MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'NeLM - Complementary Medicine' source. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:30:45 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3319285&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FCochrane-review-Honey-for-acute-cough-in-children%2F Source: Cochrane Library Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine Background Cough causes concern for parents and is a major cause of outpatient visits. It can impact on quality of life, cause anxiety and affect sleep in parents and children. Several remedies, including honey, have been used to alleviate cough symptoms.   Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of honey for acute cough in children in ambulatory settings.   Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2009, issue 2) which contains the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register; MEDLINE (1950 to April Week 2 2009); EMBASE (1990 to April 2009); CINAHL (1982 to April 2009); Web of Science (2000 to April 2009); AMED (198... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3319285 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3319285 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3308258&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FExternal-qigong-for-pain-conditions-a-systematic-review-of-randomized-clinical-trials%2F Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine CRD Summary: This generally well-conducted systematic review assessed the effectiveness of external qigong for pain management. External qigong involves qigong practitioners directing their qi energy to relieve pain or other illness. The authors concluded that the evidence for the effectiveness of external qigong was encouraging, but not convincing. The cautious conclusion appears appropriate in view of the limited evidence available. CRD Commentary: This review addressed a clear question with appropriate inclusion criteria. The authors searched a number of databases with no language restrictions and made attempts to identify unpublished research, thus reducing the potential for language and publication bias. Study quality was assesse... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3308258 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3308258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3232859&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FRoselle-for-hypertension-in-adults%2F Source: Cochrane Library Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine Background Hypertension is considered a serious health problem worldwide. Controlling and lowering blood pressure have a significant benefit to the hypertensive patients because hypertension is a risk factor for stroke, heart disease and cardiovascular disease. A tropical plant called Roselle, or Red Sorrel in English-speaking countries, has been used both as a thirst-quenching drink and for medical purposes.   Objectives To explore the effect of Roselle on blood pressure in hypertensive adult patients.   Search strategy The following databases were searched (Date of most recent search was September 2009): - Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2nd Quarter 2009) - DARE (2nd Quarter 2009) - Ovid MEDLIN... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3232859 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3232859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3090523&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FA-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis-of-acupuncture-in-in-vitro-fertilisation%2F Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine CRD Summary: The authors concluded that there was insufficient evidence about the effects of acupuncture on the in vitro-fertilisation (IVF) clinical pregnancy rate. This was a well-conducted review and the authors' conclusions are likely to be reliable. CRD Commentary: The review question was clearly stated and inclusion criteria defined for intervention, participants, outcomes and study design. Several relevant sources were searched and attempts were made to minimise publication and language bias; no evidence of publication bias was found. Appropriate methods were used to minimise reviewer error and bias during the review process. Only RCTs were included, validity was assessed and results were reported. Appropriate methods were used... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3090523 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3090523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3080474&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FEffectiveness-of-probiotics-in-the-treatment-of-irritable-bowel-syndrome%2F Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine CRD Summary: The authors concluded that probiotics may improve symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, but that benefits were uncertain and further research was required. The authors' cautious conclusion appeared to reflect the evidence presented, but the limited search, lack of reporting of review methods and an incomplete validity assessment made it difficult to comment on reliability. CRD Commentary: The review question was clearly stated. Inclusion criteria were defined for study design, intervention and control and participants. Limiting the search to studies identified in one database plus references may have missed other relevant studies and risked publication bias. It was not clear if attempts were made to minimis... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3080474 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3080474 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3072781&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FHerbal-treatments-of-asthma-a-systematic-review%2F Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine CRD Summary: This review of Ayurvedic (traditional Indian medicines) and non-Ayurvedic herbs for asthma concluded that herbs may be a useful treatment despite the limited evidence. The conclusions are likely to be reliable but should be considered with caution given the methodological limitations of the review. CRD Commentary: This review addressed a broad question with broad inclusion criteria. The searches may not have fully addressed the grey literature leading to potential publication bias, and omitted the main complementary/alternative medicine database (AMED). Language bias is likely given the restriction to English language papers and, with the focus on Ayurvedic (Indian) herbs, the review may have omitted relevant studies. The... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3072781 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3072781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3027714&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FShort-term-efficacy-of-physical-interventions-in-osteoarthritic-knee-pain-a-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis-of-randomised-placebo-controlled-trials%2F Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine CRD Summary: The review assessed the efficacy of physical therapy in short-term pain management of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. The authors' conclusions that electro-acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and low level laser therapy offer clinically meaningful effects, are not fully supported by the evidence presented. Given this, and limitations of the review methodology, the reliability of their conclusions is unclear. CRD Commentary: The review addressed a clearly defined question. Study design, patient, intervention and outcome inclusion criteria were all clearly stated, reducing the likelihood of subjective decisions being made during the study selection process. The search strategy covered many e... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3027714 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3027714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2982543&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FAcupuncture-for-tension-type-headache-a-meta-analysis-of-randomized-controlled-trials%2F Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine CRD Summary: This well-conducted review suggested that acupuncture had limited efficacy (visible only at longer term follow-up) for reducing headache frequency in tension-type headache compared with sham acupuncture. The results were likely to be reliable, but further research was needed to assess other variations of needle-based acupuncture and subtypes of tension-type headache. CRD Commentary: This review addressed a clear question with appropriate inclusion criteria. The searches covered the major databases (although not Chinese language databases or AMED, a specialist complementary medicine resource as noted by the authors). Attempts were made to identify unpublished literature. Appropriate methods to reduce reviewer error and bia... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2982543 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2982543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2903535&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FChinese-herbal-medicines-for-people-with-impaired-glucose-tolerance-or-impaired-fasting-blood-glucose%2F The objective of this review was to assess the effects and safety of Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of people with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose (IFG).   Search strategy We searched the following databases: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, AMED, a range of Chinese language databases, SIGLE and databases of ongoing trials.   Selection criteria Randomised clinical trials comparing Chinese herbal medicines with placebo, no treatment, pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions in people with IGT or IFG were considered.   Data collection and analysis ... (Source: NeLM - Complementary Medicine) NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2903535 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2903535 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2873415&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FA-meta-analysis-on-the-efficacy-of-probiotics-for-maintenance-of-remission-and-prevention-of-clinical-and-endoscopic-relapse-in-Crohns-disease%2F Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine CRD Summary: The authors concluded that there was no evidence that probiotics were effective in maintaining remission and preventing recurrence in patients with Crohn's disease. Evidence appeared to support the authors' conclusions, but it was not clear if the entire evidence base had been assessed. [Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG was the most commonly evaluated probiotic. Studies also evaluated Lactobacillus johnsonii, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces boulardii. ] CRD Commentary: The review question was clearly stated and appropriate inclusion criteria were specified. No language restrictions were applied to the search and abstracts were eligible. However, the search was limited to published studies listed in two databases and... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2873415 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2873415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2815921&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FP6-stimulation-for-the-prevention-of-nausea-and-vomiting-associated-with-cesarean-delivery-under-neuraxial-anesthesia-a-systematic-review-of-randomized-controlled-trials%2F Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine CRD Summary: This review found inconsistent evidence for the efficacy of stimulation of the pericardium 6 (P6) Neiguan acupressure point to prevent intra- and post-operative nausea and vomiting in women undergoing a caesarean delivery. The authors' cautious conclusions seem reliable based on the evidence presented. CRD Commentary: This review had clearly stated inclusion criteria with respect to study design, participants and treatments. The authors searched relevant databases for published articles and non-English language articles were available for inclusion. There was no apparent attempt to locate unpublished material which means that relevant studies may have been missed. Steps were taken to minimise reviewer bias and errors in ... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2815921 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2815921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2802005&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FEfficacy-of-light-therapy-in-nonseasonal-depression-a-systematic-review%2F Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine CRD Summary: This review concluded that bright light therapy was an excellent candidate for inclusion in the treatment options available for non-seasonal depression as additional therapy to antidepressant medication. Given the methodological limitations of the included studies and a lack of reporting on the review processes, the authors' conclusions need to be treated with some caution and confirmed in further studies. CRD Commentary: This review had broadly defined inclusion criteria for participants, intervention and study design. The exclusion of studies that did not meet light duration and intensity criteria for SAD may have biased the results. Searching was based on two databases and a range of other sources. Only published mater... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2802005 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2802005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2748852&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FHypnosis-for-nausea-and-vomiting-in-cancer-chemotherapy-a-systematic-review-of-the-research-evidence%2F Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine CRD Summary: The authors' conclusion that hypnosis could be a clinically valuable treatment for anticipatory and cancer-induced nausea and vomiting is supported by the evidence provided but further high quality studies are required. Incomplete reporting of review methods, differences between studies and small sample sizes, make the reliability of these conclusions difficult to determine.   CRD Commentary: Inclusion criteria for intervention, participants, outcomes and study design were clearly defined. Several relevant sources were searched. Attempts were made to reduce language and publication bias. Methods were used to minimise reviewer errors and bias in the assessment of validity and extraction of data, but it was not clear... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2748852 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2748852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2748851&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FA-meta-analysis-of-the-effect-of-soy-protein-supplementation-on-serum-lipids%2F Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine CRD Summary: This review investigated the effect of soy protein supplementation on serum lipids. It concluded that soy protein supplementation lowers total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and slightly increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These conclusions are appropriate considering the strength of the evidence.   CRD Commentary: This review addressed a clear research question and searched an appropriate database for relevant studies. The authors did not attempt to identify unpublished studies, which may have introduced publication bias (but the authors did not find evidence of this). The search was also restricted to studies in English, which may have introduced language bias. Stu... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2748851 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2748851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2748850&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FEffectiveness-of-Petasites-hybridus-preparations-in-the-prophylaxis-of-migraine-a-systematic-review%2F Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine CRD Summary: This review assessed the effectiveness of Petasites hybridus in the prophylaxis of migraine. The authors concluded that there is moderate evidence in support of the effectiveness for 3-4 months daily treatment with 150mg Petasites. This conclusion may not be reliable given the small number of identified trials. [All trials contained the proprietary extract Petadolex.] CRD Commentary: The review addressed a clear question and undertook a limited search for publish trials. The search appears to have been restricted to trials within the selected databases searched but no attempt was made to locate unpublished studies, which might have introduced publication bias. Minimal inclusion criteria were applied and the methodologic... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2748850 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2748850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2748853&cid=s_38889_8_f&fid=38889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nelm.nhs.uk%2Fen%2FNeLM-Area%2FEvidence%2FComplementary-Medicine%2FGarlic-for-the-common-cold%2F Source: Cochrane Library Area: Evidence > Complementary Medicine Background Garlic is alleged to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties that relieve the common cold, among other beneficial effects. There is widespread usage of garlic supplements. The common cold is associated with significant morbidity and economic consequences. On average, children have six to eight colds per year, and adults have two to four.   Objectives To determine whether garlic (allium sativum) is effective for either the prevention or treatment of the common cold, when compared to placebo, no treatment or other treatments.   Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2009, issue 1), which includes the Acute Respiratory Inf... NeLM - Complementary Medicine organizations http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2748853 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2748853