scholarly journals Influence of Mindfulness and Relaxation on Treatment of Essential Hypertension: Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Fushun Zhang ◽  
Yuanyuan Zhang ◽  
Nan Jiang ◽  
Qiao Zhai ◽  
Juanjuan Hu ◽  
...  

Background. Some studies published previously have shown a strong correlation between hypertension and psychological nature including impulsion emotion or mindfulness and relaxation temperament, among which mindfulness and relaxation temperament might have a benign influence on blood pressure, ameliorating the hypertension. However, the conclusion was not confirmed. Objective. The meta-analysis was performed to investigate the influence of mindfulness and relaxation on essential hypertension interventions and confirm the effects. Methods. Systematic searches were conducted in common English and Chinese electronic databases (i.e., PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database) from 1980 to 2020. A meta-analysis including 5 studies was performed using Rev Man 5.4.1 software to estimate the influence of mindfulness and relaxation on blood pressure, ameliorating the hypertension. Publication bias and heterogeneity of samples were tested using a funnel plot. Studies were analyzed using either a random-effect model or a fixed-effect model. Results. All the 5 studies investigated the influence of mindfulness and relaxation on diastolic and systolic blood pressure, with total 205 participants in the control group and 204 in the intervention group. The random-effects model (REM) was used to calculate the pooled effect for mindfulness and relaxation on diastolic blood pressure (I2 = 0%, t2 = 0.000, P = 0.41 ). The random pooled effect size (MD) was 0.30 (95% CI = −0.81–1.42, P = 0.59 ). REM was used to calculate the pooled effect for mindfulness and relaxation on systolic blood pressure (I2 = 49%, t2 = 3.05, P = 0.10 ). The random pooled effect size (MD) was −1.05 (95% CI = −3.29–1.18, P = 0.36 ). The results of this meta-analysis were influenced by publication bias to some degree. Conclusion. All the results showed less influence of mindfulness and relaxation might act on diastolic or systolic blood pressure, when mindfulness and relaxation are used to intervene in treating CVD and hypertension.

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Fan ◽  
Zhaozhuo Niu ◽  
Liqing Ma

To explore the effect of trimetazidine (TMZ) in cardiomyopathy treatment. Literatures, related with TMZ treatment for cardiomyopathy, were retrieved between 1990 and February 2018 in the Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library systems. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing [resting heart rate (RHR), peak heart rate (PHR), peak systolic blood pressure (PSBP), and resting systolic blood pressure (RSBP)] and echocardiographic results [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), systolic wall thickening score index (SWTSI), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD)] were merged to detect the publication bias. Total 898 patients with cardiomyopathy were divided into two groups: TMZ-treated group (n=456) and control group (n=442). There was no difference in the improvement of cardiomyopathy between the TMZ and control group. No publication bias was shown for PHR (t= 0.9791, P=0.5067). There were significant differences in LVEF, LVESV, SWTSI, LVESD, and LVEDD between the TMZ group and the control group. TMZ-treatment significantly increased the level of LVEF (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.46–7.84, P<0.001), and reduced the level of LVESV (95% CI: −18.73 to −7.77, P<0.001), SWTSI (95% CI: −0.47 to −0.15, Z = −3.85, P=0.001), LVESD (95% CI: −1.09 to −0.08, P<0.001), and LVEDD (95% CI: −0.55 to −0.26, P=0.023). There was no publication bias except for LVEDV (t = 2.5456, P=0.0438). TMZ is effective for cardiomyopathy treatment and worth to popularize in clinic.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252461
Author(s):  
Athira Balakrishnan ◽  
Sandra Puthean ◽  
Gautam Satheesh ◽  
Unnikrishnan M. K. ◽  
Muhammed Rashid ◽  
...  

Background & objective Though blended learning (BL), is widely adopted in higher education, evaluating effectiveness of BL is difficult because the components of BL can be extremely heterogeneous. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of BL in improving knowledge and skill in pharmacy education. Methods PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify published literature. The retrieved studies from databases were screened for its title and abstracts followed by the full-text in accordance with the pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Methodological quality was appraised by modified Ottawa scale. Random effect model used for statistical modelling. Key findings A total of 26 studies were included for systematic review. Out of which 20 studies with 4525 participants for meta-analysis which employed traditional teaching in control group. Results showed a statistically significant positive effect size on knowledge (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91 to 1.78, p<0.00001) and skill (SMD: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.19 to 1.16; p = 0.006) using a random effect model. Subgroup analysis of cohort studies showed, studies from developed countries had a larger effect size (SMD: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.06), than studies from developing countries(SMD: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.65, studies with MCQ pattern as outcome assessment had larger effect size (SMD: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.76 to 3.85) than non-MCQs (SMD 0.53, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.74), and BL with case studies (SMD 2.72, 95% CI 1.86–3.59) showed better effect size than non-case-based studies (SMD: 0.22, CI: 0.02 to 0.41). Conclusion BL is associated with better academic performance and achievement than didactic teaching in pharmacy education.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 131 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey J McGaughey ◽  
Emily A Fletcher ◽  
Sachin A Shah

