scholarly journals The Effects of Wenxin Keli on P-Wave Dispersion and Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Chen ◽  
Shaoping Nie ◽  
Hai Gao ◽  
Tao Sun ◽  
Xiaoqiu Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Wave Dispersion ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
P Wave Dispersion ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Objective. To evaluate the beneficial and adverse effects of Wenxin Keli (WXKL), alone or combined with Western medicine, on P-wave dispersion (Pd) and maintenance of sinus rhythm for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).Methods. Seven major electronic databases were searched to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, for PAF, with Pd or maintenance rate of sinus rhythm as the main outcome measure. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using criteria from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions, version 5.1.0, and analysed using RevMan 5.1.0 software.Results. Fourteen RCTs of WXKL were included. The methodological quality of the trials was generally evaluated as low. The results of meta-analysis showed that WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, was more effective in Pd and the maintenance of sinus rhythm, compared with no medicine or Western medicine alone, in patients with PAF or PAF complicated by other diseases. Seven of the trials reported adverse events, indicating that the safety of WXKL is still uncertain.Conclusions. WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, appears to be more effective in improving Pd as well as maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with PAF and its complications.

scholarly journals The Effects of Wenxin Keli on Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Patients with Heart Failure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Chen ◽  
Xingjiang Xiong ◽  
Chunmei Wang ◽  
Chenggang Wang ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Objective. To evaluate the beneficial and adverse effects of Wenxin Keli (WXKL), either alone or in combination with Western medicine, on the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in the treatment of heart failure (HF).Methods. Seven major electronic databases were searched to retrieve potential randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of WXKL, either alone or in combination with Western medicine, for HF, with the LVEF or BNP after eight weeks of treatment as main outcome measures. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using criteria from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions, Version 5.1.0, and analyzed using RevMan 5.1.0 software.Results. Eleven RCTs of WXKL were included. The methodological quality of the trials was generally evaluated as low. The risk of bias was high. The results of the meta-analysis showed that WXKL, either alone or in combination with Western medicine, was more effective in LVEF and BNP, compared with no medicine or Western medicine alone, in patients with HF or HF complicated by other diseases. Five of the trials reported adverse events, while the others did not mention them, indicating that the safety of WXKL remains uncertain.Conclusions. WXKL, either alone or in combination with Western medicine, appears to be more effective in improving the LVEF and BNP in patients with HF and HF complications.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness and Safety of Moxibustion for Treating Knee Osteoarthritis: A PRISMA Compliant Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Yuan ◽  
Jun Xiong ◽  
Xue Wang ◽  
Jun Yang ◽  
Yunfeng Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Lysholm Score ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Jadad Scale

