scholarly journals Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Treating Sciatica: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zongshi Qin ◽  
Xiaoxu Liu ◽  
Jiani Wu ◽  
Yanbing Zhai ◽  
Zhishun Liu
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Insufficient Number

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis, which aimed to assess the current evidence on the effects and safety of acupuncture for treating sciatica. In this review, a total of 11 randomized controlled trials were included. As a result, we found that the use of acupuncture may be more effective than drugs and may enhance the effect of drugs for patients with sciatica, but because of the insufficient number of relevant and rigorous studies, the evidence is limited. Future trials using rigorous methodology, appropriate comparisons, and clinically relevant outcomes should be conducted.

scholarly journals Acupuncture Treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo-Hyun Sung ◽  
Angela-Dong-Min Sung ◽  
Hyun-Kyung Sung ◽  
Tteul-E-Bom An ◽  
Kyeong Han Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Pelvic Pain ◽  
Chronic Pelvic Pain ◽  
Acupuncture Treatment ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Aim of the Study. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the current evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment (AT), including electroacupuncture or thread-embedding therapy in combination with modern technology, for chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women. Materials and Methods. We searched 12 electronic databases up to December 2017. All randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of AT for CPP were considered. Results. Four RCTs with 474 participants were included. The methodological quality of included studies was generally low. The results of meta-analysis of two studies showed that AT combined with conventional treatment (CT) was associated with significantly reduced CPP, based on the total effectiveness rate (n=277, mean difference = 1.29, confidence interval = 1.13 to 1.47, P=0.0001, I2 = 0%). Conclusions. This review suggests the potential of AT combined with CT compared to CT alone for treating female CPP. However, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that AT can be recommended as a complementary and alternative (CAM) treatment for women with CPP. To draw a firm conclusion, future studies should require not only lager, more rigorously designed RCTs but also research on different AT types. Protocol Registration Number. This study is registered with PROSPERO 2018 (CRD42018088627).

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of Erythropoietin in Multiple Myeloma.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 232-232
Author(s):  
Heloisa P. Soares ◽  
Ambuj Kumar ◽  
Franco Silvestris ◽  
Benjamin Djulbegovic
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Epoetin Alpha

Abstract Background: The current approach for treating anemia in multiple myeloma (MM) patients entails prescribing recombinant erythropoetin (EPO) only if chemotherapy fails initially to raise hemoglobin (Hb) levels. However, this practice is not based on synthesis of the totality of evidence obtained from data of all trials testing EPO exclusively in myeloma patients. Objective: To conduct a systematic review/ meta-analysis (SR/MA) regarding the use of EPO in MM patients. Methods: We conducted a SR of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that studied the effect of EPO exclusively in MM patients. We searched all major electronic databases (MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register) as well as performing hand searches of relevant meeting proceedings (ASH, ASCO, EHA), and ongoing NCI trials. We included RCTs that had at least 10 patients in each arm and had compared the use of EPO against a control group. We also identified trials that compared different doses of EPO. We excluded trials that enrolled patients treated with high-dose myeloablative chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation or hemodialysis. Results: We identified more than 500 relevant studies; 6 trials met our eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. Five trials (4 published as full text manuscripts and 1 as the abstract) compared epoetin alpha against a control [placebo (2 trials) or no therapy with or without specification of red cells transfusion trigger level (3 trials)] in anemic MM patients. One trial compared 2 different schedules of epoetin alpha. No trial tested the effect of darbopoeitin. All 5 trials that studied EPO against controls used initial doses of 150 IU 3x/week SC with the possibility of increasing to 300 IU if necessary. In the majority of trials the patients had been receiving chemotherapy at the time EPO was administered. The number of patients included in each trial ranged from 24 to 145. All trials concluded that EPO was superior to a placebo or no treatment in terms of Hb increase. Two trials also concluded that EPO improves quality of life. Our meta-analysis showed that hematological response was favored in the group receiving EPO [relative risk (RR) 7.75; 95% CI 4.19 to 14.35, 4 trials, n = 272]. Mean Hb level improvement with EPO was also significant [weighted mean difference (WMD) 2.29; 95% CI2.00 to -2.58, 3 trials, n = 235]. In terms of adverse events, hypertension was more often found in the EPO arm [RR 5.80; 95% CI 1.30-25.90, 4 trials, n = 290]. Survival and data related to tumor response were not available in all trials. Critical appraisal indicated that available evidence was modest in quantity (5 trials, n= 385 total patients enrolled) and poorly reported in all important methodological domains. Conclusion: Available body of evidence suggests that EPO improves hematological outcomes in patients with myeloma. However, the quality of current evidence is insufficient, data on most important patients’ outcomes are lacking (e.g. survival etc.), thus preventing us from making definitive recommendations regarding the role of EPO in managing anemia in the myeloma setting. A definitive RCT to resolve the role of EPO in myeloma is indicated.