Introduction: New evidence suggests central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) is a superior predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes as compared to peripheral systolic blood pressure (pSBP). Additionally, augmentation index (AI) provides a surrogate assessment of vascular stiffness. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the impact of antihypertensive drug classes on cSBP and AI. METHODS: Search terms related to blood pressure and AI were used to identify relevant articles in PubMed, Cochrane Library and CINAHL limited to randomized trials in humans and publications in English. Appropriate data on cSBP, pSBP and AI were extracted along with other study characteristics. Weighted mean differences (WMD) between the pSBP and cSBP with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects methodology. For AI, the WMD from baseline was determined. Further, the data was sorted by antihypertensive class (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers (BBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and diuretics) to determine their impact on cSBP and AI. Subgroup analyses were performed to assess robustness of results by limiting to the fixed-effects model, a primary diagnosis of hypertension, and excluding studies with JADAD scores < 3. Publication bias was assessed using the Egger’s statistic and visual inspection of funnel plots. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. RESULTS: Fifty-one and 58 studies incorporating 4381 and 3716 unique subjects were included for cSBP and AI respectively. Overall, antihypertensives reduced pSBP more than cSBP (2.52mmHg, 95%CI 1.35 to 3.69; I2 =21.9%). ACE-Is, ARBs, CCBs and diuretics reduced cSBP and pSBP in a similar manner (-2.40mmHg, 95%CI -4.89 to 0.08; 1.12mmHg, 95%CI -2.25 to 4.49; 1.01mmHg, 95%CI -2.17 to 4.19; 0.65mmHg, 95%CI -2.47 to 3.77 respectively). BBs posed a significantly greater reduction in pSBP as compared to cSBP (5.19mmHg, 95%CI 3.21 to 7.18). The change in AI from baseline was (-3.09, 95%CI -3.90 to -2.28; I2 =84.5%). A significant reduction in AI was seen with ACE-Is, ARBs, CCB and diuretics (-5.61, 95%CI -6.95 to -4.27; -5.28, 95%CI -8.61 to -1.95; -5.36, 95%CI -6.95 to -3.77; -3.24, 95%CI -5.45 to -1.03 respectively). BBs reduced AI non-significantly (-0.32, 95% CI -1.48 to 0.84). While the Egger’s statistic showed a lack of publication bias (p>0.125), it cannot be ruled out based on visual inspection of funnel plots. CONCLUSIONS: BBs are not as beneficial in reducing cSBP as opposed to ACE-Is, ARBs, CCBs and diuretics. In contrast, ACE-Is, ARBs, CCBs and diuretics significantly reduce AI, which is not evident with BB therapy. The views expressed in this material are those of the author(s), and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 2824
Author(s):  
Su-Kiat Chua ◽  
Wei-Ting Lai ◽  
Lung-Ching Chen ◽  
Huei-Fong Hung

Background: The management of hypertension remains suboptimal throughout the world. Methods: We performed a random-effects model meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to determine the effectiveness and safety of sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) for the treatment of high arterial pressure. Relevant published articles from PubMed, Cochrane base, and Medline were examined, and the last search date was December 2020. Only published randomized controlled trials and double-blind studies were selected for further analysis. The mean reductions in systolic blood pressure (msSBP) and diastolic blood pressure (msDBP) in the sitting position, as well as the mean reductions in ambulatory systolic blood pressure (maSBP) and ambulatory diastolic blood pressure (maDBP), were assumed as efficacy endpoints. Adverse events (AEs) were considered as safety outcomes. Results: Ten studies with a total of 5931patients were included for analysis. Compared with placebo, LCZ696 had a significant reduction in msSBP (weight mean difference (WMD) = −6.52 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI): −8.57 to −4.47; p < 0.001), msDBP (WMD = −3.32 mmHg, 95% CI: −4.57 to −2.07; p < 0.001), maSBP (WMD = −7.08 mmHg, 95% CI: −10.48 to −3.68; p < 0.001), maDBP (WMD = −3.28 mmHg, 95% CI: −4.55 to −2.02, p < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, only 200 mg and 400 mg LCZ696 showed a significant BP reduction. There was no difference in the AE rate between the LCZ696 and placebo groups (WMD = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.27, p = 0.54). Egger’s test revealed a potential publication bias for msSBP (p = 0.025), but no publication bias for other outcomes. Conclusion: LCZ696 may reduce blood pressure more efficaciously than traditional therapy in hypertensive patients without increasing adverse effects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Gui-Min Zhang ◽  
Zhi-Yan Huang ◽  
Rong Sun ◽  
Shi-Li Ye ◽  
Qun Feng

