Systematic evaluation and meta-analysis of Flunarizine Hydrochloride combined with traditional Chinese medicine decoction in the treatment of migraine headaches

Objectives: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and superiority of Flunarizine Hydrochloride when combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Decoctions in treating migraine headaches. Method: The authors conducted a comprehensive search for clinical Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) inve...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Fan, Dan, Leng, Wei, Zhang, Liqin
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2024
Country:Brasil
Institution:Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
Repository:Clinics
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:revistas.usp.br:article/237986
Online Access:https://revistas.usp.br/clinics/article/view/237986
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Flunarizine Hydrochloride
Traditional Chinese medicine decoction
Migraine
Chinese medicine symptom score
Meta-analysis
Description
Summary:Objectives: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and superiority of Flunarizine Hydrochloride when combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Decoctions in treating migraine headaches. Method: The authors conducted a comprehensive search for clinical Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) investigating the combination of Flunarizine Hydrochloride with Chinese herbal decoctions in treating migraines. The databases searched included CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, WOI, Cochrane Library, and Embase, covering the period from January 1, 2019, to November 10, 2023. Two independent researchers meticulously screened, extracted, and assessed the relevant data, employing the Revman 5.3 software for meta-analysis. Results: The meta-analysis revealed that, in comparison to Flunarizine Hydrochloride used in isolation, the combination with Chinese herbal decoctions markedly enhanced the effective rate (RR = 1.26, 95% CI [1.18, 1.34], p < 0.0001). Moreover, significant improvements were observed in the TCM symptom score (MD = 4.97, 95% CI [-6.74, -3.19], p < 0.00001). The observation group demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in endothelin levels compared to the control group (I2 = 85%, MD = -13.66, 95% CI [-17.87, -9.45], p = 0.0001). The observation group showed a significant reduction in NRS scores compared to the control group, indicating better outcomes (I2 = 95%, MD = -2.11, 95% CI [-3.09, -1.12], p < 0.0001). The observation group was superior to the control group in terms of the reduction in the number of episodes (I2 = 63%, MD = -1.16, 95% CI [-1.45, -0.87], p = 0.007). Conclusions: The confluence of Flunarizine Hydrochloride with traditional Chinese medicine decoctions in treating migraine patients demonstrated substantial clinical efficacy and improvement in TCM symptom score over the use of Flunarizine Hydrochloride alone.