Complementary Medicine Research最新文献

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 3 months of seated Tai Chi (TC) practice on the eye-hand coordination and sitting balance control of subjects with Parkinson's disease.

Method: A prospective non-randomized study was conducted with 29 subjects practicing TC and 27 subjects as controls according to their preference. The seated TC group underwent 3 months of training with a total of 24 sessions (1 h/session, 2 sessions/week). The outcome measures included a dynamic finger-pointing task (reaction time, movement time, and accuracy), and a sequential weight-shifting balance control test (completion time) while seated.

Results: The TC group showed faster movement time in the dynamic finger-pointing task (p = 0.003). They also achieved a faster completion time of the sequential weight-shifting balance test (p = 0.021). No significant difference was observed in the control group.

Conclusions: The results demonstrate that 3 months of seated TC training could improve movement time in the finger-pointing task and sitting balance control in subjects with Parkinson's disease. A future randomized controlled trial is warranted.

Background: Garlic and garlic extract (GE) are highly consumed traditional and popular food spices. They are reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and infection-protecting properties. The aim of this study was to review the use of GE in various rheumatic diseases.

Summary: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and SciELO were searched for articles on GE and rheumatic diseases between 1966 and May 2024. Four articles were found, including 176 patients. The investigated diseases were rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n = 3) and osteoarthritis (OA) (n = 1). Age varied from 51.06 ± 13.8 to 58.9 ± 7.5 years old, and female gender was the only one included in all studies. The disease duration was 6.58 ± 7.75 years. The GE dosage ranged from 600 mg to 1,000 mg/day. The follow-up ranged from 4 to 12 weeks. All articles demonstrated improvements in the diverse rheumatic disease parameters (e.g., pain, function, disease activity, tender and swollen joints, stiffness, and WOMAC) and reduced inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor, malondialdehyde).

Key messages: GE is a safe and well-tolerated therapy for RA and OA. However, studies with more participants are needed to confirm, replicate, and further explore the topic.

Background: With a wide range of clinical needs, evidence-based support for acupuncture therapy through clinical trials is essential for enhancing its scientific value, clinical application, and international influence.

Objective: The aim of this study was to provide design ideas and specific methodology references for acupuncturists and researchers for the design, implementation, and publication of high-level acupuncture clinical research.

Data sources: The data came from PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases since its inception until February 28, 2024. A total of 89 articles were retrieved, and the primary interventions were manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, auricular acupuncture, and laser acupuncture. Eighty-five clinical trials on manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture as primary interventions were included.

Results: All of the high-quality clinical trial publications on acupuncture included in the review adhered to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement and the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA). They demonstrated rigor and accuracy in trial design selection, inclusion criteria development, sample size calculations, and statistical methodology, and provided clear, concise details of acupuncture interventions and control settings.

Conclusion: These trials have elevated the overall quality of the research and provided invaluable insights and methodological frameworks for designing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in acupuncture. Despite these advancements, several limitations remain that warrant attention in future endeavors. Addressing these shortcomings is crucial for enhancing the methodological rigor and reliability of acupuncture trials and advancing evidence-based practice in this field.

Background: Home healthcare massage is widely used in Japan under insurance coverage, yet scientific evidence on its effectiveness and adverse events remains limited.

Objective: The aims of the study were to examine effectiveness and predictors of improvement in disabled older adults receiving home healthcare massage and to describe adverse events.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study included 469 participants (mean age 80.2 years; 65.7% women) from 10 clinics. Outcomes at baseline and 1 year were the level of nursing care required, the degree of independent living, and 15 basic activities of daily living. Participants were classified as improved, unchanged, or worsened. Logistic regression identified predictors of improvement. Adverse events during 1 year were recorded.

Results: Improvement was associated with a mild level of nursing care required at baseline (OR = 0.865), muscle atrophy (OR = 1.87), and no use of services other than massage (OR = 0.439). Maintenance without deterioration was also considered clinically meaningful. Ninety-six adverse events (20.5%) were reported, most frequently pain, followed by abrasions/contusions/bruises and numbness. Severity, causality, and temporal course were not collected.

Conclusion: Home healthcare massage may contribute to functional improvement under specific conditions, though most participants received combination therapies. These findings reflect real-world practice in Japan and support the need for large-scale prospective studies.

Background: Trigeminal herpetic neuralgia, a common type of Zoster-associated pain (ZAP), affects individuals across all ages groups and poses a significant societal burden all over the world. Electroacupuncture (EA) is increasingly used in the treatment of ZAP due to its affordability, high safety profile, absence of adverse reactions, and high patient acceptance. Consequently, it is essential to conduct randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of EA in treating ZAP and to determine if EA can be used as an alternative to pregabalin.

Patients and methods: A total of 102 patients with trigeminal herpetic neuralgia will be enrolled from 2 hospitals and randomly assigned to the EA group, pregabalin group, or EA + pregabalin group in a 1:1:1 ratio using a simple random number table. The study will consist of a 4-week treatment period followed by a 4-week follow-up period. The primary outcome measure will be pain intensity, while secondary outcomes will include mood state, sleep quality, and quality of life. Adverse reactions will be thoroughly evaluated.

Conclusion: This study aims to elucidate the clinical effectiveness of EA combined with pregabalin for trigeminal herpetic neuralgia and to objectively compare the effectiveness and safety of EA versus oral pregabalin in the treatment of trigeminal herpetic neuralgia.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of pestle needle therapy (PNT) across several prevalent conditions, including insomnia, cervical spondylosis, lumbar disc herniation, and other systemic diseases.

Methods: We searched eight databases (SINOMED, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP Database, Google Scholar, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) from inception to 31 December 2023, using both subject terms and free-text terms related to "pestle needle" and "randomised controlled trial." Eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated PNT alone or in combination with other therapies were included. Primary outcomes included the overall response rate (ORR) and incidence of adverse events.

Results: A total of 29 RCTs involving 2,614 patients were included. Meta-analysis results showed that, compared with controls, PNT significantly improved ORR in insomnia (odds ratio [OR] = 4.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.33, 7.09), cervical spondylosis (OR = 4.38, 95% CI: 2.41, 7.97), lumbago and leg pain (OR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.86, 5.91), and lumbar disc herniation (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.29). Regarding cervical spondylosis, the intervention of the observation group was significantly better than that of the control group (Z = 4.84, p < 0.001). In terms of low back pain and leg pain, the intervention of the observation group was significantly better than that of the control group (Z = 4.07, p < 0.001). The intervention of the observation group was significantly better than in the control group in improving the total effective rate of the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (Z = 2.37, p = 0.02).

Conclusion: PNT is a safe and effective treatment modality that can complement or substitute conventional interventions. This systematic review and meta-analysis contributes to the evidence base for acupuncture-related therapies, highlighting the potential of PNT to address both musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, thus offering new clinical options and underscoring the need for large-scale, high-quality RCTs to refine treatment protocols.