scholarly journals Vitamin C as a Supplementary Therapy in Relieving Symptoms of the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis of 10 Randomized Controlled Trials

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Li Ran ◽  
Wenli Zhao ◽  
Hongwu Wang ◽  
Ye Zhao ◽  
Huaien Bu
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Antiviral Therapy ◽  
Common Cold ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Vitamin C Supplementation

Aim. To investigate whether vitamin C performs well as a supplemental treatment for common cold. Method. After systematically searching through the National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Cochrane Library, Elsevier, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP databases, and Wanfang databases, 10 randomized controlled trials were selected for our meta-analysis with RevMan 5.3 software. Published in China, all 10 studies evaluated the effect of combined vitamin C and antiviral therapy for the treatment of common cold. Results. The total efficacy (RR=1.27, 95% CI (1.08, 1.48), P=0.003), the time for symptom amelioration (MD=−15.84, 95% CI (-17.02, -14.66), P<0.00001), and the time for healing (I, 95% CI (-14.98, -4.22), P=0.0005) were better with vitamin C supplementation than with antiviral therapy alone. Conclusions. Vitamin C could be used as a supplementary therapy along with antiviral regimens to relieve patients from the symptoms of common cold.

scholarly journals Extra Dose of Vitamin C Based on a Daily Supplementation Shortens the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis of 9 Randomized Controlled Trials

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Ran ◽  
Wenli Zhao ◽  
Jingxia Wang ◽  
Hongwu Wang ◽  
Ye Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Common Cold ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Knowledge Infrastructure ◽  
The Common ◽  
Therapeutic Doses

Aim. To investigate whether vitamin C is effective in the treatment of the common cold.Method. After systematically searching the National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Cochrane Library, Elsevier, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP databases, and WANFANG databases, 9 randomized placebo-controlled trials were included in our meta-analysis in RevMan 5.3 software, all of which were in English.Results. In the evaluation of vitamin C, administration of extra therapeutic doses at the onset of cold despite routine supplementation was found to help reduce its duration (mean difference (MD) = -0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-1.03, -0.10], and P = 0.02), shorten the time of confinement indoors (MD = -0.41, 95% CI [-0.62, -0.19], and P = 0.0002), and relieve the symptoms associated with it, including chest pain (MD = -0.40, 95% CI [-0.77, -0.03], and P = 0.03), fever (MD = -0.45, 95% CI [-0.78, -0.11], and P = 0.009), and chills (MD = -0.36, 95% CI [-0.65, -0.07], and P = 0.01).Conclusions. Extra doses of vitamin C could benefit some patients who contract the common cold despite taking daily vitamin C supplements.

scholarly journals Activity and Safety of Tegafur, Gimeracil, and Oteracil Potassium for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Ximing Zhang ◽  
Xiumei Tian ◽  
Yuezi Wei ◽  
Hao Deng ◽  
Lichun Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference

In clinical practice, tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil potassium (S-1) therapy is commonly administered to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, its efficacy and safety remain controversial in both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of S-1 treatment for NPC. We searched PubMed, Ovid, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and VIP databases for RCTs of chemotherapy with or without S-1 for NPC, from 2001 to 2020. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.3 and Stata15. Randomized controlled trials published in journals were included irrespective of blinding and language used. Patients were diagnosed with NPC through a clinicopathological examination; patients of all cancer stages and ages were included. Overall, 25 trials and 1858 patients were included. There were significant differences in the complete remission (OR = 2.42, 95% CI (1.88–3.10), P < 0.05 ) and overall response rate (OR = 2.68, 95% CI (2.08–3.45), P < 0.05 ) between the S-1 and non-S-1 groups. However, there was no significant difference in partial remission (OR = 1.10, 95% CI (0.87–1.39), P = 0.42 ) and seven adverse reactions (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis, oral mucositis, and anemia) between the S-1 and non-S-1 groups. Additionally, statistical analyses with six subgroups were performed. S-1 was found to be a satisfactory chemotherapeutic agent combined with radiotherapy, intravenous chemotherapy, or chemoradiotherapy for NPC. As an oral medicine, the adverse reactions of S-1, especially gastrointestinal reactions, can be tolerated by patients, thereby optimizing their quality of life. S-1 may be a better choice for the treatment of NPC. This trial is registered with CRD42019122041.

scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of Banxia Formulae for Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of High-Quality Randomized Controlled Trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Yan-Hua Lin ◽  
Cong Chen ◽  
Xiu Zhao ◽  
Yi-Fei Mao ◽  
Guang-Xin Xiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effective Rate ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Bias Risk

