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Addiction & Health Jan 2023Literature reports randomized trials have examined herbal drugs and other smoking cessation therapies such as aromatherapy acupuncture but no comprehensive overview of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Literature reports randomized trials have examined herbal drugs and other smoking cessation therapies such as aromatherapy acupuncture but no comprehensive overview of the overall results has been provided. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to describe the overall effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines.
METHODS
This study was conducted from December 2020 to April 2021 by searching seven databases. Herbal drugs have been shown to help people quit smoking in randomized controlled studies. Two teams of researchers independently extracted the data.
FINDINGS
A total of 12 trials with 762 smokers were included in this study. The heterogeneity I was 43.6% with =0.03 (Cochrane Q test) and χ=15.77. The overall odds ratio (OR) at 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.91 (0.68- 1.20) which shows a protective factor of herbal preparations and very low heterogeneity. The herbal treatments such as , St. John's Wort, and lavender essential oil were significantly related to a higher continuous abstinence rate (CAR) compared to the controls with risk ratio (RR): 2.13 (0.57-4.61) at week 8; RR: 2.72 (0.77-5.3) at week 12; and RR: 2.77 (0.37-1.13) at week 24. A 7-day point abstinence rate (PAR) at week 8 was RR: 1.24 (0.81-6.34) with 95% CI; RR: 2.09 (0.93-8.29) at week 12, and RR: 2.11 (0.3-3.08) at week 24. Black pepper and lime were better in craving reduction than the placebo group. This study found no significant difference between the treatment and control groups in adverse effects, despite some minor side effects with herbal drugs.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study showed herbal treatments have the potential to help smokers quit the habit. Further well-designed trials comparing standardized herbal medicines with conventional therapy and placebo are recommended to reinforce this data.
PubMed: 37560083
DOI: 10.34172/ahj.2023.1290 -
Medicine Aug 2023The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is commonly used in surgical practice for postoperative analgesia in abdominal surgery. However, numerous studies have... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Transversus abdominis plane block versus local anesthetic infiltration for anesthetic effect in peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is commonly used in surgical practice for postoperative analgesia in abdominal surgery. However, numerous studies have demonstrated that TAP block is also suitable for intraoperative anesthesia of peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) insertion, although its efficacy and safety are still controversial. Local anesthetic infiltration (LAI) is currently the most general anesthesia strategy for PDC insertion. Consequently, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to identify which anesthesia strategy is better between TAP block and LAI.
METHODS
A systematic and comprehensive search was conducted on 5 databases, retrieving published and registered randomized controlled trials as of March 10, 2022, comparing the anesthesia effects of TAP block and LAI. The primary outcomes are the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score of patients at various time points in the surgery. The secondary outcomes are the VAS pain score at rest at 2 and 24 hours postoperatively, intraoperative rescue anesthesia, general anesthesia switching rate, and PD-related complications.
RESULTS
There were 9 trials with 432 patients identified. TAP block was more effective than LAI at reducing intraoperative and postoperative VAS pain scores in patients. Compared to LAI, TAP block significantly reduces the dosage of anesthetics used to rescue anesthesia during surgery, the general anesthesia switching rate, and the incidence of postoperative PD-related complications in patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Our systematic review and meta-analysis proved that TAP block could be used as the primary anesthetic technique for PDC insertion, with superior anesthetic effects to LAI.
Topics: Humans; Anesthetics, Local; Abdominal Muscles; Nerve Block; Peritoneal Dialysis; Catheters; Pain; Pain, Postoperative; Analgesics, Opioid
PubMed: 37543799
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034517 -
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 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2023This study seeks to systematically evaluate and test the effects of yoga exercise intervention programs on sleep quality in breast cancer patients in order to suggest...
OBJECTIVE
This study seeks to systematically evaluate and test the effects of yoga exercise intervention programs on sleep quality in breast cancer patients in order to suggest more optimized exercise programs.
METHOD
Computer searches of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL databases are conducted from the date of their inception to June 8, 2022 to collect randomized controlled trials on the effects of yoga exercise intervention on sleep quality in breast cancer patients. Two investigators independently carry out the inclusion and exclusion criteria literature screening, data extraction and methodological quality assessment of the included literature by applying the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Subgroup analysis is performed using RevMan 5.4.1 software, and the six moderating variables of intervention format, intervention type, weekly intervention frequency, total intervention duration, single intervention duration and intervention evaluation at different time points are set for the 782 subjects of the 12 included publications.
