Zhiling decoction for vascular dementia

 

Abstract

Background

Zhiling decoction has a fixed composition of 15 Chinese herbs. The properties of each of these herbs and in combination provide the therapeutic rationale for a possible action of Zhiling decoction in dilating cerebral vessels and increasing cerebral blood flow, as well as reducing serum cholesterol. Thus the aim of this review is to evaluate efficacy and safety of Zhiling decoction for the treatment of vascular dementia.

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and safety of Zhiling decoction for vascular dementia.

Search methods

The Specialized Register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group (CDCIG), The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and LILACS were searched on 17 March 2008 using the term: zhiling. The CDCIG Specialized Register contains records from all major health care databases (The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, LILACS) as well as from many trials databases and grey literature sources.

Selection criteria

Randomised trials comparing Zhiling decoction with placebo in people with vascular dementia.

Data collection and analysis

Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Study authors were contacted for additional information. Adverse effects information was collected from the trials where possible.

Main results

In the absence of any suitable randomised placebo-controlled trials in this area, we were unable to perform a meta-analysis.

Authors' conclusions

The currently available evidence is insufficient to assess the potential for Zhiling decoction in the treatment of vascular dementia. The little objective data concerning the management of Zhiling decoction versus Naofukang suggests that Zhiling decoction may be effective in treating vascular dementia.

There is no evidence for or against Zhiling as a treatment for vascular dementia. Further randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are urgently needed in order to define the relative efficacy and acceptability of Zhiling in vascular dementia.

 

Plain language summary

No evidence from randomised controlled trials for or against the use of Zhiling concoction in the treatment of people with vascular dementia

Zhiling is a decoction of 15 Chinese herbs which is thought to contribute to dilating cerebral vessels and increasing cerebral blood flow, as well as reducing serum cholesterol. No randomised controlled trials of Zhiling decoction versus placebo were found and thus its efficacy and safety could not be analysed in this review. There is a need for randomised placebo controlled trials of Zhiling decoction.

 

摘要

背景

智靈湯對於血管型癡呆症

智靈湯(Zhiling)固定有15種中藥成分。這些藥草本身及一同使用的特性使得智靈湯具有療效，有住局擴張腦血管及增加腦中血流量，並且有助於減少血清中膽固醇。本篇文獻回顧旨在評估智靈湯用於治療血管型失智症的療效以及安全性。

目標

本文獻回顧旨在評估用智靈湯治療血管型癡呆症的功效及安全性。要評估智靈湯對血管型癡呆症的功效。

搜尋策略

2006年6月7日使用Zhiling為關鍵字搜尋Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group Specialized Register資料庫。該資料庫含有所有主要健康照護資料庫的記錄及許多進行中臨床試驗資料庫的資料，且規律地更新。 此外，回顧者人工搜尋83種傳統中醫期刊，時間為1993年到2003年。

選擇標準

在血管型癡呆症病人中進行智靈湯及安慰劑隨機試驗並互相比較。

資料收集與分析

兩位回顧作者獨立評估試驗的品質及摘錄資料。回顧作者與研究作者聯絡以取得額外的資訊。若可能的話則搜尋試驗不良效果的資訊。

主要結論

在本領域研究缺乏適當隨機的安慰劑對照試驗，我們無法進行統合分析。

作者結論

目前可利用的證據不足以評估智靈湯治療血管型癡呆症的可能。有少量以 智靈湯與Naofukang相比的客觀數據顯示智靈湯對於治療血管型失智症有療效。沒有證據支持或反對以智靈湯治療血管型癡呆症。為了要定義智靈湯對於治療血管型癡呆症的療效及可接受度，急需要更進一步隨機、雙盲、安慰劑對照試驗。

翻譯人

此翻譯計畫由臺灣國家衛生研究院(National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan)統籌。

總結

由隨機對照試驗，無證據支持或反對使用智靈湯治療血管型癡呆症。智靈湯是一15種中草藥的煎煮物，人們認為它不但有助於擴張腦血管以及增加腦部血流，也可降低血清中的膽固醇。 未發現智靈湯相對於安慰劑的隨機對照試驗，且因此它的功效及安全性在本回顧中無法予以分析。有必要對智靈湯進行隨機的安慰劑對照試驗。