Complementary therapies in medicine最新文献

{"title":"Effect of Prolong Life With Nine Turn Method on chronic fatigue syndrome clinical symptoms and roles of gut microbiota: a exploratory randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Jiahe Cui, Fangfang Xie, Yuanjia Gu, Hongyu Yue, Chaoqun Xie, Haotian Han, Zhiwei Wu, Guimao Wang, Fei Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103353","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103353","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Traditional Chinese Qigong exercises (Prolong Life With Nine Turn Method) are beneficial for fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms and intestinal gut microbiota status in patients with CFS, but the evidence for this method is limited. This trial was designed to observe whether PLWNT Qigong exercise can improve fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with CFS and regulate intestinal gut microbiota disorders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study is a 8-week, non-inferiority, analyst-blinded randomized clinical trial. A total of 96 patients with CFS were recruited, patients in the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group and the PLWNT group received a total of 8 weeks treatment sessions. The primary outcome was the change in the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (MFI-20) from baseline to week 8. Secondary outcomes included scores of MFI-20 subtype scale and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) scale at 4 and 8 weeks, and changes of gut microbiota at 8 weeks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At week 8, the average difference between the total score of MFI-20 and the baseline score in the PLWNT group was -12.02(95%CI, -15.88 to -8.17). Compared with the baseline score, the changes in MFI-20 subtype scores, GSRS subtype scores and α diversity differences in the PLWNT group were statistically significant. Compared with the CBT group, there was no significant difference in the changes of MFI-20, GSRS, α diversity and β diversity in the PLWNT group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>PLWNT showed potential beneficial effects on fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms in CFS patients, and this improvement was accompanied by changes in gut microbiota.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2200056530; Registered 07 February 2022, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=151456.</p>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":" ","pages":"103353"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147431270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bridging tradition and innovation: Acupuncture for depression through clinical efficacy and neurobiological insights","authors":"Ning Xu ,&nbsp;Siyan Xu ,&nbsp;Long Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103307","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103307","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>To elucidate the research progress on acupuncture therapy as a complementary and alternative medicine treatment for depression by reviewing existing literature.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for relevant literature from inception to October 7, 2024. Additionally, we manually searched medical literature related to Chinese Medicine and acupuncture for pertinent theories and theoretical frameworks.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Manual acupuncture (MA) and electroacupuncture (EA) are the most commonly studied forms of acupuncture, demonstrating efficacy in modulating depression both as standalone therapies and as adjunct therapies for antidepressants in the short to medium-term. Other modalities such as auricular acupuncture, laser acupuncture, and warm acupuncture have also shown benefits in managing depression. The therapeutic mechanisms of acupuncture are multifaceted, including modulation of neural networks, regulation of neurotransmitters, neurotrophic factors, and neuropeptides, inhibition of neuroinflammation and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity, restoration of neuroplasticity, modulation of specific gene expression, and regulation of intestinal flora. Recent studies emphasize the need for collaboration between acupuncture, engineering, and modern technology for the future development of acupuncture techniques.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Acupuncture has shown efficacy in treating depression through multi-targeted modulation within the body. Moving forward, acupuncture is poised to enhance its practice by cooperating with engineering and digital technologies to offer patients more comprehensive and personalized treatment plans.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"96 ","pages":"Article 103307"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145562990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The progress and application of hot spring hydrotherapy in medical fields: A narrative review","authors":"Yulan Lv ,&nbsp;Dongyun Li ,&nbsp;Ruina Liu ,&nbsp;Yongsheng He","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103312","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103312","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Natural hot spring water has been known for its healing and wellness properties for thousands of years. Hot spring hydrotherapy a form of natural therapy, the medical effects of it mainly involves a comprehensive effect of multiple aspects such as physics, chemistry, biology and psychology. This paper starts from the current stage of the application of hot spring hydrotherapy in the field of medicine, analyses the recent research on hot spring hydrotherapy in the medical field in order to form a comprehensive understanding of hot spring hydrotherapy. The recent literature and systematic reviews were surveyed and summarized, hot spring hydrotherapy is very effective in solving skin diseases, rheumatism, digestive system diseases, respiratory system diseases, nervous system diseases and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the selection of hot spring and treatments should be considered for different conditions as hot spring hydrotherapy is not suitable for all