Association between neuropsychological parameters and serum melatonin levels in individuals with tension-type headache treated with Qianyang Anshen formula

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the relationship between neuropsychological parameters and serum melatonin levels in individuals with tension-type headache (TTH) treated with the Qianyang Anshen Formula, compared to Western medicine treatment with flunarizine. A total of 60 patients diagnosed with TTH were randomly assigned to receive either the Qianyang Anshen Formula (n=30) or flunarizine (n=30) for a 4-week treatment period. The Qianyang Anshen Formula group received one daily dose of the TCM formula, while the flunarizine group received 5 mg of flunarizine daily. After 4 weeks of treatment, the Qianyang Anshen Formula group demonstrated a total effective rate of 90%, significantly higher than the flunarizine group (73.3%, p<0.01). The Qianyang Anshen Formula outperformed flunarizine in improving neuropsychological outcomes and melatonin levels in TTH patients, suggesting it may alleviate TTH symptoms and related anxiety/sleep issues via melatonin regulation.