Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2008
Review Meta AnalysisTechnical editing of research reports in biomedical journals.
Most journals try to improve their articles by technical editing processes such as proof-reading, editing to conform to 'house styles', grammatical conventions and checking accuracy of cited references. Despite the considerable resources devoted to technical editing, we do not know whether it improves the accessibility of biomedical research findings or the utility of articles. This is an update of a Cochrane methodology review first published in 2003. ⋯ Surprisingly few studies have evaluated the effects of technical editing rigorously. However there is some evidence that the 'package' of technical editing used by biomedical journals does improve papers. A substantial number of references in biomedical articles are cited or quoted inaccurately.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2008
ReviewTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) versus placebo for chronic low-back pain.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was introduced more than 30 years ago as a therapeutic adjunct to the pharmacological management of pain. However, despite widespread use, its effectiveness in chronic low-back pain (LBP) is still controversial. ⋯ At this time, the evidence from the small number of placebo-controlled trials does not support the use of TENS in the routine management of chronic LBP. Further research is encouraged.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2008
ReviewWITHDRAWN: Dieting to reduce body weight for controlling hypertension in adults.
As early as the 1920's, researchers noted a relationship between caloric restriction, weight loss and a decreased incidence of hypertension (Terry 1922, Preble 1923, Bauman 1928, Master 1929). In 1988 a meta-analysis of aggregate data from 12 prospective studies, including 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), found that on average each 1 kilogram decrease in body weight in obese hypertensive patients was associated with a 2.4 mm Hg systolic and 1.5 mm Hg diastolic decrease in blood pressure (Staessen 1988). Blood pressure reductions were not dependent upon degree of baseline obesity.This review aims to: 1) update the work of Staessen (Staessen 1988) looking specifically at randomized controlled trials, and 2) assess whether any of the trials assess effects of weight-reducing diets on clinical outcomes such as quality of life, morbidity or mortality. ⋯ Weight-reducing diets in overweight hypertensive persons can affect modest weight loss in the range of 3-9% of body weight and are probably associated with modest blood pressure decreases of roughly 3 mm Hg systolic and diastolic. Weight-reducing diets may decrease dosage requirements of persons taking antihypertensive medications.
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There have been many randomised trials of adjuvant tamoxifen among women with early breast cancer, and an updated overview of their results is presented. ⋯ For women with tumours that have been reliably shown to be ER-negative, adjuvant tamoxifen remains a matter for research. However, some years of adjuvant tamoxifen treatment substantially improves the 10-year survival of women with ER-positive tumours and of women whose tumours are of unknown ER status, with the proportional reductions in breast cancer recurrence and in mortality appearing to be largely unaffected by other patient characteristics or treatments.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2008
ReviewWITHDRAWN: Psychological interventions for those who have sexually offended or are at risk of offending.
Sexual offending is both a social problem and a public health issue. To date, no positive treatment effects have been found in quasi-experimental institutional treatment programmes. ⋯ Limited data make recommendations difficult. One study suggests that a cognitive approach results in a decline in re-offending after one year. Another large study shows no benefit for group therapy and suggests the potential for harm at ten years. The ethics of providing this still-experimental treatment to a vulnerable and potentially dangerous group of people outside of a well-designed evaluative study are debatable. This review proves such studies are possible.