Pharmacological interventions for the management of cancer-related fatigue among cancer survivors: systematic review and meta-analysis (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuemei Sun ◽  
Yancong Chen ◽  
William Cheung ◽  
Irene Wu ◽  
Fang Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Natural Products ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Minimal Important Difference ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Pharmacological Interventions ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue

BACKGROUND Background: Current guidelines have different recommendations on applying pharmacological interventions for managing cancer-related fatigue (CRF) among cancer survivors. OBJECTIVE Objective: This systematic review aims to synthesize clinical evidence on pharmacological interventions for managing CRF. METHODS Methods: Five databases were searched for potential Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from their inception till October 2020. RCTs assessing the effect of pharmacological treatments for CRF among cancer survivors were considered eligible. Clinical significance was determined by comparing the estimated effect with that of minimal important difference (MID). The risk of bias of included RCTs were appraised using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials 2. RESULTS Results: A total of 15 RCTs (1238 participants) were included. Majority presented some concerns of bias arising from the randomization process and selection of the reported result. Meta-analysis showed that psychostimulant and wakefulness agents had statistically significant while clinical insignificant effect on the treatment of CRF (pooled weighted mean difference (WMD): 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2 to 5.4, I2: 0%, 3 RCTs, MID: 3.0 to 6.0). Three natural products, including Renshen Yangrong Tang (mean difference (MD): -16.1, 95% CI: -8.9 to -23.3, MID: -17.3 to -11.4), Tualang honey (MD: 11.2, 95% CI: 7.1 to 15.3, MID: 3.0 to 6.0) and Shenmai injection plus Peptisorb (MD: -1.6, 95% CI: -2.1 to -1.1, MID: -1.1 to -0.8) demonstrated statistically and clinically significant effect in reducing CRF. CONCLUSIONS Conclusions: Existing evidence showed promising effects of three natural products in reducing CRF among cancer survivors. The results from this study need to be further confirmed with well-designed and adequate powered RCTs that use validated instruments for the measurement of CRF. CLINICALTRIAL The protocol of this systematic review has been registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42018102347).

scholarly journals Pharmacological Interventions for the Management of Cancer-Related Fatigue Among Cancer Survivors: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542110380
Author(s):  
Xuemei Sun ◽  
Yancong Chen ◽  
William KW Cheung ◽  
Irene XY Wu ◽  
Fang Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Natural Products ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Minimal Important Difference ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Pharmacological Interventions ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue

Objective: Current guidelines have different recommendations on applying pharmacological interventions for managing cancer-related fatigue (CRF) among cancer survivors. This systematic review aims to synthesize clinical evidence on pharmacological interventions for managing CRF. Methods: Five databases were searched for potential randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from their inception until October 2020. RCTs assessing the effect of pharmacological treatments for CRF among cancer survivors were considered eligible. Clinical significance was determined by comparing the estimated effect with that of minimal important difference (MID). The risk of bias of each included RCT was appraised using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials 2. Data were synthesized using random-effect pairwise meta-analyses. Results: A total of 15 RCTs (1238 participants) were included. The majority presented some concerns of bias arising from the randomization process and selection of the reported results. Meta-analysis showed that psychostimulant and wakefulness agents had statistically significant while clinically insignificant effects on the treatment of CRF (pooled weighted mean difference [WMD]: 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2-5.4, I2: 0%, 3 RCTs, MID: 3.0-6.0). Three natural products, including Renshen Yangrong Tang (mean difference [MD]: −16.1, 95% CI: −8.9 to −23.3, MID: −17.3 to −11.4), Tualang honey (MD: 11.2, 95% CI: 7.1-15.3, MID: 3.0-6.0), and Shenmai injection plus Peptisorb (MD: −1.6, 95% CI: −2.1 to −1.1, MID: −1.1 to −0.8) demonstrated statistically and clinically significant effect in reducing CRF. Conclusions: Existing evidence showed promising effects of 3 natural products in reducing CRF among cancer survivors. The results from this study need to be further confirmed with well-designed and adequately powered RCTs that use validated instruments for the measurement of CRF.

scholarly journals Effect of Earthworm on Wound Healing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Wang ◽  
Zhen Ruan ◽  
Rongchao Zhang ◽  
Xuejing Wang ◽  
Ruihui Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Wound Healing ◽  
Healing Rate ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Weighted Mean

