Reduction of perception of chronic fatigue in an observational study of patients receiving 12 weeks of Kampo therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to observe the influence of Kampo therapy on latent chronic fatigue of patients with chronic diseases.


METHODS
One hundred and seventy-three (173) consecutive patients with chronic diseases came to our department for the first time.


METHODS
This was a prospective study. Patients were divided into two groups: a chronic fatigue group (CFG) and a nonchronic fatigue group (NCFG). Based on Kampo diagnosis, both groups were prescribed Kampo formulae as an extract or decoction for 12 weeks.


METHODS
By using questionnaires, patients were assessed concerning their physical and mental types of fatigue, their sleep situation, and their attitude toward work or housekeeping, both before and after 12 weeks of treatment, according to Kampo diagnosis.


RESULTS
The mental fatigue, physical fatigue, and sleep scores of both groups, and the work score of CFG, were decreased. The rate of reduction of the fatigue score was significantly greater in CFG than in NCFG. The factor responsible for this difference in fatigue score was physical fatigue.


CONCLUSIONS
A reduction of the perception of chronic fatigue was observed in patients receiving 12 weeks of Kampo therapy.
Sekiya
Nobuyasu
N
Department of Frontier Japanese-Oriental (Kampo) Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Inohana, Chiba, Japan. sek114@faculty.chiba-u.jp
Shimada
Yutaka
Y
Shintani
Takahiro
T
Tahara
Eiichi
E
Kouta
Kazufumi
K
Shibahara
Naotoshi
N
Terasawa
Katsutoshi
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020835:Medicine, Kampo; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016711:Yang Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016710:Yin Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*