China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 studies involving 2596 IBS patients found a 37% herbal placebo response rate, with significant heterogeneity influenced by research locations and treatment duration. The addition of herbal ingredients in low doses did not exaggerate the placebo effect, highlighting the need for standardized herbal placebo preparation and evaluation.

An ePRO measurement platform for COVID-19 symptoms (ePRO-CoV-SM) was developed in 2020, based on an existing platform for lung cancer patients. It underwent three phases: modification for COVID-19 patients, updates for the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.2 variant, and real-world application. ePRO-CoV-SM (2.0) was later developed in 2022 to address the Omicron BA.2.2 variant, enhancing automation and symptom monitoring. Both versions were validated in cohort studies, with symptom data collected via a WeChat mini program, ensuring data security and patient convenience.