Electroacupuncture for the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

2021 ◽  
pp. 096452842110557
Author(s):  
Zhiyan Zhong ◽  
Haoxu Dong ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Yao Huang ◽  
Dongmei Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Effective Rate ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Hot Flushes ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Statistical Heterogeneity ◽  
Perimenopausal Syndrome

Objective: To assess the efficacy, comparative effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome (PMS). Methods: Nine databases were searched until June 2019. Only relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of EA for PMS were included. Results: Twelve trials involving 746 women were included. EA and hormone therapy (HT) did not significantly differ in terms of effective rate (risk ratio (RR) = 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.93 to 1.04), Kupperman index (KI) (mean difference (MD) = −0.25, 95% CI = −0.76 to 0.26) and serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (MD = −3.80, 95% CI = −11.59 to 3.98) or luteinizing hormone (LH) (MD = −2.51, 95% CI = −10.72 to 5.70). Serum estradiol (E2) levels were significantly lower in EA versus HT groups (MD = −60.58, 95% CI = −71.93 to −49.23). Compared with sham EA, EA had a significantly greater effect on reductions in KI (MD = −4.71, 95% CI = −6.57 to −2.86) and hot flushes score/24 h (MD = −2.43, 95% CI = −2.93 to −1.93). There were no significant differences between EA and manual acupuncture (MA) in terms of effective rate (RR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.98 to 1.33) or serum FSH (MD = −2.87, 95% CI = −29.65 to 23.91), LH (MD = 2.73, 95% CI = −9.65 to 15.11) or E2 (MD = 26.80, 95% CI = −12.06 to 65.65). However, it seemed that EA had a better effect than MA on KI (MD = −2.44, 95% CI = −4.80 to −0.08). Subgroup analyses indicated that EA may have more of a benefit in the pre-menopausal state (hot flushes score/24 h: MD = −1.66, 95% CI = −3.49 to 0.17) compared to post-menopause (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The effect of EA appeared broadly similar to HT and MA in the treatment of PMS, although EA-associated reductions in KI were superior to MA and sham EA, suggesting effects beyond placebo. The evidence base is limited by a small number of eligible studies, risk of bias and clinical/statistical heterogeneity, limiting our ability to draw firm conclusions. As such, additional larger scale, high-quality RCTs are needed.

scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of L-Carnitine Treatment for Chronic Heart Failure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolong Song ◽  
Huiyan Qu ◽  
Zongguo Yang ◽  
Jingfeng Rong ◽  
Wan Cai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Chronic Heart Failure ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background. Whether additional benefit can be achieved with the use of L-carnitine (L-C) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) remains controversial. We therefore performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of L-C treatment in CHF patients. Methods. Pubmed, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, Wanfang database, Chinese Biomedical (CBM) database, and Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals database (VIP) until September 30, 2016, were identified. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were systematically evaluated by two reviewers independently. Results. 17 RCTs with 1625 CHF patients were included in this analysis. L-C treatment in CHF was associated with considerable improvement in overall efficacy (OR = 3.47, P<0.01), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (WMD: 4.14%, P=0.01), strike volume (SV) (WMD: 8.21 ml, P=0.01), cardiac output (CO) (WMD: 0.88 L/min, P<0.01), and E/A (WMD: 0.23, P<0.01). Moreover, treatment with L-C also resulted in significant decrease in serum levels of BNP (WMD: −124.60 pg/ml, P=0.01), serum levels of NT-proBNP (WMD: −510.36 pg/ml, P<0.01), LVESD (WMD: −4.06 mm, P<0.01), LVEDD (WMD: −4.79 mm, P<0.01), and LVESV (WMD: −20.16 ml, 95% CI: −35.65 to −4.67, P<0.01). However, there were no significant differences in all-cause mortality, 6-minute walk, and adverse events between L-C and control groups. Conclusions. L-C treatment is effective for CHF patients in improving clinical symptoms and cardiac functions, decreasing serum levels of BNP and NT-proBNP. And it has a good tolerance.

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.

