scholarly journals Randomized Clinical Trials of Constitutional Acupuncture: A Systematic Review

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (s1) ◽  
pp. 59-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myeong Soo Lee ◽  
Byung-Cheul Shin ◽  
Sun-Mi Choi ◽  
Jong Yeol Kim
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Pain Reduction ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Constitutional Medicine

The aim of this systematic review is to compile and critically evaluate the evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for the effectiveness of acupuncture using constitutional medicine compared to standard acupuncture. Ten databases were searched through to December 2008 without language restrictions. We also hand-searched nine Korean journals of oriental medicine. We included prospective RCTs of any form of acupuncture with or without electrical stimulation. The included trials had to investigate constitutional medicine. There were no restrictions on population characteristics. Forty-one relevant studies were identified, and three RCTs were included. The methodological quality of the trials was variable. One RCT found Sasang constitutional acupuncture to be superior to standard acupuncture in terms of the Unified PD Rating Scale and freezing gate in Parkinson's disease (PD). Another two RCTs reported favorable effects of eight constitutional acupuncture on pain reduction in patients with herniated nucleus pulposi and knee osteoarthritis. Meta-analysis demonstrated positive results for eight constitutional acupuncture compared to standard acupuncture on pain reduction (weighted mean difference: 10 cm VAS, 1.69, 95% CI 0.85–2.54,P< 0.0001; heterogeneity: τ2= 0.00, Χ2= 0.00,P= 0.96, I2= 0%). Our results provide suggestive evidence for the effectiveness of constitutional acupuncture in treating pain conditions compared to standard acupuncture. However, the total number of RCTs and the total sample size included in our analysis were too small to draw definite conclusions. Future RCTs should assess larger patient samples with longer treatment periods and appropriate controls.

Efficacy of acupuncture in the management of fatigue related to breast cancer antineoplastic treatment: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-272
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina Moraes Costa ◽  
Alena Peixoto Medrado
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Antineoplastic Treatment

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. Similar to chemotherapy, antineoplastic treatment is associated with many side effects, with fatigue being one of the most common. It is important to investigate potential treatments, especially non-pharmacological alternatives, to control symptoms that directly affect women’s quality of life. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to provide scientific evidence to verify the efficacy of acupuncture in the management of fatigue in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: This study involved a systematic review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) methodology. Randomized clinical trials published in indexed scientific journals were compiled. The literature search was performed using the electronic databases, PubMed, PEDro, and BIREME, using the descriptors ‘breast cancer’, ‘fatigue’, ‘acupuncture’, and ‘randomized trial’. Inclusion criteria included fully available online articles that were classified as randomised clinical trials published from 2012 to 2017 in either English or Portuguese. Study eligibility was based on the Population, Intervention, Control, Outcome, and Study (PICO) design criteria, in which the (1) population included women 18–65 years of age with breast cancer, (2) intervention was acupuncture, (3) comparison referred to standard care or sham acupuncture, and (4) outcome was the evaluation of fatigue. The PEDro scale was applied to evaluate the quality of the studies. WebQualis was also used to evaluate the quality of the journals of the selected articles. RESULTS: In total, 66 articles were selected, but only four fulfilled all inclusion criteria, giving a total sample size of 620 women. All trials evaluated the effect of acupuncture on fatigue and other symptoms related to the treatment of breast cancer with different treatment durations. Three articles reported statistically significant results, and all articles described clinical improvement in fatigue after the application of acupuncture. The average PEDro score of the manuscripts was 6.25. All articles were published in non-Brazilian journals with WebQualis scores that ranged from B2 to A1. CONCLUSION: Scientific evidence confirms the efficacy of acupuncture in the management of fatigue reported by women with breast cancer. Acupuncture was effective in reducing fatigue in the studies selected for this review.

scholarly journals The Effect of L-Arginine Supplementation on Obesity-Related Indices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Mohammad Mousavi ◽  
Alireza Milajerdi ◽  
Somaye Fatahi ◽  
Jamal Rahmani ◽  
Meysam Zarezadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Statistical Heterogeneity ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Arginine Supplementation

