Effectiveness and Tolerability of Korean Red Ginseng Augmentation in Major Depressive Disorder Patients with Difficult-to-treat in Routine Practice
10.9758/cpn.2020.18.4.621
- Author:
Kyung Ho LEE
1
;
Won-Myong BAHK
;
Soo-Jung LEE
;
Chi-Un PAE
Author Information
1. Departments of Dermatology, Bucheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea
- Publication Type:Brief Report
- From:Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
2020;18(4):621-626
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:To test clinical effectiveness and tolerability of Korean Red Ginseng augmentation (RGA) in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with difficult-to-treat.
Methods:Thirty six patients were enrolled in this 6 weeks, prospective, clinical trial. Rating scales were MontgomeryÅsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Clinical Global Impression-improvement (CGI-I), and Patient Satisfaction Score. The primary endpoint was a remission rate measured by MADRS score at the end of study (≤ 10). Clinical outcomes and tolerability were assessed at baseline, week 2, and week 6.
Results:Among 36 patients, 26 patients completed the study and 28 patients had post-baseline visit data. The remission rate by MADRS score was 39.3% (11/28) and 57.1% by CGI-I scores of 1 or 2 at the end of the study. The mean change of MADRS score was significantly decreased by 44.4% from baseline to the end of study. The most frequent adverse events were headache (7/28, 25.0%) during the study.
Conclusion:Our study indicates the putative effectiveness and tolerability of RGA for treating MDD with difficult-to-treat in clinical practice. However, adequately powered, randomized, controlled trials will be needed to confirm these results.
