绿茶提取物治疗单纯性肥胖症有效性的系统评价

目的系统评价绿茶提取物治疗单纯性肥胖症的临床疗效。方法计算机检索PubMed、The Cochrane Library(2012年第8期)、CNKI、VIP、CBM和WanFang Data数据库,查找有关绿茶提取物治疗单纯性肥胖症的随机对照试验(RCT),检索时限均为建库至2012年8月。由2名评价员按纳入与排除标准独立筛选文献、提取资料和评价纳入研究的方法学质量后,采用RevMan 5.0软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入11个RCT,包括693例患者。Meta分析结果显示:与对照组相比,绿茶组患者体重[WMD=–0.32,95%CI(–0.46,–0.17),P<0.000 1]和体重指数(BMI)[WMD=–0.07,90%CI(–0.09,–0.05),P<0.000 01]明显降低,其差异均有统计学意义。结论现有证据表明,绿茶提取物可有效治疗单纯性肥胖症。     

那格列奈治疗2型糖尿病有效性与安全性的Meta分析

目的系统评价那格列奈(NATE)与米格列奈(MITI)比较治疗2型糖尿病(T2DM)的有效性和安全性。方法计算机检索PubMed、EMbase、MEDLINE、The Cochrane Library(2013年第3期)、CNKI、VIP和WanFang Data,收集NATE与MITI比较治疗T2DM的随机对照试验(RCT),检索时限为从建库至2013年10月。由2位评价员按照纳入与排除标准独立筛选文献、提取资料和评价纳入研究的方法学质量后,采用RevMan 5.2软件进行Meta分析。结果最终纳入8个RCT,共计966例患者。Meta分析结果显示:1 NATE组在降低FPG[WMD=0.07,95%CI(–0.19,0.34),P=0.58]、2hPG[WMD=0.33,95%CI(–0.22,0.87),P=0.24]、HbA1c[WMD=0.11,95%CI(–0.03,0.25),P=0.12]方面与MITI组疗效相似,其差异均无统计学意义。2两组均能显著降低胰岛素抵抗水平、改善B细胞功能及抑制氧化应激。3两组在低血糖[OR=1.49,95%CI(0.85,2.60),P=0.17]和胃肠道不良反应发生率[OR=–0.80,95%CI(0.37,1.75),P=0.58]方面差异均无统计学意义。结论 NATE和MITI在治疗T2DM的有效性和安全性方面差异无统计学意义。受纳入研究数量和质量所限,上述结论尚待开展更多大样本、多中心的高质量研究进行验证。     

乌灵胶囊治疗卒中后抑郁有效性与安全性的系统评价

目的系统评价乌灵胶囊治疗卒中后抑郁的有效性及安全性。方法计算机检索PubMed、The Cochrane Library(2013年第4期)、EMbase、CBM、CNKI、WanFang Data和VIP,查找有关乌灵胶囊治疗卒中后抑郁的随机对照试验(RCT),检索时限均为从建库至2013年11月。由2位评价员按照纳入与排除标准独立筛选文献、提取资料和评价纳入研究的方法学质量后,采用RevMan 5.2软件进行Meta分析。结果最终纳入18个RCT,共计1 683例患者。Meta分析结果显示:1与对照组相比,试验组4、8、12周的抑郁评分改善优于对照组,其差异均有统计学意义[4周:SMD=–0.87,95%CI(–1.25,–0.5),P<0.000 01;8周:SMD=–1.22,95%CI(–1.86,–0.59),P=0.000 2;12周:SMD=–0.62,95%CI(–1.09,–0.15),P=0.01]。2试验组随访期末的总有效率(92.7%)高于对照组(77.2%),其差异有统计学意义[RR=1.20,95%CI(1.14,1.27),P<0.000 01]。3试验组和对照组的心悸发生率无明显差异。结论现有证据提示,乌灵胶囊能改善卒中后抑郁症状且其不良反应少。但受纳入研究数量与质量限制,上述结论尚有赖于进一步开展更多大样本、多中心、高质量的RCT加以验证。     

精氨酸脱敏牙膏治疗牙本质敏感的Meta分析

目的评价精氨酸脱敏牙膏治疗牙本质敏感的疗效。方法计算机检索CNKI、PubMed、Web of Science和Cochrane图书馆临床对照试验资料库(2008年第4期),并辅以Google搜索引擎进行检索(检索时间截至2010年3月),搜集精氨酸脱敏牙膏治疗牙本质敏感的随机对照试验(RCT)。对纳入文献进行资料提取和质量评价后,采用RevMan 5.0软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入5个RCT,包括397例患者。Meta分析结果显示,精氨酸牙膏与含钾牙膏比较,在第8周触压敏感测试[SMD=1.32,95%CI(0.68,1.96)]及冷空气喷吹检测[SMD=–0.77,95%CI(–1.22,–0.32)]上,其差异均有统计学意义,精氨酸牙膏治疗牙本质敏感效果更佳。结论现有文献表明,精氨酸牙膏治疗牙本质敏感效果优于含钾牙膏。但因纳入RCT数较少,样本量较小,上述结论尚待更多高质量、大样本的RCT予以进一步证实。     

心理干预治疗癌症患者抑郁症的系统评价

目的系统评价心理干预治疗癌症患者抑郁症的疗效。方法计算机检索Cochrane Library、PubMed、EMbase、中国生物医学文献数据库、中国期刊全文数据库、维普中文科技期刊数据库,检索时间从各数据库建库至2009年10月;同时手工检索相关领域的杂志,全面查找符合纳入标准的随机对照试验（RCT）,用RevMan5.0软件进行统计分析。结果共纳入11篇RCT,包括1670例患者。Meta分析结果显示,常规治疗和心理干预联合常规治疗在治疗癌症患者抑郁症得分减少方面差异有统计学意义[SMD=–0.40,95%CI（–0.70,–0.11）],在治疗癌症患者焦虑症得分减少方面差异无统计学意义[SMD=–0.68,95%CI（–1.37,0.01）]。敏感性分析结果显示,心理干预联合常规治疗与常规治疗癌症患者焦虑症得分方面差异有统计学意义[SMD=–0.30,95%CI（–0.52,–0.08）]。结论与常规治疗相比,心理干预联合常规治疗癌症患者可明显改善癌症患者的精神障碍症状,但尚需更多高质量大样本的随机对照试验进一步证实。     

含NovaMin生物活性材料的牙膏治疗牙本质敏感的Meta分析

目的评价含NovaMin生物活性材料的牙膏治疗牙本质敏感的疗效。方法计算机检索CNKI、WanFang Data、VIP、CBM、PubMed、Web of Science和The Cochrane Library(2013年第11期),同时检索Google学术搜索进行补充,查找有关NovaMin生物活性材料的牙膏治疗牙本质敏感的随机对照试验(RCT),检索时限截至2013年12月。由2位研究者独立根据纳入与排除标准进行文献筛选、资料提取和质量评价后,采用RevMan 5.2软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入6个RCT,包括283例患者(试验组140例、对照组143例)。Meta分析结果显示,与含钾牙膏比较,在第4周时,含NovaMin生物活性材料的牙膏缓解受试者对冷气和空气敏感效果均更好[SMD=–1.60,95%CI(–2.14,–1.05),P=0.01;SMD=–1.12,95%(–1.64,–0.60),P=0.02],其差异均有统计学意义。结论现有证据表明,含NovaMin生物活性材料的牙膏治疗牙本质敏感效果比临床已证实抗敏感有效的牙膏更佳。但因纳入研究数量和质量限制,且样本量较小,上述结论尚待更多高质量、大样本的RCT予以进一步证实。     

镍钛拉簧和弹力橡皮链关闭拔牙间隙有效性和安全性的Meta分析

目的系统评价镍钛拉簧和弹力橡皮链关闭拔牙间隙的有效性和安全性。方法计算机检索PubMed、EMbase、The Cochrane Library、CBM、CNKI和VIP,检索时限截至2012年2月,查找以上述两种方式关闭拔牙间隙的RCT。由两位研究者按照纳入与排除标准独立筛选文献、提取资料并评价纳入研究的方法学质量后,采用RevMan 5.0软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入4个RCT,122例患者。Meta分析结果显示:镍钛拉簧和弹力橡皮链在关闭拔牙间隙速度上差异有统计学意义[MD=0.30,95%CI(0.17,0.44),P<0.000 1];亚组分析提示,无论是方法学质量较高亚组[MD=0.20,95%CI(0.07,0.34),P=0.003]还是方法学质量较低亚组[MD=0.40,95%CI(0.30,0.50),P<0.000 01],两组在关闭拔牙间隙速度方面差异均有统计学意义。结论当前临床证据表明,镍钛拉簧在关闭拔牙间隙速度方面优于弹力橡皮链,但其远期效果尚需更大样本的随机对照试验进一步验证。     

