ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect and security of Buyang Huanwu decoction in treatment of the ischemic stroke recovery. Methods: We retrieved the relevant articles of random and semi- random control trials in treating ischemic stroke recovery using Buyang Huanwu decoction, published in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Wanfang Data, the Weipu Information Resources System, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Cochrane Library, PUBMED and MEDLINE from the date of establishment until to March 2018. The quality of studies was evaluated according to the Cochrane Reviewers?? handbook 5.1, and the study was carried out using Cochrane system assessment methods. Statistical analysis was performed with Rev Man 5.3. Results: Altogether 39 studies and 3539 cases of ischemic stroke recovery were enrolled. In terms of clinical efficacy, the difference between Buyang Huanwu Decoction and Western Medicine conventional therapy in the treatment of ischemic stroke was significantly different from that of conventional western medicine therapy [RR =1.26, 95％CI (1.20, 1.31), Z =10.05, P ＜ 0.00001], and the difference between Buyang Huanwu Decoction and other Chinese patent medicines was statistically significant [RR =1.12, 95％CI(1.06, 1.19), Z =3.82, P =0.0001]; neurological deficit NIHSS score [MD =-2.55, 95％CI (-3.10, -2.01), Z =9.20, P ＜ 0.00001]; clinical neurological deficit score (CSS) [MD =-3.85, 95％CI (-5.21, -2.50), Z =5.56, P ＜ 0.00001]; limb motor function score (FMA) [MD =6.10, 95％CI (1.19, 11.01), Z =2.43, P =0.01]; Barthel Index of Daily Living Activity Scale [MD =9.09, 95％CI (6.95, 11.23), Z =8.33, P ＜ 0.00001]; In terms of improving blood rheology index, serum peroxide lipid (LPO), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and other biochemical indicators, due to the small number of studies, it may have a certain effect. Most studies did not report adverse reactions. Conclusion: Based on the existing clinical evidence, combination of Buyang Huanwu decoction and western medicine has higher clinical efficacy than western medicine alone for the ischemic stroke recovery. Due to the limited methodological quality of the included studies, more high- quality RCTs with large scale are needed to increase the strength of the above evidence.