Abstract

THE ADDITIVE EFFECT OF BANANA AND LOW-DOSE ?-ADRENOCEPTOR BLOCKER PROPRANOLOL ON ENHANCED PHYSIOLOGIC TREMOR AND ESSENTIAL TREMOR

Dr. S. E. Oriaifo* and Prof. N. Nwobodo

ABSTRACT

Hypokalemia may pose deleterious effects in the various organ systems. Drug-induced hypokalemia may be associated with tremors especially enhanced physiologic tremors (EPT) and essential tremor (ET). In this study, the effect of banana intake (4-7 daily), propranolol (40 mg tablet daily) and their combination was compared in their ability to reverse hypokalemia, induce tremorlysis and enhance clinical function in 20 elderly patients with EPT and ET. Clinical function was assessed with Box and Block Test (BBT), 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) and Activities of Daily Living-Total score 24 (ADL-T24). Low-dose propranolol, banana intake and their combination significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated the tremors of EPT/ET at 2, 4, 6 weeks and improved clinical function compared to controls. The banana intake and propranolol combination was most significant in reversing hypokalemia, attenuating tremors and improving scores in the ADL-T24. Order of significance (DMR) in reducing tremor severity was propranolol + banana > propranolol > banana intake. There was no rebound hyperkalemia with the banana intake, low-dose propranolol and their combination. In conclusion, banana intake may positively impact the peripheral and central mechanisms of tremorogenesis, may be additive with other tremorlytics, mitigates substance abuse and deserves further studies.

Keywords: Enhanced physiologic tremor; Performance tremor; Potassium; Hypokalemia; Propranolol; Banana.