Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Tiaoqiheying decoction in treating acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: This prospective randomized study enrolled 102 patients with ischemic stroke who were randomly assigned to the control (placebo), external (external Tiaoqiheying decoction), and external/internal groups (oral and external Tiaoqiheying decoction) groups. Cholesterol (CHO), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Ashworth scale (AMS), visual analog scale (VAS), Barthel Index (BI), and Fugl–Meyer score (FMS) were determined before and after treatment. RESULTS: NIHSS scores were lower in the external/internal group than in the external and placebo groups. MAS and VAS scores for all patients were also lower after 4 weeks than before treatment, and they were significantly lower in the external/internal group versus the control group. CHO, TG, and LDL levels were significantly lower after 2 and 4 weeks, and their levels were lower in the external/internal group than in the other two groups. BI and FMS were higher in the external/internal group than in the other groups after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSION: Tiaoqiheying decoction may improve spasmodic pain and lipid metabolism after stroke.