Background. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) seriously affects people’s life. Therefore, it has already become a worldwide health concern. Moxibustion has a significant clinical effect on KOA. This systematic review and meta-analysis is performed to renew previous studies and strictly evaluate the quality of RCT and thus test the effect and safety of moxibustion for KOA. Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion treatment for alleviating pain and improving lower limb function for patients with KOA. Materials and Methods. CNKI (1979∼2019), CBM (1979∼2019), VIP (1989∼2019), WF (1998∼2019), PubMed (1966∼2019), Embase (1980∼2019), Cochrane Library, and Web of Science (1900∼2019) were all retrieved by a computer from their inception to June 02, 2019, replenished by manual retrieval of relevant bibliographies. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if moxibustion was compared to western medicine or negative control (placebo moxibustion or no treatment or UC) for treating KOA. The primary outcomes were the total effect and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC scale). The secondary outcomes include VAS, Symptom score, Lysholm score, and Lequesne score. RCTs were collected, and the quality of evidence was evaluated by using the Jadad scale and Cochrane risk assessment tools. We used RevMan5.3.0 software for meta-analysis. Results. A total of 39 RCTs were included, including 3293 patients. In the assessment of the quality, the evidence differs from low to high based on the Cochrane Bias Evaluation Tools and Jadad scale. Fourteen trials were of high quality, ten were of moderate quality, and 15 were of low quality. Therefore, the quality of the included studies was moderate. In this study, there were 66.67% of the literature, and only 17.95% of the literature correctly reported randomized grouping and allocation of hidden information, respectively. In adverse reactions, only 13 trials included were reported in the study. The main adverse reactions of moxibustion are burns and blisters, whereas the western medicine group was in epigastric discomfort. As for the total effective rate, the meta-analysis of 27 RCTs showed a significant effect of moxibustion VS western medicine (RR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.16 to 1.25, I2 = 45%, P=0.007); as for the WOMAC scale, the subgroup meta-analysis of 13 trials showed that there was a statistically significant effect of moxibustion VS western medicine (MD = −11.08, 95% CI = −11.72 to −10.44, I2 = 98%, P<0.00001) and 2 trials on moxibustion VS negative control (MD = −8.38, 95% CI = −12.69 to −4.06, I2 = 0%, P=0.77); as for the VAS score, the meta-analysis of 6 trials showed that there was a significant effect of moxibustion VS western medicine (MD = −2.12, 95% CI = −2.30 to −1.93, I2 = 98%, P<0.00001); as for the symptom score, the meta-analysis of 7 trials showed that there was a significant effect of moxibustion VS western medicine (MD = −0.81, 95% CI = −1.24 to −0.37, I2 = 50%, P=0.06); as for the Lysholm score, the meta-analysis of 5 trials showed that there was a significant effect of moxibustion VS western medicine (MD = 7.61, 95% CI = 6.04 to 9.17, I2 = 95%, P<0.00001); and as for the Lequesne score, the meta-analysis of 3 trials showed that there was a significant effect of moxibustion VS western medicine (MD = 3.29, 95% CI = 2.93 to 3.65, I2 = 99%, P<0.00001). Conclusion. Moxibustion treatment for KOA is more effective than the positive control (western medicine) or negative control (placebo moxibustion or no treatment or UC), and there were fewer adverse reactions to moxibustion. Due to the universally low quality of the eligible trials, it still needs further large-scale and high-quality randomized controlled trials to verify the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion in the treatment of KOA.

scholarly journals Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Shensong Yangxin Capsule-Amiodarone Combination on Heart Failure Complicated by Ventricular Arrhythmia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinfu Cao ◽  
Mingxue Zhou ◽  
Hongxu Liu ◽  
Xiufen Chen ◽  
Xiang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Ventricular Arrhythmia ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Total Effective Rate ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effective Rate ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background: Shensong Yangxin capsule (SSYX) is a well-known traditional Chinese patent medicine for treating arrhythmia. Recently, a flurry of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of SSYX combined with amiodarone (SSYX-amiodarone) was reported in the treatment of heart failure (HF) complicated by ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in China. However, these RCTs have not been systematically evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SSYX-amiodarone in the treatment of heart failure complicated by ventricular arrhythmia (HF-VA).Methods: Seven electronic literature databases (the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, China Biomedical database web, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Databases, Chinese Scientific Journal database and Wanfang database) were searched from their inceptions to June 1, 2020 to identify RCTs of SSYX-amiodarone in the treatment of HF-VA. The primary outcomes included the total effective rate and adverse events (ADRs). The secondary outcomes included the frequency of ventricular premature complexes, left ventricular ejection fraction, N terminal pro Btype natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and QT dispersion (QTd). The quality of the included RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. All data was analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software. The registration number of this protocol is PROSPERO CRD42020196689.Results: There are Eighteen trials involving 1,697 patients were included in this study. Meta-analysis showed that SSYX-amiodarone group was superior to the amiodarone group in improving the total effective rate [RR = 1.21; 95%CI (1.16, 1.27); p &lt; 0.01], meanwhile reducing the ADRs [RR = 0.65; 95%CI (0.45, 0.95); p = 0.03], VPCs [MD = 170.96; 95%CI (159.88, 182.04); p &lt; 0.01] and QTd [MD = 8.39; 95%CI (6.91, 9.87); p &lt; 0.01]. No significant difference of enhancing LVEF [MD = 4.32; 95%CI (−0.56, 9.20); p = 0.08] and reducing NT-proBNP [SMD = 0.17; 95%CI (−0.81, 1.14); p = 0.73] was observed between SSYX-amiodarone and amiodarone group.Conclusions: Despite the apparent positive findings reported, the evidence provided by this meta-analysis was still insufficient to support the routine use of SSYX-amiodarone for HF-VA due to the poor methodological quality of included studies. The overall effect should to be verified in further through more well-design clinical studies with reasonable sample and good methodological quality.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Text Messaging Interventions on Blood Pressure Control Among Patients With Hypertension: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hon Lon Tam ◽  
Eliza Mi Ling Wong ◽  
Kin Cheung ◽  
Siu Fung Chung
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Reduction Effect ◽  
Text Messaging Intervention

