scholarly journals EFFICACY OF SPIRULINA FOR ALLERGIC RHINITIS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iury Gomes Batista ◽  
Osmar Cleyton Person ◽  
Fernando Veiga Angelico Junior ◽  
Priscila Bogar
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Nasal Congestion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Runny Nose ◽  
Trial Quality ◽  
Central Register

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis is a condition of high prevalence in the population and widely studied, with several treatments being consecrated for its control. Spirulina is a dietary supplement that modulates immune function, and has been shown to modulate the inflammatory response of allergic rhinitis. Purpose: To evaluate spirulina in the treatment and control of allergic rhinitis. Material and Methods: This is a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Searches were performed for randomized clinical trials relating spirulina to allergic rhinitis in five electronic databases: Cochrane - Central Register of Controlled Trials - CENTRAL (2021), PUBMED (1966-2021), EMBASE (1974-2021), LILACS (1982-2021) AND SCOPUS (2021). Two investigators independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. Results: Two clinical trials involving a total of 215 patients were included. Both studies assessed the efficacy of spirulina in improving allergic rhinitis as the primary outcome. The first study described a significant reduction in runny nose, nasal congestion and itching over time of medication use (p 0.001) and in the second study the prevalence of rhinorrhea (P = 0.021), nasal congestion or obstruction (P = 0.039) and decreased smell (P = 0.030) were significantly less in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions: The included studies were in favor of the use of spirrulina. However, the level of evidence is very low and limited. We should have caution due to the small number of clinical trials and participants in these studies. It is recommended to carry out new RCTs following the CONSORT standardization.

scholarly journals Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials of Acupressure Therapy for Primary Dysmenorrhea

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-ru Jiang ◽  
Shuang Ni ◽  
Jin-long Li ◽  
Miao-miao Liu ◽  
Ji Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Primary Dysmenorrhea ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Central Register

The evidence of acupressure is limited in the management of dysmenorrhea. To evaluate the efficacy of acupressure in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), we searched MEDLINE, the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases from inception until March 2012. Two reviewers independently selected articles and extracted data. Statistical analysis was performed with RevMan 5.1 software. Eight RCTs were identified from the retrieved 224 relevant records. Acupressure improved pain measured with VAS (−1.41 cm 95% CI [−1.61, −1.21]), SF-MPQ at the 3-month followup (WMD −2.33, 95% CI [−4.11, −0.54]) and 6-month followup (WMD −4.67, 95% CI [−7.30, −2.04]), and MDQ at the 3-month followup (WMD −2.31, 95% CI [−3.74, −0.87]) and 6-month followup (WMD −4.67, 95% CI [−7.30, −2.04]). All trials did not report adverse events. These results were limited by the methodological flaws of trials.

scholarly journals Acupuncture in oncological pain relief: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Marcos Dalmedico ◽  
Caroline Machado de Toledo ◽  
Paula Karina Hembecker ◽  
Juliana Londero Silva Ávila ◽  
Chayane Karla Lucena de Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Central Register ◽  
Considerable Impact ◽  
Analgesic Use

Abstract Introduction: Cancer pain has a considerable impact on patients’ health and quality of life, and its treatment is essentially based on opioid use. Objective: To report the effectiveness of acupuncture in relieving cancer pain (secondary to the disease or to the corresponding therapy) or in decreasing opioid use compared to other interventions. Methods: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials was conducted following the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The trials were selected from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases. Results: The search strategy resulted in the inclusion of eight trials, of which five compared acupuncture and drug therapy and three compared acupuncture and placebo. Seven trials reported decreased pain and analgesic use. The trials showed clinical heterogeneity, making a meta-analysis unfeasible. Conclusion: The findings herein provided no robust evidence to support the routine use of acupuncture as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of cancer pain. However, its use is promising since the results showed a trend toward decreased pain and analgesic use, thus justifying further studies in the future.

scholarly journals The Application of Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate in Implant Dentistry: A Systematic Evaluation of Clinical Studies

Materials ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 655
Author(s):  
Elisabet Roca-Millan ◽  
Enric Jané-Salas ◽  
Antonio Marí-Roig ◽  
Álvaro Jiménez-Guerra ◽  
Iván Ortiz-García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Tricalcium Phosphate ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Graft Material ◽  
Synthetic Graft ◽  
Implant Dentistry