Background: Earthworm, also called dilong (Chinese language), has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Recently, some scientists believe that earthworm extracts (EE) can promote wound healing. However, its effectiveness remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of EE on wound healing based on the healing rate.Methods: We comprehensively reviewed literature that mentioned EE for wound healing in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and WanFang database that have been published until January 2021. We computed weighted mean difference (WMD) for analysis with RevMan 5.3 software in animal and human models groups. Two researchers independently selected studies and evaluated the risk of bias with the Cochrane Collaboration tool. The quality of the evidence was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. This study is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020168400).Results: From 2,486 articles, we selected 16 studies for analysis. EE treatment was associated with improvements in wound healing performance based on wound healing rate (mouse model: weighted mean difference (WMD) = 3.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.34–4.77, p < 0.00001; rat model: WMD = 17.29, 95% CI: 5.75–28.82, p = 0.003; rabbit model: WMD = 19.29, 95% CI: 9.95–28.64, p < 0.0001). Clinical studies also confirmed that EE could reduce healing time in hospital (WMD = −8.94, 95% CI: −17.75 to −0.14, p = 0.05).Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis demonstrated the efficacy of EE on wound healing process. As a corollary, EE can be a useful natural product for wound healing drug development.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=168400, identifier CRD42020168400.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of probiotics on the duration of illness in healthy children and adults who develop common acute respiratory infectious conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah King ◽  
Julie Glanville ◽  
Mary Ellen Sanders ◽  
Anita Fitzgerald ◽  
Danielle Varley
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Duration Of Illness

Recent systematic reviews have reported a positive, although modest, effect of probiotics in terms of preventing common cold symptoms. In this systematic review, the effect of probiotics, specifically Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, on the duration of acute respiratory infections in otherwise healthy children and adults was evaluated. To identify relevant trials, eight databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), Health Technology Assessment (HTA), Science Citation Index (SCI) and OAISTER, were searched from inception to 20 July 2012. Details regarding unpublished studies/databases were also obtained from probiotic manufacturers. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were carried out by two reviewers. Risk of bias was assessed using criteria adapted from those published by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. In this review, twenty randomised controlled trials (RCT) were included, of which twelve were considered to have a low risk of bias. Meta-analysis revealed significantly fewer numbers of days of illness per person (standardised mean difference (SMD) − 0·31 (95 % CI − 0·41, − 0·11), I2= 3 %), shorter illness episodes by almost a day (weighted mean difference − 0·77 (95 % CI − 1·50, − 0·04), I2= 80 %) (without an increase in the number of illness episodes), and fewer numbers of days absent from day care/school/work (SMD − 0·17 (95 % CI − 0·31, − 0·03), I2= 67 %) in participants who received a probiotic intervention than in those who had taken a placebo. Reasons for heterogeneity between the studies were explored in subgroup analysis, but could not be explained, suggesting that the effect sizes found may differ between the population groups. This systematic review provides evidence from a number of good-quality RCT that probiotics reduce the duration of illness in otherwise healthy children and adults.

Puerarin for OVX-Induced Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Murine Model: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaobin Yang ◽  
Haishi Zheng ◽  
Yuan Liu ◽  
Dingjun Hao ◽  
Baorong He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Bone Mass ◽  
Postmenopausal Osteoporosis ◽  
Murine Model ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Weighted Mean ◽  
Enhancing Effect ◽  
Searching Strategy

Aims/Background: Ovariectomy (OVX)-induced murine model is widely used for postmenopausal osteoporosis study. Our current study was conducted to systematically review and essentially quantified the bone mass enhancing effect of puerarin on treating OVX-induced postmenopausal osteoporosis in murine model. Methods: Literatures from PUBMED, EMBASE, and CNKI were involved in our searching strategy by limited the inception date to January 9th, 2019. Moreover, the enhancing effect of puerarin on bone mass compared to OVX-induced rats is evaluated by four independent reviewers. Finally, all the data were extracted, quantified and analyzed via RevMan, besides that in our current review study, we assessed the methodological quality for each involved study. Results: Based on the searching strategy, eight randomization studies were finally included in current meta-analysis and systematic review. According to the data analysis by RevMan, puerarin could improve bone mineral density (BMD); (eight studies, n=203; weighted mean difference, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.03-0.07; P<0.0001) using a random-effects model. There is no significant difference between puerarin and estrogen (seven studies, n=184; weighted mean difference, 0.00; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.00; P=0.30). Conclusions: Puerarin showed upregulating effects on bone mass in OVX-induced postmenopausal osteoporosis in murine model. More studies of the effect of puerarin on bone density in OVX animals are needed.

