The International Tinnitus Journal

The Effectiveness of Ginkgo Biloba Extract EGB 761 in Tinnitus: A Randomized-controlled Trial

Paninee Charusripan,Suppasa Tangchirakhaphan

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in the treatment of subjective tinnitus. Background: Subjective tinnitus significantly impairs quality of life and is frequently associated with anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Currently, no curative treatment exists, and management primarily focuses on symptom relief. Although Ginkgo biloba has been used for tinnitus treatment, evidence supporting its efficacy remains limited. Materials and Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary referral center. Forty-six adults aged ≥18 years with unilateral or bilateral subjective tinnitus of 4 weeks to 1 year duration were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either EGb 761 (120 mg twice daily; total 240 mg/day) or matching placebo for 12 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for tinnitus loudness, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Statistical Analysis: Between-group differences in changes in THI, VAS, and HADS scores from baseline to 12 weeks were analyzed using independent t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests, as appropriate. Within-group changes over time were assessed using repeated-measures ANOVA or the Friedman test for non-normally distributed data. Clinically significant changes in THI scores within groups were evaluated using McNemar’s test. Results: THI scores decreased significantly in both the EGb 761 group (34.2 ± 19.2 to 25.0 ± 18.5) and the placebo group (34.4 ± 23.0 to 22.2 ± 15.9), with no significant between-group difference (p = 0.51; 95% CI: −6.2 to 12.3). VAS scores also declined in both groups (EGb 761: 4.1 ± 2.4 to 3.7 ± 2.6; placebo: 4.5 ± 2.5 to 3.9 ± 2.3), without a significant intergroup difference (p = 0.78; 95% CI: −1.2 to 1.5). HADS anxiety and depression scores improved significantly within groups; however, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups (HADSAnxiety: p = 0.64, 95% CI: −1.1 to 1.8; HADS-Depression: p = 0.70, 95% CI: −1.4 to 1.0).