Effectiveness of the Japanese Herbal Shakuyakukanzoto for Pain Relief in an Outpatient Emergency Setting
10.3937/kampomed.66.34
- VernacularTitle:救急外来における疼痛軽減に対する芍薬甘草湯の有効性
- Author:
Takatoshi SAKURAI
;
Yukio AOYAMA
;
Norihiko SAITO
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
shakuyakukanzoto;
visual analog scale;
emergency;
pain;
acute gastroenteritis
- From:Kampo Medicine
2015;66(1):34-39
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Purpose : Shakuyakukanzoto (SKT ; peony and licorice decoction) is a Japanese herbal medicine that is useful in the treatment of acute pain.
We investigated the effects of SKT on pain in patients who visited to an outpatient emergency department for painful conditions such as acute gastroenteritis.
Methods : Thirty patients were enrolled. All participants received 2.5 grams of SKT powder. Pain intensity was measured at baseline and 30 minutes after SKT administration using a visual analog scale (VAS). Patients were asked to rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 100 (0, no pain ; 100, excruciating pain).
Results : The overall mean VAS score was 71.03 ± 19.42 at baseline and significantly improved to 34.86 ± 34.89 at 30 minutes after SKT administration (P < 0.01).
Conclusions : SKT was highly effective in managing pain-related emergencies in an outpatient setting. Patients with acute gastroenteritis and tension headache experienced the greatest pain relief.
