Beneficial effects of the herbal medicine Di Huang Yin Zi in patients with spinal cord injury: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the safety and therapeutic efficacy of Di Huang Yin Zi (DHYZ), a traditional Chinese decoction used to treat neurological disorders, in spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, patients with traumatic SCI and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment grades B-D were randomized to receive DHYZ (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. Both groups also received rehabilitation therapy during the study period. Motor and sensory function and activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed before treatment and at 4-week intervals.

RESULTS

Significantly more patients in the DHYZ group showed an improved ASIA impairment grade during the treatment period (32.1%) compared with the placebo group (10.3%), and scores for sensory and motor function and ADL at the end of the treatment period were significantly higher in the DHYZ group than in the placebo group. No serious side-effects were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

DHYZ was found to improve neurological function in patients with SCI and may be an effective adjuvant therapy to enhance functional recovery.