Complementary Medicine Research

doi: 10.1159/000538698pmid: 38754390

Ariana, Shideh; Amjadi, Nooshin; Kazemi, Seyyedeh Neda; Ahmadli, Zahra

doi: 10.1159/000535585pmid: 38377980

AbstractBackground: Several methods have been developed for cervical ripening. The data regarding the efficiency of evening primrose oil (EPO) are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes of EPO use on cervical ripening in low-risk women with term pregnancy. Patients and Methods: Low-risk term pregnant women referred to the obstetrics clinic of Imam Hossein Hospital in Tehran who were eligible according to the inclusion were randomized either to the case or control group. The case group received 1,000 mg vaginal EPO capsule, and the other group received a vaginal placebo capsule daily, similar to the original drug. The primary outcome was Bishop score, while the duration of labor phases and the inducing procedures were the secondary outcomes. Results: Forty-eight participants were randomized to each group and were considered for data analysis. Although Bishop score was not statistically different before the intervention, it was significantly higher in case group compared to the placebo group after the intervention (EPO = 5.83 ± 1.68, placebo = 5.19 ± 1.52, p value = 0.002). Four participants in the case group and two in the control group underwent cesarean section (p value = 0.677). The need for labor induction was significantly higher in the placebo group than EPO group (oxytocin injection: 10.4% vs. 31.3%, p value = 0.012, amniotomy: 75% vs. 41.7, p value = 0.001). Conclusion: The vaginal use of EPO could be considered as a safe and efficient approach for cervical ripening in low-risk term pregnant women.

doi: 10.1159/000539841pmid: N/A

Struckmann, Victoria Franziska ; Allouch-Fey, Stephanie; Kneser, Ulrich; Harhaus, Leila; Schulte, Matthias

doi: 10.1159/000535845pmid: 38387452

AbstractBackground: Impaired fracture healing is a recurring interdisciplinary medical challenge. Alternative treatment concepts, apart from conventional medicine, are popular, but scientific evidence on their effects is still lacking. Plant-derived substances are widely assumed to support bone homeostasis. To clarify the effects on bone healing mechanisms, a commercially available, homeopathic-spagyric remedy, containing inter alia two herbal substances with assumed osteogenic potential, equisetum arvense and bellis perennis, was analyzed. Methods: Human fetal osteoblastic (hFOB) 1.19 cells were incubated with the test substance in serial dilutions from 10 to 0.00001%. Cell viability has been evaluated through ATP level (CTG assay) and MTT tetrazolium reduction. Cell proliferation was analyzed by BrdU incorporation and cell migration by wound healing assay (WHA) via image analysis. Additionally, determination of the expression of key genes via real-time PCR and proteins via proteome array for inflammation, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis were performed. Results: An incubation of hFOB 1.19 cells with the test substance for 24/72 h showed no reduction in cell number, viability, or proliferation. Cell migration was unimpaired. The test substance induced inflammatory genes and growth factors along with genes of osseous regeneration (ALP, Col1, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, Osteocalcin, Osteonectin, RUMX2, TGF, VEGFA). Increased protein expression was found in multiple cytokines, chemokines, and acute phase proteins. Conclusion: The test substance did not impair cell vitality parameters (MTT, CTG, BrdU, and WHA). A tendency to activate growth factors, bone regeneration genes, and proteins was shown for osteoblasts, indicating a possible positive effect on osteogenic processes.

Couillard, Florence; Parreau, Simon; Dumonteil, Stéphanie; Ratti, Nina; Palat, Sylvain; Bezanahary, Holy; Liozon, Eric; Ly, Kim-Heang; Fauchais, Anne-Laure; Gondran, Guillaume

doi: 10.1159/000536580pmid:

