Traditional East Asian Herbal Medicine for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Scoping Review

Table 3

Review of the case series.

First author (year)	Country	Sample size	Sex (M: F)	Average age	Duration of disease	Diagnosed by	Herbal medicine	Duration of treatment	Other intervention	Outcomes	Significant finding
Liang (1999) [32]	China	24	17:7	43	5 y	EMG	Maqianzi powder; Combination of several herbal medicines	No mention	Acupuncture	TER	TER 91.67%
Cheng Y (1999) [33]	China	46	27:19	No mention	No mention	EMG	Sanqifuweiruansuowan	6–24 m	Acupuncture; Physical therapy(Qigong)	TER	TER 89.13%
Luo et al. (2002) [34]	China	26	15:11	47.9	No mention	3,200 diagnostic criteria for medical diseases	Qiangjiling; Qiangjijianli oral liquid	3 m	Huangqi injection; Tuina therapy	TER	TER 68.75%
Kwon (2003) [35]	Korea	18	No mention	No mention	No mention	EMG biopsy	Yangzuezhuangjinjianbuwan	3–6 m	Acupuncture; Pharmacoacupuncture; Bee-venom pharmacoacupuncture	Clinical symptoms; ALSFRS	Inhibition of progression; Improving local symptoms; Psychological stability
Byun et al. (2007) [36]	Korea	3	0:3	53.3	1.67 y	No mention	Liujunzitang; Weizheng decoction; Yangyingjian; Guzhenyinzi + Buzhongyiqitang; Erchentang; Bufeiyangyingjian; Buzhongyiqitang; Jiaweixiaoyaosan; Xiangshayangweitang; Zhengchuanjiaweierchentang; Renshenyangweitang; Erchentang + Siwutang; Guipitang + Wendantang; Renshenbaidusan	1.5–6 m	Acupuncture riluzole	ALSFRS	Delayed symptoms
Ryu et al. (2009) [37]	Korea	2	1:1	50	4.75 y	No mention	Bawutang; Xiangshapingweisan; Xiaojinglongtang; Taorenchengqitang; Banxiaxiexintang; Qingzinlianzitang; Qingzinreduotang; Yangzuezhuangjinjianbuwan; Zhenganxifengtangjiajian	1–2 m	Acupuncture; Moxibustion riluzole	K-ALSFRS-R; ALSSS; Clinical symptoms	Improving local symptoms

Astragali Radix, Codonopsis Pilosulae Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Citri Unshius Pericarpium, Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Bupleuri Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, Rehmanniae Radix Recens, Dipsaci Radix, Cuscutae Semen, Lycii Fructus, Epimedii Herba, Phellodendri Cortex, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. M, male; F, female; m, month(s); y, year(s); TER, total effective rate; ALSFRS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale; K-ALSFRS-R, Korean-ALSFRS-Revised; and ALSSS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis severity scale.