RCT (author, year, reference)

Main complaint

Study Design

No. of patients randomized

Age of patients

Treatment strategy

Outcome measures

Key results

Cesarani, 1998, [67]

Vertigo caused by vascular vestibular disorders

Open, controlled

44

47 to 73 years of age

2 × 80 mg = 160 mg EGb 761/day (vs. 2 × 16 mg betahistine) for 12 weeks, no information on follow-up

Change in subjective symptomatology (VSS), Romberg test, Babinsky-Weil test and other neuro-otologic and balance tests.

In the first month of therapy, vertigo and dizziness improved in 64.7% of patients treated with betahistine and in 65% of those who received GBE. Considerable improvement was found in oculomotor and visuovestibular function, although no change was noted in the overall balance score.

Claussen, 1985 [article in German], [69] [97]

Vertigo and ataxia symptoms

Randomized, placebo- controlled, double-blind

33

Mean: 59 years

120 mg EGb 761/ day (vs. placebo) for 12 weeks, no information on follow-up

Change in subjective symptomatology (VSS), cranio-corpography.

Body sway amplitudes decreased significantly more in the GBE treatment group than in the placebo group. There was a corresponding improvement in the vertigo symptomatology by 20% in the placebo group and by 50% in the GBE treatment group.

Haguenauer, 1986 [article in French], [68] [97]

Vertigo (undetermined origin)

Randomized, placebo- controlled, double-blind, multicenter

67 (34 in the GBE treatment group and 33 in the placebo group)

Mean: 52 ± 2.5 years for GBE group vs. 46.4 ± 2.4 years for the placebo group

160 mg EGb 761/ day (vs. placebo) for 12 weeks, no information on follow-up

VAS scale of severity, Romberg test, Babinsky-Weil test and other neuro-otologic and balance tests including electronystagmography.

Statistically significant improvement in the intensity, frequency and duration of vertigo in the GBE treatment group. At the end of the trial, 47% of patients treated with GBE were cured of their vertigo compared to 18% for those treated with placebo.

Sokolova, 2014, [66]

Vertigo (undetermined origin)

Randomized, placebo- controlled, double-blind, multicenterl

160 (80 in the GBE treatment group and 80 in the betahistine group)

Mean: 58 years

240 mg EGb 761/ day (vs. 32 mg betahistine) for 12 weeks, 2 days follow-up to monitor adverse events

NAS, VSS-SF, SDS and CGI

Both treatment groups improved in all outcome measures—there was no significant intergroup difference with regard to changes in any outcome measure. Numerically, improvements of patients receiving GBE were slightly more pronounced on all scales.