The Effects of Acupuncture on Pregnancy Outcomes of Recurrent Implantation Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective. To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and hopefully provide reliable guidance for clinicians and patients. Methods. Through searching domestic and foreign medical journals, the literature of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for RIF undergoing IVF-ET was collected. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis and Cochrane’s risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Results. Seven documents meeting the criteria were finally included. The results showed that the intervention group contributes more in outcomes including clinical pregnancy rate (RR = 1.90, 95% CI (1.51, 2.40), P < 0.05 ), biochemical pregnancy rate (RR = 1.59, 95% CI (1.27, 1.99), P < 0.05 ), embryo implantation rate (RR = 1.89, 95% CI (1.47, 2.45), P < 0.05 ), and endometrial thickness (MD = 1.11, 95% CI (0.59, 1.63), P < 0.05 ) when compared with the control group, and the difference is statistically significant. In terms of the number of embryo transfers and the type of endometrium, the difference between the acupuncture group and the control group was not statistically significant. Conclusion. Acupuncture therapy on patients with RIF can improve the pregnancy outcome of patients. It is a relatively effective treatment with satisfactory safety and suitable for clinical application. However, as the quality of the included studies is not good enough, the conclusion of this meta-analysis should be treated with caution. More double-blind RCTs equipped with high quality and large samples are expected for the improvement of the level of evidence.

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Efficacy of Increased Salt and Water Intake on Pediatric Vasovagal Syncope: A Meta-Analysis Based on Global Published Data

Frontiers in Pediatrics ◽

10.3389/fped.2021.663016 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Yaru Wang ◽

Yuanyuan Wang ◽

Xueying Li ◽

Junbao Du ◽

Hao Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Recurrence Rate ◽

Water Intake ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Vasovagal Syncope ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Group ◽

The Difference ◽

Changing Rate

Objective: This study was designed to assess the efficacy of increased salt and water intake in the treatment of pediatric vasovagal syncope (VVS) based on a meta-analysis of global data.Methods: Following the established inclusion criteria, seven databases, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, VIP, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), were searched using specific terms. The Cochrane Bias risk assessment tool was used as a quality assessment tool of the included studies, and publication bias was assessed by funnel plots. Review Manager 5.4 software was used to analyze the efficacy of the included studies, taking the negative changing rate of the head-up tilt test (HUTT) and recurrence rate of syncope or presyncope as therapeutic efficacy evaluations.Results: In total, 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were finally obtained, using the negative changing rate of the HUTT as an efficacy evaluation, while in 4 of the studies, the recurrence rate of syncope or presyncope was also evaluated. A total of 233 children with VVS were included in the salt and water intervention group. The cases in the control group were treated with non-medicinal conventional therapy. The results revealed that the negative changing rate of the HUTT in the intervention group (144/233, 61.8%) was higher than that in the control group (48/179, 26.8%), and the difference was significant (P < 0.00001). The recurrence rate of syncope or presyncope in the intervention group (85/195, 43.6%) was lower than that in the control group (86/144, 59.7%), and the difference was significant (P = 0.002).Conclusion: The current findings suggest that increased salt and water intake may increase the negative changing rates of the HUTT and reduce syncope or presyncope recurrence rates in pediatric patients with VVS.

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The effect of continuous care model-based intervention on the quality of sleep in menopausal women: A clinical trial study

10.21203/rs.2.14033/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Farzaneh AKBARI ◽