RESULTS
Twelve randomized controlled trials with a total sample size of 782 subjects are included, including 393 subjects in the experimental group and 389 subjects in the control group. The meta-analysis shows that yoga exercise intervention is effective in improving sleep quality in breast cancer patients [SMD = -0.40, 95% CI: (-0.71, -0.09), P = 0.01]; yoga exercise intervention focusing on positive meditation [SMD = -0.55, 95% CI: (-1.08, -0.03), P = 0.04] is effective in improving sleep; yoga exercise intervention two or three times a week is effective in improving sleep quality [SMD = -0.69, 95% CI: (-1.19, -0.19), P = 0.007]; yoga exercise intervention for 6-8 weeks significantly improves sleep quality [SMD = -0.86, 95% CI: (-1.65, -0.08), P =0.03]; and evaluation immediately after the end of intervention improves sleep outcomes [SMD = -0.17, 95% CI: (-0.33, 0.00), P = 0.05], while differences in sleep quality improvement are not statistically significant for the remaining subgroup outcomes (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The available evidence suggests that yoga exercise intervention has good effects on improving sleep quality in breast cancer patients. Positive meditation intervention type, intervention frequency of two or three times per week, total intervention duration of 6-8 weeks and evaluation immediately after the end of intervention are shown to be effective in improving sleep quality.
PubMed: 37456259
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1146433 -
Heliyon Jul 2023Moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medicine approach, stimulates blood circulation by burning wormwood at acupuncture points and is frequently used in conjunction with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medicine approach, stimulates blood circulation by burning wormwood at acupuncture points and is frequently used in conjunction with acupuncture for managing knee osteoarthritis. This review aims to compare the effectiveness of moxibustion and acupuncture in the management of knee osteoarthritis.
METHODS
Our team conducted a comprehensive search across several databases: PubMed Central, EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and the Cochrane Library, covering the timeframe from January 1964 up until April 2022. We implemented a meta-analysis, utilizing a random-effects model, and we've presented the pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and risk ratio (RR) inclusive of the 95% confidence intervals (CIs), in accordance with the nature of the outcome.
RESULTS
21 studies were included, of which, half were identified as having high risk of bias. The pooled SMD for the pain score was found to be -0.53 (95% CI: -0.91 to -0.15). In-depth analysis focusing on the kind of moxibustion indicated that fire needle moxibustion was more effective in pain reduction (SMD = -0.56; 95% CI: -1.10 to -0.01) compared to alternative moxibustion methods (SMD = -0.47; 95% CI: -0.80 to -0.13). The pooled RR for the success rate in treatment was 1.39 (95% CI: 1.19 to 1.62). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that fire needle moxibustion reported a superior success rate (RR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.19 to 1.72) in comparison to other types of moxibustion (RR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.74).
CONCLUSION
Moxibustion, specifically fire needle moxibustion, demonstrated superior effectiveness in managing knee osteoarthritis compared to acupuncture.
PubMed: 37449100
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17805 -
Medicine Jul 2023Obesity is a widespread chronic metabolic disease that significantly impairs quality of life. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of both acupuncture and acupoint... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Obesity is a widespread chronic metabolic disease that significantly impairs quality of life. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of both acupuncture and acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) in the management of obesity. However, the superiority of acupuncture combined with ACE over acupuncture alone remains a subject of controversy. This study aims to elucidate this controversy and provide robust clinical evidence.
METHODS
A comprehensive search of relevant literature from the initiation to July 2022 was carried out in 8 databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane database, Web of Science, CBM Database, CNKI, Wan-fang Database, and VIP Database). We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the treatment of simple obesity using acupuncture paired with ACE, with acupuncture alone as the control group. The pooled outcomes included body mass index (BMI), body weight (BW), %BF, waist circumference (WC), hip circumferences (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), therapeutic effective rate (TER), and adverse events. Two independent reviewers performed screening (using EndNote X9) and quality assessment (using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) for the included studies. with the software RevMan 5.3 was used to perform pooling of effect sizes. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).
RESULTS
A total of 20 trials involving 15 datasets (1616 participants) were included. The findings demonstrated significant improvements in outcome measures when acupuncture was combined with ACE, compared with acupuncture alone (BMI: MD = -1.49 kg/m2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.93 to -1.04, P < .01; BW: MD = -2.38, 95% CI = -3.86 to -0.89, P < .01; %BF: MD = -2.19, 95% CI = -3.23 to -1.15, P < .01; WC: MD = -2.01, 95% CI = -3.66 to -0.35, P < .05; HC: MD = -0.83, 95% CI = -1.64 to -0.02, P < .05; WHR: MD = -0.02, 95% CI = -0.03 to -0.01, P < .01; TER: OR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.93-3.74, P < .01). Adverse effects were reported in 4 studies.
