scholarly journals Effects of acupuncture on breast cancer-related lymphoedema: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-24
Author(s):  
Xinyan Zhang ◽  
Xiuli Wang ◽  
Bingyan Zhang ◽  
Sa Yang ◽  
Dongling Liu
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Elbow Joint ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Effectiveness Index ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
And Control

Objective: Breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL) is a common complication after breast cancer treatment. We investigated whether acupuncture could be used to manage limb oedema in women after breast cancer surgery. Methods: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and four Chinese databases were electronically searched for papers published through November 2017. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for BCRL were included. Results: In total, six RCTs with 318 patients were identified. The main analysis revealed a positive overall effect of acupuncture intervention on pre/post-treatment differences in the diameter of the elbow joint, reductions in upper limb lymphoedema and effectiveness index based on arm measurement data in patients with breast cancer. Two studies evaluating the outcome of acupuncture on the diameter of the elbow joint found a significant reduction in diameter between the acupuncture and control groups (weighted mean difference (WMD) 6 cm, 95% CI 5.11 to 6.89 cm; P<0.001). The same two studies investigated the effect of acupuncture on upper limb lymphoedema reduction and found a significant difference between the acupuncture and control groups (risk ratio 1.4, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.67; P<0.001). Two other studies used the effectiveness index to assess the arm and found a significant difference between the acupuncture and control groups (WMD 23.34, 95% CI 10.74 to 35.94; P<0.001). The fifth study used bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy to assess lymphoedema at several points on the arm before and after acupuncture; this study also reported a significant reduction in lymphoedema. The sixth study reported no significant difference in bioimpedance between the groups. Conclusions: The present meta-analysis and systematic review suggests that acupuncture is effective at reducing BCRL in patients after breast cancer treatment.

Indicated preventive interventions for anxiety in children and adolescents: a review and meta-analysis of school based programs

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siobhan Hugh-Jones ◽  
Sophie Beckett ◽  
Pavan Mallikarjun
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Adolescent Anxiety ◽  
School Based ◽  
Intervention Intensity ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
And Control

Schools are promising sites for the delivery of prevention and early intervention programs to reduce child and adolescent anxiety. It is unclear whether universal or targeted approaches are most effective. This review and meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of school-based indicated interventions and was registered with PROSPERO [CRD42018087628].MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomised controlled trials comparing indicated school programs for child and adolescent anxiety to active or inactive control groups. Twenty original studies, with 2076 participants, met the inclusion criteria and 18 were suitable for meta-analysis. Sub-group and sensitivity analyses explored intervention intensity, delivery agent and control type. A small beneficial effect was found for indicated programs compared to controls on self-reported anxiety symptoms at post-test (g = -0.28, CI = -0.50, -0.05, k= 18). The small effect was maintained at 6 (g = -0.35, CI= -0.58, -0.13, k = 9) and 12 months (g = -0.24, CI = -0.48, 0.00, k = 4). Based on two studies, &gt;12 month effects were very small (g = -0.01, CI= -0.38, 0.36). No differences were found based on intervention intensity, delivery agent and control type. There was evidence of publication bias and a relatively high risk of contamination in studies. Findings support the value of school based indicated programs for child and adolescent anxiety. Effects at 12 months outperform many universal programs. High quality, randomised controlled and pragmatic trials are needed, with attention control groups and beyond 12 month diagnostic assessments are needed.

scholarly journals Unpublished rating scales: A major source of bias in randomised controlled trials of treatments for schizophrenia

2000 ◽  
Vol 176 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Marshall ◽  
Austin Lockwood ◽  
Caroline Bradley ◽  
Clive Adams ◽  
Claire Joy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Standard ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trials ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Significant Treatment Effect ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
And Control

BackgroundA recent review suggested an association between using unpublished scales in clinical trials and finding significant results.AimsTo determine whether such an association existed in schizophrenia trials.MethodThree hundred trials were randomly selected from the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register. All comparisons between treatment groups and control groups using rating scales were identified. The publication status of each scale was determined and claims of a significant treatment effect were recorded.ResultsTrials were more likely to report that a treatment was superior to control when an unpublished scale was used to make the comparison (relative risk 1.37 (95% C11.12–1.68)). This effect increased when a ‘gold-standard’ definition of treatment superiority was applied (RR 1.94 (95% C11.35–2.79)). In non-pharmacological trials, one-third of ‘gold-standard’ claims of treatment superiority would not have been made if published scales had been used.ConclusionsUnpublished scales are a source of bias in schizophrenia trials.

The effect of reflexology on quality of life in Iranian patients with breast cancer.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 90-90
Author(s):  
Shadan Pedramrazi
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Placebo Group ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Relaxation Techniques ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

90 Background: Breast cancer is one the most prevalent cancers among Iranian women. One of the complementary therapies is reflexology. The extant paper has been provided with the objective of determining the effect of reflexology on quality of life of patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in the breast disease center. Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial which has been applied to 60 patients suffering from breast cancer under chemotherapy in breast diseases center, in 2012. The patients were selected randomly in three test, control and placebo groups. In test group, reflexology was implemented for 3 weeks and each session lasted half an hour. In placebo group, only relaxation techniques were implemented for 3 weeks, each session lasted 20-30 minutes. Control group received the routine therapies of breast cancer center. Results: Data were collected by standard questionnaires of EORTIC QLQ-C30.V.3 and EORTIC QLQ-BR23.V.3. The questionnaires were filled before intervention and two weeks after applying study. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics or quality of life score of three groups, before intervention. Total score of quality of life was higher in interventional group compared to placebo group before and two weeks after intervention (p < 0.001) Results also indicated a significant difference in total score of quality of life between three test, placebo, and control groups after intervention (p < 0.001). A considerable improvement was noticed in the different aspects of quality of life in the test group compared to two other placebo and control groups. Conclusions: Reduction of pain, anxiety, nausea, and other symptoms related to cancer in patients suffering from cancer are assumed as the important cases of nursing cares focus, and precise nursing may diminish these symptoms considerably. Using reflexology in patients suffering from breast cancer may improve the quality of life as an effective method, and can be recommended for use in patients with breast cancer if it is supervised by health system personnel.

