Complementary therapies in medicine
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Complement Ther Med · Jan 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effectiveness of wet-cupping for nonspecific low back pain in Iran: a randomized controlled trial.
To determine the efficacy of wet-cupping for treating persistent nonspecific low back pain. ⋯ Traditional wet-cupping care delivered in a primary care setting was safe and acceptable to patients with nonspecific low back pain. Wet-cupping care was significantly more effective in reducing bodily pain than usual care at 3-month follow-up.
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Complement Ther Med · Jun 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialAcupuncture for acute non-specific low back pain: a pilot randomised non-penetrating sham controlled trial.
A pilot study to assess the feasibility of a trial to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture compared to placebo needling for the treatment of acute low back pain (LBP). As part of this, the study was designed to establish the credibility of the placebo control, and to provide data to inform a power analysis to determine numbers for a future trial. ⋯ This study has demonstrated the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of penetrating needle acupuncture compared to a non-penetrating sham for the treatment of acute LBP in primary care; 120 participants would be required in a fully powered trial. The placebo needle used in this study proved to be a credible form of control.
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Complement Ther Med · Jun 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialAn experimental study on the effectiveness of massage with aromatic ginger and orange essential oil for moderate-to-severe knee pain among the elderly in Hong Kong.
To assess the efficacy of an aromatic essential oil (1% Zingiber officinale and 0.5% Citrus sinesis) massage among the elderly with moderate-to-severe knee pain. ⋯ The aroma-massage therapy seems to have potential as an alternative method for short-term knee pain relief.
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Complement Ther Med · Feb 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialReflexology in the management of low back pain: a pilot randomised controlled trial.
The current study was designed as a pilot study for a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of reflexology in the management of low back pain (LBP). ⋯ Reflexology appears to offer promise as a treatment in the management of LBP; however, an adequately powered trial is required before any more definitive pronouncements are possible.
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Complement Ther Med · Dec 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Controlled Clinical TrialThe management of cancer-related fatigue after chemotherapy with acupuncture and acupressure: a randomised controlled trial.
Cancer-related fatigue after chemotherapy is a difficult symptom to manage in practice and the most disruptive symptom in patients' lives. Acupuncture is a popular complementary therapy among cancer patients and some evidence exists that it could potentially alleviate fatigue by stimulating 'energy' points in the body. Hence, this study was carried out to assess the effects of acupuncture and acupressure in managing cancer-related fatigue and the feasibility of running a randomised trial with these two complementary therapies in preparation for a large trial. ⋯ Acupuncture shows great potential in the management of cancer-related fatigue. As a randomised trial with acupuncture is feasible and preliminary data shows significant improvements, it should be tested further using a large sample and a multicentre design.