Evidence-based Chinese medicine clinical monographs

This short video outlines what Alzheimer’s disease is, modern and classical Chinese medicine treatments for it, and findings from research into classical Chinese medicine literature and modern Chinese medicine clinical studies. It’s based on research published by the China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine in Evidence-based Clinical Chinese Medicine Volume 8: Alzheimer’s disease.

Memory disorders have been around for a long time, but the first detailed description of Alzheimer’s disease was by Alois Alzheimer in Europe in 1906. Modern conventional medicine defines Alzheimer’s disease as a type of dementia where the nerve cells in the brain deteriorate. This causes problems with memory, language and cognitive skills. Alzheimer’s disease gets worse over time, and people who have it become unable to look after themselves.

Alzheimer’s disease has no cure, but some medicines can help to slow a person’s decline and supportive care is provided to help people live independently for as long as possible. Many people also look for other treatment options, including Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine treatments for Alzheimer’s disease include Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture.

Classical Chinese medicine literature doesn’t have an equivalent disease name for Alzheimer's disease, but it uses other terms to refer to memory impairment, amnesia, forgetfulness and feeble mindedness. Progressive memory loss and decline in cognition and language associated with ageing are also described many times in classical Chinese medicine literature. Today, modern Chinese medicine books and clinical guidelines generally use conventional definitions and diagnostic methods to identify Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers at the China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine searched a database of more than 1,000 classical Chinese medicine books for information about historical treatments for dementia-like conditions. They found more than 2,200 passages of text related to memory disorders. Some described signs and symptoms that closely matched those of Alzheimer’s disease, but we can’t be certain they actually described Alzheimer’s disease, because modern diagnostic methods weren’t available back then. About two-thirds of the passages described treatments. Some were similar to modern Chinese medicine treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers also looked at modern evidence from 110 randomised controlled trials of Chinese herbal medicines. Findings from these studies suggested Chinese herbal medicine was as effective as conventional medicine, and the combination of Chinese herbal medicine and conventional medicine was more effective than conventional medicine alone, at slowing cognitive decline after six months of use.

Researchers also reviewed results from 16 acupuncture clinical trials, but these studies were small and had short durations.

Some modern Chinese medicine treatments for Alzheimer’s disease were also included in classical literature, but there were new treatments too. Interestingly, the main Chinese herbs and acupuncture points for memory impairment are similar in the classical literature and modern clinical trials.

You can find out more about Chinese medicine for Alzheimer’s disease in the book Evidence-based Clinical Chinese Medicine Volume 8: Alzheimer’s disease – see the link in the notes.

Visit the China–Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine website for updates about evidence-based clinical Chinese medicine for other common health problems.

This video is not intended as a guide for self-medication or medical advice – patients should seek professional advice from qualified Chinese medicine practitioners.

https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/10710#t=aboutBook

This video explains atopic dermatitis, describes classical and modern Chinese medicine treatments for it, and highlights findings from modern Chinese medicine clinical studies. The information in this video is adapted from the book Evidence-based Clinical Chinese Medicine Volume 16: Atopic dermatitis, written by researchers from the China–Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine.

Atopic dermatitis, more commonly called atopic eczema, is a common skin rash that appears spontaneously during childhood and often continues into adulthood. Skin may be dry, weeping or crusted, and is usually itchy. Atopic eczema often comes and goes.

When skin has no lesions or is dry, people with atopic eczema are given information about the condition, and how to care for their skin and avoid known triggers. Mild atopic eczema is managed with topical treatments, like steroid creams or ointments. Moderate atopic eczema is managed with stronger topical treatments, and severe rashes are managed with treatments targeting the immune system. People often seek other treatments, including Chinese medicine, to manage and heal atopic eczema. The main Chinese medicine treatments for atopic eczema are Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture.

While atopic eczema is a relatively recent medical diagnosis, people have experienced skin rashes like it for a long time. Researchers at the China–Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine searched a database of more than 1,000 classical Chinese medicine books for information about how atopic eczema was treated in the past. They found more than 500 references to atopic eczema-like skin rashes. All but three references described treating these rashes with Chinese herbal medicine formulas, mostly topically. Several formulas from classical Chinese medicine literature are still recommended in modern textbooks and guidelines.

Researchers also investigated evidence from clinical studies, particularly randomised controlled trials. Some formulas from classical literature and modern textbooks were also tested in these trials. However, unlike the classical Chinese medicine literature, randomised controlled trials focused more on oral Chinese herbal medicine formulas than topical ones.

Findings from these trials suggest that oral Chinese herbal medicine was more effective than conventional medicine in improving skin rash and reducing recurrence within six months. They also suggest that oral Chinese herbal medicine combined with conventional medicine improved skin rash, reduced itch severity and sleep disruption, and reduced recurrence within six months more than conventional medicine alone. However, some trials reported that people who took Chinese herbal medicine had more stomach upsets than people who took conventional medicine.

In trials, topical Chinese herbal medicine also seemed to improve skin rash and reduce recurrence more effectively when combined with conventional medicine than when used alone.

Acupuncture is recommended as a treatment for atopic eczema in modern Chinese medicine textbooks and guidelines, but was mentioned in only one description in classical literature and tested in just one of the included trials. Therefore, Chinese herbal medicine seems to be the main Chinese medicine treatment for atopic eczema.

You can find out more about Chinese medicine for atopic eczema in the book Evidence-based Clinical Chinese Medicine Volume 16: Atopic Dermatitis – see the link in the notes.

Visit the China–Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine website for updates about evidence-based clinical Chinese medicine for other common health problems.

This video is not intended as a guide for self-medication or medical advice – patients should seek professional advice from qualified Chinese medicine practitioners.

www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/11440#t=aboutBook