The Effects of GreenShell Mussel Powder (Brand-Named PERNAULTRA) on Physical Performance and Subjective Pain, Symptoms, and Function Measures in Knee Osteoarthritis: A 6-Mo Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

TL;DR

A 6-month study found that GreenShell mussel powder may help reduce pain and improve function in people with early knee osteoarthritis.

Contribution

This is the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate GreenShell mussel powder's effects on knee osteoarthritis symptoms.

Findings

GSM significantly reduced visual analog scale symptoms compared to placebo.

Participants with BMI <25 showed significant improvement in KOOS-S with GSM.

Trends for improved physical performance and pain reduction were observed in GSM users.

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) can cause disability and reduce quality of life (QoL).

This study aimed to determine whether GreenShell mussel (GSM) powder (PERNAULTRA) consumption was more effective than placebo at improving physical performance and subjective measures of symptoms and function in adults with early signs of knee OA.

The Researching Osteoarthritis and GSM study was a 6-mo randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults aged 55–80 y, screened for signs of OA (n = 120, 65.9 ± 6.43 y, 63% female). Participants consumed either 3 g of powdered whole GSM or placebo (pea protein) daily. Baseline and end data collection included 30-s chair stand, stair test, 40-m fast-paced walk test, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire categorized into 5 subscales [pain (P), symptoms except pain (S), function in activities of daily living (ADL), function in sports/recreation (SP), and QoL], a measure of Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain, and visual analog scale of pain and symptoms.

Visual analog scale symptoms showed a significantly greater reduction in percentage change for GSM than that for placebo [−28.1 (−59.2, 43.2) compared with 0.00 (−28.6, 100); P = 0.03]. Further, a trend for improvement in percentage change for GSM compared with placebo was seen in 40m fast-paced walk [2.51 (−3.55, 8.12) compared with 0.20 (−6.58, 4.92); P = 0.09], KOOS-SP [11.4 (−4.48, 27.0) compared with 0.00 (−11.1, 17.7); P = 0.09], and Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain intermittent pain scale [−27.7 (−77.3, 0.00) compared with −14.6 (−50.0, 36.4); P = 0.08]. In those with body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) <25, GSM consumption significantly improved KOOS-S compared with placebo [6.35 (3.49, 12.7) compared with 0.00 (−4.65, 4.49); P = 0.03] and showed a trend for improvement in KOOS-ADL [3.29 (1.01, 8.79) compared with 1.01 (−5.75, 4.30); P = 0.07]. Those with BMI of ≥25, consuming GSM showed a trend for improvement in KOOS-SP [13.6 (−4.76, 33.3) compared with 0.00 (−12.5, 20.0); P = 0.07].

This research suggests consumption of GSM has potential to alleviate symptoms and improve functionality in OA.

This trial was registered at Clinical Trial Registry as ACTRN12620001112954p (https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12620001112954p.aspx).

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