scholarly journals Electroacupuncture for Hypertension in Adults: Study Protocol of a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Furong Zhang ◽  
Pan Zhang ◽  
Yalan Chen ◽  
Hong Pei ◽  
Yuzhu Qu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Antihypertensive Drugs ◽  
Blood Pressure Response ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Study Results

Abstract Introduction: Hypertension is a common, prevalent cardiovascular disease that requires multidisciplinary treatments. In Asian countries, electroacupuncture (EA) is often used as an adjunct to antihypertensive drugs for lowering blood pressure and relieving related symptoms. However, till now the effects of EA for hypertension are not fully evaluated. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of EA in patients with hypertension through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Methods and analysis: Seven electronic databases including Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CNKI, CBM, Wanfang, and VIP Database will be searched from inception to May 30, 2021, to identify clinical trials of EA treating hypertension in adults. Eligible comparisons will be limited to 1) EA versus valid comparators including placebo, antihypertensives, waiting list and 2) EA as an adjunct to antihypertensives versus antihypertensives. Clinical outcomes include blood pressure, response rate, somatic symptom relief, quality of life, and safety from baseline to post-treatment. The Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool will be used to evaluate the quality of the included studies and the GRADE system will be employed to summarize the overall quality of evidence. Random-effects model will be performed, where efficacy data will be reported with mean difference (continuous data) or risk ratio (dichotomous data). In addition, heterogeneity and publication bias will be tested with the I2 statistic and the Egger’s test/funnel plot. Ethics and dissemination: As a secondary literature study, this systematic review doesn’t require ethical approval. The study results will be disseminated via peer-review publication or conference presentation. Registration: PROSPERO registration ID CRD42019133937.

Effects of wearable technology on patients with diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongjun Wu ◽  
Nicholas Buys ◽  
Guandong Xu ◽  
Jing Sun
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Relapse Prevention ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Wearable Technologies ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Hba1c Levels

UNSTRUCTURED Aims: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of wearable technologies on HbA1c, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and fastening blood glucose (FBG) in patients with diabetes. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, the Cochrane database, and the Chinese CNKI database from last 15 years until August 2021. The quality of the 16 included studies was assessed using the PEDro scale, and random effect models were used to estimate outcomes, with I2 used for heterogeneity testing. Results: A significant reduction in HbA1c (-0.475% [95% CI -0.692 to -0.257, P<0.001]) was found following telemonitoring. However, the results of the meta-analysis did not show significant changes in blood pressure, BMI, and glucose, in the intervention group (P>0.05), although the effect size for systolic blood pressure (0.389) and diastolic blood pressure may indicate a significant effect. Subgroup analysis revealed statistically significant effects of wearable technologies on HbA1c when supported by dietetic interventions (P<0.001), medication monitoring (P<0.001), and relapse prevention (P<0.001). Online messages and telephone interventions significantly affected HbA1c levels (P<0.001). Trials with additional online face-to-face interventions showed greater reductions in HbA1c levels. Remote interventions including dietetic advice (P<0.001), medication (P<0.001), and relapse prevention (P<0.001) during telemonitoring showed a significant effect on HbA1c, particularly in patients attending ten or more intervention sessions (P<0.001). Conclusion: Wearable technologies can improve diabetes management by simplifying self-monitoring, allowing patients to upload their live measurement results frequently and thereby improving the quality of telemedicine. Wearable technologies also facilitate remote medication management, dietetic interventions, and relapse prevention.

scholarly journals Microplastic contamination of salt intended for human consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelos Danopoulos ◽  
Lauren Jenner ◽  
Maureen Twiddy ◽  
Jeanette M. Rotchell
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Human Health Effects ◽  
Potential Human Health

Abstract Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging contaminant ubiquitous in the environment. There is growing concern regarding potential human health effects, a major human exposure route being dietary uptake. We have undertaken a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis to identify all relevant research on MP contamination of salt intended for human consumption. Three thousand nine hundred and nineteen papers were identified, with ten fitting the inclusion criteria. A search of the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science, from launch date to September 2020, was conducted. MP contamination of salt varied significantly between four origins, sea salt 0–1674 MPs/kg, lake salt 8–462 MPs/kg, rock and well salt 0–204 MPs/kg. The majority of samples were found to be contaminated by MPs. Corresponding potential human exposures are estimated to be 0–6110 MPs per year (for all origins), confirming salt as a carrier of MPs. A bespoke risk of bias (RoB) assessment tool was used to appraise the quality of the studies, with studies demonstrating moderate to low RoB. These results suggest that a series of recurring issues need to be addressed in future research regarding sampling, analysis and reporting to improve confidence in research findings.

