en Epidemiology Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">Background: </span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">Despite anti-inflammatory effects of rosemary, there is no broad consensus on the effects of rosemary on osteoarthritis symptoms, being among the most common causes of disability. This study aimed to determine the effects of rosemary ointment on osteoarthritis symptoms in the elderly. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">Materials & Methods:</span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black"> In this double-blind randomized trial, 75 elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis were selected from comprehensive health service centers based on inclusion criteria and assigned by the random minimization method to three groups equally. In the intervention and placebo groups, 4 cm of rosemary and Vaseline ointment were applied twice a day, respectively, for 10 days. The control group received no intervention. In addition, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was measured for the three groups, before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Mann Whitney U test, a repeated measures ANOVA, and statistical modeling.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">&nbsp;<b>Results:</b> There were no significant differences among the study groups based on demographic characteristics. In the rosemary and placebo groups, the mean score of the WOMAC and pain improved significantly (p = 0.001) immediately and one month after the intervention. In terms of intergroup comparisons, the WOMAC and pain scores, immediately after the intervention, were significantly higher in the rosemary group than in the other two groups (p < 0.05). However, joint performance and stiffness scores had on significant differences.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black">Conclusions:</span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span arial="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black"> The results showed that shortly after the intervention, WOMAC and pain scores improved in the rosemary group. However, no improvement was observed in joint stiffness and function.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div> Osteoarthritis,Rosemary,Pain,Elderly, 171 179 http://johe.rums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-270-3&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Zahra Heydari z.heydari2396@gmail.com 22400319475328460011373 22400319475328460011373 No M.Sc Student in Geriateric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Student Research Committee, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran. Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences Ali Ansari Jaberi shibonraf@yahoo.com 22400319475328460011374 22400319475328460011374 No Instructor, Dept. of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran. Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences Seyed Hamid Seyed Bagheri hamid seyed bagheri@ gmail.com 22400319475328460011375 22400319475328460011375 No Assistant Prof., Dept, of Neonatal and Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwiferry, Non-Communicable, Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran. Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences Tayebe Negahban Bonabi negahbant@yahoo.com 22400319475328460011376 22400319475328460011376 Yes Assistant Prof., Dept. of Community Health Nursing, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran. Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences