PAINFUL MUSCLE CRAMPS TREATED BY SHAKUYAKU-KANZO-TO
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Time required for the maximum therapeutic effect
We investigated how many days were needed from the start of administration to achieve the maximum
therapeutic effect. For 11
patients, fewer than 3 days were required; for 2 patients, 3-7 days; for 1 patient, 7-14
days; and for 1 patient, more than 14 days (Figure 2). In more than half of the 16 patients, therefore, the
maximum therapeutic effects occurred within less than 3 days.
The chi-square test showed an association between therapeutic effect and time
required for the maximum
therapeutic effect (χ
２
= 33.01,
P < 0.001).
Figure 2. Time required for the maximum therapeutic effect
We classified 16 patients based on the days that were needed from the start of administration to achieve the
maximum therapeutic effect.
Minimum effective dose of Shakuyaku-kanzo-to
We interviewed patients at 12 weeks after the treatment started. Symptoms were alleviated in 26 of 28
patients, with dosages at that time as follows: 7.5 g/day for 5 patients, 5 g/day for 5 patients, 2.5 g/day for 8
patients, 2.5 g as needed for 5 patients, and completed treatment for 3 patients.
We then calculated the patients’ response scores according to the frequency of muscle cramps. The scores of
the group that had completed treatment were significantly lower than those of all other groups.
No significant
difference was observed among any other groups (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Dosages and responses to painful muscle cramps
Response scores were defined as a complete response: 3 points; partial response: 2 points; minor response: 1
point; no response: 0 points; dropout: -1 point. The error bar indicates the SD. Differences
in response scores
were assessed by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s post-hoc test.
*
P < 0.05; **
P < 0.01.
