Researchers tested a traditional Chinese herbal mixture called Shen-Qi Paste on dialysis patients who were losing muscle mass. In a 12-week study with 117 participants, those taking the paste showed improvements in muscle mass and strength compared to those taking a placebo. All participants also did light exercise during the study. While the results are promising, scientists say more research is needed to confirm these benefits work for other groups of people and to understand exactly how the paste helps muscles grow stronger.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a traditional Chinese herbal paste could help dialysis patients regain muscle mass and strength that they had lost
  • Who participated: 128 dialysis patients aged 45-89 years old who had sarcopenia (severe muscle loss). The study took place at two medical centers. In the end, 117 patients completed the full 12-week study.
  • Key finding: Patients who took Shen-Qi Paste showed meaningful improvements in muscle mass compared to those taking a placebo. The paste group also showed better grip strength and ability to stand up from a chair multiple times.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a dialysis patient experiencing muscle loss, this herbal paste may be worth discussing with your doctor as a potential treatment option. However, this study only looked at dialysis patients, so results may not apply to everyone. More research is needed before doctors widely recommend it.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of medical research. Researchers divided 128 dialysis patients into two groups: one received the herbal paste (Shen-Qi Paste) and the other received a placebo (fake treatment that looks identical). Neither the patients nor the doctors knew who was getting the real paste and who was getting the placebo—this is called “double-blind” and helps prevent bias.

Both groups took their assigned treatment twice daily for 12 weeks. All participants also did light exercise for 20-30 minutes, 3-4 days per week during the study. Researchers measured muscle mass, grip strength, and how easily patients could stand up from a chair before and after the 12-week period.

The study was designed to test whether the herbal paste could address what Traditional Chinese Medicine calls “spleen-kidney deficiency,” which is believed to cause muscle wasting. The paste contains herbs that previous research suggested have anti-inflammatory and muscle-protecting properties.

This research design is important because it reduces the chance that results are due to placebo effect or researcher bias. By having a control group taking a fake treatment, scientists can see if real improvements come from the paste itself, not just from patients’ expectations or the exercise program. The double-blind design makes the results more trustworthy.

Strengths: This was a well-designed randomized controlled trial with a placebo control group, which is a gold standard in medical research. The study measured specific, objective outcomes like muscle mass and grip strength. Weaknesses: Only 117 of 128 patients completed the study (11 dropped out), which is a fairly high dropout rate. The study only included dialysis patients, so results may not apply to other people with muscle loss. The study was relatively short (12 weeks), so we don’t know if benefits last longer.

What the Results Show

Patients taking Shen-Qi Paste showed a statistically significant increase in skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) compared to their starting measurements. This means the paste group gained muscle mass over the 12 weeks. The control group, which took placebo, did not show the same improvement in muscle mass.

Grip strength, which measures hand and arm strength, also improved more in the paste group than in the control group. This is important because grip strength is a reliable indicator of overall muscle strength and health.

Patients in the paste group also performed better on the five-times sit-to-stand test, which measures how easily someone can stand up from a chair. This test is important for dialysis patients because the ability to stand and move around affects quality of life.

These improvements occurred even though both groups did the same light exercise program, suggesting the paste provided additional benefits beyond exercise alone.

The study also evaluated safety and side effects. The paste appeared to be well-tolerated, with no serious safety concerns reported. This is important because dialysis patients often take many medications, so adding a new treatment must be safe and not cause harmful interactions.

Previous laboratory studies had shown that the individual herbs in Shen-Qi Paste have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that could theoretically help prevent muscle loss. This clinical trial is one of the first to test whether these theoretical benefits actually work in real patients. The results support what earlier laboratory research suggested, but this is the first solid evidence in actual dialysis patients.

The study only included dialysis patients, so we don’t know if the paste works for people with muscle loss from other causes. The study lasted only 12 weeks, so we don’t know if benefits continue longer or if patients need to keep taking it. Only 117 of 128 patients finished the study, which could affect the results. The study was conducted at just two medical centers, possibly in Asia based on the use of Asian Sarcopenia Group criteria. Results might differ in other countries or populations. The study didn’t deeply investigate exactly how the paste works in the body.

The Bottom Line

For dialysis patients with muscle loss: Shen-Qi Paste may be worth discussing with your nephrologist (kidney doctor) as a potential addition to your treatment plan. The evidence suggests it could help build muscle when combined with light exercise. Confidence level: Moderate—this is promising research, but more studies are needed. For people without kidney disease: This research doesn’t yet apply to you. The paste was only tested in dialysis patients, so we can’t recommend it for other types of muscle loss without more research.

This research is most relevant to dialysis patients experiencing muscle loss (sarcopenia). It may also interest nephrologists and kidney specialists looking for new treatment options. It’s less relevant to people with muscle loss from other causes, though future research might expand its use. People taking many medications should consult their doctor before adding any new herbal supplement.

In this study, improvements in muscle mass and strength became measurable within 12 weeks. However, this doesn’t mean you’d see dramatic changes in how you feel or look that quickly. Building muscle is a gradual process. Most people would need to continue the treatment for several months to see noticeable physical improvements in daily activities.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track grip strength weekly using a simple hand dynamometer (a device that measures grip strength, available at most clinics). Record the number in pounds or kilograms. Also track your ability to stand from a chair: count how many times you can stand and sit in 30 seconds. These are the same measurements used in the research study.
  • Set a daily reminder to take the herbal paste twice daily at the same times (for example, with breakfast and dinner). Combine this with your light exercise routine: aim for 20-30 minutes of walking or gentle movement 3-4 days per week. Log both the paste intake and exercise completion in your app to stay consistent.
  • Measure grip strength and sit-to-stand ability every 4 weeks. Create a simple chart showing your progress over 12 weeks. Also track how you feel: note improvements in energy, ability to do daily activities, or how easily you can get out of a chair. Share these measurements with your kidney doctor at your regular appointments to monitor whether the paste is helping.

This research describes a clinical trial of Shen-Qi Paste in dialysis patients. If you are a dialysis patient considering this treatment, discuss it with your nephrologist or kidney specialist before starting. Do not stop any current medications or treatments without medical guidance. This herbal paste may interact with other medications or supplements. People with kidney disease should be especially careful about adding new treatments. This summary is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. The study was conducted in a specific population (dialysis patients aged 45-89), so results may not apply to everyone. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.