Simultaneous compared to interval administration of mifepristone and misoprostol for medical abortion up to 10+0 weeks' gestation: a systematic review with meta-analyses

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjsrh-2019-200448
Author(s):  
Mia Schmidt-Hansen ◽  
Jonathan Lord ◽  
Elise Hasler ◽  
Sharon Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Collaboration ◽  
Medical Abortion ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Meta Analyses

BackgroundMedical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol usually involves an interval of 36–48 hours between administering these drugs; however, it is possible that the clinical efficacy at early gestations may be maintained when the drugs are taken simultaneously. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the safety and effectiveness of simultaneous compared with interval administration of mifepristone and misoprostol for abortion up to 10+0 weeks’ gestation.MethodsWe searched Embase Classic, Embase; Ovid MEDLINE(R) including Daily, and Epub Ahead-of-Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations; and Cochrane Library on 11 December 2019. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), published in English from 1985, comparing simultaneous to interval administration of mifepristone and misoprostol for early abortion. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration checklist for RCTs. Meta-analysis of risk ratios (RRs) using the Mantel-Haenszel method were performed. The quality of the evidence was assessed using GRADE.ResultsMeta-analyses of three RCTs (n=1280) showed no differences in ‘ongoing pregnancy’ (RR 1.78, 95% CI 0.38 to 8.36), ‘haemorrhage requiring transfusion or ≥500 mL blood loss’ (RR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01 to 2.03) and ‘incomplete abortion with the need for surgical intervention’ (RR 1.30, 95% CI 0.76 to 2.25) between the interventions. Individual study results showed no difference in patient satisfaction, or ‘need for repeat misoprostol’, although ‘time to onset of bleeding or cramping’ was longer after simultaneous than interval administration. The quality of evidence was very low to moderate.ConclusionThe published data support the use of simultaneous mifepristone and misoprostol for medical abortion up to 9+0 weeks in women who prefer this method of administration.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of trauma centers verification: Protocol for a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brice Batomen ◽  
Lynne Moore ◽  
Mabel Carabali ◽  
Pier-Alexandre Tardif ◽  
Howard Champion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
The Body ◽  
World Health ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Assessment Development ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background The implementation of trauma systems in many high-income countries over the last 50 years has led to important reductions in injury mortality and disability in many healthcare jurisdictions. Injury organizations including the American College of Surgeons and the Trauma Association of Canada as well as the World Health Organization provide consensus-based recommendations on resources and processes for optimal injury care. Many hospitals treating trauma patients seek verification to demonstrate that they meet these recommendations. This process may be labeled differently across jurisdictions. In Canada for example, it is called accreditation, but it has the same objective and very similar modalities. The objective of the study described in this protocol is to systematically review evidence on the effectiveness of trauma center verification for improving clinical processes and patient outcomes in injury care. Methods We will perform a systematic review of studies evaluating the association between trauma center verification and hospital mortality (primary outcome), as well as morbidity, resource utilization, and processes of care (secondary outcomes). We will search CINAHL, EMBASE, HealthStar, MEDLINE, and ProQuest databases, as well as key injury organization websites for gray literature. We will assess the methodological quality of studies using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies – of Interventions (ROBINS-I) assessment tool. We are planning to conduct a meta-analysis if feasible based on the number of included studies and their heterogeneity. We will evaluate the quality of cumulative evidence and strength of recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group methodology. Discussion This review will provide a synthesis of the body of evidence on trauma center verification effectiveness. Results could reinforce current verification modalities and may suggest ways to optimize them. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at an international clinical conference. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42018107083.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Interventions To Enable Hypertension Medication Adherence In Low-And Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review And Meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Nakwafila ◽  
Benn Sartorius ◽  
Sphamandla Josias Nkambule ◽  
Tivani Mashamba Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Pharmacological Interventions ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Quality Of Evidence ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

