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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Neurology

Efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine kidney-tonifying and blood-activating therapy in the treatment of vascular dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Mengdie Zhou1
  • Mengqi Che2
  • Chao Zhang1
  • Xiaoyu Yang1
  • Xile Liu1
  • Zhihao Liu2
  • Ju Huang2,3
  • Hua He4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  2. 2Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  3. 3Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  4. 4Henan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine)
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Abstract

Objective: This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of Kidney-tonifying and Blood-activating Therapy (KTBAT) for vascular dementia (VaD).

Methods: Eight electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to January 12, 2026, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Primary endpoints included clinical effectiveness and cognitive scores (MMSE, HDS, CDR). Secondary outcomes focused on neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NGF, GDNF). Study quality was assessed via RoB 1, with data synthesis performed using RevMan 5.4.

Results: Thirty-eight RCTs involving 3,357 participants were identified. KTBAT, whether administered as monotherapy or combined with Western medicine (WMT), significantly increased the clinical effectiveness rate compared to WMT (RR = 1.25, 95% CI: [1.20, 1.31]). Regarding cognition, KTBAT significantly improved MMSE (MD = 3.71, 95% CI: [2.96, 4.47]) and HDS scores (MD = 4.07, 95% CI: [2.63, 5.52]). CDR scores were also lower after intervention (SMD = −0.87, 95% CI: [−1.26, −0.47]). Additionally, KTBAT was associated with higher serum levels of BDNF (SMD = 1.02, 95% CI: [0.13, 1.90]) and NGF (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI: [0.27, 1.12]). GDNF was assessed in only one trial, and its level was also higher in the intervention group. Adverse events (AEs) rates did not differ significantly between KTBAT and WMT (RR = 0.71, 95% CI: [0.32, 1.57], p = 0.40), with no serious AEs or deaths reported.

Conclusion: KTBAT appears to be a potentially effective intervention for improving clinical effectiveness and cognitive function in VaD; however, its safety profile remains uncertain. While these findings support KTBAT as a promising candidate for VaD management, further high-quality, multicenter trials are warranted to strengthen the evidence base.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/search , identifier CRD420251272344.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{zhou2026efficacy,
  title = {{Efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine kidney-tonifying and blood-activating therapy in the treatment of vascular dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis}},
  author = {Mengdie Zhou and Mengqi Che and Chao Zhang and Xiaoyu Yang and Xile Liu and Zhihao Liu and Ju Huang and Hua He},
  journal = {Frontiers in Neurology},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fneur.2026.1901245},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1901245/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine kidney-tonifying and blood-activating therapy in the treatment of vascular dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
AU  - Mengdie Zhou
AU  - Mengqi Che
AU  - Chao Zhang
AU  - Xiaoyu Yang
AU  - Xile Liu
AU  - Zhihao Liu
AU  - Ju Huang
AU  - Hua He
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/20
JO  - Frontiers in Neurology
DO  - 10.3389/fneur.2026.1901245
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1901245/full
AB  - Objective: This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of Kidney-tonifying and Blood-activating Therapy (KTBAT) for vascular dementia (VaD).  Methods: Eight electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to January 12, 2026, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Primary endpoints included clinical effectiveness and cognitive scores (MMSE, HDS, CDR). Secondary outcomes focused on neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NGF, GDNF). Study quality was assessed via RoB 1, with data synthesis performed using RevMan 5.4.  Results: Thirty-eight RCTs involving 3,357 participants were identified. KTBAT, whether administered as monotherapy or combined with Western medicine (WMT), significantly increased the clinical effectiveness rate compared to WMT (RR = 1.25, 95% CI: [1.20, 1.31]). Regarding cognition, KTBAT significantly improved MMSE (MD = 3.71, 95% CI: [2.96, 4.47]) and HDS scores (MD = 4.07, 95% CI: [2.63, 5.52]). CDR scores were also lower after intervention (SMD = −0.87, 95% CI: [−1.26, −0.47]). Additionally, KTBAT was associated with higher serum levels of BDNF (SMD = 1.02, 95% CI: [0.13, 1.90]) and NGF (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI: [0.27, 1.12]). GDNF was assessed in only one trial, and its level was also higher in the intervention group. Adverse events (AEs) rates did not differ significantly between KTBAT and WMT (RR = 0.71, 95% CI: [0.32, 1.57], p = 0.40), with no serious AEs or deaths reported.  Conclusion: KTBAT appears to be a potentially effective intervention for improving clinical effectiveness and cognitive function in VaD; however, its safety profile remains uncertain. While these findings support KTBAT as a promising candidate for VaD management, further high-quality, multicenter trials are warranted to strengthen the evidence base.  Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/search , identifier CRD420251272344.
SN  - 1664-2295
ER  -