Co-Q10 & Ginkgo Study

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An open, uncontrolled study was undertaken to measure the subjective

effects of coenzyme Q10 combined with a Ginkgo biloba extract in

volunteer subjects with clinically diagnosed fibromyalgia syndrome.

Anecdotal reports from patients with fibromyalgia syndrome have

claimed benefits from the use of these supplements. The aim of this

study was to determine if these reports could be substantiated in a

pilot clinical trial.

Patient questioning had determined that poor quality of life was a

major factor in the condition and a quality-of-life questionnaire

was used to measure potential benefit. Subjects were given oral

doses of 200 mg coenzyme Q10 and 200 mg Ginkgo biloba extract daily

for 84 days. Quality of life was measured, using the well-validated

Dartmouth Primary Care ative Information Project/World

Organization of Family Doctors (COOP/WONCA) questionnaire that

measures seven different subjective responses, at 0-, 4-, 8-, and 12-

week intervals. The subjects were asked for an overall self-rating

at the end of the study.

A progressive improvement in the quality-of-life scores was observed

over the study period and at the end, the scores showed a

significant difference from those at the start. This was matched by

an improvement in self-rating with 64% claiming to be better and

only 9% claiming to feel worse. Adverse effects were minor. A

controlled study is now planned.

Source: J Int Med Res 2002 Mar-Apr;30(2):195-9