Boswellia serrata extract shows cognitive benefits in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial in individuals who suffered traumatic brain injury.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 35385330 · doi:10.1080/02699052.2022.2059816
What was done
In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial, 80 patients who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) between 3 months and 3 years prior were assigned to receive either a Boswellia serrata extract formulation (K-Vie™, n = 46) or placebo (n = 34) for 3 months. Cognitive function was evaluated at baseline and at 3 months using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test-Recognition Test (RAVLT), the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and the Trail-Making Test Part B (TMT-B), analyzed via linear mixed models.
What was found
The abstract reports statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) in cognitive performance in the Boswellia serrata (K-Vie™) group compared with placebo across all three cognitive tests (RAVLT, DSST, and TMT-B). Specific baseline scores, follow-up values, and effect sizes were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
Persistent cognitive impairment is a common and difficult-to-treat consequence of traumatic brain injury. These findings suggest that Boswellia serrata extract may offer a non-invasive supportive therapy for cognitive recovery during the subacute to chronic post-TBI period.
Limits
The study had a relatively small sample size (n = 80) and was conducted as a pilot trial. The abstract lacks specific numerical point estimates, baseline and post-treatment values, confidence intervals, and safety data. The study evaluated patients 3 months to 3 years post-injury, so findings cannot be generalized to acute TBI.