Compound Tongyang Fumai decoction improves quality of life in sick sinus syndrome: a randomized controlled study

To evaluate the efficacy of Tongyang Fumai decoction (, TYFM) on the quality of life (QOL) as a complementary therapy for sick sinus syndrome (SSS).

This randomized controlled study involved 224 patients with symptomatic SSS. Patients were randomly assigned to either the TYFM group or the control group (receiving theophylline sustained-release tablets). The primary endpoints included changes in average heart rate, the longest R to R (RR) interval, and the occurrences of long RR intervals. Secondary endpoints comprised the Short Form (SF)-36 questionnaires, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS).

TYFM significantly improved average heart rate (TYFM: 6 bpm vs control: 3 bpm, P < 0.01), shortened longest RR interval (TYFM: －0.20 s vs control: －0.0027 s, P < 0.05), and reduced numbers of long RR (TYFM: －99 vs control: －59, P < 0.01). In SF-36, TYFM enhanced physical and mental components (P < 0.01), outperforming the control group. TYFM also improved eight SF-36 dimensions significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Regarding SAS and SDS, TYFM reduced scores significantly (P < 0.01), while SAS improved in the control group (P < 0.01), with no change in SDS. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed in SAS and SDS between TYFM and control groups post-intervention.

TYFM emerges as a promising alternative strategy for treating SSS, demonstrating favorable therapeutic effects and significant improvements in the quality of life for patients with SSS.