sousan Heydarpour ◽

Nader Salari

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Quality Of Sleep ◽

Care Model ◽

Continuous Care ◽

Menopausal Women ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Difference

Abstract BACKGROUND Sleep disorder, brings in many physical, behavioral, and mental problems. Applying continuous care model leads to proper recognition of the patient’s problems and involves the patient in solving health problems. This study aimed to determine the effect of continuous care model on the quality of sleep in menopausal women. METHODS AND MATERIALS A random clinical trial study was carried out with participation of 110 menopausal women visiting Kermanshah-based clinics (the west of Iran) in 2017. The participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n=55) and control (n=55) groups. The control group received the routine cares and in addition to the routine cares the intervention group attended four weekly group consultation sessions (60-90min). The quality of sleep in the two groups was assessed using Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. Data analyses were done using independent t-test, ANOVA with frequent measures, Friedman’s test, Wilcoxon’s post hoc test, and X2 test in SPSS (24). RESULTS The mean scores of quality of sleep before and after the intervention were significantly different in the intervention group (p=0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of quality of sleep before (p=0.140) and immediately after the intervention (p=0.168). However, one month after, the difference between the two groups was significant (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Implementation of the continuous care model led to an improvement of quality of sleep in the menopausal women.

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The Safety and Efficacy of the Interleukin-1 Antagonist Anakinra in Severe Cases of COVID-19- A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-111495/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Manoj Kumar Reddy Somagutta ◽

Maria Kezia Lourdes Pormento ◽

Pousette Hamid ◽

Alaa Hamdan ◽

Muhammad Adnan Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Interleukin 1 ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Case Series ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Group ◽

Safety And Efficacy ◽

Liver Transaminases ◽

The Difference ◽

Enzyme Elevation

Abstract This study aims to assess anakinra's safety and efficacy for treating severe coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19). PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, medRxiv, and bioRxiv were searched. Three retrospective studies and five case series involving 3,274 adult patients with severe COVID-19 were included, 621 treated with anakinra (whether administered alone or in combination with other drugs) and 1,565 in the control group arm. All-cause mortality of severe COVID-19 patients among the anakinra group was 20% (16/81), which was lower than that in the control group (65%; 39/60). The difference was statistically significant [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06–0.29, I2= 0%]. The mechanical ventilation requirement with OR 0.57 (0.11-2.84, I2=87%) was not significantly better compared to the control group. For the safety of anakinra, we evaluated thromboembolism risk and liver enzyme elevation. Thromboembolism risk with OR: 1.48 (0.55- 3.99, I2=0%) and elevation in liver transaminases with OR 0.67 (0.11-3.93, I2=66%) were not statistically significant over the control group. However, these non-significant differences between the anakinra and control groups may have been the result of baseline characteristics of the intervention group, and further studies are essential in evaluating anakinra's safety profile.

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The Impact of Noncavity-Distorting Intramural Fibroids on the Efficacy of In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer: An Updated Meta-Analysis

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/8924703 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Xiaodan Wang ◽

Li Chen ◽

Hengyu Wang ◽

Qin Li ◽

Xiru Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

The Impact ◽

Intramural Fibroids ◽

Ivf Et

Aim. To address the impact of noncavity-distorting intramural fibroids on the efficacy of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) outcomes. Methods. The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched systematically. A meta-analysis was performed based on comparative or cohort studies that explored the impact of noncavity-distorting intramural fibroids on the efficacy of IVF-ET treatment. The IVE-ET outcomes of study group (women with noncavity-distorting intramural fibroids) and control group (women without fibroids) were compared, including live birth rate (LBR), clinical pregnancy rate (cPR), implantation rate (IR) , miscarriage rate (MR), and ectopic pregnancy rate (ePR). Results. A total of 28 studies involving 9189 IVF cycles were included. Our meta-analysis showed a significant reduction of LBR in the study group compared to control group (RR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.73-0.92, and P = 0.005). In addition, it indicated that study group had a significant reduction in cPR (RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.80-0.93, P = 0.0001) and IR (RR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0813-1.00, P = 0.04) and have a significantly increase in MR (RR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.08-1.50, and P = 0.004) compared with control group. Conclusions. The present evidence suggests that noncavity-distorting intramural fibroids would significantly reduce the IR, cRP, and LBR and significantly increase the MR after IVF treatment, but it would not significantly increase the ePR.

