Cochrane Db Syst Rev
-
The aim of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is to replace nicotine from cigarettes. This reduces withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation thus helping resist the urge to smoke cigarettes. ⋯ All of the commercially available forms of NRT (gum, transdermal patch, nasal spray, inhaler and sublingual tablets/lozenges) are effective as part of a strategy to promote smoking cessation. They increase the odds of quitting approximately 1.5 to 2 fold regardless of setting. The effectiveness of NRT appears to be largely independent of the intensity of additional support provided to the smoker. Provision of more intense levels of support, although beneficial in facilitating the likelihood of quitting, is not essential to the success of NRT.
-
Most ischaemic strokes are caused by blood clots blocking an artery in the brain. Clot prevention with anticoagulant therapy could have a significant impact on patient survival, disability and stroke recurrence. ⋯ Immediate anticoagulant therapy in patients with acute ischaemic stroke is not associated with net short- or long-term benefit. The data from this review do not support the routine use of any type of anticoagulant in acute ischaemic stroke. People treated with anticoagulants had less chance of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) following their stroke, but these sorts of blood clots are not very common, and may be prevented in other ways.
-
Besides reversing the underlying cause, the first line treatment for the symptoms of shock is usually the administration of intravenous fluids. If this method is not successful, vasopressors such as dopamine, dobutamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline and vasopressin are recommended. It is unclear if there is a vasopressor of choice, either for the treatment of particular forms of shock or for the treatment of shock in general. ⋯ The current available evidence is not suited to inform clinical practice. We were unable to determine whether a particular vasopressor is superior to other agents in the treatment of states of shock.
-
Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2004
ReviewNon-pharmaceutical measures for prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome.
Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a long-term complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) characterised by chronic pain, swelling and skin changes in the affected limb. One in every three patients with DVT will develop post-thrombotic complications within five years. ⋯ There is substantial evidence that elastic compression stockings reduce the occurrence of PTS after DVT. No serious adverse effects were mentioned in the studies. Hence, elastic compression stockings should be added to the treatment of DVT to prevent the development of post-thrombotic syndrome.
-
Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2004
ReviewAuditory integration training and other sound therapies for autism spectrum disorders.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders encompassing Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Semantic-Pragmatic disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Auditory integration therapy (AIT) was developed as a technique for improving abnormal sound sensitivity in individuals with behavioural disorders including autism. Other sound therapies bearing similarities to AIT include the Tomatis Method and Samonas Sound Therapy. ⋯ More research is needed to inform parents', carers' and practitioners' decision making about this therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.