- Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine significantly reduced depression severity compared with controls (MD −3.95; 95% CI −4.71 to −3.19).
- Anxiety symptoms also improved (MD −3.95; 95% CI −4.65 to −3.26); somatic symptoms and sleep or pain showed descriptive improvement.
- Generally good tolerability with similar or fewer adverse events, but evidence certainty low due to methodological limitations and comparator heterogeneity.
Int J Psychiatry Med. 2026 Oct 18:912174261494401. doi: 10.1177/00912174261494401. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveSomatic symptoms are often linked with depression and anxiety, making diagnosis difficult and limiting treatment effectiveness. Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine has been studied as a complementary approach; however, its efficacy and safety have not been systematically evaluated. This review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness and safety of integrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine in patients diagnosed with depression with or without comorbid anxiety and somatic symptoms.MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. English-language studies published from 2014 to 2026 were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Randomized controlled trials comparing integrated therapy with control interventions were included. The primary outcome was depression severity assessed by HAMD scores. Secondary outcomes included anxiety symptoms, somatic symptoms, and adverse events. A random-effects model was used, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic.ResultsEleven studies met review criteria. Integrated therapy significantly reduced depression severity compared with the standard Western medicine control condition (MD = -3.95, 95% CI: -4.71 to -3.19; I2 = 59%). Anxiety symptoms were also significantly reduced (MD = -3.95, 95% CI: -4.65 to -3.26; I2 = 50%). Somatic symptoms, including sleep disturbances and pain-related outcomes, improved but were assessed descriptively because of reporting variability. Adverse events were lower or similar in combined treatment groups, indicating a favorable safety profile. Funnel plot analysis suggested minimal publication bias.ConclusionIntegrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine was associated with greater improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms than the included control interventions, which comprised Western medicine alone, placebo/sham interventions, or usual care, while showing generally good tolerability. However, given the methodological limitations, heterogeneity of comparator conditions, and low certainty of the available evidence, these findings should be interpreted cautiously.
PMID:42893386 | DOI:10.1177/00912174261494401
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