HEALTH SERVICE RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Please note: All posters will be displayed in
Salons 10-12.
THURSDAY, 10:15-11:00 AM
Park J, Wei H, Lawhon D, Schachter S.
Herbal formulas in epilepsy: A systematic review.
Division for Research and Education in Complementary
and Integrative Medical Therapies, Harvard Medical School, Osher Institute
jongbae_park@hms.harvard.edu
PURPOSE: To systematically review and assess
scientific evidence supporting a formulaic approach to herbal therapies
for epilepsy.
METHODS: An extensive literature search was
carried out in March 2005 using PubMed, Embase, PsychInfo, AltHealth
from its inception to date. In addition, Chinese Medicine database,
Korean Medical Database, and Korean Drug research Information Center
were retrieved, and the bibliographies of initially included articles
were also checked. The keywords used in the search were: ("Epilepsy"
OR "fit" OR "seizure" OR "anticonvulsant" OR "antiepileptic") AND ("plant"
OR "phyto*" "herb*" OR "Chinese medicine" OR "Korean Medicine" OR "Ayurvedic
medicine" OR "Kampo"). Any clinical studies including trial and observational
case studies reporting the use of herbal formulas to treat epilepsy
were included for the systematic review. Two authors identified the
studies to include, extracted the data using a predefined form, and
then all the authors reviewed the findings. Studies were categorized
based on the herbal formulas reported.
RESULTS: A total of 71 studies met the inclusion
criteria and were reviewed. There were three randomized controlled trials,
5 non-randomized, controlled trials, 6 case control studies, and 57
observational studies including case studies. Rarely was the same formulas
used in more than one study. Over 135 single herbs were used in these
investigations.
CONCLUSION: Despite the significant number of
published studies using herbal formulas, the evidence to support these
use for the treatment of epilepsy is lacking. Further research incorporating
methodological rigor and consistent formulas is warranted.
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