Postgraduate medical journal
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Speed, accuracy, and confidence in Google, Ovid, PubMed, and UpToDate: results of a randomised trial.
The explosion of biomedical information has led to an 'information paradox'-the volume of biomedical information available has made it increasingly difficult to find relevant information when needed. It is thus increasingly critical for physicians to acquire a working knowledge of biomedical informatics. ⋯ Non-Medline based search tools are not inferior to Medline based search tools for purposes of answering evidence based anaesthesia and critical care questions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A randomised controlled trial of subcutaneous sodium salicylate therapy for osteoarthritis of the thumb.
Current treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) is limited. Many patients with OA of the hand have areas of tender subcutaneous thickening in the forearm and upper scapular region. A pilot study showed an improvement in pain from OA at the first carpometacarpal joint after injection of such areas with 0.5% sodium salicylate or saline, an inexpensive treatment that can be administered by general practitioners and nurses. The study indicated that a randomised, sham-controlled trial was justified. ⋯ The data show that subcutaneous sodium salicylate injections are an effective symptomatic treatment for OA of the thumb. The results provide a basis for further physiological and therapeutic research in this area.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
An evaluation of the effects of Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung training in patients with symptomatic heart failure: a randomised controlled pilot study.
To study the effect of Tai Chi on exercise tolerance in patients with moderate heart failure. ⋯ In patients with chronic heart failure, 16 weeks of Tai Chi training was safe, with no adverse exercise related problems. It was enjoyed by all taking part and led to significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Intravenous administration of metoclopramide by 2 min bolus vs 15 min infusion: does it affect the improvement of headache while reducing the side effects?
To determine the therapeutic effect (alleviation of vascular type headache) and side effects of a slow intravenous metoclopramide infusion over 15 min compared with those effects of a bolus intravenous metoclopramide infusion over 2 min in the treatment of patients with recent onset vascular type headache. ⋯ Slowing the infusion rate of metoclopramide is an effective strategy for the improvement of headache and reducing the incidence of akathisia in patients with vascular type headache.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Is rheumatoid arthritis a disease that starts in the intestine? A pilot study comparing an elemental diet with oral prednisolone.
This pilot study aimed to determine if an elemental diet could be used to treat patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and to compare its effect to that of oral prednisolone. ⋯ An elemental diet for 2 weeks resulted in a clinical improvement in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, and was as effective as a course of oral prednisolone 15 mg daily in improving subjective clinical parameters. This study supports the concept that rheumatoid arthritis may be a reaction to a food antigen(s) and that the disease process starts within the intestine.