Traditional Chinese medicine for schizophrenia: A survey of randomized trials

Abstract

Most treatment approaches-and some in common use-have only one or two relevant small trials. Some coordination of effort would help ensure that further well-designed appropriately sized randomized trials are conducted. Systematic reviews should be performed in this field but with titles that take into account the complexity of TCM.

Contributions of complementary therapies and other strategies to the treatment of schizophrenia: an integrative review

“…Among the most commonly evaluated treatments are Ginkgo biloba, acupuncture, Wendan decoction and Shugan Jieyu capsule. As the TCM is a very broad concept, the article suggested more specific intervention terms should be adopted (Deng, et al, 2016).…”

“…The results showed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) presents several pharmacological interventions, not only acupuncture, but other measures based on the search for patients' well-being (Deng & Adam, 2016). Therefore, this term TCM is quite broad, since there were a large number of measures evaluated, demonstrating the researchers' interest in this practice.…”

“…However, in these evaluations we observed a need for organization among financiers, government and corporate professionals. For a better term for referring to the TCM used in schizophrenia, further research is needed to identify the best approach with patients who benefit from the positive effects of these practices (Bosch, et al, 2015;Deng & Adam, 2016;Kang, et al, 2016). In addition, there is also consolidated evidence on the potential advantages of TCM as an alternative drug suitable for refractory schizophrenia (Bosch, et al, 2015;Kang, et al, 2016).…”

Traditional Chinese Medicine Decoction Combined With Antipsychotic for Chronic Schizophrenia Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Extant sudies show that TCM such as Ginkgo biloba L . and Wendan decoction ( Singh et al, 2010 ; Deng and Adams, 2016 ) has beneficial effects on patients with schizophrenia. Thus, we found that TCM such as Ginkgo biloba L. extract (EGb), which enhanced the effectiveness of the antipsychotic drug haloperidol and reduced its extrapyramidal side effects ( Zhang et al, 2001a ), can also be used as an add-on therapy for chronic schizophrenia.…”

“…Studies have shown that Chinese herbal medicine has been used to treat millions of people with schizophrenia for thousands of years. It may improve some prognosis of schizophrenia ( Rathbone et al, 2007 ), and there is little evidence of side effects ( Deng and Adams, 2016 ). Chinese herbal medicine can be used alone or in combination with other stimulants according to the patient's condition.…”