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Medicine May 2024Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a common autoimmune disease that often involves the skeletal muscle of the whole body and seriously affects patients' quality of life.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a common autoimmune disease that often involves the skeletal muscle of the whole body and seriously affects patients' quality of life. Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of MG has unique advantages, the aim is to evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on MG.
METHODS
The literature on acupuncture and moxibustion treating MG in PubMed, CochraneLibrary, EMBASE, SCI, China Academic Journals full-text database, China Biology Medicine disc, VIP and Wanfang database were searched through computers from the establishment of the database to December 2022.
RESULTS
A total of 11 studies were included, involving 658 patients, where 330 in the treatment group and 328 in the control group. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the treatment group performed better than the control group in improving the total clinical response rate (OR = 3.26, 95%[2.04,5.21], P < .01). Additionally, the treatment group outperformed the control group in raising the absolute clinical score (MD = -3.48, 95%CI[-5.17, -1.78], P < .01). However, there was no significant difference between the treatment group and the control group in improving the level of serum interleukin-6 receptor (MD = -1.45,95%CI[-6.85,3.95], P > .05) and OMG quantitative score (MD = -2.16,95%CI[-4.85,0.52], P > .05). The total clinical effective rate was tested for publication bias, which showed that the 2 sides of the funnel plot were asymmetrical, suggesting the possible existence of publication bias.
CONCLUSION
Acupuncture and moxibustion has a good effect on MG, which is better than conventional Western medicine in improving the total clinical effective rate and absolute clinical score.
Topics: Moxibustion; Humans; Myasthenia Gravis; Acupuncture Therapy; Treatment Outcome; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38701271
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037961 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2023Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (PDPN) is a common complication of diabetes, it severely affects the quality of life of patients. Acupuncture has been shown to be...
BACKGROUND
Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (PDPN) is a common complication of diabetes, it severely affects the quality of life of patients. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in the treatment of PDPN. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for pain relief in patients diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHOD
We thoroughly searched specific databases, which included PUBMED, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database and the Wanfang Data. All randomized controlled trials of acupuncture therapy for PDPN with pain change scales were included. Included studies were assessed for methodological quality according to the risk of bias from the Cochrane handbook. Meta-analyses were carried out to analyze the outcomes, subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and funnel plot analyses were undertaken.
RESULTS
This systematic review evaluated a total of 25 trials of acupuncture therapy in combination with conventional treatment, involving a total of 1,561 patients with PDPN. According to the results, among 16 trials using VAS scores with a total of 1,552 patients, 2 acupoint injection trials (MD -2.38, 95% CI: -2.76 to -2.01, < 0.00001), 12 acupuncture trials (MD -1. 31, 95% CI: -1.60 to -1.02, < 0.00001) and 2 moxibustion trials showed that acupuncture therapy combined with conventional treatment improved pain better than conventional treatment (MD -2.50, 95% CI: -2.76 to -2.24, < 0.00001). In the subgroup analysis of the acupuncture group, the results of the 5 trials in which the location of acupuncture was only in the limbs (MD -1.27, 95% CI: -1.54 to -1.01, < 0.00001) and the 7 trials both in limbs and torso (MD -1.38, 95% CI: -1.81 to -0.95, < 0.00001) also demonstrated that acupuncture was effective in pain improvement.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis analyzed the possible efficacy of acupuncture in combination with conventional treatment for pain in diabetic peripheral neuropathy, particularly when acupoints are located in the limbs. However, there are limitations to this meta-analysis and future clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023449447, identifier (CRD42023449447).
PubMed: 38046594
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1281485 -
Medicine Oct 2023To compare the advantages and disadvantages of different acupuncture and moxibustion methods by network meta-analysis, in order to find out the best acupuncture and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
To compare the advantages and disadvantages of different acupuncture and moxibustion methods by network meta-analysis, in order to find out the best acupuncture and moxibustion adjuvant chemotherapy scheme of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
METHODS
Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture and moxibustion adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of NSCLC were searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of science, EMbase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP database and SinoMed. The retrieval time was up to December 03, 2022. ROB2 was used to evaluate publication bias, and Stata16 was used for network meta-analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 14 studies involving 921 patients were included. The results of network Meta-analysis showed that the effect of acupuncture combined with chemotherapy was better than that of chemotherapy (RR = 1.28, 95%CI (1.04,1.58), P < .0001). The effect of acupuncture combined with chemotherapy was better than that of chemotherapy in improving KPS score (MD = 9.01, 95%CI (3.35,14.67), P < .0001). The safety of acupuncture combined with chemotherapy (RR = 0.35, 95%CI (0.15,0.83), P < .0001) was better than that of chemotherapy.
