Effects of kikyo-to on sore throat pain associated with acute upper respiratory tract infection: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial

INTERVENTION: Patients receive 2.5 g herbal extract preparation of kikyo‐to, a Japanese herbal medicine, dissolved in 100 mL of hot water. Patients receive a 2.5 g placebo (lactose), dissolved in 100 mL of hot water. CONDITION: upper respiratory tract infection PRIMARY OUTCOME: Primary outcome is the difference on sore throat VAS scale between 30 minutes after kikyo‐to is taken. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Primary outcome is the difference of sore throat VAS scale between 10 minutes after kikyo‐to is taken. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients with upper respiratory tract infections and a complaint of sore throat, aged >= 20 and < 65 years were registered.