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Commercial Chinese polyherbal preparations combined with conventional therapy improve sleep quality in elderly patients with insomnia

A network meta-analysis of 19 RCTs involving 1851 participants found that commercial Chinese polyherbal preparations combined with conventional therapy significantly reduced PSQI scores (MD = -2.53, 95% CI [-3.62, -1.44]) and increased clinical effective rate (OR = 6.08, 95% CI [3.21, 11.51]) compared to conventional therapy alone. The evidence for effects on serum IL-6 was exploratory and limited.

Last updated: Aug 26, 2026•0 RCTs•1 Meta-analyses•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score49/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis★★★☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. A network meta-analysis of commercial Chinese polyherbal preparations for insomnia in the elderly: focusing on sleep quality and the neuro-immune axis.

observational

Liang R, Zhang X, Li H, Li Z, Hu Y, Ma L, Liang Z, Liu X · Frontiers in pharmacology (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: Not specified in abstract
Intervention: Commercial Chinese polyherbal preparations combined with conventional therapy
Outcome: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, clinical effective rate, serum IL-6 levels
Effect Size: MD = -2.53 (PSQI), OR = 6.08 (clinical effective rate)
Population: Elderly patients aged ≥60 years with insomnia

Result:

PubMed: 42630409DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2026.1827554

Mechanism Graph

Chinese herbal preparations may modulate the neuro-immune axis
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Reduction in serum IL-6 levels suggests anti-inflammatory effects
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Decreased neuroinflammation may improve sleep quality
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Result: Improved PSQI scores and clinical response

Limitations

  • ⚠Risk of bias in included studies, particularly regarding blinding and outcome measurement
  • ⚠Small number of studies for IL-6 analysis limits certainty of mechanistic findings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary benefit of commercial Chinese polyherbal preparations for elderly insomnia?▼

They significantly improve sleep quality as measured by PSQI scores when added to conventional therapy.

How large is the effect on PSQI score?▼

The mean difference was -2.53 points, indicating a clinically meaningful improvement.

Do these preparations affect inflammatory markers?▼

There is a preliminary trend toward reducing serum IL-6, but evidence is limited by few studies.

What is the recommended treatment duration?▼

The abstract does not specify a duration; it varies across the included RCTs.

Products

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References

  1. 1.Liang R, Zhang X, Li H, Li Z, Hu Y, Ma L, Liang Z, Liu X. "A network meta-analysis of commercial Chinese polyherbal preparations for insomnia in the elderly: focusing on sleep quality and the neuro-immune axis.." Frontiers in pharmacology, 2026. PMID: 42630409 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2026.1827554
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.