D’Souza, Arun; Zink, Katharina; Langhorst, Jost; Wildner, Manfred; Stupp, Carolin; Keil, Thomas

doi: 10.1159/000536528pmid: 38471489

AbstractBackground: For centuries, spring and other natural waters have been recommended as external or internal remedies for numerous diseases. For studies that examined the effects of drinking mineral waters against heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or functional dyspepsia, a systematic review is lacking. Objectives: The main aim of this systematic review was to examine the effects of drinking natural mineral waters on heartburn from various causes by identifying all published intervention studies and critically appraising their methods as well as summarizing their results. Methods: We systematically searched the largest medical literature database MEDLINE, further relevant web sources, and gray literature for randomized and nonrandomized trials, with or without control groups, up to September 2021 and no language restrictions. Further inclusion criteria were adult patients with heartburn, drinking cure with natural mineral water as the intervention, compared to no or other interventions (care-as-usual, waiting list). We defined the reduction of heartburn symptoms and duration of disease episodes as primary and quality of life as secondary outcomes. Two reviewers independently carried out the study quality assessments (risk of bias) using the National Institutes of Health-Study Quality Assessment Tools. Results: Nine trials comprising 393 patients from Italy, Russia, Ukraine, and Germany fulfilled all inclusion criteria. We identified three randomized controlled trials (all with poor methodological quality), plus six before-after (pre/post) intervention studies without a control group. The intervention groups of the three comparative trials seemed to show a stronger reduction of self-reported heartburn symptoms, and duration of heartburn episodes than the respective control groups; however, they all had poor methodological quality. Conclusion: Based on the best available evidence of clinical studies, we cannot recommend or advise against drinking natural mineral waters as a treatment for heartburn. The potential benefits of natural mineral waters that were reported in some studies with a lower evidence level (e.g., lacking a control group) should be verified by good quality randomized clinical trials with adequate comparison groups and longer follow-up periods.

Königsberger, Karolina; Urech, Konrad; Reif, Marcus; Baumgartner, Stephan; Martin, David; Tröger, Wilfried

doi: 10.1159/000537979pmid: 38447556

AbstractIntroduction: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) belong to the group of keratinocyte carcinomas (KC). Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precursor lesion of cSCC. The incidences of cSCC, BCC, and AK are currently strongly increasing. Different standard therapies exist for these conditions but are not always applicable or successful. Hydrophilic Viscum album extracts have been used in anthroposophic cancer therapy since 1917. Viscum album lipophilic extract (VALE) is prepared by means of supercritical CO2 extraction. This retrospective case series assessed the safety and clinical effects of a topical application of 10% VALE in individual cases of cSCC, BCC, and AK. Methods: For this retrospective case series, a positive vote was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of Witten/Herdecke (No. 146/2020). Eligible patients signed a declaration of consent prior to inclusion in the study. The main outcome parameters were the clinical response to treatment with VALE and adverse drug reactions. Risk factors, concomitant therapies and diseases, further diagnostic and therapeutic information were documented where available. Data analysis was performed on the level of patients and of individual lesions. Results: The study population consisted of 55 patients with 74 skin lesions. Individual case analysis accompanied by photographic documentation revealed typical and promising treatment courses. Clinical response rates (complete + partial remissions) for individual lesions were 78% for cSCC, 70% for BCC, and 71% for AK. Complete remission rates for individual lesions were 56% for cSCC, 35% for BCC, and 15% for AK. In cSCC and BCC, shorter times to best clinical response were observed. Adverse drug reactions were reported in 5 patients including erythema and inflammatory reactions of mostly moderate severity that resolved completely. In one case, therapy was temporarily paused, in four cases it was continued without interruption. Discussion/Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that VALE is a safe and tolerable extract under whose application complete and partial remissions of KC could be observed. To improve and assess the efficacy of VALE, prospective investigations are necessary.

