31DEC

Welcome To Mediterr J Med Res

Manuscripts are accepted for consideration with understanding that they are represent original material and they are not being considered for publication elsewhere. The editors welcome the submission of relevant articles for editorial consideration. Manuscripts and all scientific and professional data should be addressed to Editor-in-Cheif (Fmosherif@yahoo.com).

Mediterranean Journal of Medical Research
https://mrj.org.ly/article/doi/10.5281/zenodo.17344302

Mediterranean Journal of Medical Research

Systematic review and Meta-analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis of traditional Chinese medicine in Parkinsonism

Downloads: 0
Views: 291

Abstract

Parkinsonism, commonly caused by idiopathic Parkinson's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative syndrome presenting with bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity, and postural instability. Non-motor symptoms such as depression, sleep disturbance, dysphagia, and constipation significantly impair quality of life. Standard pharmacotherapy, including levodopa and dopaminergic drugs, provides symptomatic relief but fails to prevent progression and often leads to complications. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture, Chinese herbal Medicine, Tai Chi, Qigong, and moxibustion, has been increasingly used as adjunctive therapy worldwide. To systematically evaluate the efficacy, safety, and underlying mechanisms of TCM in Parkinsonism. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM (2010-2025). Eligible studies included RCTs, NRCTs, and cohort studies involving adults with idiopathic Parkinsonism. Primary outcome was motor function (UPDRS-III); secondary outcomes included depression (HAMD), sleep (PDSS), dysphagia (VFSS/SSA), constipation, quality of life (PDQ-39), and adverse events. Random-effects models were applied for the meta-analysis, and the risk of bias was assessed using RoB2/ROBINS-I, and NOS. Certainty was graded using GRADE. Twenty-two studies (n≈1,650) were included. Pooled estimates showed improvements in motor function (UPDRS-III MD -4.70, 95% CI: -6.10 to -3.30), depression (HAMD MD-3.90), sleep (PDSS +11.5), swallowing (VFSS MD +1.50), quality of life (PDQ-39 MD -7.2), and lower adverse events (RR 0.68). Subgroup analysis suggested acupuncture was most effective for motor and swallowing, Chinese herbal medicine for mood and sleep, and Tai Chi/Qigong for balance. TCM offers safe and effective adjunctive therapy for Parkinsonism, addressing motor and non-motor symptoms. High-quality, multicenter international trials are required to strengthen evidence.

Keywords

Adjunctive therapy, Chinese herbal medicine, neurological disease, Parkinson's disease