BACKGROUND Controlling blood pressure (BP) is an international health concern, and high BP is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease mortality. Evidence has shown that educational interventions directed at patients potentially improve BP control and adherence to medications and lifestyle modifications. In addition, a text messaging intervention has a potential effect on BP control; however, the dosage of a text messaging intervention has not been determined in previous reviews, resulting in difficult application in practice. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to identify the effectiveness of a text messaging intervention on hypertension management with a specific focus on the dosage of text messaging and the type of additional interventions with text messaging. METHODS A systematic review was conducted and reported on in accordance with PRISMA guideline. Participants were aged 18 years and older and diagnosed with primary hypertension. The included studies used text messaging as a component of the intervention. We searched for randomized controlled trials published until June 30, 2020, from the following health-related electronic databases: Embase, Medline, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Data were extracted for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale was used to assess the methodological quality of each study, and the quality of the included studies was assessed independently by two authors. RESULTS Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall methodological quality was fair (mean score 5.75). The frequency of text message delivery varied from daily to biweekly. Health education was identified in 4 studies as an additional intervention with text messaging. The overall results showed that the text messaging intervention significantly reduced systolic BP (SBP) but not diastolic BP (DBP). There was no significant difference in BP reduction between studies that lasted 6 months or less and those that lasted more than 7 months. Seven studies that lasted 6 months or less involving 1428 patients with hypertension were pooled for further meta-analysis. Text messages delivered at a lower frequency (once per week or less) had a small effect on SBP reduction (effect size 0.35, <i>P</i>&lt;.01) and DBP reduction (effect size 0.28, <i>P</i>=.01). In addition, the use of a text messaging intervention halved the odds of uncontrolled BP among patients with hypertension in 6 months (odds ratio 0.46, <i>P</i>=.02). CONCLUSIONS This review found that a text messaging intervention was effective in BP control. One-way text messaging delivered in a weekly manner was suggested to be effective and required fewer resources. Future studies should use different forms of text message and be integrated into other interventions to improve adherence behaviors and BP control among patients with hypertension.

scholarly journals Compound Danshen Dripping Pill for Treating Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: A Meta-Analysis of 13 Randomized Controlled Trials