diseases. Hot spring hydrotherapy can be considered a safe and generally well-accepted intervention in health care to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life, and hopes that it can provide a certain reference basis for the research of the relevant content in the future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"96 ","pages":"Article 103312"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145647475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The health effects of diaphragmatic breathing: A systematic review","authors":"Chan-Young Kwon ,&nbsp;Jiyoon Won ,&nbsp;Boram Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103317","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103317","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Diaphragmatic breathing (DB) is widely used clinically, but a comprehensive synthesis of randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence on its health effects is lacking. This systematic review evaluated the health effects of DB interventions in adults based on RCT evidence.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Six electronic databases were searched through January 2025 for RCTs comparing DB to control conditions in adults. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias (Cochrane RoB 2). A narrative synthesis was performed due to substantial heterogeneity across studies.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We included 48 RCTs. DB protocols were highly heterogeneous, with parameters varying widely in breathing frequency (2–10 breaths/min), session duration (3–45 min), and total duration (single session to 12 weeks). Methodological quality was a significant concern (only 2.12 % of outcomes low risk of bias). Consistent benefits were found for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (including reduced medication use), anxiety, post-COVID-19 syndrome, and gestational diabetes). In healthy adults, DB showed acute cardiovascular benefits. However, evidence was inconsistent for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and DB was less effective than standard care after cardiac surgery. Safety was underreported (18.75 % of studies), but no serious adverse events were noted.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>DB is a promising complementary therapy for specific conditions, including GERD, but the evidence base is constrained by methodologically weak and heterogeneous primary studies. Future research requires rigorous, standardized trial designs to establish its clinical value. Despite these limitations, DB is a low-cost, accessible, and apparently safe intervention for select conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"96 ","pages":"Article 103317"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145892383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Animal-assisted therapy in patients with psychotic disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Ana María Peraile-Huerta ,&nbsp;Estela Jiménez-López ,&nbsp;Valentina Díaz-Goñi ,&nbsp;Tomás Olivo Martins-de-Passos ,&nbsp;Fernando Peral-Martínez ,&nbsp;Sandra Herráiz-Garrote ,&nbsp;Ana Pérez-Moreno ,&nbsp;Arthur Eumann Mesas ,&nbsp;Bruno Bizzozero-Peroni","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103322","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103322","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To synthesize the available evidence on the effects of animal-assisted therapy on core symptom dimensions (including positive, negative, and general symptoms), specific symptom domains (including depression, anhedonia, anxiety, stress) and cognitive functioning in patients with psychotic spectrum disorders.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA and Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions guidelines. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases were searched from inception to June 2025 with no language restrictions. Experimental follow-up studies implementing animal-assisted therapy in patients with psychotic disorders were included. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I² statistic.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 12 studies (10 randomized controlled trials, a quasi-experimental controlled trial and a pre-post study) involving 408 patients (mean age range: 37.0–55.3 years; 32.6 % women) were included. Compared with control conditions, patients receiving animal-assisted therapy (predominantly dog-assisted) showed significantly greater pre-post improvements in negative symptoms (SMD = −0.51, 95 % CI: −0.95, −0.07; I² = 45.2 %; n = 6). No significant effects were found for positive symptoms (SMD = −0.68, 95 % CI: −1.68, 0.32; I² = 83.8 %; n = 6) or general symptoms (SMD = −0.08, 95 % CI: −0.86, 0.69; I² = 72.5 %; n = 4). Sensitivity analyses restricted to dog-assisted interventions yielded similar effect estimates. Anxiety symptoms showed reductions but could not be synthesized quantitatively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Animal-assisted therapy may help alleviate symptoms in patients with psychotic disorders, particularly by reducing negative symptoms. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and clarify their clinical significance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"96 ","pages":"Article 103322"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145984607","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative effects of static, classical, and sham dry needling on muscle properties and autonomic nervous system activity in cervical myofascial pain syndrome","authors":"Gracjan Olaniszyn ,&nbsp;Adrian Kużdżał ,&nbsp;Jakub Taradaj ,&nbsp;Robert Trybulski","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103314","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103314","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Dry needling is frequently used for managing myofascial pain, yet the influence of needle manipulation technique on physiological responses remains uncertain.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To compare the short-term effects of classical dynamic (pistoning) dry needling (CDN), static dry needling (SDN), and sham needling (shamN) on mechanical and microcirculatory properties of the upper trapezius muscle.