华蟾素治疗胃癌疗效的系统评价

目的系统评价华蟾素治疗胃癌的疗效。方法计算机检索Cochrane(2011年第3期),PubMed(1966年1月-2011年9月),EMBASE(1974年1月-2011年9月),中国生物医学数据库(CBM,1978年1月-2011年9月),维普(1989年1月-2011年9月),中国期刊全文数据库(1994年1月-2011年9月);手工检索相关杂志。纳入华蟾素治疗胃癌的随机对照试验(RCT),对纳入的RCT进行质量评价,并用RevMan 5.0软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入9个RCT,Meta分析结果显示:华蟾素联合常规化学疗法(化疗)治疗中晚期胃癌的有效率高于常规化疗组,且差异有统计学意义[RR=1.23,95%CI(1.03,1.46),P=0.02],而1年生存率两组比较差异无统计学意义[RR=1.28,95%CI(0.69,2.36),P=0.43]。结论常规化疗加华蟾素治疗胃癌的疗效优于常规化疗,但因为纳入研究质量较低,尚需高质量、大样本、长期的随机对照试验进一步验证上述结论。     

国产伊布利特治疗心房颤动和扑动的有效性及安全性系统评价

目的评价国产伊布利特与普罗帕酮对治疗心房颤动和扑动的有效性及安全性。方法计算机检索CBM(1978～2011.10)、VIP(1989～2011.10)、CNKI(1994～2011.10)和WanFang Data(1998～2011.10),查找所有有关国产伊布利特与普罗帕酮治疗心房颤动和扑动的临床随机对照试验(RCT)。对符合纳入标准的RCT,由两位评价员按Cochrane系统评价的方法,独立进行资料提取、质量评价并交叉核对后,采用RevMan 5.0软件对数据进行Meta分析。结果最终纳入16个研究,1 196例患者。Meta分析结果显示:与普罗帕酮相比,①在疗效方面:国产伊布利特90 min内、4 h及24 h内房颤、房扑总体转复率更高[OR分别为3.32、2.69、3.08,P均<0.0001],亚组分析结果显示90 min内房颤转复率及90 min内房扑转复率也更高,且差异有统计学意义;转复时间方面更短[MD=–25.12,95%CI(–30.43,–19.82),P<0.000 01];②在安全性方面,两者致心律失常发生率差异有统计学意义[OR=3.15,95%CI(1.97,5.05),P<0.000 01];其他不良反应发生率差异亦有统计学意义[OR=0.16,95%CI(0.08,0.33),P<0.000 01]。结论现有临床证据表明,国产伊布利特与普罗帕酮相比,其治疗房颤、房扑可取得较好疗效,能明显提高转复率,缩短转复时间,致心律失常发生较为常见。由于纳入研究方法学质量、样本量所限,该结论尚需大样本、高质量的随机对照试验进一步证实。     

镍钛记忆合金压力吻合夹在消化道吻合术中疗效及安全性的Meta分析

目的系统评价镍钛记忆合金压力吻合夹(Ni-Ti CAC)在消化道吻合术中的疗效及安全性。方法计算机检索The Cochrane Library、PubMed、Web of Knowledge和CBM数据库,纳入所有消化道吻合术中应用Ni-Ti CAC与外科吻合器比较的随机对照试验(RCT),检索时限均为从建库至2013年7月。由2位研究者按照纳入与排除标准筛选文献、提取资料和评价纳入研究的方法学质量后,使用RevMan 5.2软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入8个RCT,457例患者。Meta分析结果显示:与对照组相比,Ni-Ti CAC组在手术时间[MD=–8.30,95%CI(–15.58,–1.02),P=0.03]、进食时间[MD=–0.37,95%CI(–0.70,–0.03),P=0.03]、排便时间[MD=–1.13,95%CI(–1.67,–0.59),P<0.000 1]、排气时间[MD=–0.30,95%CI(–0.55,–0.06),P=0.01]和住院时间[MD=–1.04,95%CI(–1.35,–0.74),P<0.000 01]方面具有明显优势,与外科吻合器组比较差异均有统计学意义,但两组吻合时间的差异无统计学意义[MD=–1.84,95%CI(–3.91,0.22),P=0.08]。在安全性评价方面,两组术后与吻合相关的并发症发生情况方面差异无统计学意义。结论现有研究证据表明,Ni-Ti CAC在消化道吻合术中应用具有较好的疗效和安全性。     