The demand for synthetic graft materials in implant dentistry is rising. This systematic review aims to evaluate the survival rate of dental implants placed simultaneously with bone regeneration procedures using the material β-tricalcium phosphate, one of the most promising synthetic graft materials. The electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Scielo, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. There were five randomized clinical trials, one of which was a non-randomized controlled clinical trial and four of which were observational studies without a control group included. Implant survival rate and other clinical, radiographic, and histological parameters did not differ from those of implants placed simultaneously with another type of graft material, or placed in blood clots or natural alveolar ridges. Based on the available literature, β-tricalcium phosphate seems to be a promising graft material in implant dentistry. Nevertheless, more randomized clinical trials, with long follow-up periods, preoperative and postoperative CBCT, and histological analysis, are necessary to assess its long-term behavior.

scholarly journals Efficacy of clear aligners in controlling orthodontic tooth movement: A systematic review

2014 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 881-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Rossini ◽  
Simone Parrini ◽  
Tommaso Castroflorio ◽  
Andrea Deregibus ◽  
Cesare L. Debernardi
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Tooth Movement ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Orthodontic Tooth Movement ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Bodily Movement ◽  
Central Register ◽  
Upper Molar

ABSTRACT Objective:  To assess the scientific evidence related to the efficacy of clear aligner treatment (CAT) in controlling orthodontic tooth movement. Materials and Methods:  PubMed, PMC, NLM, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Google Scholar, and LILACs were searched from January 2000 to June 2014 to identify all peer-reviewed articles potentially relevant to the review. Methodological shortcomings were highlighted and the quality of the studies was ranked using the Cochrane Tool for Risk of Bias Assessment. Results:  Eleven relevant articles were selected (two Randomized Clinical Trials (RCT), five prospective non-randomized, four retrospective non-randomized), and the risk of bias was moderate for six studies and unclear for the others. The amount of mean intrusion reported was 0.72 mm. Extrusion was the most difficult movement to control (30% of accuracy), followed by rotation. Upper molar distalization revealed the highest predictability (88%) when a bodily movement of at least 1.5 mm was prescribed. A decrease of the Little's Index (mandibular arch: 5 mm; maxillary arch: 4 mm) was observed in aligning arches. Conclusions:  CAT aligns and levels the arches; it is effective in controlling anterior intrusion but not anterior extrusion; it is effective in controlling posterior buccolingual inclination but not anterior buccolingual inclination; it is effective in controlling upper molar bodily movements of about 1.5 mm; and it is not effective in controlling rotation of rounded teeth in particular. However, the results of this review should be interpreted with caution because of the number, quality, and heterogeneity of the studies.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials Assessing Sexuality in Hysterectomized Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3994
Author(s):  
Laura Martínez-Cayuelas ◽  
Pau Sarrió-Sanz ◽  
Antonio Palazón-Bru ◽  
Lidia Verdú-Verdú ◽  
Ana López-López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Laparoscopic Approach ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Sexual Life ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Central Register ◽  
The Impact

In hysterectomized patients, even though there is still controversy, evidence indicates that in the short term, the vaginal approach shows benefits over the laparoscopic approach, as it is less invasive, faster and less costly. However, the quality of sexual life has not been systematically reviewed in terms of the approach adopted. Through a systematic review, we analyzed (CRD42020158465 in PROSPERO) the impact of hysterectomy on sexual quality and whether there are differences according to the surgical procedure (abdominal or vaginal) for noncancer patients. MEDLINE (through PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov and Scopus were reviewed to find randomized clinical trials assessing sexuality in noncancer patients undergoing total hysterectomy, comparing vaginal and abdominal (laparoscopic and/or open) surgery. Three studies that assessed the issue under study were finally included. Two of these had a low risk of bias (Cochrane risk of bias tool); one was unclear. There was significant variability in how sexuality was measured, with no differences between the two approaches considered in the review. In conclusion, no evidence was found to support one procedure (abdominal or vaginal) over another for non-oncological hysterectomized patients regarding benefits in terms of sexuality.

scholarly journals Vaginal dilator therapy to prevent stenosis from radiotherapy: A systematic review

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nupur Bansal ◽  
Abhishek Soni ◽  
Anil Khurana ◽  
Yashpal Verma ◽  
Paramjeet Kaur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Population ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Pelvic Radiotherapy ◽  
Inflammatory Phase ◽  
Vaginal Stenosis ◽  
Vaginal Length ◽  
Central Register

