Abstract
Abstract
Background
Constipation is a common problem among advanced cancer patients; however, many of them find limited effective from current therapies. Thus, we aimed to test the effect of a traditional Chinese herbal formula, modified MaZiRenWan (MZRW), by comparing with placebo among palliative cancer patients with constipation.
Methods
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants aged over 18 were recruited and randomized to MZRW or placebo group in addition to current prescriptions (including ongoing laxatives treatment) for two weeks. Exclusion criteria included cognitive impairment, presence of a colostomy or gastrointestinal obstruction and estimated life expectancy of less than one month. Individualized modification of MZRW was allowed according to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of patient. The primary outcome was the global assessment of improvement, which reflected whether the constipation had improved, remained the same or worsened.
Results
Sixty patients, with mean age 75.2 years (range 47–95 years), were randomized to MZRW or placebo group. Among the MZRW group, 59.3% (16/27) had improvement in the global assessment score, as compared with 28.6% (8/28) of the placebo group (p-value = 0.022). Besides, the MZRW group had significant increase in stool frequency, and reduction in constipation severity and straining of defecation (p-value < 0.05). No serious adverse event was reported due to the research medication.
Conclusion
This pilot trial suggests modified MZRW is well-tolerated and effective for relief of constipation in patients with advance cancer. It could be considered as a potential treatment option for constipation in palliative care.
Trial registration: The trial had been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with identifier number NCT02795390 [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02795390] on June 10, 2016.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Complementary and alternative medicine,Pharmacology
Reference28 articles.
1. Larkin PJ, Cherny NI, La Carpia D, et al. Diagnosis, assessment and management of constipation in advanced cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines. Ann Oncol. 2018;29(Suppl4):iv111–25.
2. Wickham RJ. Managing constipation in adults with cancer. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2017;8(2):149–61.
3. Bausewein C, Simon ST, Pralong A, et al. Palliative care of adult patients with cancer. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2015;112(50):863–70.
4. Laugsand EA, Jakobsen G, Kaasa S, Klepstad P. Inadequate symptom control in advanced cancer patients across Europe. Support Care Cancer. 2011;19(12):2005–14.
5. Cheng CW, Kwok AO, Bian ZX, Tse DM. A cross-sectional study of constipation and laxative use in advanced cancer patients: insights for revision of current practice. Support Care Cancer. 2012;21(1):149–56.
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献