Effect of Scraping Therapy on Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to review the literature on the effect of scraping therapy on chronic low back pain (LBP) from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsThree English medical electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) and 2 Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang) were searched. Only randomized controlled trials related to the effects of scraping therapy on chronic LBP were included in this systematic review. Study selection, data extraction, and validation were conducted independently by 2 reviewers. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated by the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. RevMan 5.3 software was applied to perform meta-analysis of the data.ResultsTen studies comprising 627 participants were included. Overall, the quality of evidence was moderate owing to a lack of blinding and allocation concealment in some studies and unclear risk of selective reporting. Meta-analysis of 9 RCTs indicated that scraping therapy had a statistically significant effect on pain reduction (standard mean difference = ?0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI], ?0.83 to ?0.49, P < .001). However, if only a single scrape treatment was carried out, the results did not show that scraping was superior to the control group regarding pain relief (mean difference = ?0.35, 95% CI, ?1.23 to 0.53, P = .44). Moreover, the results of 6 RCTs involving 468 participants showed significantly greater improvement in lumbar dysfunction (mean difference = ?10.05, 95% CI, ?13.52 to ?2.32, P < .001). In addition, the results of 5 RCTs involving 393 participants showed a favorably significant effect on the overall efficacy (odds ratio = 4.74, 95% CI, 2.34-9.62, P < .001). As for follow-up effects, meta-analysis of 3 RCTs involving 241 participants showed a promising effect on pain reduction and lumbar function improvement at 1 month and 3 months after the end of treatment, respectively. Only 1 study reported adverse effects, and none were serious.ConclusionScraping therapy may have a therapeutic effect for some individuals with chronic LBP. However, due to the limited amount of research and the low methodological quality of the included studies, additional large-scale, multicenter, high-quality RCTs on relieving pain intensity and improving lumbar dysfunction are still necessary.     

Effects of yoga interventions on pain and pain-associated disability: a meta-analysis

We searched databases for controlled clinical studies, and performed a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of yoga interventions on pain and associated disability. Five randomized studies reported single-blinding and had a higher methodological quality; 7 studies were randomized but not blinded and had moderate quality; and 4 nonrandomized studies had low quality. In 6 studies, yoga was used to treat patients with back pain; in 2 studies to treat rheumatoid arthritis; in 2 studies to treat patients with headache/migraine; and 6 studies enrolled individuals for other indications. All studies reported positive effects in favor of the yoga interventions. With respect to pain, a random effect meta-analysis estimated the overall treatment effect at SMD = -.74 (CI: -.97; -.52, P < .0001), and an overall treatment effect at SMD = -.79 (CI: -1.02; -.56, P < .0001) for pain-related disability. Despite some limitations, there is evidence that yoga may be useful for several pain-associated disorders. Moreover, there are hints that even short-term interventions might be effective. Nevertheless, large-scale further studies have to identify which patients may benefit from the respective interventions. PERSPECTIVE: This meta-analysis suggests that yoga is a useful supplementary approach with moderate effect sizes on pain and associated disability.     

External qigong for pain conditions: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the clinical evidence of external qigong as a treatment option for pain conditions. Databases were searched up to January 2007. Randomized, clinical trials (RCTs) testing external qigong in patients with pain of any origin assessing clinical outcomes were considered. Trials using any type of control group were included. The selection of studies, data extraction, and validation were performed independently by at least 2 reviewers. One hundred forty-one potentially relevant studies were identified and 5 RCTs could be included. All RCTs of external qigong demonstrated greater pain reductions in the qigong groups compared with control groups. Meta-analysis of 2 RCTs showed a significant effect of external qigong compared with general care for treating chronic pain (Pain 100 mm VAS; weighted main differences, 36.3 mm; 95% CI, 22.8 to 49.8; P < .001; heterogeneity: chi(2) = 1.79, P = .18, I(2) = 44.0%, n = 80). The evidence from RCTs testing the effectiveness of external qigong for treating pain is encouraging. Further studies are warranted. PERSPECTIVE: This review of clinical studies focused on the efficacy of qigong, an energy-healing intervention used to prevent and cure ailments. A meta-analysis shows that evidence for the effectiveness of external qigong is encouraging, though further studies are warranted.     