Background: Pelvic radiotherapy may damage the vagina and cause vaginal stenosis. Its incidence in the literature ranges from 1.2% to 88%. To prevent vaginal stenosis, routine vaginal dilation is recommended during and after pelvic radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: The objective was to examine critically the evidence behind this guideline. Searches included the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Google scholarly articles. All the relevant articles were included in the study. Discussion: Various studies gave recommendations on dilation during or immediately after radiotherapy. Literature does not support routine vaginal dilatation during or immediately after pelvic radiotherapy. Occasional penetration might prevent the sides of the vagina adhering to each other, and dilation might be valuable once the inflammatory and psychological scarring has settled. Two trials demonstrated that encouraging vaginal dilation increased patient compliance, but no difference was found in sexual function scores in the first trial. One retrospective study reported that dilation lowered stenosis rates, but the control group is not comparable. One study involving 89 women revealed that the median vaginal length was 6 cm, six to ten weeks after radiation therapy, but women tolerated a 9-cm dilator/measurer after 4 months of dilation experience. One trial showed no significant advantage by inserting mitomycin C. A study of five women reported that vaginal stenosis can be treated by dilation even many years after radiotherapy. Dilation during or immediately after radiotherapy can cause damage, and there is no evidence that it prevents stenosis. Dilation might stretch the vagina if commenced after the inflammatory phase. Dilation has been associated with traumatic rectovaginal fistulae and psychological consequences. Conclusion: Vaginal dilation might help treat the late effects of radiotherapy, but it must not be assumed that this applies to the acute toxicity phase. Routine dilation during treatment is not supported by good evidence. Prophylactic and therapeutic dilation therapy needs to be considered separately and research is needed to determine when dilation therapy should start on a large population.

scholarly journals Cognitive Behavioral Therapy combined with physical exercise for depression, anxiety, fatigue and pain in adults with chronic diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paquito Bernard ◽  
Romain Ahmed Jérôme ◽  
Johan Caudroit ◽  
Guillaume Chevance ◽  
Carayol Marion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Cognitive Behavior ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Central Register

Objective. The present meta-analysis aimed to determine the overall effect of cognitive behavior therapy combined with physical exercise (CBTEx) interventions on depression, anxiety, fatigue, and pain in adults with chronic illness; to identify the potential moderators of efficacy; and to compare the efficacy of CBTEx versus each condition alone (CBT and physical exercise). Methods. Relevant randomized clinical trials, published before July 2017, were identified through database searches in Pubmed, PsycArticles, CINAHL, SportDiscus and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials.Results. A total of 30 studies were identified. CBTEx interventions yielded small-to-large effect sizes for depression (SMC = -0.34, 95% CI [-0.53; -0.14]), anxiety (SMC = -0.18, 95% CI [-0.34; -0.03]) and fatigue (SMC = -0.96, 95% CI [-1.43; -0.49]). Moderation analyses revealed that longer intervention was associated with greater effect sizes for depression and anxiety outcomes. Low methodological quality was also associated with increased CBTEx efficacy for depression. When compared directly, CBTEx interventions did not show greater efficacy than CBT alone or physical exercise alone for any of the outcomes. Conclusion. The current literature suggests that CBTEx interventions are effective for decreasing depression, anxiety, and fatigue symptoms, but not pain. However, the findings do not support an additive effect of CBT and exercise on any of the four outcomes compared to each condition alone.

scholarly journals Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Mood Disorders: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jairo Vinícius Pinto ◽  
Gayatri Saraf ◽  
Christian Frysch ◽  
Daniel Vigo ◽  
Kamyar Keramatian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Mood Symptoms ◽  
Affective Symptoms

Objective: To review the current evidence for efficacy of cannabidiol in the treatment of mood disorders. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsychInfo, Scielo, ClinicalTrials.gov , and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies published up to July 31, 2019. The inclusion criteria were clinical trials, observational studies, or case reports evaluating the effect of pure cannabidiol or cannabidiol mixed with other cannabinoids on mood symptoms related to either mood disorders or other health conditions. The review was reported in accordance with guidelines from Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol. Results: Of the 924 records initially yielded by the search, 16 were included in the final sample. Among them, six were clinical studies that used cannabidiol to treat other health conditions but assessed mood symptoms as an additional outcome. Similarly, four tested cannabidiol blended with Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in the treatment of general health conditions and assessed affective symptoms as secondary outcomes. Two were case reports testing cannabidiol. Four studies were observational studies that evaluated the cannabidiol use and its clinical correlates. However, there were no clinical trials investigating the efficacy of cannabidiol, specifically in mood disorders or assessing affective symptoms as the primary outcome. Although some articles point in the direction of benefits of cannabidiol to treat depressive symptoms, the methodology varied in several aspects and the level of evidence is not enough to support its indication as a treatment for mood disorders. Conclusions: There is a lack of evidence to recommend cannabidiol as a treatment for mood disorders. However, considering the preclinical and clinical evidence related to other diseases, cannabidiol might have a role as a treatment for mood disorders. Therefore, there is an urgent need for well-designed clinical trials investigating the efficacy of cannabidiol in mood disorders.

