A double-blind randomized placebo controlled study assessing safety, tolerability and efficacy of palmitoylethanolamide for symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
Randomised controlled trialHumans
- Design
- Randomised controlled trial
- Subjects
- 111 adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, at one site
- Dose used in the study
- 300 mg a day or 600 mg a day, in two divided doses, against placebo
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- What was measured
- The WOMAC osteoarthritis index as the main outcome, plus pain rating scales, mood, stress, sleep, general health, rescue medication use and safety markers.
What the authors reported
Lower WOMAC total scores than placebo in both dose groups (300 mg: p = 0.0372; 600 mg: p = 0.0012), with lower pain and stiffness sub-scores in both groups and a lower function sub-score in the 600 mg group. Pain ratings were lower in both dose groups, clinical safety markers did not change, and the product was well tolerated.
Limits of this study
One site and 8 weeks. Outcomes were questionnaires completed by participants. The page checked did not give the number who completed in each group or list individual adverse events. The authors stated the project was industry funded.
Source
doi:10.1007/s10787-019-00582-9
Entry checked against the article page at the publisher (Springer) on 2026-09-21. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.