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Efecto de una intervención estructurada de enfermería en disminución del hábito tabáquico en mujeres fumadoras

Enfermería Global ◽

10.6018/eglobal.18.1.315761 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 281-303

Author(s):

Patricia Cid Henriquez ◽

Olivia Sanhueza Alvarado ◽

José Manuel Merino ◽

Katia Sáez Carrillo

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Calidad De Vida ◽

Structured Intervention ◽

The Difference ◽

Las Mujeres ◽

And Control ◽

Los Grupos

Introducción: El consumo del tabaco está asociado al incremento de la morbilidad y la mortalidad femenina. Este hábito implica además un deterioro en la calidad de vida relacionada con salud. El propósito de esta investigación fue determinar el efecto de una intervención estructurada que motivara a las mujeres a disminuir el consumo diario de cigarrillos y mejorar su calidad de vida. Método: Diseño experimental con preprueba-postprueba y grupo de control con asignación de los grupos al azar. De 120 personas se homologaron los dos grupos con cinco caracteristicas, se homologó nuevamente la muestra porque respondieron la entrevista en domicilio sólo 64 personas. El grupo intervención estuvo constituido por 10 mujeres entre 18 y 65 años de la región del Bio- Bío, y el grupo control por 20 mujeres. Se aplicó un cuestionario semiestructurado de características sociodemográficas, de test, cuestionarios y escalas que midieron las variables asociadas al consumo, y las orientaciones subjetivas y conductuales, previo consentimiento informado. La intervención estructurada estuvo conformada por: métodos activos de aprendizaje, consejería con énfasis en el fortalecimiento de la percepción de autoeficacia. Resultados: La diferencia de medias en el tiempo y la diferencia de medias entre los grupos (grupo tratamiento y grupo control) es de casi 5 cigarrillos (4,8), esta interacción (tiempo-grupo) resulta a un nivel de significación menor al uno por diez mil.Conclusiones: Esta intervención requiere de reforzamiento periódico hasta lograr la deshabituación tabáquica e incidir en la calidad de vida relacionada con salud de las mujeres con hábito tabáquico. Introduction: Tobacco consumption is associated with an increase in female morbidity and mortality. This habit also implies deterioration in the quality of life related to health. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of a structured intervention that motivated women to reduce their daily consumption of cigarettes and improve their quality of life.Method: Experimental design with pre-test-post-test and control group with allocation of the groups at random. Out of 120 people, the two groups were approved with five characteristics. The sample was homologated again because the home interview was answered by only 64 people. The intervention group consisted of 10 women between 18 and 65 years old from the Bio-Bio region, and the control group by 20 women. A semi-structured questionnaire with sociodemographic characteristics, test, questionnaires and scales that measured the variables associated with consumption, and subjective and behavioral guidelines, with prior informed consent, was applied. The structured intervention consisted of: active learning methods, counseling with emphasis on strengthening the perception of self-efficacy. Results: The difference of means in time and the difference of means between the groups (treatment group and control group) is of almost 5 cigarettes (4,8). This interaction (time-group) results has a level of significance less than one in ten thousand. Conclusions: This intervention requires periodic reinforcement to achieve smoking cessation and affect the quality of life related to health of women with smoking.

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Local anaesthetics combined with vasoconstrictors in patients with cardiovascular disease undergoing dental procedures: systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044357 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e044357

Author(s):

Caio Chaves Guimaraes ◽

Luciane Cruz Lopes ◽

Cristiane de Cássia Bergamaschi ◽

Juliana Cama Ramacciato ◽

Marcus Tolentino Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Local Anaesthetics ◽

Control Group ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Quality Of Evidence ◽

