From the Cochrane library: Ginkgo biloba for intermittent claudication

VASA ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolaï ◽  
Gerardu ◽  
Kruidenier ◽  
Prins ◽  
Teijink
Keyword(s):  
Intermittent Claudication ◽  
Ginkgo Biloba ◽  
Ginkgo Biloba Extract ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Walking Capacity ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Background: Patients with intermittent claudication suffer from pain in the muscles of the legs during exercise that is relieved by a short rest. Ginkgo biloba extract is a vasoactive agent used for symptomatic relief in intermittent claudication. In this article a meta-analysis is discussed that assessed the effect of Ginkgo biloba on walking capacity in patients with intermittent claudication. Patients and methods: The Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group searched their Trials Register and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in The Cochrane Library. Furthermore MEDLINE/PUBMED (until May 2008) and EMBASE (until May 2008) were searched and manufacturers of Ginkgo biloba extract were contacted. Randomized controlled trials of Ginkgo biloba extract versus placebo in people with intermittent claudication were included. Two authors independently assessed trials for selection, assessed study quality and extracted data. To standardize walking distance or time, caloric expenditures were used to correct for the different treadmill protocols. Results: Eleven trials involving 477 participants compared Ginkgo biloba with placebo and assessed the absolute claudication distance (maximal walking distance). At the end of the study the absolute claudication distance increased with an overall effect size of 3.57 kilocalories ( p = 0.06), for treatment with Ginkgo biloba, compared to placebo. This translates to an increase of 64.5 meters (confidence interval -1.8 to 130.7) on a flat treadmill with an average speed of 3.2 km/h. Conclusions: There is no evidence that Ginkgo biloba has a clinically significant benefit for patients with intermittent claudication.

Cochrane corner: ergonomic positioning or equipment for treating carpal tunnel syndrome

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 580-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Buchan ◽  
R. Amirfeyz
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Central Register ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Background: Non-surgical treatments, including ergonomic positioning or equipment, are sometimes offered to people experiencing mild to moderate symptoms from carpal tunnel syndrome. The effectiveness and duration from ergonomic positioning or equipment interventions for treating carpal tunnel syndrome are unknown. Objectives: To assess the effects of ergonomic positioning compared with no treatment, a placebo or another non-surgical intervention in people with carpal tunnel syndrome. Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Specialized Register (14 June 2011), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2011, Issue 2, in The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE (1966 to June 2011), EMBASE (1980 to June 2011), CINAHL Plus (1937 to June 2011), and AMED (1985 to June 2011). We also reviewed the reference lists of randomized or quasi-randomized trials identified from the electronic search. Selection criteria: Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing ergonomic positioning or equipment with no treatment, placebo or another non-surgical intervention in people with carpal tunnel syndrome. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently selected trials for inclusion, extracted data and assessed risk of bias of included studies. They calculated risk ratios and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals for the primary and secondary outcomes. Results of clinically and statistically homogeneous trials were pooled, where possible, to provide estimates of the effect of ergonomic positioning or equipment.

Cochrane corner: water for wound cleansing

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 375-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Henton ◽  
A. Jain
Keyword(s):  
Tap Water ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Ovid Medline ◽  
Central Register ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Background: Although various solutions have been recommended for cleansing wounds, normal saline is favoured as it is an isotonic solution and does not interfere with the normal healing process. Tap water is commonly used in the community for cleansing wounds because it is easily accessible, efficient and cost effective; however, there is an unresolved debate about its use. Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of water compared with other solutions for wound cleansing. Search strategy: For this update we searched the Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register (Searched 22 February 2010); The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) ( The Cochrane Library, 2010 Issue 1); Ovid MEDLINE – 2007 to February Week 2 2010; Ovid MEDLINE – In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations (Searched19 February 2010); Ovid EMBASE – 2007 to 2010 Week 06; EBSCO CINAHL – 2007 to 22 February 2010. Selection criteria: Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials that compared the use of water with other solutions for wound cleansing were eligible for inclusion. Additional criteria were outcomes that included objective or subjective measures of wound infection or healing. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently carried out trial selection, data extraction and quality assessment. We settled differences in opinion by discussion. We pooled some data using a random-effects model.

