scholarly journals The Effectiveness and Safety of Moxibustion for Peripheral Facial Paralysis:A Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Author(s):  
Shanshan Xiang ◽  
Ting Fang ◽  
Changan Ren ◽  
Junnan Qi ◽  
Zheng Guo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Moxibustion has been used in treating patients with Peripheral Facial Paralysis(PFP), but its effectiveness and safety have not been systematically evaluated. Therefore, the objective of this review is to comprehensively assess the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion for PFP.Methods: We will conduct a systematic document retrieval of databases from inception to March 18, 2021, including Embase, Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Chinese databases SinoMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database and Wanfang Data (WF). Reviewers will independently retrieve databases, identify trials, extract data, and evaluate the quality of eligible randomized controlled trials(RCTs). The outcomes will include: the effective rate, the House-Brackmann (H-B) score, Facial Disability Index (FDI), and side effects. The quality of eligible RCT will be assessed by the Cochrane risk-of-bias. Meta-analysis will be processed by the Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 5.3.0.Discussion: This review will provide comprehensive evidence of moxibustion for PFP.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42020207068

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Zelin Yu ◽  
Mengxia Shen ◽  
Wenfang Shang ◽  
Jiangxia Wu ◽  
Lihua Xuan

Objective. Investigate the optimum time of acupuncture treatment in peripheral facial paralysis in order to provide evidence for clinical treatment. Methods. CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were systematically searched from the inception dates to February 20, 2020. Studies limited to participants with acute peripheral facial paralysis treated with acupuncture and patients without information of the stage were excluded. The primary outcomes were effective rate and cure rate (based on facial nerve function scores). This meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42020169870. Results. 15 randomized controlled trials that enrolled 2847 participants met the selection criteria. There was no significant differences in the effective rate (RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.70-2.11) when comparing acupuncture to prednisone therapy in acute facial paralysis. Acupuncture treatment in the acute stage increased both the effective rate (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00-1.07) and the cure rate (RR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.14-1.58) compared to that in the nonacute stage. Conclusions. In this meta-analysis, acupuncture showed a better effect in the acute stage than the nonacute stage for participants with peripheral facial paralysis. There was no statistical difference in the effective rate no matter the choice of acupuncture or prednisone therapies in the acute stage. These findings encourage early acupuncture treatment in peripheral facial paralysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Yue ◽  
Meng Gao ◽  
Yanru Deng ◽  
Jiemin Shao ◽  
Yingguang Sun

Background. Modified Yunu-Jian (mYJ), a Chinese medicine (CM) formula, is thought to clear heat and nourish yin. Clinically, it is often used to treat oral inflammation. However, its efficacy remains controversial. Methods. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mYJ for treating patients with periodontitis. We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, VIP database, and CBM) from inception to December 2020. Only randomized controlled trials investigating modified Yunu-Jian, with or without other medications, against controlled intervention in the treatment of patients diagnosed with periodontitis were included. Both Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 15.0 software were used to analyze the data. The Cochrane Collaborations risk of bias tool was used to assess the quality of the methods. Results. Thirteen clinical trials, involving 1179 participants, were included in our investigation. The results showed that the combination of mYJ with western medicine improved the total effective rate compared with western medicine alone (RR = 1.17, 95% CI (1.12, 1.23), P  < 0.00001). The sensitivity analysis and Harbord’s test ( P  = 0.255) both showed that the results were statistically robust. Moreover, the periodontal indexes (GI, SBI, PLI, and PD; P  < 0.00001) of patients with periodontitis were also significantly improved after receiving the combined therapy. No serious adverse reactions were observed in the experimental groups. Conclusions. Evidence from the meta-analysis suggested that mYJ appeared to be effective and relatively safe for treating periodontitis. Because of the low quality of the methods used in the included RCTs, further studies with larger sample sizes and well-designed models are required to confirm our findings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jinke Huang ◽  
Yao Shi ◽  
Xiaohui Qin ◽  
Min Shen ◽  
Manli Wu ◽  
...  

Objectives. Electroacupuncture (EA), an extension of acupuncture, which is based on traditional acupuncture combined with modern electrotherapy, is commonly used for poststroke dysphagia (PSD) in clinical treatment and research. However, there is still a lack of sufficient evidence to recommend the routine use of EA for PSD. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of EA in the treatment of PSD. Methods. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of EA on PSD were identified through a comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Database, and VIP databases from their inception to July 2020. The quality assessment of the included trials was performed based on the guidance of the Cochrane Reviewers’ Handbook, and meta-analysis (MA) was performed by using the RevMan 5.3 software. Results. Sixteen trials were identified, and these included 1,216 patients with PSD. The results demonstrated that EA in combination with swallowing rehabilitation training (SRT) was significantly superior to SRT alone with regard to effective rate (OR 5.40, 95% CI [3.78, 7.72], P < 0.00001 , water swallow test (WST) (MD −0.78, 95% CI [−1.07, −0.50], P < 0.00001 ), the video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) (MD 1.47, 95% CI [1.11, 1.84], P < 0.00001 ), the Ichiro Fujishima Rating Scale (IFRS) (MD 1.94, 95% CI [1.67, 2.22], P < 0.00001 ), and the incidence of aspiration pneumonia (IAP) (OR 0.20, 95% CI [0.06, 0.61], P = 0.005 ). Conclusions. The results showed that EA was better than the control treatment in terms of the effective rate, WST, VFSS, IFRS, and IAP of dysphagia after stroke. Strict evaluation standards and high-quality RCT designs are necessary for further exploration.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang-Yuan Zhi ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Xiao-Peng Ma ◽  
Jue Hong ◽  
Ji Zhang ◽  
...  

