Clinical Study on Tongluo Yizhi Decoction for Preventing Cognitive Impairment in Brain Malignant Tumor Radiotherapy

XIE Fang, WEI Xiaobai, ZHANG Xiwei, GAO Hongyuan, LI Dan, WU Xueyong

XIE Fang, WEI Xiaobai, ZHANG Xiwei, GAO Hongyuan, LI Dan, WU Xueyong

Jing’an Branch of Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China

Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of Tongluo Yizhi Decoction on preventing cognitive impairment in brain malignant tumor radiotherapy. Methods The patients with brain malignant tumors radiotherapy were divided into the study group and the control group by random number table method, with 60 cases in each group. Both groups received one course of radiotherapy. In the study group, Tongluo Yizhi Decoction was given at the same time of radiotherapy, one dosage per day, decocted in water, twice a day, orally. 30 days were one treatment course, lasting for six courses. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared. Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) scores in both groups were observed 1 week before radiotherapy and 1, 3, and 6 months after radiotherapy. Cognitive impairment (MoCA score < 26 points) in both groups were evaluated. TCM symptom scores in both groups were observed. Results Totally 12 cases and 9 cases were lost in study group and control group, respectively. The total effective rate was 81.2% (39/48) in the study group and 15.6% (8/51) in the control group. The study group was

significantly better than the control group (P<0.05). At 1, 3, and 6 months after radiotherapy, the MoCA scores of the control group were all lower than 26 points, and the difference was statistically from before radiotherapy (P<0.05). There was no significant change in the MoCA score of the study group. The MoCA scores of the study group were better than those of the control group at the same time point after radiotherapy (P<0.05). At 1, 3, and 6 months after radiotherapy, the incidence of cognitive impairment in the study group was not different from that before radiotherapy (P>0.05), and the incidence of cognitive impairment in the control group increased (P<0.05). The incidence of cognitive impairment in the study group was lower than that in the control group at the same time point after radiotherapy (P<0.05). Compared with before radiotherapy, the TCM symptom scores of the study group significantly decreased at 1, 3, and 6 months after radiotherapy (P<0.05), and the TCM symptom scores of the control group increased at 3 and 6 months after radiotherapy (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, TCM symptom scores of the study group were lower than those of the control group at the same time point after radiotherapy(P<0.05). There were 2 cases of abnormal liver function in the study group, and no other adverse events were seen in both groups. Conclusion Brain malignant tumor radiotherapy can cause cognitive impairment, and Tongluo Yizhi Decoction can prevent cognitive impairment in brain tumor radiotherapy and relieve clinical symptoms of patients.

Keywords: Tongluo Yizhi Decoction; brain tumor; radiotherapy; cognitive impairment; TCM prevention