Hu, Niaona; Soh, Kim Lam ; Japar, Salimah; Li, Ting

doi: 10.1159/000537734pmid: 38417402

AbstractBackground: The increasing worldwide mental health crisis, notably anxiety, emphasizes the urgency for available and effective interventions. Traditional therapies, although beneficial, pose limitations due to their considerable costs and possible adverse effects, thereby inviting alternative treatments such as auricular acupressure (AA). This non-pharmacological, integrative method, underpinned by Eastern and Western medical principles, presents a significant prospect for managing anxiety. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the existing evidence on the efficacy of AA in reducing anxiety, as elucidated through a systematic review. Methods: A comprehensive search of randomized controlled trials was conducted across various databases: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine (CBM), Wan Fang, and Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP). Two reviewers retrieved the pertinent studies and assessed their methodological quality. A meta-analysis was then conducted, incorporating data from all relevant time points. Results: Upon examining 25 studies encompassing 1,909 participants, it was discerned that AA significantly diminished anxiety (SMD = −1.1074; 95% confidence interval, −1.348 to −0.801; z = 7.70, p < 0.01). Subgroup analyses indicated that neither an increased number of auricular points nor extended intervention augmented effects. Larger effect sizes were associated with probing and avoidance of sham acupressure. Notably, 23 of the 25 studies exhibited some bias, suggesting further research is necessary. Conclusions: The extant evidence advocates for AA as an effective supplementary intervention that reduces patient anxiety. The results hint at a potential placebo effect elicited by sham acupressure, necessitating rigorous control group definitions in future inquiries. The study findings suggest that fewer acupressure points and shorter intervention durations could effectively alleviate anxiety symptoms. Nonetheless, the significant heterogeneity across the studies underscores the requirement for more stringent research methodologies to substantiate these conclusions.

Xiang, Si-Rui; Ma, Qiong; Dong, Jing; Ren, Yi-Feng; Lin, Jun-Zhi; Zheng, Chuan; Xiao, Ping; You, Feng-Ming

doi: 10.1159/000538425pmid: 38560980

AbstractIntroduction: Music therapy and aromatherapy have been demonstrated effective for perioperative anxiety. However, the available studies have indicated discordant results about which adjunct treatment is better for perioperative anxiety. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to explore the contrasting effects between them. Methods: Six electronic databases were searched for clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of music therapy compared with aromatherapy in alleviating perioperative anxiety. The primary outcome was the postintervention anxiety level. Secondary outcomes included differences in blood pressure and heart rate before and after the intervention as well as pain scores at intraoperative and postoperative time points. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021249737). Results: Twelve studies (894 patients) were included. The anxiety level showed no statistically significant difference (SMD, 0.28; 95% CI: −0.12, 0.68; p = 0.17). The analysis of blood pressure and heart rate also did not identify statistically significant differences. Notably, the pain scores at the intraoperative time point suggested that aromatherapy was superior to music therapy (WMD, 0.29 cm; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.52; p = 0.02), while those at 4 h after surgery indicated the opposite results (WMD, −0.48 cm; 95% CI: −0.60, −0.36; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Low-to-moderate quality evidence suggests that music therapy and aromatherapy have similar potential to relieve perioperative anxiety. The potential data indicate that the two therapies have different benefits in intervention duration and age distribution. More direct high-quality comparisons are encouraged in the future to verify this point.

Lee, Keun Hee; Kim, Min Hee; Kim, Jaeho; Nam, Hae Jeong

doi: 10.1159/000538236pmid: 38531340

AbstractBackground: Acupuncture treatment for tinnitus has received attention owing to its potential as an alternative to conventional treatment modalities. We conducted a scoping review to identify detailed information on acupuncture treatment methods used in clinical studies and to provide useful information for practitioners, patients, and researchers. Methods: MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Embase, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), Korean Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), DataBase Periodical Information Academic (DBPIA), and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched from their inception to December 2023. This review included single-arm trials, open-label randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and double-blind RCTs using needle-type acupuncture to treat tinnitus in English, Chinese, and Korean. We investigated basic and detailed information on the acupuncture treatment methods, assessment methods, and study outcomes. Network analysis was also conducted to evaluate the centrality between acupoints in the double-blind RCTs. Results: We included 106 articles. There were 11 single-arm trials, 90 open-label RCTs, and 5 double-blind RCTs. Most (89.6%) of these studies were conducted in China. Manual acupuncture was the most common type of acupuncture in treatment group. A total of 119 acupuncture points were used 1,138 times. The most frequently used acupoints were local points around the ear (TE17, GB2, SI19, and TE21). Both local and distant acupoints were used simultaneously in these studies. The treatment duration of 20–39 days, 10 to 19 sessions of treatment, the mean acupuncture duration of 30 min, needle diameter of 0.30 mm × 40 mm, and needling depth over 30 mm and less than 50 mm were confirmed as the most common. Conclusion: These study outcomes will enable future acupuncture studies on tinnitus to perform more effective and standardized acupuncture treatments in selecting acupoints and procedures. Furthermore, the study has implications for informing clinicians and students about more impactful acupuncture strategies for addressing tinnitus.