restlessness; Silexan; Treatment efficacy