Effect of Crataegus Extract on the Relief of Heart Palpitation and Anxiety in Teenagers: An Interventional Quasi-Experimental Study

Heart palpitation is a common complaint defined as an unpleasant or abnormal heartbeat feeling. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Crataegus extract on the relief of heart palpitations and anxiety in adolescents.

This is an interventional quasi-experimental study performed from February 19, 2016 to February 19, 2017 on 120 adolescents aged 13 to 19 years with a complaint of heart palpitations, referring to heart clinic in Afshar Hospital of Yazd. The participants' demographic information, heartbeat feeling, Hamilton anxiety scaling, blood pressure, heartbeat rate, and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded. Patients were first treated with 20 drops every 8 hours for three days and then 25 drops every 8 hours for one month with Crataegus edible drops. They were then re-evaluated for heart palpations and anxiety.

Of 120 adolescents referring to Afshar Hospital with heart palpitations, 98 of participants (81.7%) experienced improvement. Mean differences in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety scores before and after treatment with Crataegus extract decreased significantly by 1.71, 8.52, 6.55, respectively, but the mean difference in diastolic blood pressure increased by 1.46 (P<0.05).

According to the results, Crataegus extract might be effective in reducing palpitation and anxiety in adolescents.  Further studies are suggested to approve the results of the study.