TABLE 1.
Characteristics of the included SRs/MAs.
| Study ID | Country | Design | No. of included studies (sample size) | Intervention (dosage, frequency) | Control (dosage, frequency) | Duration of intervention (weeks) | Outcome measures | Data analysis methods | Methodological quality assessment tool | Adverse events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fang, 2016 | China | RCT | 16(2,177) | CHM decoction (150–200 ml, 2–3 times/day) | Acitretin (10–40 mg/day); di yin tablet (10–15 tablets/day) | 4–12 | Total effective rate; PASI score | MA | Modified Jadad | Yes |
| Zhou, 2020 | China | RCT | 14(1,334) | CHM fumigation (34–42°C, 20–30 min, 2–3 times/week) + NB-UVB | NB-UVB (311 nm, initial dosage: 0.1–0.5 J/cm2; increment regimen: 0.01–0.1 J/cm2; maximum dosage: 2–5 J/cm2; frequency: 2–3 times/week) | 4–8 | Total effective rate; cure rate; PASI score | MA | Cochrane | Yes |
| Li, 2012 | China | RCT | 8(946) | CHM decoction (150–200 ml, 2–3 times/day)/bath (37–40°C, 20–30 min, 3 times/week) + NB-UVB | NB-UVB (311 nm, initial dosage: 0.2–1 J/cm2; increment regimen: 0.1–0.2 J/cm2; maximum dosage: 2–2.5 J/cm2; frequency: 2–3 times/week) | 3–8 | Total effective rate; recurrence rate | MA | Cochrane | Yes |
| Wang, 2019 | China | RCT | 13(1,116) | CHM decoction (200 ml, 2 times/day)/bath (38–40°C, 30 min, 3 times/week)/xiaoyin granule (3.5 g, 3 times/day)/biejiajian pill (3 g, 2–3 times/day) + conventional Western medicine | Conventional Western medicine: acitretin (20–50 mg/day); calcipotriol ointment (1 time/day); triamcinolone acetonide (1 time/day); vitamin A cream (1 time/day); NB-UVB: (311 nm, initial dosage: 0.1–0.5 J/cm2; increment regimen: 0.1–0.15 J/cm2; maximum dosage: 2.4 J/cm2; frequency: 2–3 times/week) | 3–12 | Total effective rate (PASI 60) | MA | Cochrane; Jadad; CONSORT | Yes |
| Wu, 2019 | China | RCT | 7(660) | Yinxie capsule (1.35–1.8 g, 3 times/day) + acitretin | Acitretin (20 mg/day) | 8 | Total effective rate (PASI 30); PASI score | MA | Cochrane | Yes |
| Yang, 2020 | China | RCT | 20(1,592) | CHM decoction (150 ml, 2 times/day); CHM decoction (100–200 ml, 2–3 times/day) + acitretin | Acitretin (10–80 mg/day) | 4–16 | Total effective rate; cure rate; PASI score | MA | Cochrane | Yes |
| Zhang, 2018 | China | RCT | 17(1920) | CHM decoction (100–200 ml, 2–3 times/day); CHM decoction (100–200 ml, 2–3 times/day) + acitretin | Acitretin (10–50 mg/day) | 2–12 | Total effective rate; PASI score | MA | Cochrane | Yes |
| Huang, 2018 | China | RCT | 8(748) | Total glucosides of paeony capsule (0.6 g 3 times/day) + NB-UVB | NB-UVB (311 nm, initial dosage: 0.1–0.5 J/cm2; increment regimen: 0.1 J/cm2; maximum dosage: 2.5–3 J/cm2; frequency: 2–3 times/week) | 6–24 | Total effective rate; PASI score | MA | Cochrane | Yes |
| Guan, 2017 | China | RCT | 25(3,570) | CHM bath (35–42°C, 15–30 min, 3–7 times/week) + phototherapy | Phototherapy: NB-UVB (311 nm, initial dosage: 0.1–0.5 J/cm2; increment regimen: 0.1 J/cm2; maximum dosage: 1.5–2.5 J/cm2; frequency: 2–7 times/week); | 4–8 | Total effective rate (PASI 60); recurrence rate; PASI score | MA | Cochrane | Yes |
| Hao, 2020 | China | RCT | 20(2,303) | Xiaoyin granule (3.5 g 3 times/day) + acitretin | Acitretin (20–50 mg/day) | 4–16 | Total effective rate (PASI 30); cure rate (PASI 80); relapse rate; PASI score | MA | Cochrane; modified Jadad | Yes |
| Feng, 2008 | China | RCT | 7(626) | CHM decoction (100–150 ml, 2–3 times/day)/xiaoyin granule (3.5 g, 3 times/day) + acitretin | Acitretin (10–30 mg/day) | 8–16 | Total effective rate | MA | Cochrane | No |
| Wu, 2015 | China | RCT | 21(2086) | CHM decoction (100–150 ml, 2 times/day)/bath (20 min, 1–2 times/day)/xiaoyin granule (3.5 g, 3 times/day)/ruizao zhiyang capsule (2–3 capsules, 3 times/day) + acitretin | Acitretin (10–50 mg/day) | 8–12 | Total effective rate; markedly effective rate; PASI score | MA | Cochrane | No |
| Zhang, 2016 | Australia | RCT | 25(2,890) | CHM decoction (150–200 ml, 2 times/day)/kushenin tablet (2 tablets, 3 times/day); CHM decoction (150–200 ml, 2 times/day)/ruizao zhiyang capsule (4 capsules, 3 times/day)/kushenin tablet (2 tablets, 3 times/day)/dahuang zhechong pill (3 g, 3 times/day)/yinxieling tablet (6 tablets, 3 times/day) + Western drugs | Western drugs: acitretin (10–75 mg/day); tazarotene (1 time/day); calcipotriol ointment (2 times/day) | 6–12 | PASI 60; PASI 90 | MA | Cochrane | Yes |
| Yang, 2015 | China | RCT | 18(1,416) | CHM decoction (200 ml, 2 times/day)/xiaoyin granule (0.5–1 pack, 2–3 times/day)/wushe jiedu pill (6 g, 3 times/day)/keyin pill (10 g, 2 times/day) + NB-UVB | NB-UVB (311 nm, initial dosage: 0.2–0.7 J/cm2; increment regimen: 0.1 J/cm2; maximum dosage: 1.6–3 J/cm2; frequency: 2–3 times/week) | 4–12 | PASI 60; PASI 90 | MA | Cochrane | Yes |
RCT, randomized controlled trial; CHM, Chinese herbal medicine; PASI, psoriasis area and severity index; PASI 30, 60, 80, 90, a PASI score reduction of at least 30, 60, 80, 90%; MA, meta-analysis; NB-UVB, narrowband ultraviolet.