title: Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder using the traditional Japanese herbal medicine saikokeishikankyoto: a randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial in survivors of the great East Japan earthquake and tsunami.
abstract: The Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami caused immense damage over a wide area of eastern Japan. Hence, many survivors are at high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial examined the efficacy and safety of the traditional Japanese herbal formula saikokeishikankyoto (SKK) in the treatment of PTSD among survivors of this disaster. Forty-three participants with an Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) score ≥ 25 were randomized into SKK (n = 21) and control (n = 22) groups. The primary endpoint was the change in IES-R scores from baseline till after 2 weeks of treatment. Intergroup statistical comparisons were performed. The magnitude of changes in total IES-R scores differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.001). Post hoc analysis showed that the total IES-R score improved significantly in the SKK group from 49.6 ± 11.9 to 25.5 ± 17.0 (P < 0.001). Subscale scores improved significantly in the SKK group (avoidance, P = 0.003; hyperarousal, P < 0.001; intrusion, P < 0.001). Two-week treatment with SKK significantly improved IES-R scores among PTSD patients. This traditional medicine may be a valid choice for the treatment of psychological and physical symptoms in PTSD patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.
authors.forename: Takehiro
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0105-4791
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Numata
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation Science, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.
authors.forename: Shen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gunfan
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Education Center for Community Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, No. 2-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8575, Japan.
authors.forename: Shin
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6388-4566
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takayama
authors.affiliation: Center for Traditional Asian Medicine, National Sendai-Nishitaga Hospital, No. 2-11-11, Kagitorihoncho, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City 982-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Satomi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Graduate Medical Education Center, Tohoku University Hospital, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasutake
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Monma
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.
authors.forename: Soichiro
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2206-8677
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.affiliation: Division of General Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, No. 1-847, Amanumacho, Oomiya Ward, Saitama City 330-8503, Japan.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kuroda
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Support for Community Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Support for Community Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.
authors.forename: Seiki
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0454-0322
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanemura
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Support for Community Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nara
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Education Center for Community Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, No. 2-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8575, Japan.
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kagaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Support for Community Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuo
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2521-039X
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yaegashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation Science, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kohzuki
authors.affiliation: Center for Traditional Asian Medicine, National Sendai-Nishitaga Hospital, No. 2-11-11, Kagitorihoncho, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City 982-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Koh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwasaki