Western Medicine Combined with Chinese Herbal Formula Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang for Chronic Tinnitus

• Main Authors: Hao-Chang Yu, 余昊璋
• Other Authors: 陳汶吉
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/63177132844953587704

碩士 === 中國醫藥大學 === 中西醫結合研究所碩士班 === 100 === Background It is estimated that approximately 20% of adults suffer from tinnitus at some point in their lives; further, approximately a quarter of these individuals have severe tinnitus, which affects their daily activities. Moreover, medications for the treatment of tinnitus have not been successful. Only drugs that improve sleep quality or that have an antidepressant or anti-anxiety effect have been proved to be useful. However, these drugs have several side effects such as the risk of dependency on these drugs. Among herbal medicines, Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang is the most preferred; it is widely used for tinnitus as it improves emotional health and sleep quality. In this study, we have aimed to establish the basic clinical efficacy and safety data for the use of Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang in adult patients with chronic tinnitus. Methods This study was a randomized, open-label, controlled trial. Twenty-four adult patients with constant tinnitus who had suffered from tinnitus for more than 3 months were included in this study. Participants in the experimental group were administered western medicine in addition to the Chinese herbal formula, Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang; whereas, those in the control group were administered only western medicine. The primary outcome measures that were included were the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and visual analogue scale. The secondary outcome measures to be included were pure tone audiometry and speech reception threshold. Results Ten of the 12 participants in the experimental group and 11 of the 12 in the control group completed the study. Based on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the outcome of the experimental group was statistically superior to that of the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the visual analogue scale. However, 80%–90% of the experimental group participants experienced a reduction in the loudness and annoyance of their tinnitus; whereas, less than 60% of the control group participants showed improvement. Conclusion This study reveals that individuals who suffered from chronic tinnitus benefitted from the combined treatment with western medicine and the Chinese herbal formula, Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang. However, these results were influenced strongly by the placebo effect. Further double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials are required to validate these results.