Mind-body therapies for sleep disturbance among patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesTo assess whether mind-body therapies (MBTs) are effective for relieving sleep disturbance among patients with cancer.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsSeven English electronic databases were searched from the date of inception to September 2022. All RCTs that included adults (≥18 years) who were treated with mindfulness, yoga, qigong, relaxation, and hypnosis were screened. The outcome was subjective and/or objective sleep disturbance.The revised Cochrane tool (RoB 2.0) was applied to evaluate the risk of bias. The RevMan software was applied to assessed each outcome according different control groups and assessment time points. Subgroup analyses were performed according to different categories of MBTs.ResultsSixty-eight RCTs (6339 participants) were identified. After requesting for missing data from corresponding authors of included RCTs, 56 studies (5051 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed a significant immediate effect of mindfulness, yoga, relaxation, and hypnosis on subjective sleep disturbance, compared with usual care or wait list control, and the effect of mindfulness lasted at least 6 months. For objective sleep outcomes, we observed significant immediate effects of yoga on wake after sleep onset and of mindfulness on sleep onset latency and total sleep time. Compared with active control interventions, MBTs had no significant effect on sleep disturbance.ConclusionsMindfulness, yoga, relaxation, and hypnosis were effective in sleep disturbance severity reduction among patients with cancer at post-intervention, and the effect of mindfulness lasted at least 6 months. Future MBTs studies should apply both objective and subjective sleep measurement tools     

芬太尼透皮贴剂对比吗啡治疗中重度癌痛的系统评价

目的系统评价芬太尼透皮贴剂对比口服吗啡治疗中重度癌痛的效果。方法计算机检索h e Cochrane Library（2014年第1期）、Pub Med、Web of Science、CNKI、VIP、CBM和Wan Fang Data数据库,纳入芬太尼透皮贴剂对比口服吗啡治疗中重度癌痛的随机对照试验（RCT）,检索时限截至2014年1月。由2位研究者按照纳入与排除标准独立进行文献筛选、资料提取和评价纳入研究的方法学质量后,采用Rev Man 5.1.0软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入35个RCT,3 406例患者。Meta分析结果显示,芬太尼透皮贴剂与口服吗啡镇痛效果差异无统计学意义[OR=1.00,95%CI（0.80,1.27）,P=0.99]。与口服吗啡相比,芬太尼透皮贴剂组患者的便秘、恶心呕吐、嗜睡和尿潴留的发生率明显较低（P〈0.05）,但皮肤刺激症状发生率明显增高（P〈0.05）。结论芬太尼透皮贴剂在治疗中重度癌痛方面效果与口服吗啡相当,且不良反应更少。但受纳入研究质量的限制,本研究结论尚需进一步开展更多高质量的RCT进行验证。     

Is yoga effective for pain? A systematic review of randomized clinical trials

Objective

The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of yoga as a treatment option for any type of pain.

Method

Seven databases were searched from their inception to February 2011. Randomized clinical trials were considered if they investigated yoga in patients with any type of pain and if they assessed pain as a primary outcome measure. The 5-point Jadad scale was used to assess methodological quality of studies. The selection of studies, data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers.

Results

Ten randomized clinical trials (RCTs) met the inclusion criteria. Their methodological quality ranged between 1 and 4 on the Jadad scale. Nine RCTs suggested that yoga leads to a significantly greater reduction in pain than various control interventions such as standard care, self care, therapeutic exercises, relaxing yoga, touch and manipulation, or no intervention. One RCT failed to provide between group differences in pain scores.

Conclusions

It is concluded that yoga has the potential for alleviating pain. However, definitive judgments are not possible.     

Efficacy of mu-opioid agonists in the treatment of evoked neuropathic pain: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Several reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown the efficacy of mu-opioids in reducing spontaneous neuropathic pain (NP). However, relatively little is known about their specific efficacy for evoked pain, which is a significant problem for many patients with NP. The present systematic review assesses the efficacy of opioid agonists for the treatment of evoked NP based upon published RCTs. We searched articles in any language using the MEDLINE database (1966 to December 2004), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (4th quarter, 2004) and the reference lists of retrieved papers, employing search terms for RCTs, opioids and NP. Only RCTs in which opioid agonists were given to treat NP of any etiology, and evoked pain was assessed were included. Data were extracted by two independent investigators. Nine articles met inclusion criteria and were classified as short-term (less than 24h; n=7) or intermediate-term trials (4 weeks; n=2). Although the scarcity of retrieved data precluded formal meta-analysis of short-term trials, we found that the intensity of dynamic mechanical allodynia was significantly attenuated by opioids relative to placebo in all studies. In contrast, no consistent effects on the magnitude of static allodynia, the threshold for mechanical allodynia or the threshold or magnitude of heat allodynia were found. The threshold and magnitude of cold-induced allodynia generally responded positively to opioid treatments in patients with peripheral pain syndromes, but not central pain syndromes. Evoked pain was studied in only two intermediate-term trials, in both of which oxycodone was significantly superior to placebo. The results of the two trials were combinable for a meta-analysis that showed an overall 24 points difference in endpoint pain intensities between patients given opioids and those treated with placebo (95% CI -33 to -15; p<0.00001). In conclusion: short-term studies show that opioids can reduce the intensity of dynamic mechanical allodynia and perhaps of cold allodynia in peripheral NP. Insufficient evidence precludes drawing conclusions regarding the effect of opioids on other forms of evoked NP. A meta-analysis of intermediate-term studies demonstrates the efficacy of opioids over placebo for evoked NP. These findings are clinically relevant because dynamic mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia are the most prevalent types of evoked pain in NP.     