Abstract Background: In recent decades low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are witnessing an increase in hypertension and thus becoming a significant public health issue due to associated Cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. Antihypertensive medication adherence is crucial to controlling blood pressure; therefore, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on improving blood pressure control and medication adherence in patients with hypertension in LMICs.Methods: We searched the following databases for relevant literature published between Jan 2005 – Dec 2020: PubMed, EBSCOhost included Academic Search; CINAHL and MEDLINE complete; PubMed; WEB of Science; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Google Scholar. Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB 2) was used to appraise included studies critically, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to measure the quality of evidence. We conducted a meta‑analysis using DrSimonian-Laid's random-effect model at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The secondary outcomes of interests were synthesised descriptively as changes in BP adherence outcomes. Results: We identified 14 eligible randomised controlled trials that presented blood pressure (BP) effectiveness and medication adherence among BP patients aged between 18-75 years. The overall quality of evidence with the majority of trials was moderate. Meta weighed effect (SBP) for 12/14 studies was -4.74 (95% CI:-6.07 to -3.47) and I2 = 57%. Out of 14 eligible studies, (86%) suggested a significant improvement in the proportion of patients with controlled blood pressure (BP < 140/90mmHG) with a positive effect on secondary outcomes such as quality of life.Conclusion: Non-pharmacological interventions could be effective in managing hypertension. In recommending the need to investigate the feasibility of non-pharmacological evidence in specific LMIC settings, focus should be on an intervention strategy consisting of an educational intervention directed toward the patients, health professionals and organisation. Considering heterogeneity, randomised trials that are well-designed with larger sample sizes are encouraged in LMICs` to help policymakers make well-informed decisions on hypertension management.Systematic review Registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020172954

scholarly journals Corn Silk Tea for Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shihua Shi ◽  
Siming Li ◽  
Weihao Li ◽  
Hao Xu
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Antihypertensive Drugs ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Total Blood ◽  
Corn Silk ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Corn silk, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been found to exert an antihypertensive effect in clinical practice and trials. However, systematic review of current evidence on this topic was not available. Thus, this study aims to assess safety and efficacy of corn silk tea (CST) in improving clinical outcomes in patients with hypertension. A systematic literature search was conducted through popular electronic databases up to October 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CST plus conventional antihypertensive drugs with conventional antihypertensive drugs alone were included. The main outcome was total blood pressure lowering efficacy. The risk of bias assessment according to the Cochrane Handbook was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included trials. Review Manager 5.3 software was used for data analyses. Five RCTs involving 567 participants were included. Due to the poor quality of methodologies of most trials, limited evidence showed that CST plus antihypertensive drugs might be more effective in lowering blood pressure compared with antihypertensive drugs alone (RR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.38, P<0.00001; heterogeneity: P = 0.51, I2 = 0%, fixed‐effect model). However, there is no evidence that CST plus conventional antihypertensive drugs has less adverse events than conventional antihypertensive drugs.

scholarly journals Qiju Dihuang Decoction for Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Shuo Zhang ◽  
Xue Bai ◽  
Zhen-Lin Chen ◽  
Jia-Jia Li ◽  
Yan-Yan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Antihypertensive Drugs ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Cochrane Collaboration ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Objective. To systematically evaluate the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine Qiju Dihuang Decoction (QDD) for hypertension. Methods. A comprehensive literature search of randomized controlled trials using QDD to treat hypertension was conducted in 7 electronic databases, including Chinese databases. Subjects and abstracts of the trials were read in NoteExpress for preliminary screening, and the full text was read for further screening. The data extraction table was made for the selected 19 trials, and risk of bias was assessed by using the Cochrane collaboration tool, followed by data analysis using Rev Man 5.3. Results. The antihypertensive efficacy of QDD is 1.45 times that of antihypertensive drugs and 1.56 times that of conventional therapies, which can also reduce the endothelin level. QPAD exhibits an antihypertensive effect, and its clinical efficacy is 1.34 times and 1.61 times that of antihypertensive drugs, which can not only significantly lower the diastolic blood pressure but also reduce the 24 h mean ambulate blood pressure. At the same time, it can decrease the TCM syndrome score, inhibit the inflammation, protect the renal function, reduce the insulin resistance, and improve the life quality of patients. Conclusion. QDD can effectively reduce blood pressure and improve the life quality of patients with hypertension, which plays a certain role in preventing hypertension complications. However, due to the methodological deficiencies, more rigorous randomized controlled trials will be needed in the future to provide stronger evidence.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Acupuncture for Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Zhihan Chen ◽  
Yitong Wang ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Jin Xie ◽  
Yulan Ren
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Registration Number

