A randomized controlled trial of a Chinese herbal remedy to increase energy, memory, sexual function, and quality of life in elderly adults in Beijing, China.
BACKGROUND
Chinese herbal medicines are commonly used to improve general health and well-being despite limited scientific data to support their efficacy. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine whether an herbal remedy that is used widely in China was associated with changes in quality of life, energy, memory, sexual function, and qi (the Chinese concept of "vital energy" that is important in general health).


METHODS
Residents (n = 237) of Beijing, China, who were aged > or =60 years and had self-reported decreased energy, memory, or sexual function, were randomly assigned to take four tablets of a Chinese herbal formula or of an identical placebo, three times a day for 30 days. Patients returned for one follow-up visit after 30 days for assessment of all outcomes. The main outcome measures were changes in quality of life at 30 days as measured by the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) Mental and Physical Component Summary scales.


RESULTS
Use of Chinese herbs was associated with a small benefit in the Mental Component scale (difference of 1.9 points; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1 to 3.6) and no benefit in the Physical Component scale (difference of -0.1 points; 95% CI: -1.7 to 1.5) as compared with placebo. A small improvement in the qi scale was no longer significant after adjusting for baseline differences in this score between groups. There was no improvement in physical performance, memory, or sexual function. The herbal product was well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term use of a mixture of Chinese herbs was associated with a small benefit in one measure of mental health that is of unclear clinical importance.
Bent
Stephen
S
Department of Medicine (SB, SC), University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
Xu
Ling
L
Lui
Li-Yung
LY
Nevitt
Michael
M
Schneider
Edward
E
Tian
Guoqing
G
Guo
Saishan
S
Cummings
Steven
S
D000368:Aged; D002681:China; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008603:Mental Health; D019413:Qi; D011788:Quality of Life; D019529:Sexuality; D013997:Time Factors
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal