Abstract
AimsThe purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Korean herbal medicine treatment for patients with essential tremor (ET). MethodsThis study was a retrospective chart review of patients who visited the Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital and received herbal medicine treatment for ET between January 2010 and August 2015. Treatment outcomes were evaluated based on the change in Numerical Rating Scores documented from pre-treatment to those recorded at follow up. Outcomes were categorized as ‘extremely effective’ (over 70% reduction of symptoms), ‘very effective’ (30%–70% reduction of symptoms), ‘effective’ (a reduction of symptoms of less than 30%), ‘non-effective’ (no reduction in symptoms) and ‘harmful’ (symptoms increased). ResultsThe clinical data of sixty-nine essential tremor patients that fulfilled the studies inclusion criteria was extracted. The mean age of patients was 57.8 years and 75.4% of patients were female. The mean duration from onset of ET was 90.5 months. Among the sixty-nine patients who were treated with herbal medicines, forty-eight patients (69.6%) reported an improvement (extremely effective, very effective or effective) in their ET symptoms. Thirty-seven of these patients (53.6%) showed an improvement of 30% or more. Frequently used herbal medicine formulas were modified Uk-Gan-san, modified Cheon-Geum-Jo-Wi-tang, Boshim-Geon-Bi-tang and Chung-Hyul-Gang-Ki-tang. Among these, the most effective Korean herbal medicine formula was shown to be modified Uk-Gan-san. ConclusionThis study suggests that treatment with Korean herbal medicine has the potential to reduce essential tremor symptoms. Further clinical investigations that prospectively evaluate the efficacy of the key Korean herbal formulas highlighted in this study are very much warranted.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