scholarly journals Effects of Phytoestrogen Supplement on Quality of Life of Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Ching Peng ◽  
Chia-Yu Liu ◽  
Nai-Rong Kuo ◽  
Tao-Hsin Tung
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background. The effect of phytoestrogen on postmenopausal quality of life is unclear. This study evaluated the effects of phytoestrogen supplement on quality of life for postmenopausal women. Methods. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effects of phytoestrogen supplements on the quality of life of postmenopausal women. We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials on March 31, 2018, for relevant randomized controlled trials. Two authors independently selected studies, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data. Disagreement was resolved through discussion with a third author. Results. We involved 10 articles in the systematic review. 8 studies and a total of 1,129 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. The questionnaires used in the evaluation of quality of life were as follows: SF-36, 4 studies; MENQOL, 4 studies; For Short Form 36 surveys, phytoestrogen groups scored significantly higher for body pain (mean difference = 3.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.14, 6.57], P < 0.01), mental health (mean difference = 4.01, 95% CI = [1.49, 6.57], P < 0.01), and role limitations caused by emotional problems domains (mean difference = 3.83, 95% CI = [1.81, 5.85], P < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was obtained from Menopause-Specific Quality of Life surveys (vasomotor domain mean difference 0.14, 95% CI = [−0.08, 0.36], P = 0.20; physical domain mean difference 0.20, 95% CI [−0.08, 0.48], P = 0.15; psychological domain mean difference −0.10, 95% CI [−0.26, 0.07], P = 0.27; sexual domain mean difference −0.17, 95% CI [−0.42, 0.09], P = 0.19). Conclusion. Current evidence does not support phytoestrogen supplementation improving postmenopausal quality of life. Further comprehensive trials or long-term follow-up studies are warranted.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Aspirin-Induced Gastrointestinal Injury: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan-tong Zhang ◽  
Miao-ran Wang ◽  
Guo-dong Hua ◽  
Qiu-yan Li ◽  
Xu-jie Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Gastrointestinal Injury ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background: Administration of aspirin has the potential for significant side effects of gastrointestinal (GI) injury mainly caused by gastric acid stimulation, especially in long-term users or users with original gastrointestinal diseases. The debate on the optimal treatment of aspirin-induced gastrointestinal injury is ongoing. We aimed to compare and rank the different treatments for aspirin-induced gastrointestinal injury based on current evidence.Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and Chinese databases for published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of different treatments for aspirin-induced gastrointestinal injury from inception to 1 May 2021. All of the direct and indirect evidence included was rated by network meta-analysis under a Bayesian framework.Results: A total of 10 RCTs, which comprised 503 participants, were included in the analysis. The overall quality of evidence was rated as moderate to high. Eleven different treatments, including omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, famotidine, geranylgeranylacetone, misoprostol, ranitidine bismuth citrate, chili, phosphatidylcholine complex, omeprazole plus rebamipide, and placebo, were evaluated in terms of preventing gastrointestinal injury. It was suggested that omeprazole plus rebamipide outperformed other treatments, whereas geranylgeranylacetone and placebo were among the least treatments.Conclusion: This is the first systematic review and network meta-analysis of different treatments for aspirin-induced gastrointestinal injury. Our study suggested that omeprazole plus rebamipide might be considered the best option to treat aspirin-induced gastrointestinal injury. More multicenter, high quality, large sample size randomized controlled trials will confirm the advantages of these medicines in the treatment of aspirin-induced gastrointestinal injury in the future.

Interventions to Reduce Alcohol Harms in Low and Middle Income Countries: a Systematic Review and Meta Analysis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joao Ricardo Nickenig Vissoci
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
World Health ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Brief Motivational Intervention ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BackgroundHarmful alcohol use leads to a large burden of disease and disability which disportionately impacts LMICs. The World Health Organization and the Lancet have issued calls for this burden to be addressed, but issues remain, primarily due to gaps in information. While a variety of interventions have been shown to be effective at reducing alcohol use in HICs, their efficacy in LMICs have yet to be assessed. This systematic review describes the current published literature on alcohol interventions in LMICs and conducts a meta analysis of clinical trials evaluating interventions to reduce alcohol use and harms in LMICs.MethodsIn accordance with PRISMA guidelines we searched the electronic databases Pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus,Web of Science, Cochrane, and Psych Info. Articles were eligible if they evaluated an intervention targeting alcohol-related harm in LMICs. After a reference and citation analysis, we conducted a quality assessment per PRISMA protocol. A meta-analysis was performed on the 39 randomized controlled trials that evaluated an alcohol-related outcome.ResultsOf the 3,801 articles from the literature search, 87 articles from 25 LMICs fit the eligibility and inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 39 randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. Nine of these studies focused specifically on medication, while the others focused on brief motivational intervention, brain stimulation, AUDIT-based brief interventions, WHO ASSIST-based interventions, group based education, basic screening and interventions, brief psychological or counseling, dyadic relapse prevention, group counseling, CBT, motivational + PTSD based interview, and health promotion/awareness. Conclusion Issues in determining feasible options specific to LMICs arise from unstandardized interventions, unequal geographic distribution of intervention implementation, and uncertain effectiveness over time. Current research shows that brain stimulation, psychotherapy, and brief motivational interviews have the potential to be effective in LMIC settings, but further feasibility testing and efforts to standardize results are necessary to accurately assess their effectiveness.

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