References

  1. Postuma RB, Berg D, Stern M, Poewe W, Olanow CW, Oertel W, et al. MDS clinical diagnostic criteria for Parkinson’s disease. Movement Disorders. 2015; 30(12): 1591-1601. doi: 10.1002/mds.26424
  2. Dorsey ER, Elbaz A, Nichols E, Abd-Allah F, Abdelalim A, Adsuar JC, et al. Global, regional, and national burden of Parkinson’s disease, 1990-2016: A systematic analysis. The Lancet Neurology. 2018; 17(11): 939-953. doi: 10.1016/ S1474-4422(18)30295-3
  3. Dorsey ER, Bloem BR. The Parkinson pandemic-a call to action. JAMA Neurology. 2018; 75(1): 9-10. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2017.3299
  4. Schapira AH, Chaudhuri KR, Jenner P. Non-motor features of Parkinson's disease. Nature Reviews, Neuroscience. 2017; 18(7): 435-450. doi: 10.1038/nrn.2017.62
  5. Kalf JG, de Swart BJ, Bloem BR, Munneke M. Prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders. 2012; 18(4): 311-315. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2011. 11.006
  6. Oertel W, Schulz JB. Current and experimental treatments of Parkinson's disease. Journal of Neurochemistry. 2016; 139(Suppl 1): 325-337. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13750
  7. Schrag A, Quinn N. Dyskinesias and fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease: A community-based study. Brain. 2000; 123(Pt 11): 2297-2305. doi: 10.1093/brain/123.11.2297
  8. Benabid AL, Pollak P, Louveau A, Henry S, de Rougemont J. Combined (thalamotomy and stimulation) stereotactic treatment of Parkinson's disease. Applied Neurophysiology. 1987; 50(1-6): 344-346. doi: 10.1159/000100803
  9. Dong J. The relationship between traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013; 2013: 153148. doi: 10.1155/2013/153148
  10. Zhang Z, Zhang S, Lui CN-P, Zhu P, Zhang Z, Lin K, et al. Traditional Chinese medicine-based neurorestorative therapy for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Neurorestoratology. 2019; 7(4): 207-222. doi: 10.26577 /JNR.2019. 9040026
  11. Lia J-H, Li M, Wu M-Y, Cai C-Z. Chinese Medicines in neurological diseases: Pharmacological perspective. Evidence-Based Research for Chinese Medicine. 2016; 1: 147-185. doi: 10.1007/978-981-10-2290-6_10
  12. Obel MA, Asfoor TAT. The potential of endemic medicinal plants in the central regions of Abyan Governorate, Yemen for sustainable pharmaceutical applications. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2025; 5(3): 46-51. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.16537815
  13. Ogbeide OK, Omorodion S, Akhidenor FI, Orazulike OJ, Igbinosa MO, Otortor D, et al. Comparative study on the phytochemical composition, amino acid profile, antioxidant, in vitro anti-inflammatory, and in vitro anti-diabetic activities on the leaf and stem bark of Acalypha indica. Mediterranean Journal of Medical Research. 2025; 2: 55-64. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.15579785
  14. Lee MS, Shin BC, Kong JC, Ernst E. Effectiveness of acupuncture for Parkinson's disease: A systematic review. Movement Disorders. 2008; 23(11): 1505-1515. doi: 10.1002/mds.21993
  15. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, PRISMA Group. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PLoS Medicine. 2009; 6(7): e1000097. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed. 1000097
  16. Shulman LM, Gruber-Baldini AL, Anderson KE, Fishman PS, Reich SG, Weiner WJ. The clinically significant difference on the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale. Archives of Neurology. 2010; 67(1): 64-70. doi: 10.1001/ archneurol.2009.295
  17. Yan M, Fan J, Liu X, Li Y, Wang Y, Tan W, Chen Y, He J, Zhuang L. Acupuncture and sleep quality among patients with Parkinson disease: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open. 2024; 7(6): e2417862. doi: 10.1001/ jamanetworkopen.2024
  18. Jin C, Cho KH, Kwon S, Lee HG, Kim TH, Jung WS, et al. Ukghanese herbal medicine in Parkinson's disease: A randomized trial. Frontiers in Neurology. 2022; 13-2022: 1025269. doi: 10.3389lfneur.2022.1025269
  19. Li Z, Niu Q, Yang K, Zhao K, Yin S, Zhu F. Acupuncture for constipation in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024; 103(29): e38937. doi: 10.1097/MD. 0000000000038937
  20. Wu J, Wang Y, Wang X, Xie Y, Li W. A systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture in Parkinson's disease with dysphagia. Frontiers in Neurology. 2023; 14-2023. doi: 10.3389lfneur.2023.1099012
  21. Cho SY, Shim SR, Rhee HY, Park HJ, Jung WS, Moon SK, et al. Effectiveness of acupuncture and bee venom acupuncture in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Related Disorders. 2012; 18(8): 948-952. doi: 10.1016/ j.parkreldis.2012.04.030
  22. Huang L, Hong J, Wang Y. Traditional Chinese Medicine for non-motor symptoms in Parkinson disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023; 102(30): e34425. doi: 10.1097/MD. 0000000000034425