Dental Procedures

ObjectivesThere is a lack of evidence about the use of local anaesthetics (LAs) in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in dental procedures. Thus, this study evaluated the safety of using LA with vasoconstrictor to determine the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with CVD.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsWe have searched in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE (via Ovid), Healthstar (via Ovid), CINAHL, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) up to January 2020. We have included RCTs involving adults with CVD within two groups: intervention group with LA with vasoconstrictor and control group with LA without vasoconstrictor. The primary outcomes assessed were death, mortality by a specific cause, stroke, acute myocardial infarction, hospitalisation, pain, bleeding and arrhythmias. The secondary outcomes were ST segment depression, anxiety, adverse effects and changes in haemodynamic parameters. The data were pooled using random effects meta-analyses and the confidence in the estimates was verified using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).ResultsTen RCTs (n=478 participants) were included. Most of them had a high risk of bias. There were more cases of pain and bleeding in groups without vasoconstrictor. Meta-analysis demonstrated a decrease in the systolic blood pressure with the use of LA with vasoconstrictor (standard mean difference −0.95, 95% CI −1.35 to −0.55) after procedure. Overall, for the other outcomes assessed there was no statistical difference. The quality of evidence was considered low according to the GRADE profile.ConclusionsThe results suggest that the use of LA with vasoconstrictors (epinephrine in low doses) is safe in patients with some types of CVD. However, the low quality of evidence demonstrated that literature needs further studies in order to confirm these results.Protocol registrationPROSPERO (CRD42016045421).

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The Safety and Efficacy of the Interleukin-1 Antagonist Anakinra in Severe Cases of COVID-19- A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-111495/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Manoj Kumar Reddy Somagutta ◽

Maria Kezia Lourdes Pormento ◽

Pousette Hamid ◽

Alaa Hamdan ◽

Muhammad Adnan Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Interleukin 1 ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Case Series ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Control Group ◽

Safety And Efficacy ◽

Liver Transaminases ◽

The Difference ◽

Enzyme Elevation

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P–313 Endometrial receptivity analysis for personalized embryo transfer in patients with recurrent implantation failure: a retrospective analysis of a Chinese cohort

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/deab130.312 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Y Jia ◽

Y L Sha ◽

Z Qiu ◽

Y H Guo ◽

A X Tan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Retrospective Analysis ◽

Embryo Transfer ◽

Chinese Women ◽

Endometrial Receptivity ◽

Control Group ◽

Implantation Failure ◽

Recurrent Implantation Failure ◽

Biochemical Pregnancy ◽

Implantation Rates

Abstract Study question To quantify the effectiveness of endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA)-guided personalized embryo transfer (pET) in Chinese women. Summary answer ERA-guided pET may remarkably improve pregnancy and implantation rates among Chinese women with Recurrent implantation failure (RIF). What is known already RIF is a major cause of infertility, and endometrial receptivity is widely accepted to impact implantation failure. Precision prediction of the WOI, the time when the endometrium is most receptive to the implantation of the embryo, is, therefore, of great significance to improve implantation prospects. Previous studies have shown the effectiveness of ERA for the prediction of the WOI, and how pET, timed by ERA, improves implantation and pregnancy rates; however, the efficacy of ERA-guided pET remains unknown for Chinese women. Study design, size, duration Patients in Chengdu Xi’nan Gynecology Hospital (Chengdu, China) who were undergoing frozen embryo transfer (FET) at the blastocyst stage on day five or day six during the period from November 2019 through September 2020 were recruited for this study. A total of 145 eligible patients were included in the study and assigned to the ERA group (n = 67) or the control group (n = 78). Clinical pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. Participants/materials, setting, methods Endometrial specimens were collected the from ERA group. Total RNA was extracted from endometrial specimens, the transcriptomic sequencing data were processed using RNA-Seq and the endometrial receptivity status was assessed by the ERA predictor. The endometrium was classified as receptive or non-receptive according to the ERA assessment, and pET was done at the time determined by ERA in the ERA group. Subjects in the control group did not receive ERA and underwent blastocyst transfer normally. Main results and the role of chance The demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the ERA and control groups (P > 0.05). The ERA test identified 10.45% of samples as receptive and 89.55% of samples as non-receptive in the ERA group, with 70.15% of samples presenting a pre-receptive profile. We observed higher cumulative pregnancy (74.63% vs. 64.10%) and cumulative implantation rate (47.32% vs. 21.68%) rates, and a lower biochemical pregnancy rate (18.00% vs. 34.00%) in the ERA group when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, we found higher pregnancy (67.16% vs. 39.74%) and implantation (46.54% vs. 16.94%) rates as well as a lower biochemical pregnancy rate (17.78% vs. 45.16%) after the first ERA test in the ERA group when compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Limitations, reasons for caution First, this is a retrospective analysis, which is relatively more biased than prospective clinical trials. Second, the study sample is considerably small. Third, only 10.45% of the subjects were identified as presenting a receptive profile, which limits the comparisons of clinical outcomes between patients with receptive and non-receptive endometria. Wider implications of the findings: This study demonstrates that the ERA test helps to determine the optimal timing for embryo transfer, improve pregnancy and implantation rates in patients with RIF, and guides the clinical application of the ERA test. Trial registration number approval No. 2020–018

