A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Preventive Effect of Hangekobokuto on Aspiration Pneumonia in Patients Undergoing Cardiovascular Surgery

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to assess whether hangekobokuto (HKT) can prevent aspiration pneumonia in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.Methods: We performed a single-center, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study of HKT in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. JPS HKT extract granule (JPS-16) was used as HKT. The primary endpoint was defined as the prevention of postoperative aspiration pneumonia. The secondary endpoints included complete recovery from swallowing and coughing disorders.Results: Between August 2014 and August 2015, a total of 34 patients were registered in this study. The rate of subjects with postoperative aspiration pneumonia was significantly lower in the HKT group than in the placebo group (p = 0.017). In high-risk patients for aspiration pneumonia, the rate was significantly lower in the HKT group than in the placebo group (p = 0.015). The rate of subjects with swallowing disorders tended to be lower in the HKT group than in the placebo group (p = 0.091), and in high-risk patients, the rate was significantly lower in the HKT group than in the placebo group (p = 0.038).Conclusions: HKT can prevent aspiration pneumonia in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. In high-risk patients for aspiration pneumonia, HKT can prevent aspiration pneumonia and improve swallowing disorders.

Kampo Medicine for Older People: A Review

“…Recently, another double-blinded randomized control study demonstrated the effect of hangekobokuto in reducing aspiration pneumonia [33]. In this study conducted with patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, the proportion of subjects with postoperative aspiration pneumonia was significantly lower in the hangekobokuto group than in the placebo group (P = 0.017).…”

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Geriatrics, Evidences, and the Guideline

“…The BHT group was able to maintain self-feeding better than the control group (P = .006). Very recently, the suppressing effect of BHT for aspiration pneumonia was confirmed by double blind RCT [12]. BHT was described in Jin kui Yao lue (金匱要略) by Zhan Zhong jing (張仲景) in 2nd century.…”

Recovery of oral feeding in Japanese elderly people after long-term tube feeding: A challenge in Miyama Hospital

“…[ 8 ] For patients in whom the swallowing reflex took longer than 4 s, banxia houpu tang (BHT), a specific type of traditional Chinese medicine reported to improve the swallowing reflex and reduce the risk of developing aspiration pneumonia, was administered. [ 7 9 10 ] We also collected data on their swallowing reflex time at baseline and after BHT treatment. We compared the group of patients who managed to recover to oral feeding (group 1) versus those who failed to resume this type of feeding (group 2).…”