BMJ : British medical journal
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
The benefits of steroids versus steroids plus antivirals for treatment of Bell's palsy: a meta-analysis.
To determine whether steroids plus antivirals provide a better degree of facial muscle recovery in patients with Bell's palsy than steroids alone. ⋯ Antivirals did not provide an added benefit in achieving at least partial facial muscle recovery compared with steroids alone in patients with Bell's palsy. This study does not, therefore, support the routine use of antivirals in Bell's palsy. Future studies should use improved herpes virus diagnostics and newer antivirals to assess whether combination therapy benefits patients with more severe facial paralysis at study entry.
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Review Meta Analysis
Low intensity pulsed ultrasonography for fractures: systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
To determine the efficacy of low intensity pulsed ultrasonography for healing of fractures. ⋯ Evidence for the effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasonography on healing of fractures is moderate to very low in quality and provides conflicting results. Although overall results are promising, establishing the role of low intensity pulsed ultrasonography in the management of fractures requires large, blinded trials, directly addressing patient important outcomes such as return to function.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Four layer bandage compared with short stretch bandage for venous leg ulcers: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials with data from individual patients.
To compare the effectiveness of two types of compression treatment (four layer bandage and short stretch bandage) in people with venous leg ulceration. ⋯ Venous leg ulcers in patients treated with four layer bandages heal faster, on average, than those of people treated with the short stretch bandage. Benefits were consistent across patients with differing prognostic profiles.