Complementary therapies in medicine
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Complement Ther Med · Aug 2014
Review Meta AnalysisThe efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine, Rhodiola formulation in treating ischemic heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Rhodiola formulation is widely used in treating ischemic heart disease (IHD), angina pectoris in China. A number of clinical studies have reported and claimed that Rhodiola formulation can relieve the symptoms of IHD. This study provides the first Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA)-compliant systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Rhodiola formulation in treating ischemic heart disease either as a sole agent or in combination with routine western medicine (RWM). ⋯ Rhodiola formulations may have a positive effect on treating IHD alone and in combination with RWM. However, poor quality of methodology and heterogeneity of the included trials means that larger sample size, multi-center, placebo-controlled, double blind studies are needed.
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Complement Ther Med · Aug 2014
ReviewEffects of Tai Chi on health related quality of life in patients with chronic conditions: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
To determine the effects of Tai Chi practice on health related quality of life in patients with various chronic medical conditions. ⋯ Tai Chi appears to be safe and has positive effects on health related quality of life in patients with chronic conditions, especially for patients with disorders in Cardio-cerebrovascular and respiratory systems, and musculoskeletal system. However, as the delivery mood of Tai Chi provides multiply benefits, which part of the group provides the most benefit in improving quality of life is unclear. Due to the design limitations of previous studies, more larger and well-designed RCTs are needed to confirm the effects. And qualitative researches are warranted to explore how Tai Chi may work exactly from patients' own perspectives.