Objectives. This systematic review aims to critically evaluate the efficacy of manual acupuncture for optic atrophy. Eight English and Chinese databases, including Cochrane Library, EMbase, PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), as well as ongoing trials registered with the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, were searched to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying manual acupuncture for optic atrophy compared to medication alone. The quality of evidence was assessed using Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.3. Nine studies were identified and included for meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed significant differences in favor of manual acupuncture or manual acupuncture plus medication compared with medication alone in the following outcome measures: visual acuity (MD = 0.18, 95% CI [0.17, 0.20], P < 0.00001), mean sensitivity of visual field (MD = 2.11, 95% CI [1.90, 2.32], P < 0.00001), the latent period of P-VEP100 (MD = -6.80, 95% CI [-8.94, -4.66], P < 0.00001), the total effectiveness (264 eyes) (OR = 3.22, 95% CI [1.88, 5.51], P<0.0001), and the total effectiveness (344 participants) (OR = 4.29, 95% CI [2.56, 7.19], P < 0.00001). Despite statistical advantages of manual acupuncture in the literature, due to serious methodological flaws in study design, it cannot be concluded that manual acupuncture is more effective than medicine alone. It is essential that a properly controlled clinical trial is designed and controls are established to exclude placebo effects.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi WANG ◽  
Qiuyue LIU ◽  
Lihua MIN ◽  
Xiaorong MAO

Abstract Background The importance of breastfeeding for maternal and child health has become an international consensus. However, it has been found that lactation-related nipple problems are common and there are some important factors affecting the effectiveness of breastfeeding. Multiple studies recommended the laid-back breastfeeding, but the researches are on various levels of quality and the results are controversial.Methods We systematically searched the following twelve databases: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline, Ovid, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus, SinoMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, and VIP from inception to January 28,2020. All studies reporting the laid-back breastfeeding or biological nurturing were considered, regardless of they are randomized controlled trials. Two trained investigators independently evaluated the quality of the included the articles and screened the data. All the data were analyzed separately using Review Manager Version 5.3 and STATA/SE Version 15.1. Results A total of 12 studies involving 1,936 groups of postpartum women and their newborns were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that nipple trauma (RR = 0.47; 95% CI 0.29,0.75; p < 0.002), nipple pain (RR = 0.25; 95% CI 0.20,0.32; p < 0.00001), the correct posture of latching (RR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.11,1.33; p < 0.00001)and position comfort (ES = 0.01; 95%CI -0.28,0.30; p = 0.006) of experimental group were all better than control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( p < 0.05), which indicates that the laid-back position has a positive effect on maternal breastfeeding. Conclusion Laid-back position has significant advantages in decreasing the incidence of nipple trauma and nipple pain compared with traditional breastfeeding postures, and it appears that laid-back position is conducive to the correct posture of latching. However, current evidence does not show different breastfeeding outcomes in the two groups of position comfort. Laid-back position is helpful to solve lactation-related nipple problems and it can be used as a recommended position for breastfeeding. Key words: Breast-feeding, Biological Nurturing, Laid-back Breastfeeding, Meta-Analysis


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi WANG ◽  
Qiuyue LIU ◽  
Lihua MIN ◽  
Xiaorong MAO

Abstract Background The importance of breastfeeding for maternal and child health has become an international consensus. However, it has been found that lactation-related nipple problems are common and there are some important factors affecting the breastfeeding. Multiple studies recommended the laid-back breastfeeding, but they are on various levels of quality and the results are inconclusive. Methods We systematically searched the following twelve databases: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline, Ovid, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus, SinoMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, and VIP from inception to January 28,2020. All studies regarding the laid-back breastfeeding or biological nurturing were considered, regardless of whether they are randomized controlled trials or not. Two trained investigators independently evaluated the quality of the selected articles and screened the data. All the data were analyzed separately using Review Manager Version 5.3 and STATA/SE Version 15.1.Results A total of 12 studies involving 1,936 groups of postpartum women and their newborns were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that nipple pain (RR = 0.24; 95% CI 0.14,0.40; p < 0.00001), nipple trauma (RR = 0.47; 95% CI 0.29,0.75; p = 0.002), the correct position of latching (RR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.11,1.33; p < 0.00001) and position comfort (ES = 0.09; 95% CI -0.63,0.81; p = 0.000) of experimental groups were all better than that of the control groups, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05), which indicate that the laid-back position has a positive effect on maternal breastfeeding.Conclusion Laid-back position has been proved to related with decreasing the incidence of nipple trauma and nipple pain compared with traditional breastfeeding positions, and it appears that laid-back position is conducive to the correct position of latching. However, current evidence does not show different breastfeeding outcomes in the two groups of position comfort. Laid-back position is helpful to solve lactation-related nipple problems and it can be used as a recommended position for breastfeeding.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Qianwen Ma ◽  
Yong Tan ◽  
Genlin Mo

