Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Review Article

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

Table 6

Review of before-and-after studies.
First author (year)CountrySample sizeSex (M:F)Average ageDuration of disease (average)Diagnosed byHerbal medicineDuration of treatmentOther interventionOutcomesSignificant findingsSide effects
Liu (2001) [40]China3224:851.5No mentionThe latest domestic and foreign disease diagnosis guidelinesJianpibushen decoction9 mNoneTER
TCM syndrome score
MRC muscle scale
EMG		TER 84.38%
Improvement in tongue quality and pulse
Increasing the motor neuron conduction rate
Reduction in the possibility of fascia fibrillation		None
Liu et al. (2006) [41]China4031:9No mention3–36 m (19.2 m)Chinese Medical Association Neurology BranchJianpibushenxifeng decoction
Qiangjijianli capsule		3 mHuangqi injectionClinical symptomsImprovement in speaking, eating, bed arrangement, running, and climbing stairsNo mention
Kim et al. (2009) [42]Korea126:650(43.41 m)El Escorial criteriaCombination of several herbal medicines30 dAcupuncture
Bee-venom pharmacoacupuncture
Scolopendrid pharmacopuncture
Fel Ursi pharmacoacupuncture
Needle-embedding therapy		ALSFRS-R
MRC muscle scale		An increase in the scores of the ALSFRS-R and MRC muscle scaleNo mention
Kim et al. (2010) [43]3 mAcupuncture
Bee-venom pharmacoacupuncture
Scolopendrid pharmacopuncture
Saline injection
Needle-embedding therapy		ALSFRS-R
MRC muscle scale		Slower progression compared with patients without Oriental medical treatmentNo mention
Sun (2009) [44]China2318:5No mention3–84 m (18 m)El Escorial criteriaJianpiyifei decoction3 mNoneALSFRS
Norris
Appel
TCM syndrome score		Enhancement of motor functions(feeding, clothing, writing, and bed emancipated)
Improvement in hypodynamia, palpitation, sweating, appetite, and pale tongue		None
Zhong (2011) [45]China2014:6No mention2–72 m (17.2 m)El Escorial criteriaJianpiyifei decoction5 mNoneALSFRS-R
ALSSS kubota drinking water test
Frenchay
Dysphagia score		Delayed disease progressionNone
Li (2012) [46]China2817:11No mention3–64 m (20 m)El Escorial criteriaJianpiyifei decoction2 mNoneALSFRS-R
ALSAQ-40		Stable clinical symptoms
Improvement of quality of life		None
Luo (2012) [47]TCM syndrome score
ALSFRS		Delayed disease progressionNone
Zhao (2013) [48]China3623:1353.393–64 m (18 m)El Escorial criteriaJianpiyifei decoction2 mNoneMRC muscle scale
ALSFRS-R
ALSAQ-40
TCM syndrome score
Lung function scale		Maintenance of quality of life, motor function, and lung functionNone
Wu (2015) [49]China3122:955.651–62 m (18.74 m)El Escorial criteriaQiangshenjianpi decoction3 mNoneALSFRS-R
TCM syndrome score
TER		Improvement of the TCM symptom score
TER 87.10%		None
Meng (2018) [50]China2919:10No mentionNo mentionGuidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of ALS in ChinaCervus elaphus powder3 mAcupunctureTCM syndrome score
ADL-Barthel index
ALSFRS-R		Improvement of the TCM syndrome score, ADL-Barthel index, and ALSFRS-RNone
Wen et al. (2019) [51]China3018:1255.93–84 m (20 m)Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of ALS in ChinaJianpiyifei decoction8 wRiluzoleALSFRS-R
TCM syndrome score
TER		Improvement of the TCM symptom score
TER 56.7%		None
Details are not specified. M, male; F, female; d, day(s); w, week(s); m, month(s); TER, total effective rate; TCM, traditional Chinese medicine; MRC, Medical Research Council; EMG, electromyography; ALSFRS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale; ALSFRS-R, ALSFRS-Revised; ALSSS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis severity scale; ALSAQ, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis assessment questionnaire; and ADL, activities of daily living.