Efficacy of integration of traditional Chinese and western medicine therapy on optic neuritis:A systematic review

OBJECTIVE To systematically assess the methodological quality of clinical studies using integration of TCM-WM therapy to optic neuritis and to evaluate its efficacy.METHODS A comprehensive search strategy was designed to identify all randomized controlled trials(RCT)comparing integration of TCM-WM therapy versus western medicine therapy alone by searching for the CBM disc(issue 3) and CHKD.The methodological quality of the trials was assessed and a meta analysis was performed.RESULTS Twelve RCTs met the inclusion criteria.Methodological quality was poor(all the trials included were level C).Compared with the control group,the outcome of integration of TCM-WM increased the effect[OR=5.30,95%CI(2.97,9.44),P0.01].CONCLUSIONS The me-thodological quality of the trails using integration of TCM-WM should be improved.Based on the results of the review and the meta-analysis,integration of TCM-WM may have positive effects in patients with optic neuritis,although the evidence was weak.No serious adverse events were reported.Further well-designed clinical trials should be performed.