The effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (LI 1370) supplementation on activities of daily living in free living older volunteers: a questionnaire survey

This survey assessed the impact of four months supplementation with 120 mg/day of the standardized Ginkgo biloba special extract (LI 1370) on activities of daily living and various aspects of mood and sleep in a population of free living older volunteers using both observer‐ and self‐rated scales. 5028 Participants (mean age 68·9 years) were recruited through a magazine editorial. One thousand received Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) and the remainder were allocated to the Control group. The B‐ADL (activities of daily living) Scale was completed at baseline and at the end of month 4 by an informant familiar with the participant, a Self‐rating ADL scale and Line Analogue Ratings Scales of mood and sleep were completed by the participants at the end of months 1, 2, 3, and 4. There were significant differences between the GBE and Control groups on all scales at each time point. The GBE group felt better able to cope with their daily activities and showed positive changes in mood and sleep compared to the Control group. These results suggest that GBE supplementation has beneficial effects on areas of functioning that have implications for quality of life in an older population. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.