title: A pilot randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial on topical chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) oil for severe carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of standardized topical Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) oil in patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome, as a complementary treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pilot randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Twenty six patients with documented severe carpal tunnel syndrome were treated in two parallel groups with a night splint plus topical chamomile oil or placebo. They were instructed to use their prescribed oil for 4 weeks, twice daily. Symptomatic and functional status of the patients and their electrodiagnostic parameters were evaluated when enrolled and after the trial period, as our outcome measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant improvement of symptomatic and functional status of patients in the chamomile oil group was observed (p = 0.019 and 0.016, respectively) compared with those in the placebo group. However, electrodiagnostic parameters showed no significant changes between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chamomile oil improved symptomatic and functional status of patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran; Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hashem
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hashempur
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Persian Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Zeinab Nasiri
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Lari
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Persian Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Parissa Sadat
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Ghoreishi
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Essence of Parsiyan Wisdom Institute, Traditional Medicine and Medicinal Plant Incubator, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Babak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Daneshfard
authors.affiliation: Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Sadegh
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ghasemi
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: kayhomayouni@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kaynoosh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Homayouni
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center and Department of Phytopharmaceuticals (Traditional Pharmacy), School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Research Office for the History of Persian Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Arman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zargaran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D031168:Matricaria / Q000737:chemistry*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils
keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; Chamomile oil; Herbal medicine; Matricaria chamomilla; Neuropathy; Traditional Persian Medicine