Table 3.
Review of the case series.
| First author (year) | Country | Sample size | Sex (M: F) | Average age | Duration of disease | Diagnosed by | Herbal medicine | Duration of treatment | Other intervention | Outcomes | Significant finding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liang (1999) [32] | China | 24 | 17:7 | 43 | 5 y | EMG | Maqianzi powder Combination of several herbal medicines∗ |
No mention | Acupuncture | TER | TER 91.67% |
| Cheng Y (1999) [33] | China | 46 | 27:19 | No mention | No mention | EMG | Sanqifuweiruansuowan | 6–24 m | Acupuncture Physical therapy(Qigong) |
TER | TER 89.13% |
| Luo et al. (2002) [34] | China | 26 | 15:11 | 47.9 | No mention | 3,200 diagnostic criteria for medical diseases | Qiangjiling Qiangjijianli oral liquid |
3 m | Huangqi injection Tuina therapy |
TER | TER 68.75% |
| Kwon (2003) [35] | Korea | 18 | No mention | No mention | No mention | EMG biopsy | Yangzuezhuangjinjianbuwan | 3–6 m | Acupuncture Pharmacoacupuncture Bee-venom pharmacoacupuncture |
Clinical symptoms ALSFRS |
Inhibition of progression Improving local symptoms Psychological stability |
| Byun et al. (2007) [36] | Korea | 3 | 0:3 | 53.3 | 1.67 y | No mention | Liujunzitang Weizheng decoction Yangyingjian Guzhenyinzi + Buzhongyiqitang Erchentang Bufeiyangyingjian Buzhongyiqitang Jiaweixiaoyaosan Xiangshayangweitang Zhengchuanjiaweierchentang Renshenyangweitang Erchentang + Siwutang Guipitang + Wendantang Renshenbaidusan |
1.5–6 m | Acupuncture riluzole | ALSFRS | Delayed symptoms |
| Ryu et al. (2009) [37] | Korea | 2 | 1:1 | 50 | 4.75 y | No mention | Bawutang Xiangshapingweisan Xiaojinglongtang Taorenchengqitang Banxiaxiexintang Qingzinlianzitang Qingzinreduotang Yangzuezhuangjinjianbuwan Zhenganxifengtangjiajian |
1–2 m | Acupuncture Moxibustion riluzole |
K-ALSFRS-R ALSSS Clinical symptoms |
Improving local symptoms |
∗ Astragali Radix, Codonopsis Pilosulae Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Citri Unshius Pericarpium, Gastrodiae Rhizoma, Bupleuri Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, Rehmanniae Radix Recens, Dipsaci Radix, Cuscutae Semen, Lycii Fructus, Epimedii Herba, Phellodendri Cortex, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. M, male; F, female; m, month(s); y, year(s); TER, total effective rate; ALSFRS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale; K-ALSFRS-R, Korean-ALSFRS-Revised; and ALSSS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis severity scale.