Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Nutritional Status in Hemodialysis Patients: A Meta-Analysis
Malnutrition is a common complication in maintenance hemodialysis patients, increasing the risk of adverse clinical outcomes. This meta-analysis synthesizes evidence on traditional Chinese medicine as an adjunctive thera
Malnutrition represents a prevalent and severe complication among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, significantly elevating the risk of adverse clinical outcomes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a promising adjunctive therapy for improving nutritional status in this population. However, its efficacy and underlying mechanisms require systematic clarification through rigorous scientific evaluation.
The authors conducted a systematic literature search across four international biomedical databases and three Chinese scholarly platforms. The search period spanned from March 2016 to March 2026, encompassing randomized controlled trials evaluating TCM interventions on nutritional status improvement in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata version 12.0 software.
The primary findings indicate that traditional Chinese medicine may offer beneficial effects for improving nutritional parameters in hemodialysis patients. The meta-analysis synthesized evidence to explore the role of TCM in managing malnutrition within this specific patient population, providing data on its potential clinical applicability.
It is important to note that this research was conducted for scientific inquiry purposes only and is not intended for medical advice or clinical recommendations. The authors emphasize that further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms and optimize treatment protocols. This work aims to inform evidence-based decisions regarding the use of TCM in metabolic research contexts.