Ginkgo biloba special extract LI 1370 improves dual-task walking in patients with MCI: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory study.
BACKGROUND
In patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), gait instability, particularly in dual-task situations, has been associated with impaired executive function and an increased fall risk. Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) could be an effective mean to improve gait stability.


OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effect of GBE on spatio-temporal gait parameters of MCI patients while walking under single and dual-task conditions.


METHODS
Fifty patients aged 50-85 years with MCI and associated dual-task-related gait impairment participated in this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory phase IV drug trial. Intervention group (IG) patients received GBE (Symfona®forte 120 mg) twice-daily for 6 months while control group (CG) patients received placebo capsules. A 6-month open-label phase with identical GBE dosage followed. Gait was quantified at months 0, 3, 6 and 12.


RESULTS
After 6 months, dual-task-related cadence increased in the IG compared to the CG (p = 0.019, d = 0.71). No significant changes, but GBE-associated numerical non-significant trends were found after 6-month treatment for dual-task-related gait velocity and stride time variability.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that 120 mg of GBE twice-daily for at least 6 months may improve dual-task-related gait performance in patients with MCI.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed gait improvements add to the understanding of the self-reported unspecified improvements among MCI patients when treated with standardised GBE.
Felix Platter Hospital, Basel Mobility Center, University Center for Medicine of Aging, Burgfelderstrasse 101, 4055, Basel, Switzerland. yjgschwind@gmail.com.
Yves J
YJ
Gschwind
Felix Platter Hospital, Basel Mobility Center, University Center for Medicine of Aging, Burgfelderstrasse 101, 4055, Basel, Switzerland.
Stephanie A
SA
Bridenbaugh
Felix Platter Hospital, Basel Mobility Center, University Center for Medicine of Aging, Burgfelderstrasse 101, 4055, Basel, Switzerland.
Sarah
S
Reinhard
Division of Training and Movement Sciences, Research Focus Cognition Sciences, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, Building 12, 14469, Potsdam, Germany.
Urs
U
Granacher
Memory Clinic, Felix Platter Hospital, University Center for Medicine of Aging, Burgfelderstrasse 101, 4055, Basel, Switzerland.|Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Andreas U
AU
Monsch
Felix Platter Hospital, University Center for Medicine of Aging, Burgfelderstrasse 101, 4055, Basel, Switzerland.|Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Reto W
RW
Kressig
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000187:drug effects*; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*
C112288:LI 1370; D010936:Plant Extracts
Cognitive enhancer; Executive function; Gait; Ginkgo biloba extract; Mild cognitive impairment; Walking