Effects of Ban-Xia-Hou-Pu-Tang and Western medicine on patients with globus sensation: A randomized controlled trial

Globus, a non-painful sensation of a lump in the throat, affects nearly half of the population. Its etiology remains uncertain, and standardized treatment is lacking. Ban-Xia-Hou-Pu-Tang (BXHPT, ), a classical formula for "Plum Pit Qi" ( ), closely resembles globus in traditional Chinese medicine. This study investigated the traditional Chinese medicine constitution of patients with globus and evaluated the efficacy and safety of BXHPT combined with western therapy.

A single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in patients with globus pharyngeus. Participants received either fexofenadine, famotidine, and acetylcysteine plus BXHPT (group A) or plus placebo (group B) for 4 weeks. The Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire, Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Glasgow Edinburgh Throat Scale (GETS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Reflux Finding Score (RFS) were assessed. Hepatic and renal safety were monitored.

Ninety-two patients completed the trial. Both groups showed significant improvements in RFS, RSI, GETS, BAI, and BDI-II. Group A had greater RFS reduction at week 2 (8.03 ± 1.57 vs 10.12 ± 1.75; p < 0.001) and week 4 (7.43 ± 1.16 vs 9.17 ± 1.80, p = 0.007). No hepatic or renal adverse effects occurred.

BXHPT combined with western therapy provided additional improvement in laryngoscopic findings without safety concerns, supporting its potential as an effective adjunctive treatment for globus sensation.