A Randomized Controlled Trial of Chinese Medicine on Nonmotor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease

Ka Kit Chua, Adrian Wong, Kam Wa Chan, Yin Kei Lau, Zhaoxiang BIAN, Jia Hong Lu, Liangfeng LIU, Lei Lei Chen, Ka Ho Chan, Kim Pong Tse, Anne Chan, Juxian SONG, Justin Wu, Lixing ZHU, Vincent Mok*, Min LI*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Nonmotor symptoms (NMS) of Parkinson's disease (PD) have devastating impacts on both patients and their caregivers. Jiawei-Liujunzi Tang (JLT) has been used to treat some NMS of PD based on the Chinese medicine theory since Qing dynasty. Here we report a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, add-on clinical trial aiming at evaluating the efficacy and safety of the JLT in treating NMS in PD patients. We randomly assigned 111 patients with idiopathic PD to receive either JLT or placebo for 32 weeks. Outcome measures were baseline to week 32 changes in Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of Unified PD Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Parts I-IV and in NMS assessment scale for PD (NMSS). We observed improvements in the NMSS total score (p=0.019), mood/cognition (p=0.005), and reduction in hallucinations (p=0.024). In addition, post hoc analysis showed a significant reduction in constipation (p<0.001). However, there was no evidence of improvement in MDS-UPDRS Part I total score (p=0.216) at week 32. Adverse events (AEs) were mild and comparable between the two groups. In conclusion, long-term administration of JLT is well tolerated and shows significant benefits in improving NMS including mood, cognition, and constipation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1902708
Number of pages9
JournalParkinson's Disease
Volume2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 May 2017

Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Medicine
  • Complementary and alternative medicine
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Epidemiology

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