title: 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.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (SB, SC), University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bent
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Li-Yung
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Lui
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nevitt
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Guoqing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Saishan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cummings
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal