Table 1. Characteristics of the included RCTs.
| Study | Sample size | Intervention | Course (months) | Outcomes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N1 | N0 | ||||
| Liu 2014 (11) | 20 | 20 | Yiyuanyingxiao decoction | 3 | FT4, FT3, TSH, TPOAb, TRAb, total curative effect |
| Chen 2013 (12) | 27 | 27 | Prescription for reinforcing the kidney, strengthening the spleen, and soothing the liver | 6 | FT4, FT3, TSH, TPOAb, TRAb, individual TCM symptom score, effect on TCM syndrome |
| Jia 2013 (13) | 20 | 20 | Fuzhengsanying decoction | 3 | FT4, FT3, TSH, TPOAb, TRAb, thyroid volume, individual and total TCM symptom scores, effect on TCM syndrome |
| Zhang 2015 (14) | 32 | 30 | Gubenxiaoyan prescription | 3 | FT4, FT3, TSH, TPOAb, TRAb, total curative effect |
| Deng 2013 (15) | 26 | 26 | Self-prescription | 2 | TPOAb, TRAb |
| Ma 2013 (16) | 46 | 40 | Prescription for soothing the liver, strengthening the spleen, and warming the kidney | 3 | TSH, TGAb, TMAb, TCH, LDL, HDL, recurrence rate, total curative effect of disease |
| Zhang 2010 (17) | 70 | 68 | Buyuan capsule | 2 | FT4, FT3, TSH, TPOAb, TRAb, thyroid volume, individual and total TCM symptom scores, effect on TCM syndrome |
RCT, randomized clinical trial; FT4, free thyroxine; FT3, free triiodothyronine; TSH, thyroid stimulating hormone; TPOAb, thyroid peroxidase antibody; TGAb, thyroglobulin antibody; TCM, traditional Chinese medicine.