scholarly journals Efficacy of herbal medicine (cinnamon/fennel/ginger) for primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 030006052093617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yincong Xu ◽  
Qinglin Yang ◽  
Xiaoping Wang
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Trial Group ◽  
Primary Dysmenorrhea ◽  
Pain Duration ◽  
Observation Period

Objective To assess the efficacy of herbal medicine (cinnamon/fennel/ginger) for treating primary dysmenorrhea. Methods Relevant studies were searched in multiple databases. The weighted mean difference (WMD) was used as the effect indicator for measurement data, and each effect size was given estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Nine studies with 647 patients were selected. Compared with the results in the control group, pain intensity was significantly relieved in the trial group when assessed by the intervention (cinnamon vs. placebo: WMD = 1.815, 95% CI = 1.330–2.301; fennel vs. placebo: WMD = 0.528, 95% CI = 0.119–6.829; ginger vs. placebo: WMD = 2.902, 95% CI = 2.039–3.765), observation period (one cycle: WMD = 2.061, 95% CI = 0.815–3.307; one cycles: WMD = 1.831, 95% CI = 0.973–2.690), and study quality (high quality: WMD = 2.224, 95% CI = 1.488–2.960). Pain duration was significantly shorter in the trial group (cinnamon vs. placebo: WMD = 16.200, 95% CI = 15.271–17.129). No publication bias was observed for either outcome. Conclusions For primary dysmenorrhea, cinnamon/fennel/ginger effectively reduced pain intensity, and cinnamon shortened the duration of pain. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

scholarly journals Effects of recreational sports and combined training on blood pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin in middle-aged and older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinicius Mallmann Schneider ◽  
Paula de Azevedo Frank ◽  
Sandra C. Fuchs ◽  
Rodrigo Ferrari
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Glycosylated Hemoglobin ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
Recreational Sports ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Exercise Interventions

Background Combined resistance and aerobic training (CT) is the most suitable form of exercise training to simultaneously improve cardiometabolic profile and functional capacity in middle-aged and older adults. Recreational sports (RS) emerge as an alternative to traditional exercises to improve these outcomes that could be used as a retention and continuity strategy, promoting health benefits associated with pleasure and satisfaction during the physical activity. Objectives The aim was to conduct a meta-analysis on the effects of RS and CT on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in middle-aged and older adults and to compare these exercise interventions to a non-exercising control group (CON). Data Sources A literature search was conducted using the databases at PubMed, COCHRANE and SciELO between July and August 2020. Study Eligibility Criteria Studies that included men and women aged 45 years, healthy or with values of baseline for SBP 130mmHg or DBP 80 mmHg or with type II diabetes, in which the participants performed RS or CT versus CON, and evaluated SBP, DBP and HbA1c. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods Two independent reviewers screened search results, performed data extraction, and assessed of methodological quality of studies. Random effects modeling was used to compare pre to postintervention changes in BP and HbA1c from RS and CT versus CON, and the effect size were calculated through the weighted mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Conclusions RS and CT are effective exercise interventions to improve blood pressure in middle-aged and older adults. Additionally, CT seems to be an excellent strategy to reduce HbA1c, and future studies are necessary to confirm the effectiveness of recreational sports to improve HbA1c.

scholarly journals Safety and efficacy of larval therapy on treating leg ulcers: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e039898
Author(s):  
Weijing Fan ◽  
Baozhong Yang ◽  
Xiaoming Hu ◽  
Xiao Yang ◽  
Chenyan Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Complete Healing ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Leg Ulcers ◽  
China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽  
Larval Therapy

IntroductionLeg ulcers (LUs) not only seriously affect life and work of patients, but also bring huge economic burden to the society. As a potential underused biological debridement, larval therapy provides help for the treatment of LUs. The purpose of our research is to assess whether patients with LUs can benefit from larval therapy.Methods and analysisThe following electronic databases will be searched: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Database and Chinese Biological Medicine. Randomised controlled trials are eligible for inclusion. There will be no restrictions with respect to language and search date is up to June 2020. Primary outcomes investigated are complete healing rate after treatment, time to ulcer healing, reduction of wound surface area and adverse events. Risk ratios will be used for categorical data; weighted mean difference will be used for measurement data. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis will be considered if heterogeneity exists. The results of data synthesis will be performed by narrative summary and quantitative analysis.Ethics and disseminationThis systematic review does not require the approval of the ethics committee because individual data on patients are not collected. The results of the study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020176953.

scholarly journals Efficacy and safety of atropine to control myopia progression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Congling Zhao ◽  
Chunyan Cai ◽  
Qiang Ding ◽  
Hongbin Dai
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Optimal Dose ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Myopia Progression ◽  
Central Register ◽  
Atropine Treatment ◽  
Observation Period