Immediate Effect of Fan Therapy in Terminal Cancer With Dyspnea at Rest: A Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Kako ◽  
Masamitsu Kobayashi ◽  
Yasufumi Oosono ◽  
Kohei Kajiwara ◽  
Mika Miyashita
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Terminal Cancer ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Central Register ◽  
Nonmalignant Disease ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Background: Dyspnea is a common distressing symptom in patients with malignant and nonmalignant diseases. Fan therapy, which uses a fan to blow air toward the patient’s face, can alleviate dyspnea; however, its efficacy remains unclear. Aim: To examine the immediate efficacy of fan therapy for alleviation of dyspnea at rest. Design: Meta-analysis. Data sources: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE EBSCO, CINAHL EBSCO, and Scopus from January 1, 1987, to August 21, 2018 (PROSPERO-CRD42018108610). In addition, we hand-searched studies and used the similar articles feature on PubMed to search for articles. Randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of fan therapy with placebo or other interventions to alleviate dyspnea at rest, in which patients were aged ≥18 years, were eligible for inclusion in the review. We excluded articles on long-term intervention involving fan therapy and complex intervention (including fan therapy). The risk of bias assessment was conducted using the Cochrane tool, and the meta-analysis was performed using RevMan version 5.3. Results: We identified a total of 218 studies; 2 met our criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Fan therapy significantly improved dyspnea at rest in terminally ill patients with cancer compared to control groups (mean difference: −1.31, 95% confidence interval: −1.79 to −0.83, P < .001). There were no studies that met the inclusion criteria regarding fan therapy for patients with nonmalignant disease. Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated that fan therapy may be an effective intervention for dyspnea at rest in patients with terminal cancer.

Intervención multi-componente en la prevención de la obesidad infantil como medida de salud pública

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-161
Author(s):  
Henry Cuevas Casa ◽  
Gabriela Aguinaga Romero ◽  
Fabricio González-Andrade
Keyword(s):  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Objetivos: se propone identificar y revisar aquellas estrategias potenciales que incluyan un enfoque multifacético a la hora de hacer frente a la obesidad en niños escolarizados. De acuerdo a la evidencia más reciente, las intervenciones más efectivas para combatir la obesidad infantil son aquellas que involucranactividad física, educación nutricional y entornos de apoyo. Así, en esta revisión nos centramos en buscar dichas intervenciones, que además incluyan seguimientos a medio y largo plazo, monitoreo y evaluación, que son críticos para mantener una acción efectiva.Material y métodos: se incluyó una revisión de artículos científicos publicados en bases de datos especializadas como Pubmed (Medline), the Cochrane Library, The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR), ScienceDirect, Scielo, La Biblioteca Cochrane Plus y la página web de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (http://www.who.int).Resultados: de 199 artículos potenciales, sólo 8 fueron incluidos en esta revisión. Los resultados mostraron que aquellas intervenciones multi-componente y de largo plazo tienen beneficios sobre IMC, actividad física y elecciones alimentarias. Sin embargo, pocos estudios mostraron cambios significativos sobrelos hábitos alimentarios generales y sobre la prevalencia de la obesidad. También, se observó que las intervenciones multicomponente que se llevaron a cabo tanto en países en desarrollo de Latinoamérica, como en países desarrollados tuvieron resultados similares.Conclusión: esta revisión demuestra que pueden ocurrir cambios sobre las medidas antropométricas, la actividad física y las elecciones alimentarias cuando se llevan a cabo intervenciones multicomponente en ambientes a nivel de la educación académica primaria, sin importar la localización geográfica, peromanteniendo similar metodología y materiales

scholarly journals Impact of Ketamine on Pain Management in Cesarean Section: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2;23 (4;2) ◽  
pp. 135-148
Author(s):  
Zifeng Xu
Keyword(s):  
Cesarean Section ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Control Effect ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Time Required ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Background: The pain control effect of ketamine versus control in women during cesarean operation is not well determined. Objectives: The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of ketamine versus control in cesarean section anesthesia for reducing the postoperative pain and analgesia. Study Design: We used meta-analysis to address this concern. Setting: Meta-analysis-based study. Methods: The databases PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched to identify the relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ketamine versus control in controlling pain after cesarean section from inception to August 2018. Based on the Cochrane Handbook, the combined analysis was performed using Revman 5.3 software. Results: A total of 20 RCTs with 1,737 patients who underwent cesarean section were included. Meta-analysis showed that the pain score in the ketamine group was less than that of the control group (mean difference [MD], –1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], –1.61, –0.59; P < 0.0001). Application of ketamine during cesarean section also resulted in decreased consumption of morphine when compared with the control group (MD, –6.11 mg; 95% CI, –9.93, –2.29; P = 0.002). In addition, the first time required for analgesia was significantly longer in the ketamine group than that of the control group (MD, 72.48 minutes; 95% CI, 50.85, 94.11; P < 0.00001). Limitations: Limited patients were included with moderate strength. Conclusions: Ketamine supplementation during cesarean section reduces pain and morphine consumption and prolongs the postoperative analgesia. Key words: Ketamine, cesarean section, randomized controlled trials, meta-analysis

