scholarly journals Corticosteroid treatment reduces headache in eosinophilic meningitis: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Sittichai Khamsai ◽  
Kittisak Sawanyawisuth ◽  
Vichai Senthong ◽  
Panita Limpawattana ◽  
Jarin Chindaprasirt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Oral Corticosteroid ◽  
Oral Prednisolone ◽  
Corticosteroid Treatment ◽  
Parasitic Disease ◽  
Eosinophilic Meningitis ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background: Eosinophilic meningitis (EOM) is an emerging parasitic disease that can be found worldwide, of which acute severe headache is a presenting symptom. Although such headaches may persist for up to 2 months, studies have found corticosteroid to be effective in reducing this symptom. As the most recent systematic review was published in 2015, the aim of this study was to provide a more up-to-date examination of the role of corticosteroids in EOM. Methods: We included randomized controlled trials of corticosteroid treatment for EOM regardless of comparators. Research articles published in five databases were searched and evaluated. The primary outcome was headache, which was compared among various treatment regimens. Results: We found a total of 257 articles after duplication removal. Of those, two met the study criteria. According to these studies, oral prednisolone alone or in a combination of albendazole resulted in fewer patients with headache after a 2-week course of treatment compared with placebo (maximum of 9.1% vs. 45.5%). The duration of headache was also shorter in the prednisolone arm vs. placebo (maximum of 5 vs. 13 days). There were no serious side effects reported. Conclusion: A 2-week course of treatment with oral corticosteroid with or without albendazole reduced headaches in patients with EOM.

scholarly journals Systematic Review of the Integrative Medicine Recommendations for Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Surgeries ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-230
Author(s):  
Andrew A. Gumbs ◽  
Manana Gogol ◽  
Gaya Spolverato ◽  
Hebatallah Taher ◽  
Elie K. Chouillard
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Nutrition Supplementation ◽  
Traditional Therapies ◽  
Traditional Approaches

Introduction: Integrative medicine (IM) is a relatively new field where non-traditional therapies with peer-reviewed evidence are incorporated or integrated with more traditional approaches. Methods: A systematic review of the literature from the last 10 years was done by searching clinical trials and randomized-controlled trials on Pubmed that discuss nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle changes associated with “Pancreatic Cancer.” Results: Only 50 articles ultimately met the inclusion criteria for this review. A total of 15 articles discussed the role of obesity and 10 discussed the influence of stress in increasing the risk of pancreatic cancer. Six discussed the potential beneficial role of Vitamins, 5 of cannabinoids, 4 an anti-inflammatory diet, 3 of nut consumption, 2 of green tea consumption, 2 of curcumin supplementation, 1 role of melatonin, and 1 of probiotics. One article each was found on the theoretical benefits of adhering to either a Mediterranean or ketogenic diet. Discussion: As more surgeons become interested in IM, it is hoped that more diseases where the curative treatment is mainly surgical can benefit from the all-encompassing principles of IM in an effort to improve quality of life and survival in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Efficacy and tolerability of Lavandula angustifolia in treating patients with the diagnosis of depression: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Shamabadi ◽  
Shahin Akhondzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Lavandula Angustifolia ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Depressed Patients ◽  
Antidepressant Effects ◽  
And Control

Abstract Pharmacotherapy is the conventional treatment for depression, with only half of the patients responding to the first trial of monotherapy with first-line medicines. One way to overcome this resistance is to use complementary and alternative medicine. The antidepressant effects of Lavandula angustifolia, which is commonly called lavender, have been investigated in previous studies. This study aims to provide the first systematic review of lavender in treating patients with depression diagnosis. ISI Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and three trial registries were searched until May 2020 to find randomized controlled trials on lavender for depressed patients. The primary outcome was difference between the intervention and control groups in changing depression scores from baseline to endpoint. The included studies were assessed for effect size and methodological quality. Seven clinical trials were identified, in which 852 patients were studied. In six trials, the effectiveness of lavender in treating depression was reported, as being more pronounced adjunct to a typical antidepressant in one study. Significant reported side effects include headaches and eructation. Lavender is beneficial, tolerable, and safe in treating depression. Despite obtaining promising results, they are not enough to recommend prescribing lavender to depressed patients. Further high-quality, large-scale studies for rectifying the shortcomings of existing studies are recommended.

scholarly journals The Effect of Exercise on Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment and Applications for Physical Therapy: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 523-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin L Campbell ◽  
Kendra Zadravec ◽  
Kelcey A Bland ◽  
Elizabeth Chesley ◽  
Florian Wolf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Common Side Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), often called “chemo-brain” or “chemo-fog,” is a common side effect among adults with cancer, which can persist well after treatment completion. Accumulating evidence demonstrates exercise can improve cognitive function in healthy older adults and adults with cognitive impairments, suggesting exercise may play a role in managing CRCI. Purpose The purpose was to perform a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to understand the effect of exercise on CRCI. Data Sources Relevant literature was retrieved from CINAHL, Medline (Ovid), and EMBASE. Study Selection Eligible articles were RCTs that prescribed aerobic, resistance, combined aerobic/resistance, or mind-body (eg, yoga or Qigong) exercise during or following cancer treatment and included cognitive function outcome measures. Data Extraction Descriptive information and Cohen d effect sizes were directly extracted or calculated for included trials. Data Synthesis Twenty-nine trials were included in the final analysis. A statistically significant effect of exercise on self-reported cognitive function, both during and postadjuvant treatment, was reported in 12 trials (41%) (Cohen d range: 0.24–1.14), most commonly using the EORTC QLQ-C30. Ten trials (34%) performed neuropsychological testing to evaluate cognitive function; however, only 3 trials in women with breast cancer reported a significant effect of exercise (Cohen d range: 0.41–1.47). Limitations Few RCTs to date have evaluated the effect of exercise on CRCI as a primary outcome. Twenty-six trials (90%) in this review evaluated CRCI as secondary analyses. Conclusions Evidence supporting exercise as a strategy to address CRCI is limited. Future research evaluating CRCI as a primary outcome, including self-reported and objective measures, is needed to confirm the possible role of exercise in preventing and managing cognitive impairments in adults with cancer.

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