scholarly journals Effects of open-label placebos in clinical trials: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melina von Wernsdorff ◽  
Martin Loef ◽  
Brunna Tuschen-Caffier ◽  
Stefan Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue ◽  
Promising Treatment ◽  
Irritable Bowel

AbstractOpen-label placebos (OLPs) are placebos without deception in the sense that patients know that they are receiving a placebo. The objective of our study is to systematically review and analyze the effect of OLPs in comparison to no treatment in clinical trials. A systematic literature search was carried out in February 2020. Randomized controlled trials of any medical condition or mental disorder comparing OLPs to no treatment were included. Data extraction and risk of bias rating were independently assessed. 1246 records were screened and thirteen studies were included into the systematic review. Eleven trials were eligible for meta-analysis. These trials assessed effects of OLPs on back pain, cancer-related fatigue, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, allergic rhinitis, major depression, irritable bowel syndrome and menopausal hot flushes. Risk of bias was moderate among all studies. We found a significant overall effect (standardized mean difference = 0.72, 95% Cl 0.39–1.05, p < 0.0001, I2 = 76%) of OLP. Thus, OLPs appear to be a promising treatment in different conditions but the respective research is in its infancy. More research is needed, especially with respect to different medical and mental disorders and instructions accompanying the OLP administration as well as the role of expectations and mindsets.

scholarly journals Effects of Supervised Multimodal Exercise Interventions on Cancer-Related Fatigue: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Francisco Meneses-Echávez ◽  
Emilio González-Jiménez ◽  
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue

Objective. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common and devastating problem in cancer patients even after successful treatment. This study aimed to determine the effects of supervised multimodal exercise interventions on cancer-related fatigue through a systematic review and meta-analysis.Design. A systematic review was conducted to determine the effectiveness of multimodal exercise interventions on CRF. Databases of PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, and OVID were searched between January and March 2014 to retrieve randomized controlled trials. Risk of bias was evaluated using the PEDro scale.Results. Nine studiesn=772were included in both systematic review and meta-analysis. Multimodal interventions including aerobic exercise, resistance training, and stretching improved CRF symptoms (SMD=-0.23; 95% CI: −0.37 to −0.09;P=0.001). These effects were also significant in patients undergoing chemotherapyP<0.0001. Nonsignificant differences were found for resistance training interventionsP=0.30. Slight evidence of publication bias was observedP=0.04. The studies had a low risk of bias (PEDro scale mean score of 6.4 (standard deviation (SD) ± 1.0)).Conclusion. Supervised multimodal exercise interventions including aerobic, resistance, and stretching exercises are effective in controlling CRF. These findings suggest that these exercise protocols should be included as a crucial part of the rehabilitation programs for cancer survivors and patients during anticancer treatments.

scholarly journals The effect of exercise on cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol Volume 14 ◽  
pp. 479-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Kessels ◽  
Olga Husson ◽  
Christina M Van der Feltz-Cornelis
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue

scholarly journals The effects of pharmacological interventions on quality of life and fatigue in sarcoidosis: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (155) ◽  
pp. 190057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roeland Vis ◽  
Ewoudt M.W. van de Garde ◽  
Jan C. Grutters ◽  
Ingrid H.E. Korenromp
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Minimal Important Difference ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Pharmacological Interventions ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Double Blind

AimsMany sarcoidosis patients experience a reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and a majority of patients report fatigue. Historically, drug trials in sarcoidosis have focused on changes in chest radiographs, lung function parameters and biomarkers, while HRQoL and fatigue have not been the main outcomes examined. We performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the existing evidence on the effects of pharmacological interventions on HRQoL and fatigue outcomes.MethodsThe systematic search was performed in Medline and Embase and yielded 15 records covering seven randomised controlled trials and seven single-arm open label studies, which were included in a qualitative synthesis (the results of one study were included in two publications). 12 studies evaluated immunosuppressive and/or immunomodulatory therapies and two studies evaluated stimulants.ResultsNine out of the 14 studies observed positive treatment effects from the interventions on HRQoL and/or fatigue, exceeding the minimal important difference. The risk of bias was generally high with only three studies rated as having a low risk of bias. The results suggest a potential for improvement in HRQoL and/or fatigue in patients with active disease who are either untreated or treated but not yet fully stabilised or therapy refractory.ConclusionMore randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled trials are needed to expand the evidence base on these important outcome parameters.