CONCLUSION
Acupuncture combined with chemotherapy has the best comprehensive effect.
Topics: Humans; Moxibustion; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Network Meta-Analysis; Lung Neoplasms; Acupuncture Therapy; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
PubMed: 37861487
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035000 -
Medicine Sep 2023A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture-related therapy in the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture-related therapy in the treatment of herpes zoster (HZ) and to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of herpes zoster.
METHODS
PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP database, Wanfang Database, and SinoMED Chinese and English databases were systematically searched for RCTs on acupuncture-related therapy for HZ until February 2023. Literature screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by 2 researchers. R4.2.1 and Stata15.1 software were used for data analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 26 RCTs involving 1929 HZ patients were included, and the network meta-analysis results showed that acupotomy appeared to be most effective in terms of improving VAS scores and the time of incrustation; SUCRA cumulative probability ranking showed the best efficacy of bloodletting in improving efficiency and the time of ceasing new blisters, acupuncture in improving the time of decrustation, and moxibustion in reducing the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
CONCLUSIONS
Through a comprehensive comparison of 9 different acupuncture therapies, acupotomy was the optimal treatment to improve VAS pain scores and the time of incrustation; bloodletting, acupuncture, fire needle, and moxibustion could be effective intervention measures to improve the time of ceasing new blisters and decrustation and reduce the incidence of PHN; Western medicine was closely related to adverse reactions. The conclusions need to be further verified due to the limitations of the study.
Topics: Humans; Network Meta-Analysis; Blister; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Acupuncture Therapy; Herpes Zoster; Neuralgia, Postherpetic
PubMed: 37773829
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034920 -
Journal of Pain Research 2023To assess the inhibitory effect of acupuncture on pain symptoms in migraine models, and to further summarize the potential mechanisms of acupuncture in regulating... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To assess the inhibitory effect of acupuncture on pain symptoms in migraine models, and to further summarize the potential mechanisms of acupuncture in regulating hyperalgesia in the treatment of migraine.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Literature search in databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed, and Web of Science (WOS) etc. The quality was evaluated by the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) bias risk assessment tool and Collaborative Approach to Meta-analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies (CAMARADES) checklist. Meta-analyses were performed using Stata 17.0 software.
RESULTS
Twenty-one studies involving 489 animals were identified. The qualitative score ranged from 3 to 9 points. Facial mechanical withdrawal threshold (FMWT) and paw mechanical withdrawal threshold (PMWT) measured by Von Frey filaments were selected as major outcomes, and serum calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels measured by ELISA were selected as secondary outcome. Meta-analysis results revealed that true acupuncture (TA) group significantly increased FMWT, PMWT and CGRP compared to model group. TA group showed superior effect in FMWT, PMWT relative to sham acupuncture (SA) group. Subgroup analysis results showed that high risk of bias scores may be responsible for the high heterogeneity of FMWT; additionally, CGRP analysis suggests that acupoint selection and blood collection sites may be sources of heterogeneity. In the treatment of migraine pain symptoms, the underlying mechanism of acupuncture treatment is either the regulation of hyperalgesia and neurotransmitters, or the reduction of inflammatory factors.
CONCLUSION
The results indicate that TA treatment effectively increased the pain threshold and reduced hyperalgesia in migraine rats. In summary, our study highlights the potential of TA as an effective treatment for migraine, but further investigation is required to fully comprehend its mechanism of action and optimize its clinical application.
PubMed: 37521010
DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S422050 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Sep 2023Trigger finger is a common condition in the hand, and ultrasound-guided acupotomy for trigger finger has been widely used in recent years. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Trigger finger is a common condition in the hand, and ultrasound-guided acupotomy for trigger finger has been widely used in recent years.