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Exercise Interventions for Improving Flexibility in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina55110726 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 55 (11) ◽

pp. 726

Author(s):

Torres-Pareja ◽

Sánchez-Lastra ◽

Iglesias ◽

Suárez-Iglesias ◽

Mendoza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Control Group ◽

Exercise Interventions

Background and objectives: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) often experience limitations in joint range of motion, which is linked to spasticity and continued inactivity. Low flexibility levels in this population have been linked to postural problems and muscular pain. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis aimed at identifying the characteristics and methodological quality of investigations studying the effects of exercise interventions on the flexibility levels of people with MS. Materials and Methods: Three electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Scopus) were systematically searched up to May 2019 for intervention studies focused on the effects of exercise on the flexibility levels of people with MS. A meta-analysis, including randomized controlled trials (RCT), which reported information regarding the effects of exercise on flexibility, was also conducted. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and the Quality Assessment Tool for Before–After Studies, with no control group. The quality of the information reported, regarding the programs conducted, was assessed by means of the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) scale. Results: Seven studies, four RCTs and three uncontrolled investigations were finally selected. The methodological quality of the RCTs was considered “poor” in one study, and “good” and “excellent” in two studies and one investigation, respectively. The three uncontrolled studies showed a methodological quality between “fair” and “poor”. Following the CERT scale, four studies were graded as “high” and three as “low”. Findings from the meta-analysis indicated no significant effects on hamstring flexibility, or the range of motion in the hips, knees or ankles. Conclusions: There is preliminary evidence from individual studies which indicates that people with MS can improve their lower limb flexibility following participation in physical exercise programs, but the meta-analysis did not confirm these findings.

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Pharmacopuncture for Cancer Care: A Systematic Review

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2014/804746 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Soyeon Cheon ◽

Xiuyu Zhang ◽

In-Seon Lee ◽

Seung-Hun Cho ◽

Younbyoung Chae ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Symptom Relief ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Group 3 ◽

Pharmacological Medication

Background. Pharmacopuncture, injection to acupoints with pharmacological medication or herbal medicine, is a new acupuncture therapy widely available in Korea and China for cancer-related symptoms. However, the evidence is yet to be clear.Objective. To determine pharmacopuncture’s effectiveness on cancer-related symptoms.Methods. Eleven databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of pharmacopuncture in cancer patients. The Cochrane risk of bias (ROB) assessment tool was used for quality assessment.Results. Twenty-two studies involving 2,459 patients were included. Five trials of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) underwent meta-analysis. Pharmacopuncture significantly relieved severity of CINV compared with control group (3 trials, risk ratio (RR) 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.14–1.44). The frequency of CINV was also significantly reduced with pharmacopuncture (2 trials, RR 2.47, 95% CI = 2.12–2.89). Seventeen trials studied various symptoms, and in most studies, pharmacopuncture significantly relieved pain, ileus, hiccup, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms and improved quality of life in various cancer patients. ROB was generally high.Conclusion. It may be suggested with caution that pharmacopuncture may help various symptom relief in cancer patients, but it is hard to draw a firm conclusion due to clinical heterogeneity and high ROB of the included studies, hence warranting further investigation.

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