Evidence from systematic reviews of randomized trials on enteral lactoferrin supplementation in preterm neonates

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohan Pammi ◽  
Geoffrey A. Preidis ◽  
William O Tarnow-mordi
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Preterm Neonates ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Late Onset Sepsis ◽  
Statistical Heterogeneity ◽  
Tract Infections

In this commentary, we summarize the current evidence from randomized controlled trials on enteral lactoferrin supplementation in preterm neonates. Our recently completed systematic review includes 12 randomized controlled trials performed all over the world. Our meta-analysis suggests clinical benefit in decreasing late-onset sepsis, late-onset fungal sepsis, length of stay in the hospital and urinary tract infections. There were no adverse effects. There was no statistically significant decrease in necrotizing enterocolitis, mortality or neurodevelopmental impairment in lactoferrin supplemented preterm infants. There was significant statistical heterogeneity in the effects of lactoferrin on late-onset sepsis between larger and smaller studies, which may reflect either small study biases, differences in the effectiveness, dose or duration of supplemental lactoferrin products, or differences in underlying population risk, or any or all of these.

scholarly journals Auricular Plaster Therapy for Comorbid Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huimin Zhao ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
Ying Yang ◽  
Yueting Liu ◽  
Jie Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effective Rate ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Comorbid Insomnia ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference

Background. Although the effectiveness of auricular plaster therapy (APT) on primary insomnia has been systematically reviewed, no systematic review of studies has focused on the effect on comorbid insomnia. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of APT for comorbid insomnia. Methods. Fifteen databases were searched from inception to July 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of APT as an exclusive intervention for comorbid insomnia against Western medications, sham APT or no treatment were identified. Results. Fourteen studies involving 928 participants were identified. The pooled outcomes revealed that APT was superior to control conditions for the global score on PSQI (SMD = -1.13, and 95% CI = -1.48—-0.78) and the effective rate (RR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.13—1.36, NNT = 5, and 95% CI =4—7). Furthermore, the results of subgroup analyses were similar to the pooled results. Additionally, the pooled results were verified to be stable by sensitivity analyses. Regarding safety, no significant difference was identified between APT and Western medications. Conclusions. APT appears to be an effective and safe treatment for comorbid insomnia. However, the benefits of APT for comorbid insomnia could not be ascertained due to the paucity of the quantity and quality of the included studies. Large-scale studies using proper methodology are needed to yield a firm conclusion.

scholarly journals Network meta-analysis for clinicians

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 418-424
Author(s):  
Alexey A. Bogdanov ◽  
Andrey A. Bogdanov
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Based Medicine

Decision making in clinical practice requires consideration of the relative efficacy and safety of medical interventions. A systematic review and meta-analysis, the results of which have the highest level of confidence in evidence-based medicine, only compare the effectiveness of two interventions, provided that there is a direct comparison between them in a set of randomized controlled trials. The development of statistical methods has led to the development of the network meta-analysis method, the application of which allows comparison for more than two interventions and even if the interventions were not directly compared in randomized controlled trials, but have a common comparison intervention. As a result, network meta-analysis is increasingly being used as an evidence base for the effectiveness of medical interventions. However, there are important assumptions and conditions underlying the performance of network meta-analysis. In this work, we tried to outline the main aspects of network meta-analysis that are important for clinicians in terms of its implementation and interpretation of its results.

scholarly journals A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials on Acupuncture for Amblyopia

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingke Yan ◽  
Tiantian Zhu ◽  
Chongbing Ma ◽  
Anguo Liu ◽  
Lili Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Conventional Treatment ◽  
Total Effective Rate ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effective Rate ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Randomized Controlled Studies ◽  
Minimum Criteria

Objective. To assess the evidence of efficacy and safety of acupuncture for amblyopia and analyze the current situation of its clinical setting.Methods. We systemically searched Wanfang, Chongqing Weipu Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and PubMed. Published randomized controlled trials (RCT) and controlled clinical trials (CCT) that evaluated the effect of acupuncture for amblyopia compared with conventional treatment were identified. The methodological quality of the included trials was assessed based on the Jadad scale. Data synthesis was facilitated using RevMan 5.1.Results. Fourteen trials involving 2662 participants satisfied the minimum criteria for meta-analysis. The evidence showed that the total effective rate of treatment within the group receiving acupuncture was higher than that in conventional group; there were statistically significant differences between groups (polled random effects model (RR) = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (1.11, 1.24),Z=5.56,P<0.00001).Conclusion. The total effective rate of acupuncture for amblyopia was significantly superior to conventional treatment, indicating that acupuncture was a promising treatment for amblyopia. However, due to the limited number of CCTs and RCTs, especially those of large sample size and multicenter randomized controlled studies that were quantitatively insufficient, we could not reach a completely affirmative conclusion until further studies of high quality are available.

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