Systematic Review of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Depression in Parkinson's Disease

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (05) ◽  
pp. 1035-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Zhen-Zhen Wang ◽  
Hong-Mei Sun ◽  
Ping Li ◽  
Yun-Feng Li ◽  
...  

Depression is the most common non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent clinical trials have evaluated the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of depression in PD (dPD). However, the results are conflicting rather than conclusive. To investigate the effectiveness of TCM for the treatment of dPD, a systematic review was conducted. Literature searches and collections were performed to identify studies addressing the treatment of TCM for dPD. The methodological quality and risk of bias in all studies included were evaluated. Weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as the effect measure. Finally, a total of 10 studies involving 582 patients were identified. The pooled results revealed that TCM combined with conventional drugs significantly improved the total scores of the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (WMD = -7.35, 95% CI: -11.24 to -3.47) and the score of the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D) (WMD = -4.19, 95% CI: -5.14 to -3.24) compared with conventional drug, respectively. Conclusively, there is evidence that TCM may be beneficial to the treatment of dPD in spite of the methodological weakness of the included studies.

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (03) ◽  
pp. 627-643
Author(s):  
Si-Tong Feng ◽  
Xiao-Le Wang ◽  
Ya-Ting Wang ◽  
Yu-He Yuan ◽  
Zhi-Peng Li ◽  
...  

Depression is a common neuropsychiatric symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD), resulting in a lower quality of life and cognitive impairment in PD patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas have been widely used in neurodegenerative disease and neuropsychic disorders to improve life quality of patients in ethnomedicine. TCM formulas combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) also have a positive effect on depressed PD compared with SSRIs as reported by several clinical studies. However, the results are discordant and failed to be conclusive. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of TCM formulas combined with SSRIs for depressed PD in this systematic review. We searched literatures from PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and VIP Information Database before July 2020. We included randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of TCM formulas combined with SSRIs on depressed PD patients. This analysis was according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. Eleven randomized clinical trials involving 861 subjects were enrolled in this analysis. The overall results showed that TCM formulas combined with SSRIs significantly improved the depression score [weighted mean difference (WMD): −4.920, 95% confidence interval (CI): (−5.999, −3.840); [Formula: see text]¡ 0.001] and had a statistical significance on Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale II score [WMD: −1.209, 95% CI: (−1.561, −0.857); [Formula: see text] < 0.001]. Furthermore, we observed that Chai-Hu-Shu-Gan Powder combined with SSRIs had a significant improvement on the depressive symptom in PD compared to the SSRIs alone [WMD: −5.390, 95% CI: (−7.66, −3.11); [Formula: see text] < 0.001]. No severe side events were reported in these included trials. This systematic review provided the evidences that TCM formulas combined with SSRIs might be helpful and safe in the treatment of depression of PD, including Chai-Hu-Shu-Gan Powder. Also, more randomized double-blinded trials with reliable design are required in the future.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weidong Pan ◽  
Shin Kwak ◽  
Yun Liu ◽  
Yan Sun ◽  
Zhenglong Fang ◽  
...  

We evaluated the effects of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), named Zeng-xiao An-shen Zhi-chan 2 (ZAZ2), on patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Among 115 patients with idiopathic PD enrolled (mean age, 64.7 ± 10.2 years old), 110 patients (M = 65, F = 45; mean age, 64.9 ± 10.7 years old) completed the study. Patients took either ZAZ2 () or placebo granule () in a blind manner for 13 weeks while maintaining other anti-Parkinson medications unchanged. All participants wore a motion logger, and we analyzed the power-law temporal autocorrelation of the motion logger records taken on 3 occasions (before, one week, and 13 weeks after the drug administration). Drug efficacy was evaluated with the conventional Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), as well as the power-law exponentα, which corresponds to the level of physical activity of the patients. ZAZ2 but not placebo granule improved the awake-sleep rhythm, the UPDRS Part II, Part II + III, and Part IV scores, and theαvalues. The results indicate that ZAZ2 improved activities of daily living (ADL) of parkinsonism and, thus, is a potentially suitable drug for long-term use.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Laura P. Hughes ◽  
Marilia M.M. Pereira ◽  
Deborah A. Hammond ◽  
John B. Kwok ◽  
Glenda M. Halliday ◽  
...  

Background: Reduced activity of lysosomal glucocerebrosidase is found in brain tissue from Parkinson’s disease patients. Glucocerebrosidase is also highly expressed in peripheral blood monocytes where its activity is decreased in Parkinson’s disease patients, even in the absence of GBA mutation. Objective: To measure glucocerebrosidase activity in cryopreserved peripheral blood monocytes from 30 Parkinson’s disease patients and 30 matched controls and identify any clinical correlation with disease severity. Methods: Flow cytometry was used to measure lysosomal glucocerebrosidase activity in total, classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes. All participants underwent neurological examination and motor severity was assessed by the Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. Results: Glucocerebrosidase activity was significantly reduced in the total and classical monocyte populations from the Parkinson’s disease patients compared to controls. GCase activity in classical monocytes was inversely correlated to motor symptom severity. Conclusion: Significant differences in monocyte glucocerebrosidase activity can be detected in Parkinson’s disease patients using cryopreserved mononuclear cells and monocyte GCase activity correlated with motor features of disease. Being able to use cryopreserved cells will facilitate the larger multi-site trials needed to validate monocyte GCase activity as a Parkinson’s disease biomarker.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 895
Author(s):  
Karolina A. Bearss ◽  
Joseph F. X. DeSouza

