Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Efficacy and safety of thread embedding acupuncture combined with acupuncture for chronic low back pain: A randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded, multicenter clinical trial.
Low back pain is a very common disease. Many patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) have been treated by complementary and alternative medicine such as acupuncture (AT) treatment. A type of AT, thread embedding acupuncture (TEA), consists of a thread that can continually stimulate at the AT points and has mechanical and chemical effects. Although TEA was widely used in clinical practice, there was little evidence of its efficacy and safety for CLBP. ⋯ This clinical trial documents the efficacy and safety of TEA combined with AT for the management of CLBP.
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To evaluate the effects and safety of intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells on patients with knee osteoarthritis by a systematic review and meta-analysis. ⋯ Intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells is effective and safety to relieve pain and improve motor function of patients with knee osteoarthritis in a short term which is different to conclusions of previous study.
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MicroRNA 221 has been found to be a good marker for several cancers. Some studies also focused on the relationship between microRNA 221 and glioma. However, the results are controversial. We aimed to systematically evaluate the prognostic role of microRNA 221 in glioma through performing a meta-analysis. ⋯ In conclusion, high expression of microRNA 221 was related to poor prognosis of glioma. These findings may assist future exploration on microRNA 221 and help predict the prognosis of glioma. However, due to the significant heterogeneity of these studies, more studies are warranted.
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With dissatisfaction of western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine becomes alternative treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients. The common syndrome of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is qi and yin deficiency syndrome. The prescription, Modified Maimendong Decoction (MMD), is usually used for IPF patients with qi and yin deficiency syndrome. However, there is no convinced evidence for the efficacy and safety of MMD to treat IPF. ⋯ The results of this trial will provide the evidence for the effect of MMD in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
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Metatarsalgia refers to localized or generalized forefoot pain in the region of the metatarsal heads. Often this pain is plantar, beneath the metatarsal heads, and arises from either mechanical or iatrogenic causes. The treatment of metatarsalgia remains controversial. A thorough understanding of the biomechanics of the forefoot and the underlying pathology of the particular type of metatarsalgia affecting the patient is a prerequisite to selecting the proper treatment. In recent years, massage therapy has been increasingly accepted by patients due to its lower costs, fewer unwanted side effects, and safety for clinical use. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with metatarsal pain. ⋯ DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/C6KFJ.