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjing Huang ◽  
Qi Bao ◽  
De Jin ◽  
Fengmei Lian
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Fundus Fluorescein Angiography ◽  
Quality Of Evidence ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Objective. We assess the clinical effect of compound Danshen dripping pill (CDDP) for treating diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods. Electronic databases were searched from January 2001 to October 2016 to locate randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Efficacy was measured as main outcome and microaneurysms, hemorrhage, exudate, vision, and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were measured as second outcomes. Methodological quality for each study was evaluated, RevMan 5 software was used to assess treatment effects, and GRADE was used to rate quality of evidence. Results. We located 13 RCTs and methodological quality was evaluated as high risk. Statistics indicated CDDP for treating DR was better than controls and DR risk was reduced 64% with CDDP (RR: 0.36, P=0.68); retinal microaneurysms (MD = −4.32NO, P<0.00001); retinal hemorrhages (MD = −0.70PD, P=0.03); exudate improvements (MD = −0.09PD, P=0.79); visual changes (MD = −0.12 letter, P=0.006); FFA (RR: 0.40, P=0.003). About GRADE, quality of evidence was “low.” Conclusion. CDDP may be safe and efficacious for treating or delaying DR and may improve vision or delay vision loss.

scholarly journals The Usefulness of Xuefu Zhuyu Tang for Patients with Angina Pectoris: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo-zhong Yi ◽  
Yu-qin Qiu ◽  
Ya Xiao ◽  
Li-xia Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Angina Pectoris ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Number Needed To Treat ◽  
Stable Angina Pectoris ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Electrocardiogram Ecg

Objective.To evaluate the efficacy of Xuefu Zhuyu Tang (XFZYT) for treating angina pectoris (AP).Methods.Six databases were searched (up to December, 2013). Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficiency of XFZYT plus traditional antianginal medications (TAMs) compared with TAMs alone in patients with AP were included. The outcomes were relief of anginal symptoms (RAS) and improvement of electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level.Result.Finally 14 RCTs were included. There were evidences that XFZYT combined with TAMs was more effective in improving RAS (RR = 1.29; 95% CI = [1.20, 1.38]), ECG (RR = 1.37; 95% CI = [1.22, 1.54]), and blood HDL-C level (MD = 0.29 mmol/L; 95% CI = [0.23, 0.35]) compared with TAMs alone. Our meta-analysis also showed the pooled number needed to treat (NNT) of the group with stable angina pectoris (SAP) was smaller in improving RAS (4.2 versus 5.7) and ECG (3.1 versus 5.5) compared with the group with both SAP and unstable angina pectoris (UAP).Conclusion.Combination therapy with XFZYT and TAMs is more effective in treating AP compared with TAMs alone. And XFZYT may be a more suitable choice for the treatment of SAP. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the mediocre methodological quality of the included RCTs.

scholarly journals Zhen Gan Xi Feng Decoction, a Traditional Chinese Herbal Formula, for the Treatment of Essential Hypertension: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingjiang Xiong ◽  
Xiaochen Yang ◽  
Bo Feng ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Lian Duan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Essential Hypertension ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Antihypertensive Drugs ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Objectives. To assess the clinical effectiveness and adverse effects of Zhen Gan Xi Feng Decoction (ZGXFD) for essential hypertension (EH).Methods. Five major electronic databases were searched up to August 2012 to retrieve any potential randomized controlled trials designed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of ZGXFD for EH reported in any language, with main outcome measure as blood pressure (BP).Results. Six randomized trials were included. Methodological quality of the trials was evaluated as generally low. Four trials compared prescriptions based on ZGXFD with antihypertensive drugs. Meta-analysis showed that ZGXFD was more effective in BP control and TCM syndrome and symptom differentiation (TCM-SSD) scores than antihypertensive drugs. Two trials compared the combination of modified ZGXFD plus antihypertensive drugs with antihypertensive drugs. Meta-analysis showed that there is significant beneficial effect on TCM-SSD scores. However, no significant effect on BP was found. The safety of ZGXFD is still uncertain.Conclusions. ZGXFD appears to be effective in improving blood pressure and hypertension-related symptoms for EH. However, the evidence remains weak due to poor methodological quality of the included studies. More rigorous trials are warranted to support their clinical use.