scholarly journals The Effects of Acupuncture on Cancer-Related Fatigue: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153473542094967
Author(s):  
Andrew Jang ◽  
Chris Brown ◽  
Gillian Lamoury ◽  
Marita Morgia ◽  
Frances Boyle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue ◽  
Brief Fatigue Inventory

Background Several studies have identified fatigue as one of the major symptoms experienced during and after cancer treatment. However, there are limited options to manage cancer related fatigue (CRF) with pharmacological interventions. Several acupuncture studies suggested that acupuncture has a positive impact on CRF. This review aims to assess the evidence of acupuncture for the treatment of CRF. Method Electronic database searches were conducted on 4 English databases (Medline, PubMed, Embase, and ScienceDirect). Search keywords were; “acupuncture” and “cancer,” or “cancer related fatigue.” Studies published as full text randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in English were included. Estimates of change in fatigue cores were pooled using a random effects meta-analysis where randomized comparisons were available for true acupuncture versus sham acupuncture and true acupuncture versus usual care. The quality of original papers were assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias (ROB). Results Nine RCTs were selected for review with a total of 809 participants and a range of 13 to 302 participants within the studies. Six RCTs reported significant improvement of CRF for the acupuncture intervention compared to the control groups. Pooled estimates suggest Brief Fatigue Inventory scores are 0.93 points lower 95% CI (−1.65, −0.20) in true acupuncture versus sham acupuncture and 2.12 points lower 95% C (−3.21, −1.04) in true acupuncture versus usual care. Six studies had low risk of bias (ROB) and 3 studies had a moderate ROB predominantly in blinding of participants, blinding of assessors and incomplete data outcomes. Among the 9 RCTs, 2 studies have reported the occurrence of minor adverse effects (spot bleeding and bruising) related to acupuncture treatment. No serious adverse reactions related to acupuncture were reported. Conclusion The current literature review suggests that acupuncture has therapeutic potential in management of CRF for cancer survivors. Promotion of acupuncture in cancer care to manage CRF may improve the quality of life of cancer survivors.

scholarly journals Laboratory Tests and Outcome for Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 1038-1049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Alnor ◽  
Maria B Sandberg ◽  
Charlotte Gils ◽  
Pernille J Vinholt
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Routine Laboratory ◽  
Standard Mean Difference

Abstract Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and poses substantial challenges for healthcare systems. With a vastly expanding number of publications on COVID-19, clinicians need evidence synthesis to produce guidance for handling patients with COVID-19. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we examine which routine laboratory tests are associated with severe COVID-19 disease. Content PubMed (Medline), Scopus, and Web of Science were searched until March 22, 2020, for studies on COVID-19. Eligible studies were original articles reporting on laboratory tests and outcome of patients with COVID-19. Data were synthesized, and we conducted random-effects meta-analysis, and determined mean difference (MD) and standard mean difference at the biomarker level for disease severity. Risk of bias and applicability concerns were evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2. Summary 45 studies were included, of which 21 publications were used for the meta-analysis. Studies were heterogeneous but had low risk of bias and applicability concern in terms of patient selection and reference standard. Severe disease was associated with higher white blood cell count (MD, 1.28 ×109/L), neutrophil count (MD, 1.49 ×109/L), C-reactive protein (MD, 49.2 mg/L), lactate dehydrogenase (MD, 196 U/L), D-dimer (standardized MD, 0.58), and aspartate aminotransferase (MD, 8.5 U/L); all p &lt; 0.001. Furthermore, low lymphocyte count (MD −0.32 × 109/L), platelet count (MD −22.4 × 109/L), and hemoglobin (MD, −4.1 g/L); all p &lt; 0.001 were also associated with severe disease. In conclusion, several routine laboratory tests are associated with disease severity in COVID-19.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document