Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Boram Lee, Tae-Hun Kim, Stephen Birch, Terje Alraek, Hye Won Lee, Arya Nielsen, L. Susan Wieland, Myeong Soo Lee
Summary: The efficacy of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) remains controversial. This study found that verum acupuncture with base units was more effective in improving pain and function compared to verum acupuncture without base units in sham-controlled trials.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biology
Anamika Rai, Satya Ranjan Misra, Saurav Panda, Grzegorz Sokolowski, Lora Mishra, Rupsa Das, Barbara Lapinska
Summary: Oral candidiasis is a common fungal infection caused by Candida species. Nystatin is commonly used for its treatment. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of different antifungal agents and the safety of nystatin in treating oral candidiasis. The meta-analysis shows that both nystatin and photodynamic therapy are effective in reducing Candida species and relieving symptoms of denture stomatitis.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Giuseppe Chiarioni, Stefan Lucian Popa, Abdulrahman Ismaiel, Cristina Pop, Dinu Iuliu Dumitrascu, Vlad Dumitru Brata, Traian Adrian Duse, Victor Incze, Teodora Surdea-Blaga, Jose Antonio Uranga
Summary: This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies in the management of IBS-C. The included studies demonstrate some evidence of the beneficial effects of herbal remedies on IBS-C symptoms. However, the heterogeneity of the interventions and outcome measures limits the ability to perform a meta-analysis.
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Christina Abdel Shaheed, Fiona Blyth, Ann-Mason Furmage, Fiona Stanaway
Summary: It is necessary to record and report co-interventions that may impact the outcomes.
BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dongyu Kang, Huixi Dong, Yidong Shen, Jianjun Ou, Jingping Zhao
Summary: Depression has a severe impact on psychosocial functioning and quality of life, and the physiological mechanism remains unknown. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been widely used as an alternative medicine for depression treatment. This review summarizes the current evidence for the efficacy of CHM and its mechanisms of action, and discusses the combined treatment with mainstream antidepressants.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Rheumatology
Anna Dossing, Sabrina Mai Nielsen, Feline P. B. Kroon, Ida Maria Balsby, Simon Tarp, Margreet Kloppenburg, Lisa Stamp, Ida K. Haugen, Roy D. Altman, Marius Henriksen, Mikael Boesen, Henning Bliddal, Soren Berg, Robin Christensen
Summary: Oral NSAIDs and glucocorticoids are effective pharmacological interventions for hand osteoarthritis, while intra-articular therapies and topical NSAIDs are not superior to placebo.
Review
Microbiology
Luigi Marongiu, Markus Burkard, Ulrich M. Lauer, Ludwig E. Hoelzle, Sascha Venturelli
Summary: Phage therapy has advantages over antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial infections, but early clinical trials' results were doubted, limiting its adoption in Western countries. A recent study reevaluated early 20th-century studies and found phage therapy to be effective, but less effective than standard treatments.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria Chiara Maccarone, Anna Scanu, Gianluca Regazzo, Antonella Fioravanti, Stefano Masiero
Summary: This review explores the potential benefits of balneotherapy (BT) as a complementary intervention for managing hand osteoarthritis (HOA), based on recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The findings indicate that BT, particularly when using specific methods such as mud packs and mineral-rich baths, shows promise in reducing pain and improving functionality and quality of life, especially in the initial stages of the condition. Further research and larger-scale trials are needed to validate these preliminary findings.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Alireza Heiran, Kamran Bagheri Lankarani, Ryan Bradley, Alireza Simab, Mehdi Pasalar
Summary: Herbal remedies showed better improvement in symptoms and quality of life for patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) compared to placebo, with no significant differences in adverse events. Further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of herbal remedies.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Rehabilitation
Chen Guang Qiu, Chun Sing Chui, Simon Kwoon Ho Chow, Wing-Hoi Cheung, Ronald Man Yeung Wong
Summary: This study assessed the effects and safety of whole-body vibration on pain, stiffness, physical function, and muscle strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The systematic review and meta-analysis showed that whole-body vibration with strengthening exercises had significant positive effects on pain, knee extensor muscle strength, and physical function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Both low-frequency and high-frequency whole-body vibration were associated with significant changes in pain, physical function, and knee extensor strength. No adverse events were reported.
JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Orthopedics
Johan von Heideken, Sana Chowdhry, Joanna Borg, Khara James, Maura D. Iversen
Summary: The study found that in some therapeutic exercise studies, the reasons for dropouts could be considered adverse events, leading to potential underreporting of harm. There was a significant improvement in reporting of harm pre- and post-CONSORT-2010. Greater clarity regarding the definitions of adverse events, dropouts, and therapeutic exercise intensity is needed to determine the safety of therapeutic exercise for knee osteoarthritis.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shenglei Yang, Mingli Sun, Xinan Zhang
Summary: Osteoarthritis is a progressive joint disease associated with age, obesity, and trauma. Current clinical methods are unable to modify the pathological progression of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), making the search for safer and more reliable treatments necessary. Resveratrol, a natural compound, has shown multi-targeted effects on chondrocyte function and has been studied for its therapeutic potential in KOA. Understanding the mechanisms by which resveratrol alleviates KOA could have clinical implications for intervention.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Jafar Rezaie, Maryam Feghhi, Tahereh Etemadi
Summary: Exosomes, as significant mediators of cell-to-cell communication, have promising applications in the treatment of various diseases. They can be used as biomarkers, cell-free therapeutic agents, and drug delivery carriers. However, there are challenges to overcome in the clinical application of exosomes, and further research and standardization are needed.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2022)
Review
Orthopedics
Khara A. James, Johan von Heideken, Maura D. Iversen
Summary: This study aimed to describe adverse events and dropouts in therapeutic exercise for hip osteoarthritis, and to evaluate whether CONSORT guidelines were followed. The findings showed inconsistent reporting of adverse events, potential misclassification of dropouts, and frequent lack of reporting on key components of exercise interventions. Despite these limitations, the overall low number of nonserious adverse events suggests minimal risk of harm related to exercise for individuals with hip osteoarthritis. Consistent and informative reporting of adverse events, dropouts, and exercise interventions is needed, along with increased used of the CONSORT harms-reporting checklist.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Elliot B. Tapper, Marina Serper, David S. Goldberg
Summary: Patients with chronic liver disease can benefit from pragmatic trial designs, which aim to provide evidence for the adoption of interventions in real-world clinical practice. The efficiency of identifying, recruiting, and following patients, the resemblance of interventions and design to usual clinical care, and the importance of outcomes to patients are key factors in determining the pragmatism of a trial. This review focuses on the promise, trade-offs, and purpose of pragmatic trials in hepatology.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Nadine Binder, Anette Bluemle, James Balmford, Edith Motschall, Patrick Oeller, Martin Schumacher
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
C. Schmucker, J. J. Meerpohl, A. Bluemle
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
G. R. Oviedo, N. Tamulevicius, S. O. Onagbiye, M. Phidza, C. Sedumedi, M. Cameron, S. J. Moss
QUALITY OF LIFE RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anette Bluemle, Tobias Haag, James Balmford, Gerta Ruecker, Martin Schumacher, Nadine Binder
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
E. Nury, K. Bischoff, K. Wollmann, K. Nitschke, S. Lohner, M. Schumacher, G. Ruecker, A. Bluemle
BMC MEDICAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Anette Bluemle, Katharina Wollmann, Karin Bischoff, Philipp Kapp, Szimonetta Lohner, Edris Nury, Kai Nitschke, Jasmin Zaehringer, Gerta Ruecker, Martin Schumacher
Summary: A high proportion of clinical trials have been published, with a considerable impact on clinical practice. Drug trials and larger trials are more likely to be published and have an impact, whereas non-drug trials and smaller trials are less likely. International industry-sponsored trials are less likely to have an impact compared to investigator-initiated trials.
BMC MEDICAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Szimonetta Lohner, Dmitry Gryaznov, Belinda von Niederhausern, Benjamin Speich, Benjamin Kasenda, Elena Ojeda-Ruiz, Stefan Schandelmaier, Dominik Mertz, Ayodele Odutayo, Yuki Tomonaga, Alain Amstutz, Christiane Pauli-Magnus, Viktoria Gloy, Karin Bischoff, Katharina Wollmann, Laura Rehner, Joerg J. Meerpohl, Alain Nordmann, Katharina Klatte, Nilabh Ghosh, Ala Taji Heravi, Jacqueline Wong, Ngai Chow, Patrick Jiho Hong, Kimberly McCord, Sirintip Sricharoenchai, Jason W. Busse, Arnav Agarwal, Ramon Saccilotto, Matthias Schwenkglenks, Giusi Moffa, Lars G. Hemkens, Sally Hopewell, Erik von Elm, Anette Bluemle, Matthias Briel
Summary: The study found an improvement in reporting quality of RCT protocols evaluating non-regulated interventions between 2012 and 2016, although it remained suboptimal. Efforts are needed to further endorse SPIRIT recommendations to optimize reporting of RCT protocols.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
S. J. Makamu-Beteck, S. J. Moss, M. Cameron, F. G. Watson
Summary: Standard clinic care in South Africa has a positive impact on the knowledge of physical activity and risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), but does not change perceptions of these risk factors or physical activity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sweetness Jabulile Makamu-Beteck, Sarah Johannah Moss, Francois Gerald Watson, Melainie Cameron
Summary: The study used the Health Belief Model to explore the effects of exercise intervention on women's perceptions and knowledge of modifiable risk factors for non-communicable diseases in a low-resource setting in South Africa. The findings showed that supervised exercise positively influenced women's health behaviors and improved their knowledge of heart disease and physical activity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Melainie Cameron, Emily Hewitt, Elizabeth Hollitt, Jacqueline Wood, Samantha Brown
Summary: This study examined the inclusion of a therapy dog in the delivery of exercise physiology services in a university clinic. The results showed that most participants considered the dog to be well-behaved and did not find her presence problematic during their exercise sessions. The study also suggested that including a therapy dog in clinical exercise practice may enhance certain aspects of service delivery, such as reducing anxiety and enhancing the social atmosphere.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Friedemann Zengerling, Joachim J. Jakob, Stefanie Schmidt, Joerg J. Meerpohl, Anette Blumle, Christine Schmucker, Benjamin Mayer, Frank Kunath
Summary: Degarelix has similar effects to standard androgen suppression therapy in terms of overall survival and quality of life, but may lead to an increase in injection site pain. The effects on cardiovascular events remain uncertain due to limited and high-risk population studies, indicating a need for better-designed long-term studies.
COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Medicine, General & Internal
Stephanie Frade, Melainie Cameron, Sean O'Neill, David Greene
INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Dmitry Gryaznov, Ayodele Odutayo, Belinda von Niederhaeusern, Benjamin Speich, Benjamin Kasenda, Elena Ojeda-Ruiz, Anette Bluemle, Stefan Schandelmaier, Dominik Mertz, Yuki Tomonaga, Alain Amstutz, Christiane Pauli-Magnus, Viktoria Gloy, Karin Bischoff, Katharina Wollmann, Laura Rehner, Szimonetta Lohner, Joerg J. Meerpohl, Alain Nordmann, Katharina Klatte, Nilabh Ghosh, Ala Taji Heravi, Jacqueline Wong, Ngai Chow, Patrick Jiho Hong, Kimberly Mc Cord, Sirintip Sricharoenchai, Jason W. Busse, Arnav Agarwal, Ramon Saccilotto, Matthias Schwenkglenks, Giusi Moffa, Lars G. Hemkens, Sally Hopewell, Erik von Elm, Matthias Briel
Meeting Abstract
Medicine, General & Internal
Stephanie Frade, Melainie Cameron, David Greene, Sean O'Neill
INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL
(2020)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sunday O. Onagbiye, Sarah J. Moss, Melainie Cameron
HEALTH SA GESONDHEID
(2018)