Current evidence on auriculotherapy for cancer-related fatigue: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PurposeIn this study, exercise interventions were evaluated for their effects on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and quality of life (QoL) among cancer patients.DesignA meta-analysis was performed.MethodsWe systematically searched the PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases, and gray literature sources including the Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library and Google Scholar. This study only included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining how exercise interventions affect CRF and QoL among cancer patients. Based on the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Assessment Tool, version 2 (RoB 2) and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, the methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated. In addition, standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied to assess the intervention effect with respect to CRF and QoL. Data analysis was performed using Review Manager (version 5.4).ResultsThere were a total of 1573 participants in the 28 included articles. According to the meta-analysis, CRF (SMD = -0.35, 95% CI: -0.63 to -0.07, p = 0.01) and QoL (SMD = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.53, p < 0.01) were positively affected by exercise interventions. Subgroup analyses revealed considerable improvements in CRF (SMD = -0.54, 95% CI: -1.00 to -0.09, p = 0.02) and QoL (SMD = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.59, p < 0.01) from aerobic exercise. An intervention duration less than 12 weeks had a better effect on CRF (SMD = -0.80, 95% CI: -1.43 to -0.17, p = 0.01) and QoL (SMD = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.85, p < 0.01), and three times per week was the most effective frequency in improving QoL (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.28 to 1.11, p < 0.01). Exercise intervention was more successful in improving CRF (SMD = -0.66, 95% CI: -1.10 to -0.21, p < 0.01) and QoL (SMD=-0.50, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.78, p < 0.01) in female cancer patients. Sensitivity analyses showed that the pooled outcomes were reliable and stable.ConclusionExercise interventions are a workable approach to improve CRF and QoL among cancer patients. An aerobic exercise intervention of less than 12 weeks might be most effective in improving CRF and QoL, and three times per week might be the most appropriate frequency. Exercise might have a more positive effect on improving CRF and QoL in female cancer patients. Additionally, a larger number of high-quality RCTs should be conducted to further confirm the efficacy of exercise interventions on CRF and QoL among cancer patients.Registration numberCRD42022351137.

ObjectiveTo assess and compare the effectiveness of different exercise modalities in reducing cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Exercise intensities for selected exercise types were also compared. Data SourcesWe conducted a search in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science from inception to October 15, 2021. Study SelectionRandomized controlled trials concerning the effectiveness of exercise modalities on CRF in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy were included. Data ExtractionStudy characteristics were extracted using a structured protocol. Methodological quality was assessed employing the PEDro scale and risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials. The certainty of evidence was assessed based on Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation. The measure of effect used was the adjusted standardized mean difference (SMD) or Hedge's g, together with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Data SynthesisForty-seven studies were included. Data were pooled employing a random-effects model. There was a trend that adding low-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise (SMD=1.28, 95% CI -0.18; 2.75, P=.086), or moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise (SMD=0.85; 95% CI -0.12; 1.82, P=.087), was more effective than adding flexibility training to usual care (UC). There was also a trend that UC alone was less effective than adding moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise (SMD=-0.47, 95% CI -0.96, 0.02, P=.060) to UC. ConclusionsThe addition of low- to moderate-intensity aerobic and/or resistance exercise demonstrated a positive trend for improvement in CRF in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, when compared with UC alone or UC with flexibility training.

The effectiveness of e-health on reducing stigma, improving social support and quality of life among people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

To systemically review the efficacy and safety of auricular point therapy in patients with cancer-related fatigue. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Eight electronic databases (PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and WanFang Data Knowledge Service Platform) were explored for randomized controlled trials from their inception to 1 December 2018. The risk of bias assessment tool was adopted in accordance with Cochrane Handbook 5.3.0. All included studies reported the effects on cancer-related fatigue as the primary outcome. Effect size was estimated using relative risk, standardized mean difference or mean difference with a corresponding 95% confidence interval. Review Manager 5.3 was used for meta-analysis. Six studies comprising 394 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that auricular point therapy plus standard care produced more positive effects on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life than standard care alone. It could significantly improve the role, emotional, cognitive, and social functions of patients with cancer-related fatigue. Auricular point therapy may be a safe therapy to relieve cancer-related fatigue and enhance the quality of life of patients with cancer. However, the evidence was inconclusive due to limitations on the quantity and quality of included studies. Rigorously designed randomized controlled trials should be conducted to verify the results. Auricular point therapy is a simple and safe therapeutic approach that may alleviate cancer-related fatigue of common complications in patients with cancer and it is worth promoting in the community, family, and hospital. Moreover, the research findings can provide suggestions and inspiration for nurses and researchers to implement the proposal, which is conducive to design more rigorous and high-quality randomized controlled trials.

