Context. Modified Chaihu Shugan
powder (MCSP) is a popular traditional Chinese herbal formula for functional
dyspepsia, which is revised from
Chaihu Shugan San and recorded in a medical classic works of China. However, its role and effect in treating functional
dyspepsia have not been well established. Objective. To assess the effect and safety of modified Chaihu Shugan
powder for functional
dyspepsia. Methods. We searched the published and unpublished studies up to August 2012. Only RCTs of modified Chaihu Shugan
powder with or without prokinetic drugs versus prokinetic drugs in the patients diagnosed with functional
dyspepsia were included. Results. Twenty-two clinical trials involving 1998 participants were included. There were evidences that modified Chaihu Shugan
powder (RR = 1.20, 95%, CI 1.14 to 1.27) and modified Chaihu Shugan
powder plus prokinetic drugs (RR = 1.18, 95%, CI 1.11 to 1.25) were significantly better treatment options than prokinetic drugs alone in improving symptoms. No serious adverse events were described in the included trials. Conclusions. This meta-analysis showed that modified Chaihu Shugan
powder alone or in combination with prokinetic drugs might be more effective than prokinetic drugs alone. However, with poor methodological quality, all the included trials were at high risk of bias. Further large-scale high-quality trials are required for assessment.