CONCLUSION SUBSECTIONS
The results of this meta-analysis indicate that acupuncture combined with ACE is superior to acupuncture alone in the treatment of obesity, which is supported by the subgroup analysis. The assessment of efficacy may have been influenced by variations in study quality, potentially amplifying the observed effects. RCTs with larger sample sizes and improved methodological quality are needed to enhance the validity of the findings.
Topics: Humans; Acupuncture Points; Catgut; Acupuncture Therapy; Obesity, Morbid; Obesity
PubMed: 37443503
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034234 -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2023Migraine is a type of primary headache that is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Migraine is a type of primary headache that is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the effectiveness of non-invasive neuromodulation, auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (at-VNS), and electro-ear acupuncture of the vagus nerve in patients with migraine headaches.
METHODS
Six databases were searched from inception to 15 June 2022 for clinical trials, in which at least one group received any form of non-invasive neuromodulation of the vagus nerve for managing migraine with outcomes collected on pain intensity and related disability. Data, including participants, interventions, blinding strategy, outcomes, and results, were extracted by two reviewers. The methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale, ROB, and Oxford scale.
RESULTS
The search identified 1,117 publications with nine trials eligible for inclusion in the review. The methodological quality scores ranged from 6 to 8 (mean: 7.3, SD: 0.8) points. Low-quality evidence suggests some positive clinical effects for the treatment of chronic migraine with 1 Hz with at-VNS and ear-electro-acupuncture compared with the control group at post-treatment. Some of the studies provided evidence of the relationship between chronic migraine and a possible positive effect as a treatment with at-VNS and the neurophysiological effects using fMRI. Six of the studies provided evidence using fMRI of the relationship between chronic migraine and a possible positive effect as a treatment with at-VNS and the neurophysiological effects. Regarding all included studies, the level of evidence with the Oxford scale was level 1 (11.17%), six studies were graded as level 2 (66.66%), and two studies were graded as level 3 (22.2%). With the PEDro score, five studies got a low methodological score < 5 and only four got a score superior to 5, being highly methodological quality studies. For ROB, most of the studies were high risk and only a few of them received a low risk of bias. The pain intensity, migraine attacks, frequency, and duration were measured by three studies with positive results at post-treatment. And only 7% reported adverse events using at-VNS. All studies reported results at a post-treatment period in their respective main outcomes. And all studies with fMRI provided strong evidence of the relationship between the Locus Coeruleus, Frontal Cortex, and other superior brain areas with the auricular branch of the Vagus nerve with at-VNS.
CONCLUSION
Some positive effects regarding the effect of non-invasive neuromodulation, auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (at-VNS), and electro-ear acupuncture of the vagus nerve on migraine is reported in the current literature, but there are not enough data to obtain strong conclusions.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
This systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD42021265126).
PubMed: 37397439
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1151892 -
The Journal of Pain Oct 2023This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of non-pharmacological manipulations on experimentally induced secondary hypersensitivity in pain-free... (Review)
Review
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of non-pharmacological manipulations on experimentally induced secondary hypersensitivity in pain-free humans. We investigated the magnitude (change/difference in follow-up ratings from pre-manipulation ratings) of secondary hypersensitivity (primary outcome), and surface area of secondary hypersensitivity (secondary outcome), in 27 studies representing 847 participants. Risk of bias assessment concluded most studies (23 of 27) had an unclear or high risk of performance and detection bias. Further, 2 (of 27) studies had a high risk of measurement bias. Datasets were pooled by the method of manipulation and outcome. The magnitude of secondary hypersensitivity was decreased by diverting attention, anodal transcranial direct current stimulation, or emotional disclosure; increased by directing attention toward the induction site, nicotine deprivation, or negative suggestion; and unaffected by cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation or thermal change. Area of secondary hypersensitivity was decreased by anodal transcranial direct current stimulation, emotional disclosure, cognitive behavioral therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, placebo analgesia, or spinal manipulation; increased by directing attention to the induction site, nicotine deprivation, or sleep disruption (in males only); and unaffected by cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation, thermal change, acupuncture, or electroacupuncture. Meta-analytical pooling was only appropriate for studies that used transcranial direct current stimulation or hyperbaric oxygen therapy, given the high clinical heterogeneity among the studies and unavailability of data. The evidence base for this question remains small. We discuss opportunities to improve methodological rigor including manipulation checks, structured blinding strategies, control conditions or time points, and public sharing of raw data. PERSPECTIVE: We described the effects of several non-pharmacological manipulations on experimentally induced secondary hypersensitivity in humans. By shedding light on the potential for non-pharmacological therapies to influence secondary hypersensitivity, it provides a foundation for the development and testing of targeted therapies for secondary hypersensitivity.