PURPOSE
This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided acupotomy for trigger finger.
METHODS
We searched for relevant studies in the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Embase, PubMed, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Wanfang Data, and other resources from their inception to January 2023. Randomized controlled trials of ultrasound-guided acupotomy for trigger finger were included. The meta-analysis was carried out using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 15.1.
RESULTS
Overall, 15 studies with 988 patients were included. The experimental group was treated with ultrasound-guided acupotomy, and the Control group received traditional acupotomy, traditional operation or injection of medication. Meta-analysis showed that the overall clinical effectiveness (OR = 4.83; 95% CI 2.49-9.37; I = 73.1%; P < 0.001) in the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group. And the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score (WMD = - 1; 95% CI - 1.24, - 0.76; I = 99%; P < 0.001), the QuinneII classification (WMD = - 0.84; 95% CI - 1.28, - 0.39; I = 99.1%, P < 0.001), the incidence of complications (RR = 0.26; 95% CI 0.11, 0.63; I = 0%, P = 0.003), and the recurrence rate (RR = 0.14; 95% CI 0.03, 0.74; I = 0%; P = 0.021) were significantly lower in the experimental group.
CONCLUSION
Our systematic review and meta-analysis can prove the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided acupotomy in the treatment of trigger finger, but this still needs to be verified by a clinical standard large sample test.
Topics: Humans; Acupuncture Therapy; Trigger Finger Disorder; Ultrasonography, Interventional
PubMed: 37705066
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-04127-3 -
Integrative Cancer Therapies 2024Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, and most patients experience fatigue. However, there are no effective treatments for cancer-related... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, and most patients experience fatigue. However, there are no effective treatments for cancer-related fatigue (CRF). Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have suggested that moxibustion improves CRF. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the differences in fatigue scale scores, quality of life, and clinical efficacy in patients with breast cancer who developed CRF and did versus did not receive moxibustion.
METHODS
RCTs were searched in 7 databases using a standardized search method from database inception to March 2023, and RCTs that met the inclusion criteria were selected.
RESULTS
Among 1337 initially identified RCTs, 10 RCTs involving 744 participants were selected for this study. The meta-analysis involved assessment of the revised Piper Fatigue Scale scores, Cancer Fatigue Scale scores, Karnofsky Performance Scale scores, Athens Insomnia Scale scores, clinical efficacy, and Qi deficiency syndrome scale scores. Compared with the control, moxibustion was associated with significantly better Piper Fatigue Scale scores ( < 0.0001), quality of life [Karnofsky Performance Scale scores ( < 0.0001)], clinical efficacy ( = 0.0007), and Qi deficiency syndrome scale scores ( = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS
Moxibustion improves CRF in patients with breast cancer. The efficacy of moxibustion should be further examined by high-quality studies in various countries with patients subdivided by their breast cancer treatment status.
REGISTRATION
PROSPERO ID: CRD42023451292.
Topics: Humans; Female; Moxibustion; Breast Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Fatigue; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38372234
DOI: 10.1177/15347354241233226 -
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 2023Hearing loss, cognitive impairment and dementia have become common problems for older adults. Currently, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the association between...
BACKGROUND
Hearing loss, cognitive impairment and dementia have become common problems for older adults. Currently, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the association between age-related hearing loss (ARHL) with cognitive impairment and dementia may have inconsistent results. To explore and validate the association between ARHL with cognitive impairment and dementia through summarizing and evaluating existing evidence.
METHODS
From inception to February 01, 2023, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched. AMSTAR 2 was used to evaluate methodological quality and GRADE system was used to evaluate evidence quality. We summarized the basic characteristics of the included studies and extracted effect data for ARHL with cognitive impairment and dementia. Forest plots were used to describe the relative risk associated with ARHL and cognitive impairment, and the relative risk associated with ARHL and dementia, respectively.
