Efficacy and Safety of Ushaq Capsule as Adjunctive Therapy in Patients With Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial at Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
Raefeh Mardi, Mehdi Rezaee, Roja Rahimi et al.
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In 30 seconds
This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluated Ushaq capsules as adjunctive therapy in 68 patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Participants received Ushaq or placebo for 6 weeks, with diclofenac permitted as rescue medication. Pain scores were significantly lower with Ushaq from week 2 through the end of the study; at week 6, the between-group result was significant (p = 0.003). Disability improved in both groups, without a significantly greater reduction with Ushaq. No serious adverse events were reported.
Key findings
- VAS pain scores were significantly lower in the Ushaq group from week 2 onward, with significance maintained at study end (p = 0.003).
- RMDQ scores decreased in both groups, but the reduction was not significantly greater with Ushaq (p = 0.218).
- No serious adverse events occurred; mild, transient gastrointestinal discomfort was reported in 6.5% with Ushaq and 4.3% with placebo.
Why it matters
The trial suggests that Ushaq added to usual rescue analgesia may reduce pain over six weeks in people with lumbar radiculopathy, while showing no clear additional disability benefit. The findings offer preliminary clinical evidence for this herbal formulation, but the modest trial and short follow-up mean that efficacy and safety require confirmation before conclusions about broader use.
What to keep in mind
The trial included 68 patients and followed participants for 6 weeks; the authors call for larger, longer-term trials with active comparators.