Iranian Traditional Medicine for Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity in Children: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

2024-02-01
Iranian journal of public health 53(2)
- Seyed Gholamreza Noorazar
- Mohammadreza Mirzaei
- Parinaz Kalejahi

PubMed: 38894827
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v53i2.14913

Study Design

Type: Review
Population: children and adolescents with ADHD
Methods: Systematic review of eight trials; data from PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ProQuest, Scopus until Dec 2022.

Background

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder with a complex etiology. Stimulants as a first-line treatment are not effective in some cases. In this study, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of traditional Persian Iranian medicine (TIM) for children and adolescents with ADHD.

Methods

Data were collected mainly from PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Scopus databases until Dec 2022. The keywords related to ADHD, traditional Persian medicine (TPM), and (TIM) were searched. Two reviewers independently screened 714 abstracts and eventually, eight trials were included in the systematic reviews. Changes in the severity of ADHD symptoms were considered based on the validated cutoff on recognized rating scales as the result of the effect of TIM on ADHD.

Results

Interventions included herbal extracts of Passiflora incarnate, whey protein, Ginkgo biloba, Crocus sativus L, sweet almond syrup, and horse milk. In all studies, except G. biloba, there was evidence of a reduction in the severity of ADHD. Low evidence could be found for G. biloba.

Conclusion

Herbal and traditional remedies are an efficient and safe solution to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. In future studies, TIM as a complementary therapy may be useful to alleviate ADHD symptoms, especially in children who are resistant to stimulant medications.

Research Insights

Ginkgo→Reduced ADHD Symptom Severity
In all studies, except G. biloba, there was evidence of a reduction in the severity of ADHD.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Passion Flower→Reduced ADHD Symptom Severity
In all studies, except G. biloba, there was evidence of a reduction in the severity of ADHD.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Saffron→Reduced ADHD Symptom Severity
In all studies, except G. biloba, there was evidence of a reduction in the severity of ADHD.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Whey Protein→Reduced ADHD Symptom Severity
In all studies, except G. biloba, there was evidence of a reduction in the severity of ADHD.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small