Objective. To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Banxia (Pinellia Tuber) formulae in the treatment of insomnia compared with those of conventional western medicines. Methods. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of Banxia formulae in the treatment of insomnia were searched from the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), and Wanfang database. The literature collected was from the time when the databases were established to April 2020. Quality assessment and meta-analysis were conducted by using Cochrane bias risk assessment tool and RevMan 5.2, respectively. Publication bias was assessed by Egger’s test. Results. Fourteen RCTs with 910 participants were identified. A total of 46 traditional Chinese medicines involving 2 different dosage forms were used in the included studies. Meta-analysis indicated that Banxia formulae had more significant effects on improving the total effective rate (RR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.31), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI, MD = −1.05, 95% CI −1.63 to −0.47), and the TCM syndrome score (SMD = −0.78, 95% CI −1.18 to −0.39). Meanwhile, on reducing adverse events, Banxia formulae also showed an advantage (RR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.93). Conclusion. According to the current studies, the efficacy of Banxia formulae in the treatment of insomnia is better than that of the conventional western medicines, and its safety is relatively stable. However, due to the limitations of this study, further research and evaluation are needed.

Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Poststroke Aphasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Zhijie Wang ◽  
Xudong Jiang ◽  
Zimeng Lv ◽  
Lin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Reading Ability ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽  
Randomized Controlled

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Aphasia is one of the common complications of stroke, and it considerably influences the quality of life of patients. Acupuncture, a therapy used in traditional Chinese medicine for aphasia after stroke, has potential therapeutic effects. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on individuals with poststroke aphasia. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for poststroke aphasia (either alone or combined with other therapies) were included and compared. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching databases, such as MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, and Wanfang, from inception to July 15, 2019. No language restrictions were applied in this study. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Fourteen trials involving 936 participants had poor reporting and methodological quality. Our meta-analysis showed that compared to the speech and language therapy (SLT) group, acupuncture combined with SLT could improve the rate of Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE) (OR: 0.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04–0.25, <i>p</i> = 0.005), scores of Aphasia Battery of Chinese (ABC) which includes repeating ability (SMD: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.24–1.69,<i> p</i> &#x3c; 0.00001), reading ability (SMD: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.25–1.90, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.00001), writing ability (SMD: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.19–1.86, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.00001), naming ability (SMD: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.04–1.76, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.00001), and listening comprehension ability (SMD: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.22–0.92, <i>p</i> = 0.001). All RCTs were considered at high risk of biased assessment. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Acupuncture (either alone or combined with SLT) may be effective for poststroke aphasia. In the future, rigorous clinical trials with an accurate method design and high reporting quality are required to validate our results.

scholarly journals The Clinical Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Patients with Insomnia and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Guiyu Feng ◽  
Mei Han ◽  
Xun Li ◽  
Le Geng ◽  
Yingchun Miao
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background. Insomnia and depression often co-occurr. However, there is lack of effective treatment for such comorbidity. CBT-I has been recommended as the first-line treatment for insomnia; whether it is also effective for comorbidity of insomnia and depression is still unknown. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of CBT-I for insomnia comorbid with depression. Data Sources. Seven electronic databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Science Technology Journal Database, SinoMed Database, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE, as well as grey literature, were searched from the beginning of each database to July 1, 2019. Study Eligibility Criteria. Randomized controlled trials that compared CBT-I to no treatment or hypnotics (zopiclone, estazolam, and benzodiazepine agonist) for insomnia comorbid with depression and reported both insomnia scales and depression scales. Study Assessment and Synthesis Methods. Cochrane Reviewer’s Handbook was used for evaluating the risk of bias of included studies. Review Manager 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. Online GRADEpro was used to assess the quality of evidence. Results. The pooled data showed that CBT-I was superior to no treatment for insomnia, while it was unsure whether CBT-I was better than no treatment for depression. And the effectiveness of CBT-I was comparable to hypnotics for both insomnia and depression. CBT-I was likely to be safe due to its noninvasive nature. The methodological quality varied across these trials. The evidence quality varied from moderate to very low, and the recommendation level was low. Conclusions. Currently, findings support that CBT-I seems to be effective and safe for insomnia comorbid with depression to improve the insomnia condition, while it is unsure whether CBT-I could improve depression condition. More rigorous trials are needed to confirm our findings.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document