title: Chinese Herbal Medicine for Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
abstract: Background. Postpartum depression (PPD) does great harm to women following childbirth. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to assess the efficacy and safety of CHM for the treatment of PPD.Methods. Published or ongoing registered trials were searched for from the inception of the various databases to December 31, 2015. Data extraction and methodology assessment were conducted independently by two researchers. RevMan 5.3 software was used to analyze the data.Results. Forty-seven registered clinical trials (RCTs) were identified and reviewed. The results showed CHM alone or in combination with routine treatments could reduce HAMD score, EPDS score, incidence of adverse events, TESS, and SERS. CHM combined with routine treatment was more effective in increasing serum estradiol levels and reducing progesterone levels than routine treatment alone. Meanwhile, pooled data revealed that MRLQS combined with routine treatments or MRLQS plus MSHS combined with routine treatments were more effective than other therapeutic methods in TCM. MRLQS plus MSHS alone was found to be an effective alternative when compared to routine treatments.Conclusions. This review suggested that CHM was safe and effective in the treatment of PPD. However, this could not be proven conclusively. To ensure evidence-based clinical practice, more rigorously designed trials are warranted.
authors: School of Preclinical Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China; College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, China.
authors: Yongle
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: School of Preclinical Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors: Zijie
authors: Z
authors: Chen
authors: School of Preclinical Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors: Ning
authors: N
authors: Yu
authors: School of Preclinical Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors: Keyu
authors: K
authors: Yao
authors: School of Preclinical Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors: Yiwen
authors: Y
authors: Che
authors: School of Preclinical Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China; Eye Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100040, China.
authors: Yupeng
authors: Y
authors: Xi
authors: School of Preclinical Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors: Shuangqing
authors: 0000-0002-7226-3577
authors: S
authors: Zhai