Greater reduction seen in all WOMAC symptom dimension scores and in psychological well-being with 400 versus 200 mg

TUESDAY, June 25, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Bromelain improves symptoms of knee pain, with a dose-response relationship observed, according to a study published in the December 2022 issue of Phytomedicine.

A. F. Walker, from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, and colleagues examined the effects of bromelain on mild acute knee pain of less than three months duration in otherwise healthy adults in an open, dose-ranging postal study in volunteers. Participants were randomly allocated to receive 200 mg or 400 mg bromelain per day. At baseline and after a one-month intervention with bromelain, two validated questionnaires (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities [WOMAC] knee health index and the Psychological Well-Being Index) were completed; the study was completed by 77 participants.

The researchers found that all WOMAC symptom dimension scores were significantly reduced versus baseline in both treatment groups, with reductions of 41 and 59 percent in the final battery (total symptom score) in the low- and high-dose groups, respectively. Compared with the low-dose group, improvements in total symptom score and the stiffness and physical function dimensions were significantly greater in the high-dose group. Overall psychological well-being was significantly improved in both groups after treatment versus at baseline; a significant dose-response relationship was seen.

"Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are now warranted to confirm these results," the authors wrote.

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