Effects of Kampo Medicine on Abnormal Sensations in the Throat of Neurotic Patients

Abstract

Two hundred and thirty-two patients who complained of abnormal sensations in the throat (AST) were classified with the Cornell Medical Index-Health Questionnaire as neurotic (Area III or IV) patients. The effectiveness of two Kampo drugs, Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (Chai-hu-jia-lon ggumu-li-tang) and Saiboku-to (Chai-pu-tang), which were expected to be effective against the various symptoms of neurotic patients, were evaluated in comparison with anti-anxiety drugs (Oxazolam, Diazepam, Ethyl Loflazepate), an anti-depressant drug (Sulpiride), a psycho-vegetative regulator (Tofisopam) and psychotherapy alone without using any drugs for AST symptoms.
When the initial AST was subjectively reduced by 50% or more, we determined the therapy to be “effective”. An evaluation performed after two-weeks of therapy demonstrated that Oxazolam had the best efficacy rate (87%), followed by Tofisopam. The Kampo drugs seemed to be slightly superior or equal to the rest of the drugs, with efficacy rates between 57 and 70%. An evaluation performed at one week after the end of the medication, however, revealed an apparent reduction in the efficacy rate (post-treatment rebound of symptoms) in those patients treated with Oxazolam (67%), which was not significantly different from the Kampo drugs (61-67%).