Clinical Effectiveness of Ikgibohyeol-tang(Yìqìbǔxuè-tāng) and Deer Antler on Fatigue Symptoms and HRV Results in Outpatients at Korean Medical Hospital: A Retrospective Chart Review Study

Article information

J Korean Med. 2022;43(3):139-149
Publication date (electronic) : 2022 September 1
doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.22036
1Dept. of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate school, Kyung-Hee University
1,2Dept. of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean medicine, Kyung-Hee University
Correspondence to: Seungwon Kwon, KyungHeeDaeRo 23, KyungHee University Korean Medicine Hospital, Dongdaemun-Gu, Tel : +82-2-958-9190, Fax : +82-2-958-9132, E-mail : kkokkottung@hanmail.net
Received 2022 July 20; Revised 2022 August 9; Accepted 2022 August 16.

Abstract

Objectives

This study was designed to investigate the clinical effectiveness of Ikgibohyeol-tang(Yìqìbǔxuè-tāng) granules and Deer antler granules on fatigue symptoms.

Methods

This is a 39-patient case series from a retrospective chart review of outpatients who were treated with Ikgibohyeol-tang granules and Deer antler granules at a Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital (Seoul) between 1st, January 2015 to 1st, August 2021. We reviewed the patients who complained of fatigue and analyzed changes in the degree of discomfort with fatigue and accompanying symptoms and HRV (Heart Rate Variability) score before and after treatment.

Results

After taking Ikgibohyeol-tang granules and Deer antler granules, the degree of discomfort with fatigue and accompanying symptoms decreased significantly compared to before taking them. After treatment, Autonomic nervous system activity, Stress resistance, Heart Stability increased, and Stress index, Degree of fatigue decreased significantly.

Conclusions

This study showed subjective symptoms and objective indicator (HRV score) were improved by taking Ikgibohyeol-tang granules and Deer antler granules.

Fig. 1

The remaining degree of discomfort with fatigue and accompanying symptoms after treatment.

Fig. 2

Comparison of differences in HRV scores before and after IGBHT granules and Deer antler granules administration (*p<.05, **p<.01, ***p<.001). HRV, Heart Rate Variability; ANS, Autonomic nervous system

Composition of IGBHT granules per pack

Composition of Deer antler granules per pack

Past medical history of patients

Main impression of patients

Chief complaint of patients accompanied with fatigue

Change of HRV scores after IGBHT granules and Deer antler granules administration

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Article information Continued

Fig. 1

The remaining degree of discomfort with fatigue and accompanying symptoms after treatment.

Fig. 2

Comparison of differences in HRV scores before and after IGBHT granules and Deer antler granules administration (*p<.05, **p<.01, ***p<.001). HRV, Heart Rate Variability; ANS, Autonomic nervous system

Table 1

Composition of IGBHT granules per pack

Scientific name of Herb Dose(g)
Atractylodis Rhizoma alba 5.264
Astragali Radix 5.264
Hoelen 3.506
Pinelliae Rhizoma 3.506
Massa Medicata Fermentata 3.506
Crataegi Fructus 3.506
Glycyrrhizae Radix 3.506
Cyperi Rhizma 3.506
Aurantii Nobilis Pericarpium 3.506
Hordei Fructus Germinatus 3.506
Magnoliae Cortex 2.805
Amomi Semen 2.805
Paeoniae Radix 2.459
Angelicae Gigantis Radix 2.459
Rehmanniae Radix 2.459
Poria Sclertum cum Pini Radix 2.104
Liriopis Tuber 2.104
Polygalae Radix 2.104
Gingseng Radix 2.104
Cnidium officinale Makino 1.870
Saussureae Radix 1.870
Zingiberis Rhizoma 3.506
Zizyphi Fructus 3.740
*

IGBHT, Ikgibohyeol-tang; IGBHT granules were made by the Korean Medicine Pharmacy Department of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital.

Table 2

Composition of Deer antler granules per pack

Scientific name of Herb Dose(g)
Cervi Parvum Cornu 12
*

Deer antler granules were made by the Korean Medicine Pharmacy Department of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital.

Table 3

Past medical history of patients

Past history Number (%)
Hypertension 19 (48.7)
Diabetes Mellitus 1 (2.6)
Dyslipidemia 14 (35.9)
Cerebrovascular disease 7 (17.9)
Cardiovascular disease 2 (5.1)
Thyroid disease 5 (12.8)
Liver disease 1 (2.6)
Musculoskeletal disease 7 (17.9)
Gynecological disease 5 (12.8)

Table 4

Main impression of patients

Main impression Number (%)
Headache 7 (17.9)
Dizziness and giddiness 6 (15.4)
Paresthesia of skin, Numbness 3 (7.7)
Cerebral infarction 2 (5.1)
Cervicalgia 2 (5.1)
Other and unspecified primary hypertension 2 (5.1)
Fatigue 2 (5.1)
Dementia in Alzheimer's disease 1 (2.6)
Disorder of brain 1 (2.6)
Insomnia 1 (2.6)
Orthostatic hypotension 1 (2.6)
Tremor 1 (2.6)
Dystonia 1 (2.6)
Muscle cramp 1 (2.6)
Gait disturbance 1 (2.6)
Edema 1 (2.6)
Disturbances of skin sensation 1 (2.6)
Sequelae of cerebral infarction 1 (2.6)

Table 5

Chief complaint of patients accompanied with fatigue

Chief complaint accompanied with fatigue Number (%)
Headache group 9 (23.1)
Paresthesia group 8 (20.5)
Dizziness group 7 (17.9)
Movement Disorder group 6 (15.4)
Neuropsychiatric symptom group 6 (15.4)
Nonspecific symptom group 3 (7.7)

Table 6

Change of HRV scores after IGBHT granules and Deer antler granules administration

Change of HRV scores ANS activity Balance of the ANS Stress resistance Stress index Degree of fatigue Heart Stability
Improvement to the different range 17 (43.6) 11 (28.2) 20 (51.3) 18 (46.2) 20 (51.3) 14 (35.9)
Change within the same range 17 (43.6) 20 (51.3) 14 (35.9) 18 (46.2) 14 (35.9) 22 (56.4)
Worsen to the different range 5 (12.8) 8 (20.5) 5 (12.8) 3 (7.7) 5 (12.8) 3 (7.7)
*

Number (%) values are shown.

HRV, Heart Rate Variability; IGBHT, Ikgibohyeol-tang; ANS, Autonomic nervous system