Which Type of Exercise During Radiation Therapy Is Optimal to Improve Fatigue and Quality of Life in Men with Prostate Cancer? A Bayesian Network Analysis

Acupuncture for chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Breast cancer survivors with obesity are at a high risk of cancer recurrence, comorbidity, and mortality. This review aims to systematically evaluate the effects of combined aerobic and resistance training (CART) on body composition, lipid homeostasis, inflammation, adipokines, cancer-related fatigue, sleep, and quality of life in breast cancer patients and survivors with overweight/obesity. An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases from inception up to January 8, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for the analysis. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess eligible studies, and the GRADE method to evaluate the quality of evidence. A random-effects model was used, and data were analyzed using mean (MD) and standardized mean differences (SMD) for continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We assessed the data for risk of bias, heterogeneity, sensitivity, reporting bias, and quality of evidence. A total of 17 randomized controlled trials were included in the systematic review involving 1,148 female patients and survivors (mean age: 54.0 ± 3.4 years). The primary outcomes showed significant improvements in body mass index (SMD -0.57 kg/m2, p = 0.04), body fat (SMD -0.50%, p = 0.02), fat mass (SMD -0.63 kg, p = 0.04), hip circumference (MD -3.14 cm, p = 0.02), and fat-free mass (SMD 1.03 kg, p < 0.001). The secondary outcomes indicated significant increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD -0.05 mmol/L, p = 0.008), natural killer cells (SMD 0.42%, p = 0.04), reductions in triglycerides (MD -81.90 mg/dL, p < 0.01), total cholesterol (SMD -0.95 mmol/L, p < 0.01), tumor necrosis factor α (SMD -0.89 pg/mL, p = 0.03), and leptin (SMD -0.63 ng/mL, p = 0.03). Also, beneficial alterations were found in cancer-related fatigue (SMD -0.98, p = 0.03), sleep (SMD -1.17, p < 0.001), and quality of life (SMD 2.94, p = 0.02) scores. There was very low to low confidence in the estimated effect of most of the outcomes. The present findings reveal that CART could be considered an adjunct therapy in supporting the conventional clinical approach observed following exercise. However, further high-quality research is needed to evaluate whether CART would be a valuable intervention to lower aggressive pharmacologic use in breast cancer patients with overweight/obesity.

Interventions for increasing the use of shared decision making by healthcare professionals.

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for leukopenia after chemotherapy or radiotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis frequently encounter a substantial psychosocial burden, yet conventional care frequently lacks the capacity to deliver comprehensive, sustained psychosocial support due to limitations in resources. Nurse-led peer support, which integrates professional expertise with the lived experience of peers, presents a promising complementary model; however, its consolidated efficacy in this population lacks rigorous synthesis. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of nurse-led peer support on self-management, psychological status, and quality of life in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. This review systematically searched ten databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CNKI, WanFang, VIP, and SinoMed) from their inception to 20 January 2025 for randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies. A meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models to pool standardized mean difference (SMD). The quality assessment and meta-analysis were conducted utilizing the Cochrane RevMan 5.4 software, with the evidence quality being evaluated employing the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system. The present study is registered in PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42025639997. A total of 292 literature records were retrieved, among which 27 studies met the inclusion criteria, and 11 provided data suitable for analysis (n = 1074). The overall risk of bias was thus determined to be low to moderate. Peer support demonstrated significant benefits for self-management (SMD = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.60-0.94; I2 = 35%), quality of life (SMD = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.50-1.32; I2 = 77%), and depression (SMD = -0.87, 95% CI: -1.39-0.36; I2 = 70%). Evidence from two studies suggests that anxiety may be alleviated. The certainty of evidence was moderate for most outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that nurse-guided peer support improves self-management capabilities and quality of life among maintenance hemodialysis patients while alleviating depressive and anxiety symptoms. Due to the limited number of included studies and heterogeneity in intervention protocols, implementation formats, and supporter criteria, the certainty of evidence is mostly moderate. However, consistent results support the positive clinical benefits of this intervention. Therefore, integrating structured peer support into routine care systems represents an effective complementary strategy. Future research should focus on identifying key factors influencing its efficacy, developing standardized intervention protocols, and validating the effectiveness and sustainability of blended online-offline delivery models.