scholarly journals Anti-Tumor Activity and Safety of Multikinase Inhibitors in Advanced and/or Metastatic Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (01) ◽  
pp. 25-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Tsoli ◽  
Krystallenia I. Alexandraki ◽  
Maria-Eleni Spei ◽  
Gregory A. Kaltsas ◽  
Kosmas Daskalakis
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Multikinase Inhibitors ◽  
Metastatic Thyroid Cancer

AbstractMany trials have demonstrated prime antitumor activity of novel, small molecule multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) in advanced and/or metastatic thyroid cancer (TC). In this work, the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and clinicaltrials.gov databases were searched. Quality/risk of bias were assessed using GRADE criteria. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing two or more systemic therapies in patients with advanced and/or metastatic thyroid cancer were assessed. A total of 1347 articles and 548 clinical trials in clinicaltrials.gov were screened. We included seven relevant RCTs comprising 1934 unique patients assigned to different MKIs. Two separate network meta-analyses included four RCTs in radioiodine refractory well-differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-WDTC) and three RCTs in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), respectively; all with a low risk of bias. We identified three therapies for RR-WDTC: sorafenib [disease control rate (DCR) odds ratio (OR): 0.11 (95% CI: 0.03–0.40); progression-free survival (PFS) hazard ratio (HR): 1.99 (95% CI: 1.62–2.46)], vandetanib [DCR_OR:0.26 (95% CI: 0.06–1.24); PFS_HR: 0.99 (95% CI: 0.82–1.20)] and lenvatinib [DCR_OR: 0.26 (95% CI: 0.05–1.33); PFS_HR: 0.99 (95% CI: 0.81–1.22)]; and the following therapies for MTC: vandetanib 300 mg [objective response rate (ORR)_OR: 3.31 (95% CI: 0.68–16.22); vandetanib 150 mg ORR_OR: 0.60 (95% CI: 0.16–2.33)]; and cabozantinib [ORR_OR: 85.32 (95% CI: 5.22–1395.15)]. Serious side effect (SE) analysis per organ/system demonstrated a varying MKI SE profile across both RR-WDTC and MTC diagnoses, more commonly involving metabolic/nutritional disorders [OR: 2.07 [95% CI: 0.82–5.18)] and gastrointestinal SE [OR: 1.63 (95% CI: 1.0–2.66)]. This network meta-analysis on advanced and/or metastatic TC points towards a higher efficacy of lenvatinib in RR-WDTC. The included MKIs exhibit a varying SE profile across different organs/systems favoring a patient-tailored approach with the anticipated toxicities guiding clinicians’ decisions.

scholarly journals Using Clinical Trial Data to Estimate the Costs of Behavioral Interventions for Potential Adopters: A Guide for Trialists

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-20
Author(s):  
Louise B. Russell ◽  
Laurie A. Norton ◽  
David Pagnotti ◽  
Christianne Sevinc ◽  
Sophia Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Financial Incentive ◽  
Trial Data ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cost Information ◽  
Billing Data ◽  
Pragmatic Clinical Trials

Behavioral interventions involving electronic devices, financial incentives, gamification, and specially trained staff to encourage healthy behaviors are becoming increasingly prevalent and important in health innovation and improvement efforts. Although considerations of cost are key to their wider adoption, cost information is lacking because the resources required cannot be costed using standard administrative billing data. Pragmatic clinical trials that test behavioral interventions are potentially the best and often only source of cost information but rarely incorporate costing studies. This article provides a guide for researchers to help them collect and analyze, during the trial and with little additional effort, the information needed to inform potential adopters of the costs of adopting a behavioral intervention. A key challenge in using trial data is the separation of implementation costs, the costs an adopter would incur, from research costs. Based on experience with 3 randomized clinical trials of behavioral interventions, this article explains how to frame the costing problem, including how to think about costs associated with the control group, and describes methods for collecting data on individual costs: specifications for costing a technology platform that supports the specialized functions required, how to set up a time log to collect data on the time staff spend on implementation, and issues in getting data on device, overhead, and financial incentive costs.

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