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled trial, 45 participants with upper-trapezius myofascial trigger points were allocated to CDN (n = 15), SDN (n = 15), or shamN (n = 15). CDN involved multiple fast in–out needle insertions to elicit local twitch responses, SDN consisted of a single needle insertion retained for 60 s without manipulation, and shamN simulated insertion without skin penetration. Outcomes included pressure pain threshold (PPT, N/m²), muscle stiffness (N/m), tone (Hz), elasticity (D), and perfusion (PU), recorded at baseline, immediately, 60 min, 24 h, and 7 days post-intervention. Data were analyzed with mixed (Group × Time) ANCOVA models using baseline as covariate.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A significant main effect of time was observed for PPT (p = 0.039, η²ₚ = 0.071) and a significant Time × Group interaction for elasticity (p &lt; 0.001, η²ₚ = 0.974) and perfusion (p &lt; 0.001, η²ₚ = 0.483). Post hoc comparisons showed higher PPT and perfusion and lower stiffness and tone in CDN compared with SDN and shamN across most time points (p &lt; 0.05). No significant differences were found between SDN and shamN.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>CDN induced greater short-term improvements in mechanical and perfusion outcomes of the upper trapezius than static or sham procedures, suggesting that needle manipulation intensity modulates physiological responses. Long-term studies are warranted to confirm sustained clinical relevance. Trial registration: ISRCTN16484644</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"96 ","pages":"Article 103314"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145733220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Duration of music listening in music-induced analgesia: A pilot randomized controlled trial","authors":"Emy S. van der Valk Bouman ,&nbsp;Antonia S. Becker ,&nbsp;Melissa Smienk ,&nbsp;Mirte M.B. Horstink ,&nbsp;Cecile C. de Vos ,&nbsp;Hans Jeekel ,&nbsp;Chris I. De Zeeuw ,&nbsp;Markus Klimek","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103311","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103311","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Music is a non-pharmacological treatment that is effective for pain relief. However, the extent to which duration of listening to music influences music-induced analgesia (MIA) is unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this pilot randomized controlled trial, healthy volunteers (n = 80) were subjected in a parallel design to music for 0, 1, 5 or 20 min. Pain was induced by increasing electric stimuli using the Biopac program Stimusol. MIA was assessed at baseline, at the end of the experimental period with music (intervention), and after a five-minute washout period without music. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models to account for measurement sequences.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>For the intervention measurement, pain endurance did not differ between groups. However, pain threshold was higher in the 20-minute group (β = 2.5, p &lt; 0.001), but not in the 1-minute and 5-minute groups, compared to the control group. On average, perceived pain intensity and unpleasantness were somewhat lower in all music groups compared to the control group, but none of these differences were significantly different. Emotional valence was higher in the music groups compared to the control group, which was significant only for the 1-minute group (β = 0.6, p = 0.027). Albeit not consistently, heart rate variability indicated more sympathetic activity in all music groups. For the washout measurement, no clear trends were visible.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Translating these findings to clinical care, it seems advisable for patients to listen to music for a sufficient amount of time (≥20 min) to achieve effective MIA. Further research is needed to validate these results and determine the optimal “dosage” for MIA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"96 ","pages":"Article 103311"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145615982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recent trends and disparities in movement behaviors and internalizing symptoms among U.S. youth with chronic pain","authors":"Honghui Le ,&nbsp;Zewen Zhang ,&nbsp;Yuanping Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103315","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103315","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Temporal dynamics and sociodemographic disparities (e.g., age, sex, ethnicity, and household income) in movement behaviors—such as adherence to physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) guidelines—and internalized symptoms, including anxiety and depression, remain largely understudied. Therefore, we aimed to investigate recent trends and sociodemographic disparities in movement behaviors and internalizing problems among youth with chronic pain.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) which includes U.S. youth aged 6–17 years with chronic pain. In this study, survey data covering the period between 2018 and 2022, was used to investigate temporal trends in movement behaviors and Internalizing symptoms, followed by sub-group analyses (i.e., age group, sex, ethnicity, household poverty level, and the education level of primary caregivers).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Data from 11,362 participants with chronic pain (mean age = 11.55 years [SD, 3.41]; 4866 [41.86 %] boys) were analyzed. Regarding movement behaviors, mean ST duration increased from 2.8 h in 2018–2.9 h in 2022 (<em>P</em> for trend = 0.02). Meanwhile, the estimated prevalence of meeting PA guideline decreased from 18.3 % to 11.5 % (<em>P</em> for trend = 0.001). Regarding internalizing problems, significant increases were observed in the prevalence estimates of anxiety (27.8 % to 35.0 %, <em>P</em> for trend = 0.001) and depression (15.9 % to 21.6 %, <em>P</em> for trend = 0.004). Relative to their peers, both adolescent and girl participants exhibited a lower estimated prevalence of adherence to movement behaviors guidelines, as well as a higher prevalence of internalizing problems. By contrast, White participants reported higher estimated prevalence rates for both adherence to movement behaviors guidelines and internalizing problems.