PubMed: 37356604
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.06.013 -
Journal of Pain Research 2023Dysmenorrhea is a common clinical condition and some studies shown that the skin temperature of some acupoints changes in primary dysmenorrhea (PD) patients. This study... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Dysmenorrhea is a common clinical condition and some studies shown that the skin temperature of some acupoints changes in primary dysmenorrhea (PD) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in skin temperature at specific acupoints in PD patients and healthy subjects.
METHODS
The literature for assessing skin temperature at acupoints in PD patients and healthy subjects was searched in eight databases. The literatures obtained from the search was independently screened by two authors, and the quality of the included articles was evaluated using the consensus checklist of the Thermographic Imaging in Sports and Exercise Medicine (TISEM) and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) scale. The skin temperature of the relevant acupoints or the difference between the left and right acupoints of the same name was used as the outcome during any period of menstruation. Finally, the meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1 software to evaluate the changes in skin temperature in the related acupoints.
RESULTS
Seven eligible studies were included, which included 328 patients with PD and 279 healthy subjects. The results of the meta-analysis revealed a significant difference in skin temperature around the Sanyinjiao (SP6)(MD: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.08), Xuehai (SP 10)(MD: -0.07, 95% CI:-0.11, -0.02) and Taixi (KI 3)(MD: 0.06, 95% CI:0.01, 0.11) acupoints between PD and healthy subjects. PD patients also showed a difference in skin temperature at the Taixi (KI 3)(MD: 0.14, 95% CI:0.04, 0.24), Shuiquan (KI 5)(MD: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.03,0.19), Taichong (LR 3)(MD: -0.10, 95% CI: -0.19,-0.01), Diji (SP 8)(MD: -0.09, 95% CI: -0.16, -0.01), and Xuehai (SP 10)(MD: -0.14, 95% CI: -0.23, -0.06) acupoint areas at different times of menstruation compared to that of healthy subjects, as revealed by the subgroup analysis.
CONCLUSION
Primary dysmenorrhea patients showed some differences in the skin temperature of the special acupoints are as Sanyinjiao (SP6), Diji (SP 8), Xuehai (SP 10), Shuiquan (KI 5), Taichong (LR 3), and Taixi (KI 3) compared with healthy subjects.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022381387.
PubMed: 37337608
DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S411923 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2023This meta-analysis aimed at investigating the efficacy of acupuncture for pain relief in patients receiving extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
BACKGROUND
This meta-analysis aimed at investigating the efficacy of acupuncture for pain relief in patients receiving extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
METHODS
Randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of acupuncture with conventional treatments were retrieved from major electronic databases (e.g., MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library) until August 28, 2022. The primary outcome was the response rate (i.e., rate of pain relief), while secondary outcomes included stone-free rate, satisfaction rate, duration of ESWL, peri-/post-procedural pain score, and risk of adverse events.
RESULTS
Thirteen eligible studies involving 1,220 participants published between 1993 and 2022 were analyzed. Pooled results indicated that acupuncture had a better response rate compared to conventional treatments (RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.06-1.3, = 0.003, seven trials, = 832). Despite no difference in ESWL duration (MD = 0.02 min, 95% CI: -1.53 to 1.57, = 0.98, three trials, = 141), stone-free rate (RR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1-1.25, = 0.06, six trials, = 498), and satisfaction rate (RR = 1.51, 95% CI: 0.92-2.47, = 0.1, three trials, = 334) between the two groups, the acupuncture group had a lower risk of adverse events (RR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.33-0.79, = 0.003, five trials, = 327), peri- (MD = -1.91 points, 94% CI: -3.53 to -0.28, = 0.02, four trials, = 258 patient) and post-procedural (MD = -1.07, 95% CI: -1.77 to -0.36, = 0.003, four trials, = 335) pain score.
CONCLUSION
The results of this meta-analysis showed that the use of acupuncture in patients receiving ESWL was associated with a higher pain relief rate and a lower risk of adverse events, suggesting feasibility of its use in this clinical setting.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42022356327.
PubMed: 37332744
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1114485