Effects of virtual reality-based interventions on symptom management among adult patients in the intensive care unit: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Educational programmes for improving medication adherence among older adults with coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Efficacy and safety of Sipjeondaebo-tang for cancer-related fatigue: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor in women and most patients with breast cancer experience fatigue. Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between yoga and cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in patients with breast cancer. However, these studies drew their conclusions from small sample sizes and lacked sufficient evidence to demonstrate that yoga can effectively alleviate CRF. Therefore, this meta-analysis aims to systematically examine the effects of yoga on cancer fatigue in patients with breast cancer and establish a scientific basis for enhancing their quality of life. To assess the effect of yoga on CRF in patients with breast cancer. Computer searches were conducted on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CKNI, and Wanfang databases to retrieve articles related to yoga and CRF in patients with breast cancer from the hospital establishment date to July 2023. The literature was independently screened, and the information was extracted by the researchers. A meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager Software (version 5.3). The findings from the meta-analysis of 18 studies indicate that yoga can effectively enhance CFR (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.92 to -0.10), improve sleep quality (MD = -3.86, 95%CI = -4.03 to -3.70) in patients with breast cancer, alleviate anxiety and depression (SMD = -0.93, 95%CI = -1.68, -0.18, SMD = -1.23, 95%CI = -2.02 to -0.44), and enhance quality of life (MD = -11.20, 95%CI = -14.16 to -8.24). Our study offers evidence for the subsequent reduction of CFR in patients with breast cancer. Yoga can alleviate fatigue, improve sleep quality and negative emotions, and improve the quality of life of patients with breast cancer.

ObjectivesKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide and an important cause of disability. Currently, medication and surgical interventions are commonly used in clinical practice, but there are limitations such as significant side effects and high medical costs. Tai Chi, as a non-pharmacologic intervention, is recommended for its safety and few adverse effects. However, there is still a lack of consensus on the optimal course and frequency of Tai Chi intervention, and there is an urgent need to optimize clinical intervention protocols. In order to scientifically assess the optimal course and frequency of Tai Chi for the treatment of KOA, this study integrates the existing evidence through a systematic review and meta-analysis, and aims to provide standardized protocols for Tai Chi training in clinical practice.MethodsPubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, CNKI, Wanfang Database, and VIP database were searched from establishment to August 30, 2025. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the quality of the literature and the certainty of the evidence for each outcome according to the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development & Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Outcome measures included Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain, WOMAC stiffness, WOMAC physical function, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain, 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) Physical Component Summary (PCS), and SF-36 Mental Component Summary (MCS). For combined outcomes, standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Review Manager 5.4.1, Stata 15.0 and GRADE profiler software were used to statistically analyze and plot the included information.ResultsA total of 13 randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies (n = 701) were included in this review. The results of the meta-analysis showed that Tai Chi relieved pain (WOMAC pain: SMD = −0.41, 95%CI [−0.58, −0.25], p < 0.01; VAS pain: SMD = −0.33, 95% CI [−0.57, −0.10], p < 0.01), reduced stiffness (SMD = −0.27, 95% CI [−0.43, −0.11], p < 0.01), improved physical function (SMD = −0.52, 95% CI [−0.68, −0.36], p < 0.01), and improved physical health (SMD = 0.47, 95% CI [0.27, 0.67], p < 0.01). Subgroup analyses showed that the long-term (>16 weeks)/three-times-weekly Tai Chi training protocol was optimal (SMD = −0.74, 95% CI [−1.06, −0.41], p < 0.01; SMD = −0.96, 95% CI [−1.30, −0.63], p < 0.01) in terms of improvement of pain and physical function; and that in terms of improvement of stiffness, the short-term (≤16 weeks)/three-times-weekly Tai Chi training protocol was optimal (SMD = −0.52; 95% CI [−0.84, −0.19], p < 0.01); and in terms of improving physical functioning, a short-term (≤16 weeks)/twice-weekly Tai Chi training protocol was optimal (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI [0.21, 0.68], p < 0.01).ConclusionThis meta-analysis suggests that Tai Chi is effective in improving pain, stiffness, physical function, and physical health in patients with KOA. Patients with KOA should consider their specific conditions and choose a Tai Chi training protocol that suits their needs. The preliminary results of this meta-analysis indicate that for patients with pain and physical functional limitations, a long-term (>16 weeks)/three times weekly Tai Chi training regimen may be selected; for patients experiencing knee stiffness, a short-term (≤16 weeks)/three times weekly Tai Chi training regimen may be considered; and for KOA patients seeking to improve physical health through Tai Chi training, a short-term (≤16 weeks)/twice weekly Tai Chi training regimen may be selected. However, the number of large-sample studies in this review is limited, and more studies are urgently needed to confirm these results.Systematic review registrationIdentifier–CRD42024599921, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/myprospero.