Effects of Dietary Modification Based on Complementary and Alternative Iranian Medicine in Patients with Secondary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of dietary modifications based on complementary and alternative Iranian medicine (CAIM) in patients with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Design: In this randomized controlled trial, 70 SPMS patients were randomized to receive either a moderate-nature diet based on Persian medicine (as intervention) or usual diet plus health-related diet recommendations (as control) for 2 months. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Global Pain Scale (GPS), Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), anthropometric measurements, and quality of life (QOL) were assessed at baseline and end of trial. Analysis of covariance was performed, and the results were adjusted for potential confounders using SPSS v.14. Results: All participants completed the study for 2 months. There were significant improvements across the mean changes of hs-CRP (-0.1 ± 0.2 mg/L for intervention vs. -0.01 ± 0.13 mg/L for control; p adjusted  = 0.012), MFIS (-11.0 ± 11.8 vs. -0.7 ± 9.9; p adjusted <0.001), GSRS (-19.9 ± 16.3 to 1.2 ± 17.5; p adjusted <0.001), GPS ( p adjusted  = 0.032), and QOL ( p adjusted <0.05). No significant difference was observed across the ESR, EDSS, STAI, and anthropometric measurements. Conclusion: Dietary modifications based on CAIM may improve inflammation and clinical manifestations in SPMS patients. Nonetheless, further trials are required to confirm these findings. Clinical Trial Registration number: IRCT20181113041641N2.