Bmc Complem Altern M
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Bmc Complem Altern M · Oct 2011
ReviewComplementary and alternative medicine for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review.
Throughout the world, patients with chronic diseases/illnesses use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). The use of CAM is also substantial among patients with diseases/illnesses of unknown aetiology. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also termed myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is no exception. Hence, a systematic review of randomised controlled trials of CAM treatments in patients with CFS/ME was undertaken to summarise the existing evidence from RCTs of CAM treatments in this patient population. ⋯ The results of our systematic review provide limited evidence for the effectiveness of CAM therapy in relieving symptoms of CFS. However, we are not able to draw firm conclusions concerning CAM therapy for CFS due to the limited number of RCTs for each therapy, the small sample size of each study and the high risk of bias in these trials. Further rigorous RCTs that focus on promising CAM therapies are warranted.
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Bmc Complem Altern M · Jan 2009
ReviewThe impact of NHS based primary care complementary therapy services on health outcomes and NHS costs: a review of service audits and evaluations.
The aim of this study was to review evaluations and audits of primary care complementary therapy services to determine the impact of these services on improving health outcomes and reducing NHS costs. Our intention is to help service users, service providers, clinicians and NHS commissioners make informed decisions about the potential of NHS based complementary therapy services. ⋯ To improve the quality of evaluations, we urge those evaluating complementary therapy services to use standardised health outcome tools, calculate confidence intervals and collect NHS cost data from GP medical records. Further discussion is needed on ways to standardise the collection and reporting of NHS cost data in primary care complementary therapy services evaluations.
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Bmc Complem Altern M · Jun 2006
ReviewDevelopment of a taxonomy to describe massage treatments for musculoskeletal pain.
One of the challenges in conducting research in the field of massage and bodywork is the lack of consistent terminology for describing the treatments given by massage therapists. The objective of this study was to develop a taxonomy to describe what massage therapists actually do when giving a massage to patients with musculoskeletal pain. ⋯ A new classification system is presented whereby practitioners using different styles of massage can describe the techniques they employ using consistent terminology. This system could help facilitate standardized reporting of massage interventions.
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Bmc Complem Altern M · May 2003
ReviewContent validity of manual spinal palpatory exams - A systematic review.
Many health care professionals use spinal palpatory exams as a primary and well-accepted part of the evaluation of spinal pathology. However, few studies have explored the validity of spinal palpatory exams. To evaluate the status of the current scientific evidence, we conducted a systematic review to assess the content validity of spinal palpatory tests used to identify spinal neuro-musculoskeletal dysfunction. ⋯ The lack of acceptable reference standards may have contributed to the weak sensitivity findings. Given the importance of spinal palpatory tests as part of the spinal evaluation and treatment plan, effort is required by all involved disciplines to create well-designed and implemented studies in this area.
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Bmc Complem Altern M · Jan 2001
Review Comparative StudySystematic review of the use of honey as a wound dressing.
To investigate topical honey in superficial burns and wounds though a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. ⋯ Confidence in a conclusion that honey is a useful treatment for superficial wounds or burns is low. There is biological plausibility.