OBJECTIVETo objectively assess the influence of Xiaoliu Baofei Pill (XBP) combined with chemotherapy on quality of life (QOL) of patients with stage III-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSForty NSCLC patients were equally randomized into 2 groups, the treated group treated with XBP plus chemotherapy, and the control group treated with chemotherapy alone. Patients' QOL was assessed by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-L) before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe scores of the physical condition in the treated group was relatively stable while it lowered significantly as time went by in the control group, significant difference was shown as compared with before treatment and with that in the treated group at the same time points (P < 0.05); scores of the mood condition, the function conditions and additional concerned condition were improved gradually from the 3rd collection in the treated group, but decreased in the control group, although some improvement of mood and function conditions had revealed temporarily in the early stage of treatment. Comparison between groups showed significant difference (P < 0.05). Besides, no significant change was found in domains of patient-doctor relation and society/family condition in both groups.

CONCLUSIONXBP combined with chemotherapy can obviously improve the QOL of advanced NSCLC patients.