Abstract. The clinical studies regarding the effect of L-arginine in human anthropometry have not been fully consistent, therefore, we carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials in order to precisely evaluate and quantify the efficacy of L-arginine on weight, waist circumference, and BMI. We searched online databases including PubMed, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar for relevant articles up to September 2017. Eligible articles were reviewed by two independent investigators. Mean differences of the outcomes were used for calculation of weighted mean difference (WMD) derived from the random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity between studies was examined using Cochran’s Q-test and I 2 index. Funnel plot and Egger’s tests were performed to assess the publication bias. In our initial search, we found 1598 publications, of which 8 RCTs (9 treatment arms) were included. The results of the meta-analysis displayed a significant reduction in WC following L-arginine supplementation (WMD: −2.97 cm; 95% CI: −4.75 to −1.18, P = 0.001). However, L-arginine intervention had not elicited a significant effect on BMI (WMD: −0.51 kg/m2; 95% CI: −1.11 to .08, P = 0.09) and body weight (WMD: −0.57 kg; 95% CI: −1.77 to 0.61, P = 0.34). Subgroup analyses displayed that longer-term interventions (≥8 weeks) had a positive effect on body weight and using < 8 g/day L-arginine with longer duration (≥8 weeks) could significantly decrease BMI. In conclusion, this meta-analysis result suggested L-arginine supplementation could reduce waist circumference without any significant effect on body weight and body mass index.

Effect of Pycnogenol on Blood Pressure: Findings From a PRISMA Compliant Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Studies

Angiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Fogacci ◽  
Giuliano Tocci ◽  
Amirhossein Sahebkar ◽  
Vivianne Presta ◽  
Maciej Banach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
The Impact

Results of previous clinical trials evaluating the effect of pycnogenol supplementation on blood pressure (BP) are controversial. Therefore, we aimed to assess the impact of pycnogenol on BP through a systematic review of literature and meta-analysis of available randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies (randomized clinical trials [RCTs]). Literature search included SCOPUS, PubMed-Medline, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases up to January 10, 2019 to identify RCTs investigating the impact of pycnogenol on BP. Two investigators independently extracted data on study characteristics, methods, and outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis is registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under number CRD42018112172. Overall, the impact of pycnogenol on BP was reported in 7 trials involving 626 participants. Meta-analysis did not suggest any significant improvement in systolic BP (weighted mean difference [WMD]: −0.028 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.182 to 0.127; P = .726; I2 = 46%), diastolic BP (WMD: −0.144 mm Hg; 95% CI: −0.299 to 0.010; P = .067; I2 = 0%), mean arterial pressure (WMD: −0.091 mm Hg; 95% CI: −0.246 to 0.063; P = .246; I2 = 0%), and pulse pressure (WMD: −0.003 mm Hg; 95% CI: −0.151 to 0.158; P = .966; I2 = 0%) following pycnogenol treatment. Results persisted in the leave-one-out sensitivity analysis. Therefore, the present meta-analysis does not suggest any significant effect of pycnogenol on BP.

scholarly journals Whole-Grain Consumption Does Not Affect Obesity Measures: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omid Sadeghi ◽  
Mehdi Sadeghian ◽  
Sepideh Rahmani ◽  
Vahid Maleki ◽  
Bagher Larijani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Whole Grain

ABSTRACT Since the release of a previous meta-analysis on the effect of whole-grain intake on obesity measures, several clinical trials have been published. Therefore, we aimed to update the previous meta-analysis on the effect of whole-grain intake on obesity measures by including recently published studies, as well as considering the main limitations in that analysis. We searched the online databases of PubMed, Scopus, Clarivate Web of Science, EmBase, and Google Scholar for relevant studies published up to February 2019, using relevant keywords. Randomized clinical trials investigating the effect of whole-grain products or diets high in whole-grain foods, compared with a control diet, on anthropometric measures [including body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass (FM)] were included. In total, 21 studies with a total sample of 1798 participants, aged ≥18 years, were considered. Based on 22 effect sizes from 19 studies on body weight, with a total sample of 1698 adults, we found no significant effect of whole-grain consumption on body weight. The same findings were obtained for BMIs, such that using 10 effect sizes from 10 clinical trials with a total sample of 769 individuals we did not find any significant effect. With regards to body fat percentage [weighted mean difference (WMD): 0.27; 95% CI: −0.05 to 0.58%; P = 0.09], FM (WMD: 0.45; 95% CI: −0.12 to 1.02 kg; P = 0.12), fat-free mass (WMD: 0.31; 95% CI: −0.67 to 0.06 kg; P = 0.10), and waist circumference (WMD: 0.06; 95% CI: −0.50 to 0.63 cm; P = 0.82), we failed to find any significant effect of whole-grain consumption. In conclusion, our findings did not support current recommendations of whole-grain intake in attempts to control obesity measures. Given the beneficial effects of whole-grain intake on other measures of human health, additional well-designed studies are required to further investigate the effect on obesity. The protocol has been registered with PROSPERO (registration number CRD42019125320).

