Complementary therapies in medicine
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Complement Ther Med · Apr 2016
ReviewCombined approaches for the relief of spinal cord injury-induced neuropathic pain.
The adequate treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced neuropathic pain still remains an unresolved problem. The current medications predominantly used in the SCI-induced neuropathic pain therapy are morphine, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and antiepileptics, which suggests that psychiatric aspects might be important factors in the treatment of neuropathic pain. It is well documented that the modulation of the sensory events is not a unique way for achieving pain relief. ⋯ In psychiatry, pain relief represents relaxation and a feeling of comfort and satisfaction, which suggests that cognitive and emotional motivations are important factors in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The comorbidity of chronic pain and psychiatric disorders, which is well recognized, suggests that the effective therapeutic relief for neuropathic pain induced by SCI can be achieved in conjunction with the management of the sensory and psychiatric aspects of patient. In this review, we address the feasibility of a combined acupuncture and pharmacotherapy treatment for the relief of neuropathic pain behavior following SCI.
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Complement Ther Med · Oct 2015
ReviewChinese herbal medicine for Henoch-Schönlein purpura in children without renal damage: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) is the most common necrotizing vasculitis affecting children. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) was widely used. We aim to explore the evidence of effectiveness and safety of CHM for HSP in children without renal damage. ⋯ Orally taken adjunctive CHM treatments are effective for children suffering HSP in terms of reducing renal damage and subsiding time of purpura, and could possibly reduce subsiding pain of joint and abdomen. No reliable conclusion regarding safety is possible based on the safety data retrieved. Further rigorous trials are warranted.
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Complement Ther Med · Aug 2015
Review Meta AnalysisEffectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This study was intended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Among patients with stable COPD, TCM plus conventional medical treatment therapy might be associated with reduction risk of exacerbation, improvement of lung function, better quality of life and higher exercise capacity. The results were limited by the methodological flaws of the studies. High quality studies are needed to provide clear evidence for the future use of TCM.
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Complement Ther Med · Aug 2015
Review Meta AnalysisEffectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This study was intended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Among patients with stable COPD, TCM plus conventional medical treatment therapy might be associated with reduction risk of exacerbation, improvement of lung function, better quality of life and higher exercise capacity. The results were limited by the methodological flaws of the studies. High quality studies are needed to provide clear evidence for the future use of TCM.
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Complement Ther Med · Aug 2015
Review Meta AnalysisChuanxiong chadiao powder, a famous Chinese herbal prescription, for headache: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Headache have been recognized as major causes of public ill-health, whereas there currently are the limitations of conventional therapies available. Chuanxiong Chadiao Powder (CXCP) is a well-known classic TCM herbal prescription with respect to treating headache for more than 1000 years. The objective of this study is to systematically assess the clinical efficacy and safety of CXCP for headache. ⋯ The evidence from present study is supported but limited for CXCP clinical use in the management of headache because of methodological flaws. Larger sample-sizes and rigorously designed RCTs are required in the future.