Processing math: 100%
World Scientific
Skip main navigation

Cookies Notification

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. By continuing to browse the site, you consent to the use of our cookies. Learn More
×

System Upgrade on Tue, May 28th, 2024 at 2am (EDT)

Existing users will be able to log into the site and access content. However, E-commerce and registration of new users may not be available for up to 12 hours.
For online purchase, please visit us again. Contact us at customercare@wspc.com for any enquiries.

Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Medicine for COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

    https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X22500136Cited by:9 (Source: Crossref)

    This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine for COVID-19 treatment with a focus on the benefits of symptomatic relief and time-related indexes. Seven electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chongqing VIP, Wanfang Data, and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry) were systematically searched from their beginning to April 2021. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing patients using Western therapy (WT) alone and those using additional Chinese medicine (WT + CM) were included. Primary outcomes included overall efficacy, lung recovery, and time to viral assay conversion. Secondary outcomes included time and rate of individual symptom recovery, laboratory indicators, and adverse events. Overall, 15 RCTs, including 1469 participants, were included in this review. WT + CM significantly improved overall efficacy (risk ratio, RR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.30; P< 0.01) and lung recovery (RR = 1.30; 95% CI:1.19 to 1.42; P< 0.01) and shortened the time to viral assay conversion (weighted mean differences, WMD =1.38; 95% CI: −1.98 to −0.78; P< 0.01) and duration of chest distress (WMD = 2.41; 95% CI: −2.99 to −1.83; P< 0.01) compared to WT alone. There was no difference in safety between the WT + CM and WT groups (RR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.64 to 1.39; P= 0.76). In conclusion, the synthesized evidence from 15 RCTs showed that additional Chinese medication may improve treatment efficacy, relieve symptoms, promote lung recovery, and reduce the inflammatory response against COVID-19, while not increasing the risk of adverse events compared with conventional Western medication alone.

    Remember to check out the Most Cited Articles!

    Check out our Chinese Medicine Titles today.
    Includes titles by Nobel Winner, Tu You You and more!