Kampo Therapy for Intractable Symptomatic Epilepsy. A Study of Rehabilitation Patients with Liver Dysfunction and Impaired Cognitive Function / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Long-term administration of anticonvulsants is necessary for patients prone to convulsions in order to prevent seizures. However, continuous administration of anticonvulsants can often provoke liver dysfunction and impair cognitive ability. Some Japanese herbal medicines (Kampo formulae) have long been known to inhibit seizures and to have a protective effect on liver function. To elucidate these effects, Kampo formulae (Saikokeishi-to and Shakuyakukanzo-to) were administered to patients with convulsive seizures and liver dysfunction due to cerebrovascular disorders, traumatic brain injury and brain tumors. Administration of anticonvulsant drugs was decreased simultaneously with administration of these Kampo formulae.<br>The results indicated inhibition of convulsive seizures and a definite recovery of liver function. Improvements were also observed in cognitive function. Based on these findings, it is suggested that Kampo formulae are useful for patients with seizures and/or liver dysfunction, and that the dosage of anticonvulsant drugs may be decreased when Kampo formulae are also being administered.

Analgesic effect of low energy laser to finger joints in rheumatoid arthritis / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

The following analgesic effects have resulted from irradiating each finger joint (DIP, PIP, and MCP) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis for 20 seconds using the semiconductor laser, “uni-Laser” (10mw, 790nm) from ITO company.<br>1) Comparison of the post-exposure state with the pre-exposure state in the open test<br>i) Of 13 cases of joint pain, 7 cases showed improvement and 6 cases showed no change with no case showing aggravation.<br>ii) Duration of analgesic effect was less than 48 hours in 2 cases, less than 72 hours in 1 case, and more than 96 hours in 3 cases.<br>2) Comparison of the post-exposure state with the pre-exposure state in the single blind test on a total of 25 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Twelve patients were exposed to the irradiation twice per week, 10 times a session (irradiated group) and 13 were exposed to the dummy of the above (control group).<br>i) The irradiated group improved considerably in the number of painful joints, frequency of joint pain, and grasping power. The rate of improvement was superior to that of the control group (P<0.05).<br>ii) No significant improvement in duration of morning stiffness was shown in either group.