A clinical study on safety and efficacy of Naesohwajung-tang on functional dyspepsia

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Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder diagnosed with dyspeptic symptoms, such as recurrent or persistent postprandial fullness, epigastric pain, burning, and early satiety without any evidence of structural abnormality. In traditional Korean medicine, herbal remedies are one of the preferred treatments for gastrointestinal symptoms. Among them, Naesohwajung-tang (NHT) has been frequently prescribed to improve dyspeptic symptoms for a long time. However, the safety and efficacy of NHT still remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NHT in patients with FD using a randomized controlled trial. Methods: This is a protocol for a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Total 116 participants aged between 19 and 75 years diagnosed with FD according to the Rome IV diagnosis criteria will be recruited at two Korean medicine hospitals. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either a NHT group or a placebo group in a 1:1 ratio. Each participant will be instructed to take NHT or placebo granules three times a day for 4 weeks. The primary outcome is the change in the total dyspepsia symptom score to confirm the efficacy of NHT. The secondary outcomes include overall total effect, single dyspepsia symptom scale, food retention questionnaire, Damum questionnaire, FD-related quality of life, electrogastrography, and safety assessments. Adverse events will be evaluated at every visit. The primary endpoint will be measured at week 4, and then re-evaluated at week 8 through a follow-up phone visit. Discussion: This trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of NHT as a treatment of FD. The results of this trial will not only verify whether NHT improves FD symptoms and gastric myoelectrical activity, but also clarify those correlations. Trial registration number: CRIS KCT0003405.