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Ginkgo biloba for tinnitusHilton M, Stuart E
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SummaryNo evidence that Ginkgo biloba is effective for tinnitusPeople with tinnitus hear sounds such as crackling or whistling in the absence of external noise. Noises appear to arise in the ears or inside the head and may be experienced all of the time, or only intermittently. The causes of tinnitus are not yet fully understood and a variety of treatments are offered including medication, psychotherapy, noise 'maskers' and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. The review of trials assessed the effectiveness of extract of Ginkgo biloba. Few good quality trials were found and there was no evidence that Ginkgo biloba is effective for tinnitus. Further research is needed.
This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008 Issue 2, Copyright © 2008 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
This version first published online:
April 19. 2004 AbstractBackgroundTinnitus can be described as the perception of sound in the absence of external acoustic stimulation. At present no specific therapy for tinnitus is acknowledged to be satisfactory in all patients. There are a number of reports in the literature suggesting that Ginkgo biloba may be effective in the management of tinnitus. However, there also appears to be a strong placebo effect in tinnitus management. ObjectivesTo assess the effect of Ginkgo biloba in patients who are troubled by tinnitus. Search strategyThe search included the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, Issue 4 2005), MEDLINE (1950 to 2006), EMBASE (1974 to 2006), and reference lists of identified publications. The date of the most recent search was January 2006. Selection criteriaAdults (18 years and over) complaining of tinnitus. Data collection and analysisBoth authors independently extracted data and assessed trials for quality. Main resultsThree trials were included in the review (a further ten were excluded on methodological grounds). Several trials of Ginkgo biloba for tinnitus in patients with cerebral insufficiency were identified but none reached a satisfactory standard for inclusion in the review. There was no evidence that Ginkgo biloba was effective for the primary complaint of tinnitus. The incidence of side effects was small. Authors' conclusionsThe limited evidence did not demonstrate that Ginkgo biloba was effective for tinnitus which is a primary complaint. There was no reliable evidence to address the question of whether Ginkgo biloba is effective for tinnitus associated with cerebral insufficiency. |