Clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes of Passiflora alata Curtis use in participants with mild to moderate anxiety: a non-randomized experimental study

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is a disorder treated through psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy. Passiflora alata Curtis is a herbal medicine used as a therapeutic alternative, although clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness in anxiety management is limited. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes in participants with anxiety treated with P. alata extract. METHODS: This was an open-label, non-randomized, before-and-after experimental study. Inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 18 years and anxiety symptoms. The clinical outcome was assessed using the GAD-7 scale, comparing scores between baseline (t0) and the final follow-up (t3). The humanistic outcome was assessed using the TSQM, applied 15 days after treatment initiation and again at t3. The economic outcome consisted of analyzing direct treatment-related costs. RESULTS: P. alata demonstrated clinical effectiveness in 29 participants (96.7%). TSQM results indicated a perceived improvement in health status within the first weeks. Regarding economic outcomes, differences were observed between the protocols that included P. alata and the conventional treatments offered by the Brazilian Unified Health System. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the use of P. alata extract for anxiety management is a potential therapeutic alternative for incorporation into the Brazilian Unified Health System.