Objective      To observe the effect of umbilical therapy with altiplano navel balm

an ointment based on a traditional Chinese prescription “Xiaochaihu Decoction”

against acute mountain sickness (AMS).       Methods      Sixty-two young fit male automotive soldiers

were randomly divided into 2 groups

who were respectively treated by altiplano navel balm (treatment group

n=31) and placebo (control group

n=31). The altiplano navel balm or placebo (one piece per day

for 5 consecutive days) was given to stick umbilical region in the 2 groups

respectively in 1 d before departure. Then

they began to move from the altitude 1 392 m and arrived at the altitude 4 617 m on the fifth day. Since departure

their heart rate (HR)

blood pressure (BP) and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO

2

) were determined regularly. The symptoms of AMS and the gastrointestinal symptoms were observed according to the State Military Standard GJB1098-91 “Principles of diagnosis and treatment of benign form of acute mountain sickness” and “Plateau acute gastrointestinal stress reaction self-test rating scale”. All adverse reactions were recorded with “the adverse events report form”.       Results      Acute gastrointestinal stress reaction scores and occurrence rate of gastrointestinal symptoms were both significantly lower in treatment group than in control group (P0.01). In the 1st day

the occurrence rate of AMS was lower in treatment group than control group (P0.05). In the 3rd and 5th days

the degree of AMS and occurrence rate of AMS were significantly lower in treatment group than control group (P0.01). In the 1st day

BP was lower in treatment group than control group(P0.05)

and in the 5th day

HR was lower in treatment group than control group (P0.05)

while SaO

2

of treatment group was significantly higher than that of control group (P0.05). During the experiment

none of adverse events happened in the 2 groups.       Conclusion      Umbilical therapy with altiplano navel balm exerts remarkable effect to prevent AMS.