scholarly journals Tissue Fillers for the Nasolabial Fold Area: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Stefura ◽  
Artur Kacprzyk ◽  
Jakub Droś ◽  
Marta Krzysztofik ◽  
Oksana Skomarovska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Full Description ◽  
Nasolabial Fold ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Severity Rating

Abstract Tissue fillers injections remain to be one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures. The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematize and present available data on the aesthetic outcomes and safety of treating the nasolabial fold area with tissue fillers. We conducted a systematic review of randomized clinical trials that report outcomes concerning treatment of nasolabial fold area with tissue fillers. We searched the MEDLINE/PubMed, ScienceDirect, EMBASE, BIOSIS, SciELO, Scopus, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, CNKI and Web of Science databases. Primary outcomes included aesthetic improvement measured using the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale score and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale. Secondary outcomes were incidence rates of complications occurring after the procedure. At baseline, the pooled mean WSRS score was 3.23 (95% CI: 3.20–3.26). One month after the procedure, the pooled WSRS score had reached 1.79 (95% CI: 1.74–1.83). After six months it was 2.02 (95% CI: 1.99–2.05) and after 12 months it was 2.46 (95% CI: 2.4–2.52). One month after the procedure, the pooled GAIS score had reached 2.21 (95% CI: 2.14–2.28). After six months, it was 2.32 (95% CI: 2.26–2.37), and after 12 months, it was 1.27 (95% CI: 1.12–1.42). Overall, the pooled incidence of all complications was 0.58 (95% CI: 0.46–0.7). Most common included lumpiness (43%), tenderness (41%), swelling (34%) and bruising (29%). Tissue fillers used for nasolabial fold area treatment allow achieving a satisfying and sustainable improvement. Most common complications include tenderness, lumpiness, swelling, and bruising. Level of Evidence II "This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors  www.springer.com/00266."

Maternal and Neonatal Effect of Fentanyl as a Premedication before Induction of General Anesthesia in Cesarean Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 232-237
Author(s):  
Mir Hadi Musavi ◽  
Behzad Jodeiri ◽  
Keyvan Mirnia ◽  
Morteza Ghojazadeh ◽  
Zeinab Nikniaz
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Cesarean Section ◽  
General Anesthesia ◽  
Apgar Score ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Intravenous Fentanyl ◽  
Neonatal Effect ◽  
Fentanyl Group

Background: Although, some clinical trials investigated the maternal and neonatal effect of fentanyl as a premedication before induction of general anesthesia in cesarean section, to the best of our knowledge, there is no systematic review to summarize these results. Objectives: The present systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the maternal and neonatal effect of intravenous fentanyl as a premedication before induction of general anesthesia in cesarean section. Methods: The databases of Pubmed, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane library were searched till July 2017 to identify randomized clinical trials which evaluated the effects of intravenous fentanyl as a premedication before induction of general anesthesia compared with placebo on neonate first and fifth minute Apgar score and maternal heart rate and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in cesarean section. Standard Mean difference (SMD) was calculated and I-square statistic test was used for heterogeneity analysis. Results: The present systematic review and meta-analysis consisted of three clinical trials including 180 women in labor. Considering the results of meta-analysis, there is no significant differences between fentanyl and placebo in the case of Apgar score at 1 minute; however, the Apgar score of 5 minutes was significantly lower in fentanyl group compared with placebo (SMD -0.68, 95%CI: - 0.98, -0.38, p<0.001). In the term of maternal hemodynamics, the heart rate (SMD -0.43, 95%CI: - 0.72, -0.13, p=0.004) and MAP (SMD -0.78, 95% CI: -1.09, -0.48, p<0.001) in fentanyl group were significantly lower compared with placebo group. Conclusion: The present meta-analysis showed that using intravenous fentanyl as a premedication before induction of general anesthesia had adverse effects on neonate Apgar score. However, it had positive effects on preventing adverse consequences of intubation on maternal hemodynamics.

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