Objectives. To assess the efficacy of acupuncture in treating opioid use disorder (OUD). Design. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods. PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Embase, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertation and Theses, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), Clinicaltrials.gov, and who.int/trialsearch were searched from inception to 23 December 2017. The methodological quality of selected studies and the quality of evidence for outcomes were assessed, respectively, by the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool and the GRADE approach. Statistical analyses were conducted by RevMan 5.3. Results. A total of nine studies involving 1063 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The results showed that acupuncture could be more beneficial than no treatment/sham acupuncture in terms of changes in craving for opioid (MD -2.18, 95% CI -3.10 to -1.26), insomnia (MD 2.31, 95% CI 1.97 to 2.65), and depression (SMD -1.50, 95% CI -1.85 to -1.15). In addition, these findings showed that, compared to sham electroacupuncture (EA), EA had differences in alleviating symptoms of craving (SMD -0.50, 95% CI -0.94 to -0.05) and depression (SMD -1.07, 95% CI -1.88 to -0.25) and compared to sham transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TEAS), TEAS had differences in alleviating symptoms of insomnia (MD 2.31, 95% CI 1.97 to 2.65) and anxiety (MD -1.26, 95% CI -1.60 to -0.92) compared to no treatment/sham TEAS. Conclusions. Acupuncture could be effective in treating OUD. Moreover, EA could effectively alleviate symptoms of craving for opioid and depression, and TEAS could be beneficial in improving symptoms of insomnia and anxiety. Nevertheless, the conclusions were limited due to the low-quality and small number of included studies. PROSPERO registration number is CRD42018085063.

scholarly journals Internet Addiction Effect on Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Farzaneh Noroozi ◽  
Soheil Hassanipour ◽  
Fatemeh Eftekharian ◽  
Kumars Eisapareh ◽  
Mohammad Hossein Kaveh
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Study Results

Purpose. Due to the use of different methodologies, tools, and measurements, the positive or negative impact of Internet use on human life quality is accompanied by a series of ambiguities and uncertainties. Therefore, in this study, a systematic review and meta-analysis are conducted regarding the effect of Internet addiction on the quality of life. Methods. A systematic search of resources was conducted to investigate the effect of Internet addiction on the quality of life. The databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Science Direct were searched from January 1980 to July 2020. The articles were screened by two researchers in multiple levels in terms of the title, abstract, and full-text; then, final studies that met the inclusion criteria were retrieved and included in the study. Results. After searching the previously mentioned international databases, 3863 papers were found, 18 of which we included in the final analysis. Surveys indicated that people who had a high Internet addiction received lower scores of quality of life than those who were normal Internet users (OR = 2.45, 95% CI; 2.31–2.61, p < 0.001 ; I2 = 85.23%, p < 0.001 ). Furthermore, There was a negative significant relationship between Internet addiction and quality of life in the psychological (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32–0.99, p = 0.04 , I2 = 97.47%, p < 0.001 ), physical (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.39–0.86, p = 0.007 , I2 = 95.29%, p = 0.001 ), and overall quality of life score (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.27–0.55, p < 0.001 , I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.746 ). Conclusion. These findings illustrate that Internet addiction should be regarded as a major health concern and incorporated into health education and intervention initiatives.

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