薬理と治療

Abstract

Objective　This study aimed to evaluate the effects of taking Acanthopanax senticosus Harms on the subjective symptom of shoulder muscle stiffness in association with mental conditions. Method　A before-after comparative study without placebo was conducted in 13 Japanese male and female subjects aged between 20 and 59 years and who had a subjective symptom of shoulder muscle stiffness. The subjects received Acanthopanax senticosus Harms at 24 tablets daily for 4 consecutive weeks. Shoulder muscle stiffness and mood state were evaluated by VAS scores and POMS scores, respectively, at baseline and at treatment weeks 2 and 4. Results　The VAS scores of“shoulder muscle stiffness”and“shoulder tension”significantly decreased at treatment week 4, compared to that at baseline. In addition, the POMS score of “Confusion” significantly decreased at treatment week 4. A significant negative correlation was observed between the decreased“shoulder muscle stiffness”score and the POMS score of “Vigor”at treatment week 4. Conclusion　We showed that taking Acanthopanax senticosus Harms improved the subjective symptom of shoulder muscle stiffness, with mood state improvement suggested as the underlying factor.