Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2002
Review Meta AnalysisDeep transverse friction massage for treating tendinitis.
Deep transverse friction massage (DTFM) is one of several physiotherapy interventions suggested for the management of tendinitis pain. ⋯ DTFM combined with other physiotherapy modalities did not show consistent benefit over the control of pain, or improvement of grip strength and functional status for patients with ITBFS or for patients with ECRT. These conclusions are limited by the small sample size of the included RCTs. No conclusions can be drawn concerning the use or non use of DTFM for the treatment of ITBFS. Future trials, utilizing specific ITBFS methods and adequate sample sizes are needed, before conclusions can be drawn regarding the specific effect of DTFM on tendinitis.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2002
Review Meta AnalysisGinkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia.
Extracts of the leaves of the maidenhair tree, Ginkgo biloba, have long been used in China as a traditional medicine for various disorders of health. A standardized extract is widely prescribed in Germany and France for the treatment of a range of conditions including memory and concentration problems, confusion, depression, anxiety, dizziness, tinnitus and headache. The mechanisms of action are thought to reflect the action of several components of the extract and include increasing blood supply by dilating blood vessels, reducing blood viscosity, modification of neurotransmitter systems, and reducing the density of oxygen free radicals. ⋯ Ginkgo biloba appears to be safe in use with no excess side effects compared with placebo. Many of the early trials used unsatisfactory methods, were small, and we cannot exclude publication bias. Overall there is promising evidence of improvement in cognition and function associated with Ginkgo. However, the three more modern trials show inconsistent results. Our view is that there is need for a large trial using modern methodology and permitting an intention-to-treat analysis to provide robust estimates of the size and mechanism of any treatment effects.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2002
Review Meta AnalysisOpiate treatment for opiate withdrawal in newborn infants.
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) due to opiate withdrawal may result in disruption of the mother-infant relationship, sleep-wake abnormalities, feeding difficulties, weight loss and seizures. Treatments used to ameliorate symptoms and reduce morbidity include opiates, sedatives and non-pharmacological treatments. ⋯ Opiates, as compared to supportive care only, appear to reduce the time to regain birth weight and reduce the duration of supportive care, but increase the duration of hospital stay; there is no evidence of effect on treatment failure. When compared to phenobarbital, opiates may reduce the incidence of seizures but, overall, there is no evidence of effect on treatment failure. When compared to diazepam, opiates reduce the incidence of treatment failure. A post-hoc analysis generates the hypothesis that treatment effects may vary according to whether the population includes infants born to all opiate users (i.e. with or without other drug exposure) or is restricted to infants of mothers who used opiates only. In view of the methodologic limitations of the included studies the conclusions of this review should be treated with caution. Further research is needed.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2002
Review Meta AnalysisMechanical ventilation for newborn infants with respiratory failure due to pulmonary disease.
Before the 1960s newborn infants with severe lung disease, usually due to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), had a very high mortality rate. Standard treatment consisted of supportive measures including supplemental oxygen and correction of metabolic acidosis. Mechanical ventilation (MV) was introduced in the 1960s to correct hypoxaemia and respiratory acidosis in infants who were likely to die. MV is now standard treatment for infants with severe RDS but the degree to which this made a contribution to the outcome of such infants compared with standard neonatal care, is uncertain. ⋯ When MV was introduced in the 1960s to treat infants with severe respiratory failure due to pulmonary disease, trials showed an overall reduction in mortality which was most marked in infants born with a birthweight of more than 2 kg. This review does not provide information to evaluate the relative benefits or harms of MV in the setting of modern perinatal care. In settings without modern neonatal care, the introduction of MV should ideally be evaluated in randomised controlled trials for its relative benefits, harms and costs.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2002
Review Meta AnalysisSingle dose dipyrone for acute renal colic pain.
Renal colic pain is extremely painful and requires immediate treatment with strong analgesics. Dipyrone is the most popular non-opioid first line analgesic in many countries but in others it has been banned (e.g. USA, UK) because of its association with blood dyscrasias such as agranulocytosis. Since dipyrone is used in many countries (e.g. Brazil, Spain) there is a need to determine the benefits and harms of its use to treat renal colic pain. ⋯ Limited available data indicated that single dose dipyrone was of similar efficacy to other analgesics used in renal colic pain, although intramuscular dipyrone was less effective than diclofenac 75 mg. Combining dipyrone with antispasmolytic agents did not appear to improve its efficacy. Intravenous dipyrone was more effective than intramuscular dipyrone. Dry mouth and somnolence were commonly reported with intravenous dipyrone. None of the studies reported agranulocytosis.