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that has a fast progression of motor dysfunction within the first 5 years of diagnosis, showing an annual motor rate of decline of the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) between 5.2 and 8.9 points. We aimed to determine both motor and non-motor PD symptom progression while participating in dance classes once per week over a period of three years. Longitudinal data was assessed for a total of 32 people with PD using MDS-UPDRS scores. Daily motor rate of decline was zero (slope = 0.000146) in PD-Dancers, indicating no motor impairment, whereas the PD-Reference group showed the expected motor decline across three years (p < 0.01). Similarly, non-motor aspects of daily living, motor experiences of daily living, and motor complications showed no significant decline. A significant group (PD-Dancers and PD-Reference) by days interaction showed that PD who train once per week have less motor impairment (M = 18.75) than PD-References who do not train (M = 24.61) over time (p < 0.05). Training is effective at slowing both motor and non-motor PD symptoms over three years as shown in decreased scores of the MDS-UPDRS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 588
Author(s):  
Elena Cecilia Rosca ◽  
Mihaela Simu

The aim of the present systematic review was to examine the evidence on the accuracy and psychometric properties of the Parkinson’s Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS) for evaluating the presence of cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) as well as to highlight the quality and quantity of research available on the use of the PD-CRS in this population. We searched four databases from inception until July 2020. Eight studies, published between 2008 and 2020, met the inclusion criteria: One cross-sectional study in which participants were assessed with the index test (PD-CRS) and a reference standard diagnostic assessment, in accordance with the Level II criteria of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS); one case-control study comparing the PD-CRS to an extensive battery of tests (i.e., MDS Level II diagnosis); and six studies comparing the PD-CRS to other short cognitive batteries. In patients with Parkinson’s disease, the PD-CRS test provides information about cortical and sub-cortical cognitive functions. Even if it demonstrated good psychometric properties, the results regarding the optimal threshold for detecting mild cognitive impairment and dementia in PD are somewhat inconsistent. Further cross-sectional studies are necessary to examine the optimum cut-off score for detecting cognitive dysfunction in PD patients.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ka-Kit Chua ◽  
Adrian Wong ◽  
Kam-Wa Chan ◽  
Yin-Kei Lau ◽  
Zhao-Xiang Bian ◽  
...  

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.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Cavaco ◽  
Alexandra Gonçalves ◽  
Alexandre Mendes ◽  
Nuno Vila-Chã ◽  
Inês Moreira ◽  
...  

Introduction. A possible association between olfactory dysfunction and Parkinson’s disease (PD) severity has been a topic of contention for the past 40 years. Conflicting reports may be partially explained by procedural differences in olfactory assessment and motor symptom evaluation.Methods. One hundred and sixty-six nondemented PD patients performed the Brief-Smell Identification Test and test scores below the estimated 20th percentile as a function of sex, age, and education (i.e., 80% specificity) were considered demographically abnormal. Patients underwent motor examination after 12 h without antiparkinsonian medication.Results. Eighty-two percent of PD patients had abnormal olfaction. Abnormal performance on the Brief-Smell Identification Test was associated with higher disease severity (i.e., Hoehn and Yahr, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale-III, Freezing of Gait questionnaire, and levodopa equivalent dose), even when disease duration was taken into account.Conclusions. Abnormal olfaction in PD is associated with increased severity and faster disease progression.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 1602-1612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Xu ◽  
Feng Zheng ◽  
Boris Krischek ◽  
Wanhai Ding ◽  
Chi Xiong ◽  
...  

Objective Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treatment of advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) has two anatomical targets: the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the globus pallidus internus (GPI). The clinical effectiveness of these two stimulation targets was compared in the present study. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluated the postoperative changes in the United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) on- and off-phase, on-stimulation motor scores; activities of daily living score (ADLS); and levodopa equivalent dose (LED) after STN and GPI stimulation. Randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials of PD treated by STN and GPI stimulation were considered for inclusion. Results Eight published reports of eligible studies involving 599 patients met the inclusion criteria. No significant differences were observed between the STN and GPI groups in the on-medication, on-stimulation UPDRS motor score [mean difference, 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI), −0.96–5.27] or ADLS (mean difference, 3.40; 95% CI, 0.95–7.76). Significant differences in favor of STN stimulation were noted in the off-medication, on-stimulation UPDRS motor score (mean difference, 1.67; 95% CI, 0.98–2.37) and LED (mean difference, 130.24; 95% CI, 28.82–231.65). Conclusion The STN may be the preferred target for DBS in consideration of medication reduction, economic efficiency, and motor function improvement in the off phase. However, treatment decisions should be made according to the individual patient’s symptoms and expectations.


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