Background. This study was aimed at systematically evaluating the clinical effect and safety of Xiao’er Xiaoji Zhike oral liquid in the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) in children and providing evidence-based references for clinical application. Methods. The databases like Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China Network Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, PubMed, EmBase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically investigated via searching clinical trials about Xiao’er Xiaoji Zhike oral liquid in treating MPP from the establishment of these databases to Jun 8, 2020, the valid data from which were entered meta-analysis. The quality of evidence was assessed by GRADE criteria. Results. Totally, 15 trials and 1500 patients were involved in this review. It showed that clinical efficacy of trial group was more superior than control group at the outcome measures of cough disappearance time, lung rale disappearance time, fever subsidence time, total effective rate, lung X-ray infiltrates disappearing time, reduction of hospital stay, immunological indexes, and some other measures. And the differences between groups were statistically significant. There was no statistical difference in the adverse effects between two groups. Lung X-ray infiltrates disappearing time and cough disappearance time were separately high- and moderate-quality evidences while lung rale disappearance time and fever subsidence time were all low in accordance with GRADE criteria. Conclusions. In accordance with trials with low methodological quality, Xiao’er Xiaoji Zhike oral liquid combined with azithromycin seems to be safe and superior to azithromycin alone for the treatment of MPP in children. However, further trials with rigorous methodology need to be implemented for these potential benefits.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Dong ◽  
Wenyan Gao ◽  
Xiaoling LV ◽  
Yazhen Wang ◽  
Qing Wu ◽  
...  

Purpose. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely studied, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lncRNAs are considered to be genetic factors that influence cancer susceptibility. The lncRNA GAS5, MEG3, and PCAT-1 polymorphisms are shown to be possibly associated with cancer risk. The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically evaluate this association. Methods. Studies were selected from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) through inclusion and exclusion criteria. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects model or fixed-effects model to assess the association between lncRNA polymorphisms and cancer susceptibility. Metaregression and publication bias analyses were also conducted. All analyses were performed using the Stata 12.0 software. Results. Sixteen articles (covering 13750 cases and 17194 controls) were included in this meta-analysis. A significant association between SNP rs145204276 and gastric cancer risk was observed (del vs. ins: OR=0.79, 95%CI=0.72‐0.86; del/del vs. ins/ins+del/ins: OR=0.74, 95%CI=0.59‐0.91; del/ins vs. ins/ins: OR=0.84, 95%CI=0.67‐1.05). For rs16901904, a decreased cancer risk was observed in three genetic models (C vs. T: OR=0.79, 95%CI=0.70‐0.90; CC vs. CT+TT: OR=0.49, 95%CI=0.37‐0.65; CC vs. TT: OR=0.49, 95%CI=0.37‐0.66). No statistical significance was found in the metaregression analysis. For all of the included SNPs, no publication bias was found in all genotype models. Conclusions. The rs145204276 SNP in lncRNA GAS5 is likely to be associated with gastric cancer risk, whereas the rs16901904 SNP in lncRNA PCAT-1 bears association with a decreased cancer risk.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Ran ◽  
Wenli Zhao ◽  
Xiaodong Tan ◽  
Hongwu Wang ◽  
Kaito Mizuno ◽  
...  

Background. Hypertension is regarded as a major and independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, and numerous studies observed an inverse correlation between vitamin C intake and blood pressure. Aim. Our aim is to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin C and blood pressure, including the concentration differences and the correlation strength. Method. Two independent researchers searched and screened articles from the National Library of Medicine, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP databases, and WANFANG databases. A total of 18 eligible studies were analyzed in the Reviewer Manager 5.3 software, including 14 English articles and 4 Chinese articles. Results. In the evaluation of serum vitamin C levels, the concentration in hypertensive subjects is 15.13 μmol/L lower than the normotensive ones (mean difference=−15.13, 95% CI [-24.19, -6.06], and P=0.001). Serum vitamin C has a significant inverse relation with both systolic blood pressure (Fisher’s Z=−0.17, 95% CI [-0.20, -0.15], P<0.00001) and diastolic blood pressure (Fisher’s Z=−0.15, 95% CI [-0.20, -0.10], P<0.00001). Conclusions. People with hypertension have a relatively low serum vitamin C, and vitamin C is inversely associated with both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xia Gao ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Zichuan Xu ◽  
Huiying Deng ◽  
Huabin Yang ◽  
...  

