A commercialized dietary supplement alleviates joint pain in community adults: a double-blind, placebo-controlled community trial

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Dr.. David Nieman, Director (Creator)
Andrew Shanely Ph.D, Associate Professor (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/

Abstract: Background-The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of 8-weeks ingestion of a commercialized joint pain dietarysupplement (InstaflexTM Joint Support, Direct Digital, Charlotte, NC) compared to placebo on joint pain, stiffness, and function in adults with self-reported joint pain. InstaflexTM is a joint pain supplement containing glucosamine sulfate, methylsufonlylmethane (MSM), white willow bark extract (15% salicin), ginger root concentrate, boswella serrata extract(65% boswellic acid), turmeric root extract, cayenne, and hyaluronic acid.Methods- Subjects included 100 men and women, ages 50-75 years, with a history (>3 months) of joint pain, and were randomized to Instaflex™ or placebo (3 colored gel capsules per day for 8 weeks, double-blind administration). Subjectsagreed to avoid the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and all other medications and supplementsmtargeted for joint pain. Primary outcome measures were obtained pre- and post-study and included joint pain severity,stiffness, and function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities [WOMAC]), and secondary outcome measures included health-related quality of life (Short Form 36 or SF-36), systemic inflammation (serum C-reactive protein and 9plasma cytokines), and physical function (6-minute walk test). Joint pain symptom severity was assessed bi-weekly using a12-point Likert visual scale (12-VS).Results- Joint pain severity was significantly reduced in Instaflex™ compared to placebo (8-week WOMAC, ?37% versus?16%, respectively, interaction effect P=0.025), with group differences using the 12-VS emerging by week 4 of the study(interaction effect, P=0.0125). Improvements in ability to perform daily activities and stiffness scores in Instaflex™ comparedto placebo were most evident for the 74% of subjects reporting knee pain (8-week WOMAC function score, ?39% versus?14%, respectively, interaction effect P=0.027; stiffness score, ?30% versus ?12%, respectively, interaction effect P=0.081). Patterns of change in SF-36, systemic inflammation biomarkers, and the 6-minute walk test did not differ significantly between groups during the 8-week studyConclusions-Results from this randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled community trial support the use of the Instaflex™ dietary supplement in alleviating joint pain severity in middle-aged and older adults, with mitigation of difficultyperforming daily activities most apparent in subjects with knee pain.

Additional Information

Publication
David C Nieman, R Andrew Shanely, Beibei Luo, Dustin Dew, Mary Pat Meaney and Wei Sha (2013) "A commercialized dietary supplement alleviates joint pain in community adults: a double-blind, placebo-controlled community trial" Nutrition Journal 12:154 Version of Record available at (DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-12-154)
Language: English
Date: 2013
Keywords
glucosamine, inflammation, quality-of-life, physical-function

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