RESULTS
A total of 11 systematic reviews and meta-analyses met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the methodological quality of the included SRs/MAs was moderate and the quality of the evidence was low. The combined results found that the pooled risk ratio of ARHL and cognitive impairment was 1.30 (random-effects; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.45), and the pooled risk ratio of ARHL and dementia was 1.59 (random-effects; 95% CI 1.34 to 1.90).
CONCLUSION
Based on the evidence reported in this umbrella review, age-related hearing loss is significantly associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. Hearing loss may be a high risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults.
PubMed: 37790283
DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1241224 -
Medicine Oct 2023This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of acupuncture or moxibustion therapy in senile insomnia patients. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of acupuncture or moxibustion therapy in senile insomnia patients.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted using 7 electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials reported on the use of acupuncture or moxibustion therapy in insomnia. The time frame was set from database establishment to March 11, 2023. The RevMan (version 5.3) and STATA (version 17.0) software were used to evaluate the quality of the included randomized controlled trials and perform a meta-analysis. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Subgroup analysis was performed based on different intervention methods. The I2 statistic was used to assess heterogeneity among studies.
RESULTS
A total of 20 studies conducted between 2007 and 2022 were included, involving 1677 patients with senile insomnia. In terms of efficacy, acupuncture or moxibustion alone was significantly better than western drugs (RR = 1.12; 95% CI, 1.06-1.20), acupuncture combined with drugs was better than drugs alone (RR = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.12-1.29), and acupuncture combined with cognitive behavior therapy intervention (CBT-I) was significantly better than CBT-I alone (RR = 1.52; 95% CI, 1.07-2.17). In terms of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, acupuncture or moxibustion alone was more effective than western drugs (MD = -1.82; 95% CI, -2.37 to -1.26), acupuncture combined with drugs was more effective than drugs alone (MD = -3.10; 95% CI, -4.25 to -1.95), and acupuncture was significantly more effective than sham acupuncture (MD = -4.18; 95% CI, -5.85 to -2.51) and psychological intervention (MD = -3.54; 95% CI, -4.33 to -2.75) in improving sleep quality.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis revealed that acupuncture or moxibustion alone or combination with other therapies(drugs, CBT-I or psychological intervention) has high clinical efficacy and can improve the sleep quality of patients with senile insomnia. However, further well-designed studies are warranted to verify these findings.
Topics: Humans; Moxibustion; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Acupuncture Therapy; Treatment Outcome; Acupressure
PubMed: 37861514
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034842 -
Therapeutics and Clinical Risk... 2023Moxibustion is effective for low back pain (LBP), and inflammatory cytokines may play an important role in the mechanism of moxibustion treatment. The purpose of this... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Moxibustion is effective for low back pain (LBP), and inflammatory cytokines may play an important role in the mechanism of moxibustion treatment. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the mechanism of moxibustion in LBP in terms of inflammatory cytokines.
METHODS
We searched China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). There was no restriction on the publication date.
RESULTS
Thirty RCTs measuring interleukin (IL-) 1, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IL-23, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-) α were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to controls: single moxibustion could effectively decrease levels IL-6 and IL-23 (SMD, -0.71, 95% CI: -1.25 to -0.17, = 0.01; SMD, -1.61, 95% CI: -2.20 to -1.03, < 0.01, respectively); combined moxibustion had significant effects on IL-1, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, and TNF-α ( < 0.05). Overall, for LBP, single or combined moxibustion could effectively down-regulate levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines ( = 0.007 and < 0.00001, respectively). For safety of moxibustion, the incidence rate of side effects was similar to that of controls (RD, -0.01, 95% CI: -0.02 to 0.01, = 0.59). Sensitivity analysis showed that the pooled estimates were robust, and publication bias analysis showed there was a significant small study effect (Egger's test = 0.0000). High statistical heterogeneity existed between included RCTs, meta-regression showed there was no potential factor explaining the source of heterogeneity.
CONCLUSION
For LBP, moxibustion can effectively decrease levels of IL-1, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IL-23, and TNF-α to achieve analgesia. Because the side effects of moxibustion are transient, it is relatively safe for clinical use. However, based on high heterogeneity in this meta-analysis, rigorously designed RCTs are required to further confirm the results in this review.
PubMed: 37873037
DOI: 10.2147/TCRM.S429469