Basic characteristics of included studies
| Study ID | Sample size (randomised/analysed) M/F | Age (years) | Diagnosis standard | Intervention | Control | During of treatment | Main outcomes (intergroup differences) | Adverse effects report | Main findings from original study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huang et al30 | 185/185 T: 52/40 C: 51/42 | T: 52.9±7.0 C: 54.3±6.4 | CGMH-2004 | Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae tablet (4 tablets, 3 times/day)+control | Hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg four time a day)+candesartan cilexetil capsules (8 mg four times a day)+nifedipine (10 mg twice daily)+atorvastatin tablet (10 mg four times a day)* | 24 weeks | SBP and DBP: p<0.05 | Y T: distending feeling in head (2 cases) C: nausea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal reactions (2 cases) | Long-term use of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae tablet can improve BP and blood lipids for resistant hypertension; however, as complementary therapies, it could enhance the antihypertensive effect more significantly. |
| Wang and Zheng31 | 98/98 T: 38/24 C: 19/17 | T: 41.5±11.2 C: 42.5±13.4 | CGMH-2004 | Decoction of Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Radix Astragali (300 mL/d)+control | Hydrochlorothiazide (25–50 mg four times a day)+metoprolol tartrate (50 mg twice daily)+nifedipine controlled release tablet (30–60 mg four times a day)+benazepril hydrochloride tablet (10 mg four times a day)† | 4 weeks | SBP and DBP: p<0.05 | N | Decoction of Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Radix Astragali combined with antihypertensive drugs may reduce BP, improve cardiac function, modulate blood lipids metabolism and regulate blood viscosity. |
| Zhang et al32 | 40/40 T: 27 C: 13 | 57.8±9.60 (T/C: NR) | 1978 WHO-ISH GMH | Ganoderma Lucidumseu Sinensis tablet (110 mg, 3 times/day)+control | Antihypertensive drugs (no detailed information about dosage) | 3 months | SBP and DBP: p<0.01 | N | Ganoderma Lucidumseu Sinensis tablet was particularly beneficial for the treatment of resistant hypertension with hyperviscosity and hyperglycaemia. It is also helpful to prevent and relieve complications in hypertension. |
| Zhang et al33 | 63/63 T: 30/3 C: 27/3 | T: 80.9±3.7 C: 79.0±4.7 | 1999 WHO-ISH GMH | NS 250 mL+gastrodin injection (20 mL/day)+control | Amlodipine, irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (no detailed information about dosage) | 4 weeks | SBP and DBP: p>0.05 | N | Gastrodin injection was beneficial to old patients with refractory hypertension, and can improve the balance of ET and NO levels in plasma. |
| Yan34 | 60/60 T: 17/13 C: 16/14 | T: 56.43±8.21 C: 57.52±8.33 | CGMH-2004 | Chinese herbal medicine (1 dose/day)+control | Diuretics+ACEI+β-blockers, and/or dihydropyridine calcium antagonists | 1 month | SBP and DBP: p<0.01 | N | Chinese herbal medicine combined with antihypertensive drugs was effective in lowering BP in patients with resistant hypertension. |
*Another class of antihypertensive drugs may be combined when blood pressure control is not satisfied.
†Taking at least two kinds of antihypertensive drugs.
C, control group; CGMH-2004, Chinese Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension-2004; N, no; NR, not reported; NS, normal saline; T, treatment group; WHO-ISH GMH, WHO-ISH guidelines for the management of hypertension; Y, yes.