The researchers approached 144 individuals who had functional dyspepsia and had previously rejected standard therapies like proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, and Helicobacter pylori collision treatment. These individuals, located across nine different sites in China, were randomly selected to either a Jiawei Xiaoyao pill or a placebo, which they had to take for four weeks. The main measurement used in the study was the change in the individuals' total Gastrointestinal Symptom Score from the beginning of the test period to the end. Additionally, the team used the results of various medical tests for safety outcomes.

Out of 141 patients that qualified for statistical analysis, the group taking the Jiawei Xiaoyao pill demonstrated a more significant decrease in their Gastrointestinal Symptom Score compared to the ones on placebo, suggesting the pill was beneficial for their symptoms. However, the Jiawei Xiaoyao pill group did not show a significant improvement in their Hamilton Depression Scale or Hamilton Anxiety Scale scores, suggesting the pill might not have significant impact on depression or anxiety. The total number of adverse events reported were more in the Jiawei Xiaoyao pill group than the placebo group. But the superiority of the Jiawei Xiaoyao pill in improving gastrointestinal symptoms in functional dyspepsia patients that resist standard therapies is evident.