Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang treatment improves clinical symptoms, exercise capacity, lung function and quality of life for patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The researchers performed a systematic review of three English databases (PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL) and four Chinese databases (CBM, CNKI, CQVIP and WFMO), with selection ending on 30th June 2016. Participants in the reviewed studies were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease according to recognized guidelines and were in a stable stage of the disease. Included were randomized controlled trials of oral Buzhong Yiqi Tang, whether alone or combined with conventional treatment, compared to conventional treatment alone or with a placebo. Various outcome measures were used to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment.
Discussion of Results: Sixteen studies involving 1400 participants were included. In general, patients treated with Buzhong Yiqi Tang alone or in combination with conventional treatments showed significant improvement in their condition. This improvement was noted in areas such as clinical symptoms, exercise capacity, lung function, and quality of life compared to those on conventional treatment alone or with a placebo. The treatment also reduced the number of acute exacerbations of the disease. There were very few reported adverse events, inferring a good safety profile for this treatment regimen.