Chinese Herbal Medicine in Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (07) ◽  
pp. 1593-1616
Author(s):  
Yang Zheng ◽  
Shangfeng Qi ◽  
Fengqing Wu ◽  
Jintao Hu ◽  
Ronglin Zhong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Chinese Herbal ◽  
Sensory Score ◽  
Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic disease associated with damaged neurological structures and has become a significant social and economic burden for the health care system and patients’ families. The use of Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) to treat SCI has been increasing in recent years. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of CHM for patients with SCI. Therefore, we included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of CHM for SCI in seven databases. A total of 26 studies involving 1961 participants were included in this study. No serious heterogeneity or publication bias was observed across each study. The results showed that significant improvements of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA)-grading improvement rate ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), clinical effective rate ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), ASIA motor score ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), ASIA sensory score (total) ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), ASIA sensory score (light touch) ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), ASIA sensory score (pinprick) ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), and activities of daily living (ADL) score ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) in CHM group compared with the control group. Among the CHM groups, Buyang Huanwu decoction was the most frequently prescribed herbal formula, while Astragalus membranaceus was the most commonly used single herb. In addition, there were no serious and permanent adverse effects in the two groups. The methodological quality of the most included RCTs was poor and the quality of evidence for the main outcomes was from very low to moderate according to the GRADE system. Current evidence suggests that CHM is an effective and safe treatment for SCI and could be treated as a complementary and alternative option with few side effects. However, considering the low quality, small size, and high risk of the studies identified in this meta-analysis, higher methodological quality, rigorously designed RCTs with large sample sizes are needed to confirm the results.

scholarly journals Meta-Analysis of Chinese Traditional Medicine Bushen Huoxue Prescription for Endometriosis Treatment

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Shan ◽  
Wen Cheng ◽  
Dong-xia Zhai ◽  
Dan-ying Zhang ◽  
Rui-pin Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Medicine ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Bias Assessment ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Alternative Drug

Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bushen Huoxue prescription (BSHXP) for endometriosis. Methods. A meta-analysis was performed, and studies were searched from the seven databases from the date of database establishment to April 30, 2017. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that explored the efficacy and safety of BSHXP for patients with endometriosis were included. Two assessors independently reviewed each trial. The Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool was used for quality assessment. Results. In the 13 included studies, the total effectiveness rates of BSHXP were higher than those of Western medicine (RR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.03–2.32; P=0.04), but the dysmenorrhea alleviation rates of the two treatments did not significantly differ (RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.70–2.34; P=0.42). The pregnancy rates of BSHXP were also higher than those of hormone therapy (RR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.17–3.39; P=0.01). However, whether BSHXP is more effective than Western medicine in diminishing endometriotic cyst remains unknown. Conclusions. Our study provides evidence that BSHXP is effective and safe for endometriosis, but this evidence is inconclusive because of the low methodological quality of the included RCTs. Our findings suggest that BSHXP is an alternative drug for endometriosis, but it should be further examined in future clinical research.

scholarly journals Moxibustion for Primary Dysmenorrhea at Different Interventional Times: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao-qin Gou ◽  
Jing Gao ◽  
Chen-xi Wu ◽  
Ding-xi Bai ◽  
Hong-yuan Mou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effective Rate ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Primary Dysmenorrhea ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Difference

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is one of the most common diseases in gynecology at present. Some clinical trials have reported the effects of moxibustion and confirmed temporal factors are the important elements influencing the efficacy of moxibustion. However, no systematic review has yet been conducted. In this study, we assessed the effects of moxibustion in patients with PD enrolled in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the difference among different intervention times to start moxibustion. We extracted data for studies searched from 10 electronic databases and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. We discussed three outcomes: effective rate, pain remission, and the level of PGF2αin serum. Current clinical researches showed that, compared with nonmoxibustion treatments for PD, moxibustion leads to higher effective rate and lower level of PGF2αin serum. However, there was no difference in using moxibustion to treat PD at different intervention times. Based on the theory of Chinese medicine and the results of this study, choosing 5 ± 2 days before menstruation to start moxibustion can achieve good efficacy for PD patients. However, more high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm the conclusions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document