scholarly journals Efficiency and safety of ondansetron in preventing postanaesthesia shivering

2016 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 358-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
k He ◽  
H Zhao ◽  
HC Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Lower Risk ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trials ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Introduction Shivering is one of the most frequent complications of operation during the postanaesthesia period. Ondansetron has been proved to be valid in preventing postanaesthesia shivering (PAS) in several studies. However, its efficiency and safety are still disputable. We therefore performed an updated meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for evaluation and to clarify this issue. Methods A literature search using the PubMed, Embase™ and Cochrane Library databases was performed (from inception to January 2015). RCTs that evaluated the efficiency and safety of ondansetron in the prevention of PAS were included in the meta-analysis. The primary outcome measure was incidence of PAS, and secondary outcomes included subgroup analysis and the side effects of ondansetron. Results A total of 8 RCTs containing 905 subjects were identified as suitable for this review. Compared with placebo, ondansetron was associated with a significant reduction of PAS (relative risk [RR]: 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.19–0.58, p=0.0001) while no difference was detected between ondansetron and pethidine (RR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.41–1.94, p=0.78). There was no significant difference between ondansetron and placebo or pethidine in terms of risk of bradycardia but ondansetron was associated with a lower risk of hypotension (RR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08–0.79, p=0.020) than placebo. There was no difference in hypotension when ondansetron was compared with pethidine. Conclusions Ondansetron can prevent PAS effectively and reduce the risk of hypotension.

The efficacy of zoledronic acid in breast cancer adjuvant therapy: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

2012 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Yan ◽  
Wenjin Yin ◽  
Qiong Zhou ◽  
Liheng Zhou ◽  
Yiwei Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Zoledronic Acid ◽  
Adjuvant Therapy ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomised Controlled

scholarly journals Prophylactic Effect of Memantine in Docetaxel Induced Neuropathy in Patients With Breast Cancer

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pegah Mohammadzadeh ◽  
Elnaz Shaseb ◽  
Zohreh Sanaat ◽  
Parvin Sarbakhsh ◽  
Nasrin Gholami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Control Group ◽  
P Value ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

Abstract Purpose Peripheral neuropathy is a complication of taxane that in severe cases can limit the optimal treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of memantine in prevention of docetaxel induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with breast cancer. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 40 women between the ages of 18 and 64 years with non-metastatic breast cancer (stages I to III) were included (registry number: IRCT20160310026998N9 and registry date: 26 March 2019). All patients were treated with the AC-T regimen (with docetaxel). Patients in intervention group received memantine at a dose of 20 mg for 8 weeks at the beginning of the first cycle of docetaxel. Patients in control group did not take any medication for neuropathy prevention. To assess the neuropathy, DN4 and CTCAE questionnaires were used at baseline, one months, three months and six months after the intervention. Results The DN4 questionnaire score was remarkably less in memantine group in follow up one (p-value: 0.033) and three (p < 00.1). The CTCAE follow up score did not change during study. The Neuropathy duration and Neuropathy onset, were shown significant difference between the intervention and control groups, p = 0.050 and p = 0.001, respectively. From 40 patients, 8 (40%) in memantine group and 2 (10%) in control group, did not experience any kind of neuropathy. Conclusion Data showed that prophylactic administration of memantine 20 mg/day has been effective in prevention of severity and incidence of docetaxel induced neuropathy in patients with breast cancer.

scholarly journals Safety and Efficacy of Ginkgo-Damole and Nitroglycerin or Sodium Nitroprusside on Hypertensive Cerebropathies: A Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Li Peng ◽  
Wei-kun Zhao ◽  
Tong-tong Xu ◽  
Qi Wu ◽  
Pan Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Sodium Nitroprusside ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Observation Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

Objective. To systematically evaluate the safety and efficacy of ginko-damole combined with nitroglycerin or unitary sodium nitroprusside on hypertensive cerebropathy. Methods. Four Chinese databases (VIP, CBM, Wanfang database, and CNKI database) and three English databases (Cochrane, PubMed, and EMBASE) were used to screen randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on treatments of hypertensive cerebropathy using both ginko-damole and nitroglycerin or unitary sodium nitroprusside. Outcomes included clinical effect, blood pressure after treatment, and adverse effects. These indicators were then analysed statistically using the RevMan 5.3 and Stata 12.0 software. Results. Altogether, 16 RCTs including 1507 patients with hypertensive cerebropathy were included in the present meta-analysis, of which, 755 patients treated with combined ginko-damole and nitroglycerin were included in the observation group and 752 patients treated with sodium nitroprusside were included in the control group. The curative effect of the observation group was significantly better than that of the control group (RR: 1.115 [1.077, 1.155], p<0.05). DBPs of the observation and control groups were both lower after treatment, and no significant difference was observed between the observation and control groups (MD: −1.072 [−2.578, 0.434], p>0.05). SBPs in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (MD: −2.842 [−5.222, −0.462], p<0.05). The probability of adverse response in both groups did not differ significantly (RR: 0.752 [0.412, 1.374], p>0.05). Conclusion. Compared with sodium nitroprusside, the combined ginkgo-damole and nitroglycerin could better control blood pressure in patients with hypertensive cerebropathy and showed enhanced clinical effects and improved safety. However, due to poor quality of the included studies, results of the present meta-analysis should be confirmed by more stringent RCTs.

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