Efficacy of Bushen Huatan Decoction combined with Baduanjin in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance (IR-PCOS), kidney deficiency and phlegm dampness: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Author: Haiqing Qian#1, Wenting Xu#1, Lijuan Cui2, Rong Wang3, Jiahui Wang1, Mengyu Tang1, Minggang Wei4, Lihong Wang5
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Reproduction, Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. <sup>2</sup> Department of Pathology, Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. <sup>3</sup> Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. <sup>4</sup> The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. weiminggang@suda.edu.cn. <sup>5</sup> Department of Reproduction, Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. zjgzywlh@njucm.edu.cn.
Conference/Journal: Trials
Date published: 2021 Nov 7
Other: Volume ID: 22 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 781 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1186/s13063-021-05770-z. , Word Count: 381


Background:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disease in women. Insulin resistance (IR) has emerged as a central contributor to the pathogenesis of this disease. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), kidney deficiency is the main syndrome of PCOS. The deficiency of the kidney cannot vaporize water-dampness, and the retention of water-dampness accumulates into phlegm dampness stagnation, resulting in visceral dysfunction and metabolic disorder. TCM involving syndrome differentiation and treatment is widely used to adjust women's menstrual cycles. Our patented formula Bushen Huatan Decoction (BSHTD) has been proven to be effective in the clinical treatment of IR-PCOS. Baduanjin also plays an important role in improving metabolic syndrome through lifestyle intervention. This study investigates the clinical efficacy of Bushen Huatan Decoction combined with Baduanjin in IR-PCOS, to form a specific TCM-behaviour intervention plan in the treatment of IR-PCOS.

Methods/design:
This is a randomized controlled trial involving 190 participants diagnosed with IR-PCOS. All participants will be randomly allocated into 5 groups: group A will receive metformin; group B, BSHTD; group C, Baduanjin; group D, BSHTD combined with metformin; and group E, BSHTD combined with Baduanjin. One course of treatment lasts 3 months, a total of two courses. The primary outcomes are changes in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and improvements in the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin-releasing test (INS). The secondary outcomes are improvements in the menstrual cycle, ovulation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, basic serum sex hormone levels, free androgen index (FAI), Ferriman-Gallwey scores, body mass index (BMI) and TCM syndrome scores. The related observation indexes will be collected at baseline, during the process of treatment and at the 6-month follow-up. Simultaneously, close monitoring of possible adverse events will be performed throughout the trial process.

Discussion:
This trial will investigate the efficacy of the comprehensive intervention program of Bushen Huatan Decoction combined with Baduanjin on the adjustment of the menstrual cycle, improvement of insulin resistance and correction of glucose metabolism disorder in IR-PCOS patients. It is expected to form an alternative treatment of TCM-behaviour intervention therapy for IR-PCOS and promote the Chinese fitness Qigong Baduanjin in the application of lifestyle diseases.

Trial registration:
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100043415 . Registered on 15 February 2021.

Keywords: Baduanjin; Bushen Huatan Decoction; Insulin resistance; Polycystic ovary syndrome.

PMID: 34743745 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05770-z