Efficacy of the Pilates method for pain and disability in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Objective

To systematically review the available evidence on the efficacy of the Pilates method in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Method

Searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PEDro, SciELO, LILACS, CINAHL and CENTRAL in March 2013. Randomized controlled trials that tested the effectiveness of the Pilates method (against a nontreatment group, minimal intervention or other types of interventions) in adults with chronic low back pain were included regardless the language of publication. The outcome data were extracted from the eligible studies and were combined using a meta-analysis approach.

Results

The searches identified a total of 1,545 articles. From these, eight trials were considered eligible, and seven trials were combined in the meta-analysis. The comparison groups were as follows: Pilates versus other types of exercises (n=2 trials), and Pilates versus no treatment group or minimal intervention (n=4 trials) for short term pain; Pilates versus minimal intervention for short-term disability (n=4).We determined that Pilates was not better than other types of exercises for reducing pain intensity. However, Pilates was better than a minimal intervention for reducing short-term pain and disability (pain: pooled mean difference=1.6 points; 95% CI 1.4 to 1.8; disability: pooled mean difference=5.2 points; 95% CI 4.3 to 6.1).

Conclusions

Pilates was better than a minimal intervention for reducing pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain. Pilates was not better than other types of exercise for short-term pain reduction.     

Complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of low back pain: a systematic review

Abstract

The aim of this review was to summarise and evaluate the available literature on the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the management of low back pain (LBP). Papers were included in the literature search if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effectiveness of a CAM in the treatment of LBP. Quality was assessed using the van Tulder methodological score. Recent systematic reviews carried out investigating chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture, and massage have found them to be useful therapies in the management of LBP, and papers in these areas were, therefore, excluded from this review. Nine RCTs were identified; methodological quality was moderate. While RCTs for those therapies which were investigated produced encouraging results, including yoga, homeopathy, herbal therapies, and hypnotherathy, small sample sizes and the low number of trials investigating individual therapies prevents definite conclusions being drawn. The available literature suggests that these forms of CAM are worth investigating as an approach to relieving LBP. Future work should be to increase the evidence base of these therapies through larger, well-designed RCTs.     

Complementary Therapies for Osteoarthritis: Are They Effective?

Increasing interest has focused on complementary management modalities, including tai chi, acupuncture, yoga, and massage therapy, as treatments for osteoarthritis (OA). This review article synthesizes evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews (SRs) that examined one or more of the above as treatments for OA. Medline, Pubmed, and Cinahl databases were searched to identify English-language articles using an RCT design or that conducted a SR of published studies and presented data on symptom or functional outcomes. Two authors independently abstracted relevant information (e.g., study sample, intervention characteristics, treatment effects, safety data). Retained articles (n = 29) included those that evaluated tai chi (8 RCTs, 2 SRs), acupuncture (11 RCTs, 4 SRs), yoga (2 RCTs), and massage therapy (2 RCTs). Available evidence indicates that tai chi, acupuncture, yoga, and massage therapy are safe for use by individuals with OA. Positive short-term (≤6 months) effects in the form of reduced pain and improved self-reported physical functioning were found for all 4 treatments. Limited information exists regarding the relative effectiveness of the therapies (e.g., yoga vs. tai chi vs. acupuncture), as well as treatment effects in persons with joint involvement besides the knee and in distinct patient subgroups (e.g., older vs. younger adults, persons with mild vs. moderate vs. advanced disease). Complementary therapies can reduce pain and improve function in adults with OA. Research is needed to evaluate long-term benefits of the treatments, as well as their relative effects among diverse patient subgroups.