1.
Naoxuekang, Xinnaoshutong and Xuesaitong capsules for treating stroke: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
Chen, H, Cao, H, Guo, X, Zhao, M, Xia, Q, Chen, B, Zhao, T, Gao, W
BMJ open. 2017;(11):e015983
Abstract
INTRODUCTION After stroke, hemiplegia, dysphasia and facial paralysis can manifest during the convalescent period. Currently, no Chinese patent medicine (CPM) is previously reported to cure each of these symptoms primarily, and thus, there are no relevant instructions for the use of CPM. This study presents a new approach based on comparative effectiveness research to distinguish the curative effects of three CPMs that are often used in stroke convalescence to determine the ideal medicine for the treatment of each symptom. METHODS AND ANALYSIS In this multicentre and double-blind clinical trial, stratified randomisation is used to group the patients according to their primary symptoms (hemiplegia, dysphasia and facial paralysis). Three strata will be enrolled, with 80 eligible participants included in each stratum. Each stratum will be randomly and equally divided into four groups, and each group will receive one of the following treatments: Naoxuekang, Xinnaoshutong (XNST), Xuesaitong (XST) or placebo. This study will include two stages: the initial treatment period (30 days) and a follow-up period (180 days). Three replicates for each data point will be completed during this trial. The first visit will occur on day 0 after enrolment, the second visit on day 30±2 and the third visit on day 210±5. The Delphi technique is adopted to achieve index weighting, which ensures that the evaluation outcome is patient oriented. The weighted index value will be computed as the final measurement index of the outcome. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (registration number TJUTCM-EC20160007). The results will be offered for publication in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IOR-17010397). The date of registration was 11 January 2017.
2.
Medium- and long-term efficacy of ligustrazine plus conventional medication on ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Ni, X, Ni, X, Liu, S, Guo, X
Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan. 2013;(6):715-20
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the medium- to long-term efficacy of ligustrazine plus conventional medicine treating ischemic stroke. METHODS Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing ligustrazine in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke were retrieved from Cochrane Library, PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, Chinese Medical Journal Database, Chinese Biomedical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, and Chinese Clinical Trial Register, and then identified by the inclusive and exclusive criteria. The quality of trials was assessed with the Cochrane Handbook 5.1, a risk of bias assessment tool. RevMan 5.1 was used for meta-analysis. RESULTS Three RCTs involving 643 patients were included. Compared to conventional medicine treatment alone, ligustrazine plus conventional medicine treatment showed significant difference in reduction of stroke recurrence either at the end of 1-year follow-up [RR = 0.42, 95% CI (0.18, 0.94), P < 0.05] or 3-years observation [RR = 0.48, 95% CI (0.27, 0.83), P < 0.05]. The ligustrazine group also showed higher survival rate [RR =1.67, 95% II (1.02, 0.2.71), P <0.05] and significantly better effective rate [R R= 1.28, 95% II (1.10, 1.50), P <0.05] than that of the control group at the end of 1 year visit. Only one trial conducted safety assessment and no adverse events were reported. The methodological quality of all the trials included was generally poor. CONCLUSION The findings provided evidence that the combination of ligustrazine and conventional medication was medium- and long-term beneficial to the patients suffering ischemic stroke. But more RCTs of high quality are needed to further prove the efficacy and safety of using ligustrazine for ischemic stroke.