Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder using the traditional Japanese herbal medicine saikokeishikankyoto: a randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial in survivors of the great East Japan earthquake and tsunami

Takehiro Numata; Shen Gunfan; Shin Takayama; Satomi Takahashi; Yasutake Monma; Soichiro Kaneko; Hitoshi Kuroda; Junichi Tanaka; Seiki Kanemura; Masayuki Nara; Yutaka Kagaya; Tadashi Ishii; Nobuo Yaegashi; Masahiro Kohzuki; Koh Iwasaki

doi:10.1155/2014/683293

Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder using the traditional Japanese herbal medicine saikokeishikankyoto: a randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial in survivors of the great East Japan earthquake and tsunami

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014:2014:683293. doi: 10.1155/2014/683293. Epub 2014 Mar 24.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.
² Department of Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation Science, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.
³ Comprehensive Education Center for Community Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, No. 2-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8575, Japan.
⁴ Center for Traditional Asian Medicine, National Sendai-Nishitaga Hospital, No. 2-11-11, Kagitorihoncho, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City 982-8555, Japan.
⁵ Graduate Medical Education Center, Tohoku University Hospital, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.
⁶ Division of General Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, No. 1-847, Amanumacho, Oomiya Ward, Saitama City 330-8503, Japan.
⁷ Department of Education and Support for Community Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, No. 1-1, Seiryo-Machi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City 980-8574, Japan.

Abstract

The Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami caused immense damage over a wide area of eastern Japan. Hence, many survivors are at high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial examined the efficacy and safety of the traditional Japanese herbal formula saikokeishikankyoto (SKK) in the treatment of PTSD among survivors of this disaster. Forty-three participants with an Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) score ≥ 25 were randomized into SKK (n = 21) and control (n = 22) groups. The primary endpoint was the change in IES-R scores from baseline till after 2 weeks of treatment. Intergroup statistical comparisons were performed. The magnitude of changes in total IES-R scores differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.001). Post hoc analysis showed that the total IES-R score improved significantly in the SKK group from 49.6 ± 11.9 to 25.5 ± 17.0 (P < 0.001). Subscale scores improved significantly in the SKK group (avoidance, P = 0.003; hyperarousal, P < 0.001; intrusion, P < 0.001). Two-week treatment with SKK significantly improved IES-R scores among PTSD patients. This traditional medicine may be a valid choice for the treatment of psychological and physical symptoms in PTSD patients.