Objective: To explore the effectiveness and safety of rituximab (RTX) for steroid-dependent or frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome via a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods: All the literature about RTX therapy for childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS) on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Chinese biomedical literature database published before November 1, 2019, were conducted and selected according to the preset criteria. The Cochrane bias risk assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the literature included. The outcome data were analyzed by RevMan 5.3 software.Results: There were six RCT studies that met the inclusion criteria with a moderate quality after evaluation. At the end of the treatment, the relapse rate of NS in the RTX group reduced significantly when compared with that in the control group [odds ratio (OR) = 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.03, 0.43), p = 0.001]. The number of patients in the RTX group used less steroid or/and calcineurin inhibitors significantly than that in the control group [OR = 0.05, 95% CI (0.01, 0.28), p = 0.0007]. For children who were steroid-dependent, RTX treatment significantly reduced the dosage of the steroid, compared with that in control [standardized mean difference (SMD) = −1.49, 95% CI (−2.00, −0.99), p &lt; 0.00001]. There was no significant reduction in protein excretion between the two groups [SMD = −0.33, 95% CI (−0.71, 0.04), p = 0.08]. Fewer serious adverse reactions of RTX in the six studies were reported and most adverse events were mild.Conclusion: RTX is effective and safe for children with steroid-dependent or frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome.Systematic Review Registration: Identifier: CRD 42020150933. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/. This review has been registered to the PROSPERO on 27 Feb 2020.


2021 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 32-43
Author(s):  
Oleksandr Tkachyshyn

The aim of the study was to compare blood pressure and electrocardiogram indices, assessed by their daily monitoring, and anamnestic data on mild traumatic brain injury between a group of patients with essential hypertension ≥6 months after a hemorrhagic stroke and a group of patients with essential hypertension without complications. Materials and methods. The total number of examined patients was 198 people, who were divided into 2 groups: the main (n = 94; age – 54,4±8,8 years, M±σ years) and the control (n = 104; age – 53,7±8,9 years) one. Patients in the main group suffered a hemorrhagic stroke as a complication of essential hypertension ≥6 months ago. The control group included patients with essential hypertension, stage II. In both groups of patients, the parameters of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and electrocardiogram were determined. Results. The indices of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in the main group and the control group were the following ones, respectively: the mean daytime systolic blood pressure was 109,6±1,6 and 121,1±1,1 mm Hg, the minimal one was 74,4±2,0 mm Hg and 82,3±12,5 mm Hg, and the maximal one was 168,2±1,9 and 161,9±1,7 mm Hg, p<0,05. The daytime sigma systolic blood pressure (17,9±0,6) and its average real variability of (11,31±2,52 mm Hg) were bigger in the main group (p<0,05). The daytime index of the hyperbaric load of systolic blood pressure was bigger in the main group: it was 403,6±25,9 against 231,7±12,1 mm Hg×h in the comparison group (p<0,05). The mean, minimum and maximum heart rate at night were significantly lower in the main group (p<0,05). The QTcmin index was significantly lower in the main group in contrast to the control one – 286,28±43,34 and 336,69±22,55, and the QT variance was greater – 232,56±44,55 –  in comparison to the control group (188,31±33,67) (p<0,05). From the anamnestic data of patients, a significantly higher prevalence of mild traumatic brain injury was found in 37,4% (35 patients out of 94) in the main group relative to the control one – 13,5% (14 out of 104), p<0,05. Conclusions: The results of the study indicate the larger ranges of blood pressure variability in patients with essential hypertension complicated with hemorrhagic stroke, which can be caused by impaired autoregulation according to the QTc interval data. In combination with the disturbances of cerebral circulation, caused by the injury of the brain due to the hemorrhagic stroke alone or in combination with mild traumatic brain injury episode, such a situation may lead to the development of recurrent stroke.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e047564
Author(s):  
Xiaohua Zhang ◽  
Yong Li ◽  
Ling Gao ◽  
Qian Yu ◽  
Congliang Zhou ◽  
...  

IntroductionA surrogate marker to evaluate artery endothelial response when stimulated by reactive hyperaemia, known as brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD), has prognostic value in predicting hypertensive organ damage and cardiovascular disease events. However, the degree of correlation between brachial FMD and masked hypertension (MH) outcomes is still unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to pool data regarding FMD with respect to MH.Methods and analysisElectronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Cochrane Library will be searched for the following keywords: endothelial dysfunction, flow-mediated dilation, and masked hypertension, masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) and prehypertension. The following are the eligibility criteria: population—adults (18 years old or older) without hypertension at baseline, with suspected endothelial dysfunction, or from MH/MUCH populations (office blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg and home blood pressure ≥135 mm Hg and/or 85 mm Hg) and from controlled clinical trials, cohort studies, or randomised and controlled trials; exposures—any metrics for FMD; comparisons—participants without MH or MUCH; and outcome—change in FMD between the case group and the control group. Two authors will be engaged in screening and collecting data independently; disagreements will be resolved through discussion. Data extraction will include primary data designated as HR, OR, correlations and regression coefficients. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V.2.0 will be used to conduct related subgroup and sensitivity analyses and publication bias.Ethics and disseminationThis study does not require ethics approval. It will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020208362.


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