Trial reportIntegrative cancer therapies2017
A Randomized Controlled Study to Observe the Efficacy of External Treatment With a Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbal Ointment on Malignant Plural Effusion: Outcome Report and Design Review.
Trial report in Integrative cancer therapies, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 15 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effectiveness of Complementary Therapies in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Pooled it
- Reducing postsurgical exudate in breast cancer patients by using San Huang decoction to ameliorate inflammatory status: a prospective clinical trial.Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) · 2018Trial
- Evidence-Based Perspectives on Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cancer Treatment: Current Advances and Clinical Relevance.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2026Review
- Advances in external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine for the management of hyperuricemia: a comprehensive review.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2025Review
- Progress in Mechanistic Research and the Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Malignant Pleural Effusion.Cancer management and research · 2025Review
- Research progress of targeted therapy regulating Th17/Treg balance in bone immune diseases.Frontiers in immunology · 2024Review
- Use of CAM among cancer patients : Results of a regional survey in Sweden.BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2023Article
- Baicalin Ameliorates Dexamethasone-Induced Osteoporosis by Regulation of the RANK/RANKL/OPG Signaling Pathway.Drug design, development and therapy · 2020Article
- The modified Yi qi decoction protects cardiac ischemia-reperfusion induced injury in rats.BMC complementary and alternative medicine · 2017Article
- Beneficial Effects and Toxicity Studies of Xian-ling-gu-bao on Bone Metabolism in Ovariectomized Rats.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2017Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
11 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMalignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common complication in most malignancies. Despite its frequent occurrence, current knowledge of MPE remains limited and the effect of the management is still unsatisfying. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) external treatment has unique advantages, such as quicker efficacy and fewer side effects.
objectiveTo observe the effects and safety of Kang'ai Xiaoshui ointment (TCM herbal ointment) in MPE.
designThis was a placebo-controlled double-blinded randomized study. A total of 80 patients were enrolled, of which 72 were randomized to receive Kang'ai Xiaoshui ointment or placebo at an allocation ratio of 1:1. Kang'ai Xiaoshui ointment or placebo was applied on the thorax wall for 8 hours daily. The intervention lasted 2 weeks. Kang'ai Xiaoshui ointment consisted of Astragalus membranaces （）, Semen pharbitidis （）, Cassia twig （）, Pericarpium arecae （）, Curcuma zedoary （）, Borneol （), and other substances. In both groups, diuresis and drainages were used as needed. Outcomes covered the quantity of pleural effusion evaluation, TCM Symptom Scale, Karnofsky Performance Scale, and safety indicators such as routine blood test, blood biochemistry test, and response table of skin irritation.
resultsOf 72 patients randomized to receive Kang'ai Xiaoshui ointment or placebo along with symptomatic treatment, the response rate was documented as 42.4% for the treatment group and 25.0% for the placebo group ( P = .138). As for the TCM symptom scale, the treatment group showed improvement in chest distress ( P = .003), fullness and distention ( P = .042), shortness of breath ( P < .001), no statistical significance in palpitation ( P = .237), and pain ( P = .063), whereas the placebo group did not show statistical significance in any of the 5 symptoms. Major adverse events related to the treatment, mainly skin irritation, were distributed equally.
conclusionsKang'ai Xiaoshui ointment showed a potential of reducing MPE, and it could alleviate symptoms of dyspnea. Thus, it may be appropriate as a supplementary intervention for MPE. There were some flaws in the study design. A larger scale and better designed trial is advocated.
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