scholarly journals Serum bilirubin and ischaemic stroke: a review of literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-204
Author(s):  
Xiao Wang ◽  
Danhong Wu ◽  
Ping Zhong
Keyword(s):  
Ischaemic Stroke ◽  
Serum Bilirubin ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Cochrane Database ◽  
Central Register ◽  
Comprehensive Search ◽  
Endogenous Antioxidant ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Bilirubin, a product of heme metabolism, is the most potent endogenous antioxidant which increases in many oxidative stress conditions such as stroke. It has been widely known to exert neuroprotective effect on stroke through mechanisms involved in development, therefore, it can influence the occurrence and prognosis of ischaemic stroke (IS). In this review, studies were identified by a comprehensive search of Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Cochrane Methodology Register) and Web of Science to examine the correlation between serum bilirubin levels and risks of developing IS as well as IS outcomes. Additional studies were identified by reviewing references and contacting authors.

scholarly journals Effect of Repeated Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients Suffering from Intermittent Claudication

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Mehmet Balin ◽  
Tarık Kıvrak
Keyword(s):  
Intermittent Claudication ◽  
Ischemic Preconditioning ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion Injury ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Remote Ischemic Preconditioning ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Treadmill Test ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Walking Capacity

Background/Objective. Intermittent claudication (IC) is the symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and causes functional disability. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC), is a phenomenon in which a short period of sub-critical ischemia, protects tissues against ischemia/reperfusion/injury. We considered to test the hypothesis that RIPC in PAD patients suffering from IC would increase muscle resistance to ischemia and thus improve walking-capacity. Materials/Methods. A total of 63 patients with proven-IC underwent two treadmill tests (graded treadmill protocol) with a 28-day interval in between. Patients were consecutively assigned for the non/RIPC-group and RIPC-group procedure one by one. Patients received 5-cycles of alternating 5-minute inflation and 5-minute deflation of blood-pressure cuffs on nondominant upper-limb every day for four weeks. Initial claudication distance (ICD), total walking distance (TWD) and time to relief of claudication (TRC) were recorded during procedure. Results. Patients receiving-RIPC exhibited a marked increase in ICD and TWD between basal and last tests: 209.1 ± 15.4 m vs. 226 ± 15.0 m and 368.8 ± 21.0 m vs. 394 ± 19.9 m, respectively (p<0.001). In addition, patients receiving-RIPC represented a significant decrease in TRC between basal and last tests: 7.8 ± 1.3 min vs. 6.4 ± 1.1 min, respectively (p<0.001). Patients not receiving-RIPC did not exhibit improvement in ICD, TWD, and TRC between basal and last tests: 205.2 ± 12.1 min vs. 207.4 ± 9.9 min, 366.5 ± 24.2 min vs. 369.4 ± 23.2 min and 7.9 ± 1.4 min vs. 7.7 ± 1.3 min, respectively (p>0.05). Conclusion. A significant increase in ICD and TWD were observed in last/treadmill test in RIPC-group. In addition, a significant decrease in TRC was observed in last/treadmill test in RIPC-group. In non/RIPC-group, no improvement was observed in ICD, TWD and TRC.

Should the duration of head bandaging be reduced after pinnaplasty? A systematic review

2014 ◽  
Vol 128 (11) ◽  
pp. 948-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
A E L McMurran ◽  
I Khan ◽  
S Mohamad ◽  
M Shakeel ◽  
H Kubba
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trials ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
National Library ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Cochrane Library

AbstractBackground:It is common practice to use head bandages for 7–10 days following pinnaplasty. However, head bandages are often troublesome for patients and can lead to serious complications.Method:A systematic review was performed to evaluate the use of head bandages after pinnaplasty. A search of Medline, Embase (Ovid) and CINAHL (EBSCO collections), the Cochrane Library, Pubmed (US National Library of Medicine) and Google Scholar identified 34 related articles. Of these, 14 were deemed relevant and 2 randomised controlled trials, 1 cohort study, 3 case series and 1 literature review met the inclusion criteria.Results:The two randomised controlled trials show no statistically significant difference in complications when a head bandage was used for the standard 7–10 days, for 24 hours or not at all. The three case series show that using a head bandage for 24 hours or not at all are safe alternatives. The review article recommended that when head bandages are applied after pinnaplasty it should be for the shortest duration possible.Conclusion:Based on the available evidence, not using a head bandage at all or using one for a maximum of 24 hours following pinnaplasty is recommended.

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