Chinese Herbal Medicine combined with conventional therapy shows promising effectiveness and safety for managing multiple sclerosis.
The study used a systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), involving a total of 1,971 participants, to evaluate the effects of Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) on MS. The researchers undertook a comprehensive review of eight relevant databases, reliance on key outcome measures such as the expanded disability status scale, annual relapse rate, neurological signs scores, clinical symptoms scores, and the modified fatigue impact scale, and utilization of the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews for risk bias evaluation. Quantitative synthesis was performed with the use of astatistical software.
The results of the study showed that the combination of CHM and conventional therapy was more effective than conventional therapy alone for people with MS. Specifically, the combined therapy resulted in decreased levels in disability status, relapse rate, neurological signs, and fatigue impact. In addition to this, there was a noted improvement in clinical effects following the combined treatments. Significantly, the study reported no serious side effects associated with the addition of CHM to traditional treatment methods.