  23. Higgins JP, Altman DG, Gøtzsche PC, Jüni P, Moher D, Oxman AD, et al. The Cochrane collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized trials. British Medical Journal. 2011; 343: d5928. doi: 10.1136/bmj.d5928
  24. Atkins D, Best D, Briss PA, Eccles M, Falck-Ytter Y, Flottorp S, et al. Grading quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. British Medical Journal. 2004; 328(7454): 1490. doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7454
  25. Ke Y, Zhang J, Yuan P, Chen W, Zhao Z. Acupuncture treatment improves the swallowing function and nutritional status of the elderly with dysphagia: A randomized controlled trial. HSOA Journal of Alternative Complementary and Integrative Medicine 2025; 11: 616. doi: 10.24966/ACIM-7562/100616
  26. Zeng HJ, Zhao WJ, Luo PC, Zhang XY, Luo SY, Li Y, et al. Acupuncture therapy on dysphagia in patients with Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled study. Chinese Journal of Integrated Medicine. 2025; 31(3): 261-269. doi: 10.1007/s11655-024-3668-x
  27. Gao X, Zhang J, Ma B, Liu L, Gao H. Tongue acupuncture to treat dysphagia in patients with Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled trial. Medical Acupuncture. 2024; 36(3): 137-145. doi: 10.1089/acu.2023.0073
  28. Heijnen BJ, Speyer R, Baijens LW, Bogaardt HC. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation versus traditional therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease and oropharyngeal dysphagia: Effects on quality of life. Dysphagia. 2012; 27(3): 336-345. doi: 10.1007/s00455-011-9371-z
  29. Xu F, Zhang Y, Su X, Dai F, Ye Y, Ling M, Hu P, Cheng H. Effects of acupuncture combined with conventional rehabilitation training for patients with post-stroke dysphagia: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Multidisciplinairy Healthcare. 2025; 18: 3139-3152. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S526827
  30. Li YJ, Leong II, Fan JQ, Yan MY, Liu X, Lu WJ, et al. Efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of Parkinson's disease-related constipation (PDC): A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Neurosciences. 2023; 17: 1126080. doi: 10.3389/ fnins.2023
  31. Yang Y, Hao YL, Tian WJ, Gong L, Zhang K, Shi QG, et al. The effectiveness of Tai Chi for patients with Parkinson's disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2015; 16: 111. doi: 10.1186/s13063-015-0639-8
  32. Kamieniarz A, Milert A, Grzybowska-Ganszczyk D, Opara J, Juras G. Tai Chi and Qi Gong therapies as a complementary treatment in Parkinson's disease - a systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2021; 56: 102589. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102589
  33. Li M, Liu Y, Feng Y, Wang HM, Ren F. [Effect of bushen huoxue herbs on depression of patients with Parkinson's disease]. Zhong Yao Cai. 2013; 36(8): 1375-1378. PMID: 24558835.
  34. Lee MS, Choi TY, Park JE, Ernst E. Effects of moxibustion for constipation treatment: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Chinese Medicine. 2010; 5: 28. doi: 10.1186/1749-8546-5-28
  35. Liu XL, Chen S, Wang Y. Effects of health Qigong exercises on relieving symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Evidence- Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2016; 2016: 5935782. doi: 10.1155/2016/5935782
  36. Kim S-Y, Lim Y-W, Kim E,  Park S-U. Review on the effect of acupuncture on Parkinson’s disease over the last 5 years. The Journal of Korean Medicine 2021; 43(1): 112-135. doi: 10.13048/jkm.22010
  37. Lai C-Y, Chiang J-H, Lin J-G, Yen H-R, Tu C-H, Chen Y-H. Chinese herbal medicine reduced the risk of stroke in patients with Parkinson’s disease: A population-based retrospective cohort study from Taiwan. PLoS ONE. 2018; 13(9): e0203473. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203473
  38. Li F, Harmer P, Fitzgerald K, Eckstrom E, Stock R, Galver J, et al. Tai chi and postural stability in patients with Parkinson's disease. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2012; 366(6): 511-519. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1107911
  39. Lyu S, Zhang CS, Mao Z, Guo X, Li Z, Luo X, et al. Real-world Chinese herbal medicine for Parkinson's disease: A hospital-based retrospective analysis of electronic medical records. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2024; 16: 1362948. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1362948
  40. Tan W, Liu Q, Cen M, Leong II, Pan Z, Liao M, Zhuang L. Efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for Parkinson's disease with neuropsychiatric symptoms: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal Open. 2024; 14(5): e081041. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081041

Submitted date:
09/14/2025

Reviewed date:
10/05/2025

Accepted date:
10/08/2025

68ed5770a95395702179b3e2 mjpe Articles
Links & Downloads

Mediterr J Med Res

Share this page
Page Sections