Table 2 Treatment details of included studies

Du, 2009 [19]

HD: 2 or 3 times a w, 4 h each time

10 herbs: 30–100 g each, bathed for 30–40 min, once a d

HD: same as the CHBT group

CL: external use, three times a d

30 d

Du et al., 2004 [20]

HD: 2 or 3 times a w, 4 to 5 h each time

9 herbs: 30–150 g each, bathed for 30–60 min, once every two d

HD: same as the CHBT group

CL: external use, 3 times a d

30 d

Gao and Ye, 2012 [21]

HD: 9 to 12 h a w

10 herbs: 15–50 g each;

WT:40-45 °C; bathed for 20–30 min; three times a w

HD: same as the CHBT group

HP: two h each time, once every two w

n.r.

3 m

Guo et al., 2009 [22]

HD: once every 2 to 3 d, 4 h each time

10 herbs: 20–50 g each, WT: 40-45 °C; bathed for

30–60 min, once a d

HD: same as the CHBT group

CL: external use, two or three times a d

2 w

Jia et al., 2012 [23]

HD: 2 or 3 times a w;

HP: once every two w, 2 h each time

11 herbs: 15–50 g each; WT: 40-43 °C; bathed for 30 min; once a d

HD, HP: same as the CHBT group

n.r.

8 w

Jia, Li and Fei, 2012 [24]

HD: regular.

11 herbs: 15–50 g each;

WT: 40-43 °C; bathed for 30 min;

once a d

HD: same as the CHBT group

external use, three or four times a d

4 w

Lan, 2017 [25]

HD: 2 or 3 times a w, 4 h each time

10 herbs: 20–50 g each, bathed for 30–60 min, once every two d

HD: same as the CHBT group

CL: external use, 2 or 3 times a d

30 d

Lin, 2014 [26]

HD: 2 or 3 times a w;

HP: 2 times a m

11 herbs: 15–50 g each, WT: approximately 42 °C, bathed for 30 min, once a d

HD: 2 or 3 times a w;

HP: 2 times a m

n.r.

2 m

Shen, 2014 [27]

HD: regular.

14 herbs, bathed for 30–40 min, once a d

HD: same as the CHBT group

CL: external use

Cetirizine: take orally

Dose and frequency: n.r.

2 w

Wang et al., 2013 [28]

HD: regular.

11 herbs: 5–30 g each, bathed for 30 min, once a d

HD: same as the CHBT group

n.r.

4 w

Wen, 2007 [29]

HD: 2 or 3 times a w, 4 to 5 h each time

9 herbs: 30–200 g each, bathed for 30–60 min, once every two d

HD: same as the CHBT group

CL: external use, 3 times a d

20 d

Yao, 2015 [30]

HD: regular.

6 kinds of Chinese medicine granules: 10–30 g each, WT: 40-45 °C, bathed for 15–30 min, once a d

HD: same as the CHBT group

CL: external use, two or three times a d

2 w

Yu et al.,2017 [31]

HD: 3 times a w, 4 h each time

10 herbs: 50–100 g each, hot water, bathed for 30 min, once a d

HD: same as the CHBT group

Clear hot water bath: 30 min at a time

2 w

Zhang et al., 2014 [32]

HD: regular.

6 kinds of Chinese medicine granules, WT: 40-45 °C, bathed for 15–30 min, once a d

HD: same as the CHBT group

CL: external use, two or three times a d

2 w

Zhang et al., 2012 [33]

HD: regular.

13 herbs, warm water, once a d

HD: same as the CHBT group

n.r.

2 w

Zhao, 2011 [34]

HD: regular.

22 herbs, WT: 37-40 °C, bathed for 30–40 min, once a d

HD: same as the CHBT group

Sham CHBT: water with the same colour and smell as the experimental group

2 w

Zheng, 2016 [35]

HD: 2 or 3 times a w, 4 h each time

9 herbs, bathed for 30 min, once a d

HD: same as the CHBT group

n.r.

3 m