title: A Chinese Decoction, Kuan-Sin-Yin, Improves Autonomic Function and Cancer-Related Symptoms of Metastatic Colon Cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Kuan-Sin-Yin (KSY) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction, which has been shown to have cytostatic effects on cancer cells and involved in the TCM theory of promoting yin-yang balance.Sonce many cancer patients suffer from autonomic dysfunction (AD), which correspond to yin-yang imbalance in TCM. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible effect of KSY in metastatic colon cancer (mCRC) patients with AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a single-group experiment. Total 52 qualified patients were enrolled. Participants took the KSY daily for 2 weeks. The primary outcome was KSY efficacy as reflected in the heart rate variability (HRV) and electrical conductivity (µA) over 12 meridian points. Autonomic function was examined before and after the KSY intervention. The vagal and sympathetic tone were recorded by HRV; 12 meridian energies were measured using a meridian energy analysis device. Secondary outcomes were cancer-related symptoms and patient quality of life (QoL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the KSY intervention improved AD via increasing the vagal tone (HF: P = .041), but not the sympathetic tone (LF: P = .154); total autonomic activity was significantly enhanced (HRV activity: P = .013). Intriguingly, energy increased more over the yin meridian (P = .010) than over the yang meridian (P = .015). Cancer-related symptoms and QoL were significantly improved (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The safety and effectiveness of KSY in improving AD in mCRC patients are through regulating the vagal-sympathetic dynamic balance, which correspond to the TCM yin-yang concept of energy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan Oncology Department, Zhong-Xing Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tsai-Ju
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.affiliation: Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan Chinese Medicine and Lin-Sen Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pin-Hao
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan Chinese Medicine and Lin-Sen Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan owlherbs@yahoo.com.tw.
authors.forename: Chung-Hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001337:Autonomic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D016709:Yin-Yang; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001337:Autonomic Agents
keywords: Kuan-Sin-Yin; autonomic dysfunction; autonomic nervous system diseases; heart rate variability; traditional Chinese medicine; yin-yang