Abstract Background The effect and safety of atropine on delaying the progression of myopia has been extensively studied, but its optimal dose is still unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analysis is to systematically evaluate the safety and effectiveness of atropine in controlling the progression of myopia, and to explore the relationship between the dose of atropine and the effectiveness of controlling the progression of myopia. Methods This work was done through the data searched from PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The Cochrane Handbook was also used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. In addition, a meta-analysis was performed using Revman5.3 software. Results A total of 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Myopia progression was mitigated greater in the atropine treatment group than that in the control group, with MD = − 0.80, 95% CI (− 0.94, − 0.66) during the whole observation period. There was a statistical difference among 0.05, 0.5, and 1.0% atropine (P = 0.004). In addition, less axial elongation was shown, with MD = − 0.26, 95% CI (− 0.33, − 0.18) during the whole observation period. Conclusion The effectiveness of atropine in controlling the progression of myopia was dose related. A 0.05% atropine was likely to be the optimal dose.

scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of Atropine to Control Myopia Progression: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Congling Zhao ◽  
Chunyan Cai ◽  
Qiang Ding ◽  
Hongbin Dai
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Optimal Dose ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Myopia Progression ◽  
Central Register ◽  
Atropine Treatment ◽  
Observation Period

Abstract Background: The effect and safety of atropine on delaying the progression of myopia has been extensively studied, but its optimal effect dose is still unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analysis is to systematically evaluate the safety and effectiveness of atropine in controlling the progression of myopia, and to explore the relationship between the dose of atropine and the effect of controlling the progression of myopia. Methods: This work was done through the data search from PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The Cochrane Handbook was also used to evaluate the quality of these included studies. In addition, a meta-analysis was performed using Revman5.3 software. Results: A total of 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Myopia progression was mitigated greater in the atropine treatment group than the control group, with MD = -0.80, 95% CI (-0.94, -0.66) during the whole observation period. There was a statistical difference between 0.05%, 0.5%, and 1.0% atropine (P = 0.004). In addition, less axial elongation was showed, with MD = -0.26, 95% CI (-0.33, -0.18) during the whole observation period. Conclusion: The effect of atropine in controlling the progression of myopia was dose related. A 0.05% atropine was likely to be the optimal dose.

scholarly journals Astragalus-Containing Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined With Chemotherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Shen ◽  
Si Ra Gwak ◽  
Zhen Yang Cui ◽  
Jong Cheon Joo ◽  
Soo Jung Park
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Score ◽  
Medical Databases ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Chinese Herbal

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignant tumor among women worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Astragalus-containing Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) combined with chemotherapy (CT) for the treatment of cervical cancer.Methods: Ten electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Korean databases, and Chinese medical databases, were systematically searched up to July 2020. All randomized controlled trials using Astragalus-containing CHM combined with CT to treat cervical cancer were included.Results: A total of 19 trials were included in the analysis. Compared with the control group, the Astragalus-containing CHM combined with CT group showed a significantly increased tumor response (complete and partial response (CR and PR)) (risk ratio [RR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–1.33, p < 0.00001) and Karnofsky performance score (KPS) (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.46–2.17, p < 0.00001). This group also displayed remarkably reduced CT toxicity.Conclusion: Our study suggests that Astragalus-containing CHM might be a potential option for cervical cancer to enhance the curative efficacy and reduce CT toxicity.

Meta-analysis of Perinatal Pelvic Floor Muscle Training on Urinary Incontinence

2020 ◽  
pp. 019394592096077
Author(s):  
Ji Lu ◽  
Hong Zhang ◽  
Li Liu ◽  
Wei Jin ◽  
Jie Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Incontinence ◽  
Pelvic Floor ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Muscle Training

This study was to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on urinary incontinence (UI) in prenatal and postnatal women. The relevant literatures were searched from Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science until January 20, 2020. Meta-analysis was performed with STATA 15.1 and the Begg’s test was used for the publication bias. Results of the meta-analysis demonstrated that the rate of UI in the intervention group was lower than that in the control group [relative risk (RR): 0.712, 95%confidence intervals (CI): 0.622–0.816, P<0.001); the strength of pelvic floor muscle in the intervention group was higher than that in the control group [weighted mean difference (WMD): 8.448, 95%CI: 2.300–14.595, P=0.007); and the urine leakage measured by the urinal pad in the intervention group was less than that in the control group (WMD: -1.699, 95%CI:-2.428–-0.970, P<0.001). PFMT showed a better effect for UI than the routine nursing.

scholarly journals Disordered leptin and ghrelin bioactivity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS): a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Wang ◽  
Chi Wang ◽  
Wenhao Hu ◽  
Fanqi Hu ◽  
Weibo Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis ◽  
Idiopathic Scoliosis ◽  
Leptin Receptor ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Soluble Leptin Receptor