Objective. To compare the treatment efficacy of Kuntai capsule with Climen only in the therapy of premature ovarian failure. Methods. Randomized controlled trials were electronically retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of science, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang, and Weipu database. In addition, some related papers were manually checked. All papers were assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, and the effective data were analyzed by Revman 5.3 Software. Results. 11 randomized control trials involving 1068 patients were included. Results of meta-analysis showed that E2 (estrogen), the total therapeutic effective rate of the group of Kuntai capsule, and hormone were higher than hormone only. The LH (luteinizing hormone), FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), and Kupperman score of the group of Kuntai capsule and Climen were lower than Climen only. Conclusion. Available evidence shows that Kuntai capsule with Climen is more effective than Climen in the therapy of premature ovarian failure. Nowadays, the quality of the research studies is low. More large-scaled randomized trials will need to be carried out.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Gao-Feng Liu ◽  
Zhen Gao ◽  
Zheng-Nan Liu ◽  
Min Yang ◽  
Sheng Zhang ◽  
...  

Background. Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are a common and prevalent disease with main symptoms of pain, joint sounds, and mandibular movement disorders, which seriously affects the mental health and quality of life of the sufferers. In recent years, there have been an increasing number of studies utilizing warm needle acupuncture (WNA) for the treatment of TMD, and the quality of the studies has gradually improved. However, evidence from evidence-based medicine is lacking. This study aims to use a systematic review and meta-analysis method to understand the efficacy of WNA for the treatment of TMD. Methods and Analysis. We searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of WNA for the treatment of TMD from 9 electronic databases, including 5 English databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and MEDLINE) and 4 Chinese databases (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese VIP Information, Wanfang Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM)) from their inception to May 2021. The included RCTs compared WNA with acupuncture, electroacupuncture, pharmacological therapy, or other therapies. And outcome indicators such as total effective rate and cure rate were assessed. All analyses were conducted using RevMan software V5.3 and Stata16. Measurement count data used the relative risk (RR) as the efficacy statistic, and each effect size was given its point estimate value and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results. The meta-analysis included 10 studies with a total of 670 patients, which included 340 patients in the experimental group and 330 patients in the control group. The data in this review showed that WNA is superior to treatments such as acupuncture alone, acupuncture therapy combined with TDP, drug therapy, and ultrasonic therapy in terms of effective rate (RR = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.35; and P = 0.003) and cure rate (RR = 1.82; 95% CI, 1.46 to 2.28; and P < 0.00001) for the treatment of TMD. Conclusions. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides new evidence for the effectiveness of WNA for the treatment of TMD. However, the above conclusions need to be further verified by multicenter prospective studies of larger samples and higher-quality RCTs. Protocol registration number: INPLASY202160030.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao-qin Gou ◽  
Jing Gao ◽  
Chen-xi Wu ◽  
Ding-xi Bai ◽  
Hong-yuan Mou ◽  
...  

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is one of the most common diseases in gynecology at present. Some clinical trials have reported the effects of moxibustion and confirmed temporal factors are the important elements influencing the efficacy of moxibustion. However, no systematic review has yet been conducted. In this study, we assessed the effects of moxibustion in patients with PD enrolled in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the difference among different intervention times to start moxibustion. We extracted data for studies searched from 10 electronic databases and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. We discussed three outcomes: effective rate, pain remission, and the level of PGF2αin serum. Current clinical researches showed that, compared with nonmoxibustion treatments for PD, moxibustion leads to higher effective rate and lower level of PGF2αin serum. However, there was no difference in using moxibustion to treat PD at different intervention times. Based on the theory of Chinese medicine and the results of this study, choosing 5 ± 2 days before menstruation to start moxibustion can achieve good efficacy for PD patients. However, more high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm the conclusions.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanni Li ◽  
Mingming Liang ◽  
Liang Gao ◽  
Mubashir Ayaz Ahmed ◽  
John Patrick Uy ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundBased on the current status of the COVID-19 global pandemic, there is an urgent need to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of wearing masks to protect public health from COVID-19 infection.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of using face masks to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP (Chinese) database. There were no language restrictions. This study was registered with PROSPERO under the number CRD42020211862.ResultsA total of 6 case-control studies were included. In general, wearing a mask was associated with a significantly reduced risk of COVID-19 infection (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.21-0.69, I2 = 54.1%). Heterogeneity modifiers were investigated by subgroup analysis. For healthcare workers group, masks were shown to have a reduce risk of infection by nearly 70%. Studies in China showed a higher protective effect than other countries. Adjusted estimates and subgroup analyses showed similar findings.ConclusionsThe results of this systematic review and meta-analysis support the conclusion that wearing a mask could reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.


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