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>This study investigated temporal trends in movement behavior and internalized problems among youth with chronic pain in the United States and identified significant differences across age, sex, and ethnic subgroups. Findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring of movement behavior and internalized problems and underscore the need for relevant stakeholders (e.g., policymakers) to account for the influence of sociodemographic factors when aiming to promote a healthy lifestyle in such a vulnerable population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"96 ","pages":"Article 103315"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145827018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa, Boswellia serrata, and their mixed formulation in treating knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis","authors":"Chanya Inprasit ,&nbsp;Siriwadee Bunyamahote ,&nbsp;Kansak Boonpattharatthiti ,&nbsp;Phiyanuch Thimkorn ,&nbsp;Suwipa Intakhiao ,&nbsp;Teerapon Dhippayom","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103256","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103256","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Herbal interventions such as <em>Curcuma longa</em> (CL) and <em>Boswellia serrata</em> (BS) have demonstrated efficacy and safety in managing knee osteoarthritis (KOA); however, the effects of their combined formulation, including both direct and indirect outcomes, remain insufficiently explored. We performed systematic review and network meta-analysis for clinical effects of CL, BS, and their mixed formulation in alleviating KOA symptoms.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The CENTRAL, PubMed, EMBASE, and EBSCO Open Dissertations, databases and also from Snowballing and citation searching were searched through March 2025. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that studied effectiveness of CL or BS in KOA participants using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and KOA severity by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), and adverse events as the main outcomes, were eligibly included. The Cochrane Risk of Bias a random-effects model, standardized mean differences (SMDs) along with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were employed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In total, 20 RCTs comprising 1633 participants were included. The modified formulations of CL showed a significant reduction in VAS compared to placebo (SMD: −2.82; 95 %CI: −5.30 to −0.33), while the modified formulations of BS demonstrated significant improvement in WOMAC pain, stiffness, and knee function compared to other intervention groups. No significant differences in adverse events were observed among all comparisons.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>BS extract, particularly in modified formulations, improves joint function in patients with mild to moderate KOA, while only the modified formulation of CL demonstrates notable pain-reducing efficacy. The potential benefits of combined CL and BS preparations warrant further investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"96 ","pages":"Article 103256"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145285670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical effect and contributing factors of acupuncture for limb motor dysfunction after ischemic stroke: A systematic review and exploratory network meta-analysis","authors":"Tie-Chun Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhao-Liang Luo ,&nbsp;Jing Yuan ,&nbsp;Yu-Sha Liao ,&nbsp;Min-Min Ruan ,&nbsp;Ting-Ting Yang ,&nbsp;Hao-Run Wang ,&nbsp;Zi-Han Yin ,&nbsp;Ling Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103320","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103320","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of limb motor dysfunction following ischemic stroke, and to assess the influence of acupuncture intervention type and treatment dosage on therapeutic outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted comprehensive searches multiple databases (e.g., PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CNKI) and clinical trial registries for studies published up to 10 December 2024. Limb motor function, assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, was evaluated as the primary outcome. Data analysis was performed using RevMan, ADDIS, and STATA, with reviewer consistency evaluated by the intra-class correlation coefficient.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 71 trials were included. The risk of bias assessment indicated 91.5 % of studies had some concerns. The pairwise meta-analyses indicated that the combination of acupuncture and conventional treatment was more effective than conventional treatment alone in improving limb motor dysfunction. The network meta-analysis further indicated that manual acupuncture combined with conventional treatment was the most effective acupuncture-based intervention for improving limb motor dysfunction. Meanwhile, among all acupuncture dose regimens, high-dose acupuncture plus conventional treatment was associated with the greatest therapeutic benefit. However, the GRADE evaluation showed that the certainty of the evidence ranged from low to critically low.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Acupuncture combined with conventional therapy enhances limb motor function recovery in patients after ischemic stroke. Manual acupuncture combined with conventional treatment, especially when employing higher-dose acupuncture protocols, may represent one of the most effective therapeutic approaches. Although the low certainty of evidence warrants cautious interpretation, these findings indicate a promising treatment strategy and identify key areas that require verification through subsequent rigorous studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"96 ","pages":"Article 103320"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145988537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}