Abstract Background Adolescents with scoliosis consistently demonstrate lower body weight, lean muscle mass, and bone mineral density than healthy adolescent counterparts. Recent studies have focused on understanding how leptin and ghrelin signaling may play a role in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). In our current study, we aim to evaluate the serum levels of leptin, soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R), and ghrelin in AIS patients through systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We conducted our systematic review by searching the keywords in online databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Elsevier, Springer, and Web of Science from the time of database inception to January 2020. Inclusion criteria were studies that measure leptin, soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R), and ghrelin levels in AIS patients. Selection of studies, assessment of study quality, and data extraction were performed by two reviewers independently. Then, data was analyzed to calculate the mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Seven studies concerning leptin/sOB-R and three studies concerning ghrelin were qualified for meta-analysis (one study concerning both leptin and ghrelin). Serum leptin of patients with AIS were significantly lower when compared with healthy controls, with the weighted mean difference (WMD) of − 0.95 (95% CI − 1.43 to − 0.48, p < 0.0001) after reducing the heterogeneity using six studies for meta-analysis, while sOB-R and ghrelin level was significantly higher in AIS group when compared with control group, with the WMD of 2.64 (95% CI 1.60 to 3.67, p < 0.001) and 1.42 (95% CI 0.48 to 2.35, p = 0.003), respectively. Conclusion Our current meta-analysis showed that serum level of leptin in AIS patients was significantly lower when compared with control subjects, while serum sOB-R and ghrelin levels were significantly higher in AIS patients. More clinical studies are still required to further validate the predictive value of leptin or ghrelin for the curve progression for AIS patients.

scholarly journals Parental Age and the Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease in Offspring: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 140-150
Author(s):  
Natalia Szejko ◽  
Pedro Macul Ferreira de Barros ◽  
Victor J. Avila-Quintero ◽  
Adam Lombroso ◽  
Michael Howard Bloch
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Paternal Age ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Parental Age ◽  
Older Parents ◽  
Increased Risk

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide, accounting for 50–75% of all cases. While older maternal and paternal age at childbirth are established risk factors for Down syndrome which is associated with later AD, it is still not entirely clear whether parental age is a risk factor for AD. Previous studies have suggested contradictory findings. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine whether parental (maternal and paternal) age at birth was associated with AD and whether individuals born to younger or older parents were at an increased risk for AD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Two reviewers searched the electronic database of PubMed for relevant studies. Eligibility for the meta-analysis was based on the following criteria: (1) studies involving patients with AD and an adequate control group, (2) case control or cohort studies, (3) studies investigating parental age. All statistical analyses were completed in STATA/IC version 16. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Eleven studies involving 4,371 participants were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Meta-analysis demonstrated no significant association between maternal (weighted mean difference [WMD] 0.49, 95% CI –0.52 to 1.49, <i>p</i> = 0.34) and paternal age and AD (WMD 1.00, 95% CI –0.55 to 2.56, <i>p</i> = 0.21). Similarly, individuals born to younger (&#x3c;25 years) or older parents (&#x3e;35 years) did not demonstrate a differential risk for AD. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Overall, this meta-analysis did not demonstrate an association between parental age and the risk of AD in offspring. These findings should be interpreted with caution given the limited power of the overall meta-analysis and the methodological limitations of the underlying studies as in many cases no adjustment for potential confounders was included.

scholarly journals 843 Annular Closure Device for Disc Herniation: Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcome and Complications

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
C S Ong ◽  
W J Choy ◽  
K Phan ◽  
A Diwan ◽  
R Mobbs
Keyword(s):  
Disc Herniation ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Closure Device ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Annular Closure Device

Abstract Aim To assist surgeons to determine a potential approach to reduce incidences of recurrent lumbar disc herniation and assess the current devices regarding their outcomes and complications. Method Four electronic full-text databases were systematically searched through September 2017. All results were pooled utilising meta-analysis with weighted mean difference and odds ratio as summary statistics. Results Four studies met inclusion criteria. Three studies reported the use of Barricaid (ACD) while one study reported the use of Anulex (AR). A total of 24 symptomatic reherniation were reported among 811 discectomies with ACD/AR as compared to 51 out of 645 in the control group (OR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.20,0.56; I2 = 0%; P &lt; 0.0001). Durotomies were lower among the ACD/AR patients with only 3 reported cases compared to 7 in the control group (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.13, 2.23; I2 = 11%; P = 0.39). Similar outcomes for post-operative Oswestry Disability Index and visual analogue scale were obtained when both groups were compared. Conclusions Early results showed the use of Barricaid and Anulex devices are beneficial for short term outcomes demonstrating a reduction in symptomatic disc reherniation with low post-operative complication rates. Long-term studies are required to further investigate the efficacy of such devices.

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