T. Ishikawa et al., Effectiveness of the Kampo kami-shoyo-san (TJ-24) for tremor of antipsychotic-induced parkinsonism, PSY CLIN N, 54(5), 2000, pp. 579-582
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Kampo
medication kami-shoyo-san against tremor due to antipsychotic-induced park
insonism. Kami-shoyo-san consists of several medicinal herbs that are known
in traditional Chinese medicine to be effective in treating Parkinson's di
sease and convulsions. We gave kami-shoyo-san to eight patients at Higashio
wari National Hospital who were exhibiting tremor, a symptom of antipsychot
ic-induced parkinsonism. The tremor was evaluated on a five-point scale bef
ore and after the administration of kami-shoyo-san, and the findings were c
ompared statistically. The results showed a stastistically significant redu
ction in the tremor after the administration of kami-shoyo-san (P < 0.01),
with 62.5% of patients showing an improvement of one point or more. The tre
mor did not worsen in any of the patients, and none complained of side-effe
cts. Thus, kami-shoyo-san appears to be effective against the tremor from p
arkinsonism. Kami-shoyo-san consists of 10 medicinal herbs, including Radix
Bulpleuri, Radix Paeoniae, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and Radix Glycyrrhiza
e, which are effective in treating disturbances in muscular movement accord
ing to TCM theory. Of the 10 herbs contained in kami-shoyo-san, we believe
the abovementioned ones are particularly effective in helping to reduce the
tremor associated with parkinsonism.