English Randomized Controlled Trials Research Articles

Effects of combination of strength and balance training on postural control and functionality in people with chronic ankle instability: a systematic review and meta analysis

AimTo identify the effects of strength and balance training on dynamic balance and patient reported outcomes in people with chronic ankle instability(CAI).MethodFive databases(CNKI, WanFang, Web of Science, EBSCO-SPORTD and PubMed were searched in September 2022. The search was conducted on randomized controlled trials(RCTs) that the effects of strength training, balance training and combination of strength and balance training in people with chronic ankle instability compared to a control group. Using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata-SE 15 to conduct Meta-analysis on the included literature. methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed by using the PEDro scale.ResultsA total of 33 Chinese and English RCTs document were screened and 1154 patients with CAI were included in the study. Compared with control group, strength training, balance training and combination of strength and balance training demonstrated to be more effective in terms of improving patient reported outcomes(strength training: SMD = 0.80, 95%CI = 0.39–1.22; balance training: SMD = 0.79, 95%CI = 0.41–1.17; combination of strength and balance training: SMD = 1.28, 95%CI = 0.57, 1.99). Subgroup analysis: Intervention for 6 weeks, more than 3 times a week and more than 30 min each time were the best rehabilitation programs to improve CAI patientreported outcomes. Compared with control group, balance training demonstrated to be more effective in terms of improving Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT)((anterior: SMD = 0.71, 95%CI = 0.03–1.40; posterolateral: SMD = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.22–1.46; posteromedial: SMD = 0.88, 95%CI = 0.45–1.32). However, strength training and combination of strength and balance training had no improvement effects on SEBT.ConclusionsAvailable evidence showed that, results of the comparison between balance training versus strength training suggest that the combination of strength and balance training achieves greater benefits for patient reported outcomes and balance training could bring greater benefits to dynamic balance. Strength training should be used cautiously in clinic to improve the dynamic balance in individuals with CAI.Trial registration(http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, Registration No. CRD42022371396).

Evaluation of the report quality of Chinese and English randomized controlled trials of acupuncture based on CONSORT statement and STRICTA checklist

To evaluate the report quality of Chinese and English randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture based on the CONSORT statement and STRICTA checklist. The Chinese and English RCTs of acupuncture published from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019 were searched in 7 databases including PubMed. The report quality of the included RCTs was evaluated with the CONSORT 2010 statement and STRICTA checklist. A total of 506 Chinese RCTs and 76 English RCTs were included. According to the CONSORT statement, in Chinese RCTs, the items with report rate less than 50% accounted for 78.38% of all items, and the report rate of 25 items, such as background and reason, study design, outcome index, and sample size, was less than 10%. In English RCTs, the items with report rate less than 50% accounted for 35.14% of all items, and 5 items had a report rate of less than 10%. The difference of the report rate of 15 items, such as background, reason and study design, was more than 50% between Chinese and English RCTs. The report rate of all items of STRICTA checklist was relatively high in both Chinese and English RCTs. In Chinese RCTs, the items with report rate less than 50% accounted for 29.41% of all items, which included acupuncture rationale and depth of insertion. In English RCTs, only two items had a report rate less than 50%, which were acupuncture rationale, setting and context of treatment. The report rate of five items, including needle retention time, frequency and duration of treatment sessions, details of other interventions administered to the acupuncture group, setting and context of treatment, and precise description of the control or comparator in Chinese RCTs, were higher than in English RCTs. The report quality of Chinese acupuncture RCT needs to be improved urgently, and corresponding measures should be taken to further standardize the writing and reporting of acupuncture clinical research.

Efficacy of BCG Vaccination against COVID-19: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Beneficial off-target effects of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination might offer general protection from respiratory tract infections. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to ascertain BCG vaccination effectiveness against COVID-19. We looked up English RCTs from 1 January 2019 to 15 November 2022 in Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Nine RCTs, including 7963 participants, were included. The infection rate of COVID-19 was not decreased in people who were vaccinated with BCG (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.82-1.13; I2 = 4%), and the BCG vaccination group did not have decreased COVID-19 related-hospitalization (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.37-1.18; I2 = 42%), admission to the ICU (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.05-1.18; I2 = 0%), and mortality (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.17-2.44; I2 = 0%) compared with the control group. There is not sufficient evidence to support the use of BCG vaccination in the prevention of COVID-19 infection and severe COVID-19 and avoid overstating the role of BCG vaccination leading to its misuse.

Reporting quality of randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for cancer pain

Based on the internationally-recognized Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) statement and Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA), the reported quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for cancer pain during last 10 years were evaluated. The RCTs of acupuncture for cancer pain were searched by computer. The English databases included PubMed and EMbase while the Chinese databases included CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and SinoMed. The publication date of the literature was from March 2009 to March 2019. As a result, 22 Chinese RCTs and 13 English RCTs were included. According to the CONSORT statement, among the Chinese studies, 1 RCT reported primary and secondary outcomes, 8 RCTs reported randomization, none of RCTs reported allocation concealment and blind method, and 4 RCTs reported baseline data; among the English studies, 8 RCTs reported primary and secondary outcomes, 8 RCTs reported randomization, 6 RCTs reported described allocation concealment, 7 RCTs reported blind method, and 13 RCTs reported baseline data. According to the STRICTA statement, among the Chinese studies, 17 RCTs reported the name of acupoints, 6 RCTs reported depth of insertion, 17 RCTs reported acupuncture response sought, and none of RCTs reported the qualifications of acupuncturists; among the English studies, 12 RCTs reported the name of acupoints, 7 RCTs reported depth of insertion, 8 RCTs reported acupuncture response sought, and 7 RCTs reported the qualifications of acupuncturists. The Chinese RCTs have more detailed description of acupuncture intervention and theory, but not enough attention is paid to methodological description such as randomization, blindness, data analysis. On the other hand, the English RCTs have better description of methodology, but the description of theory and details of acupuncture is relatively weak. It is concluded that more efforts were needed to further improve the clinical trial design according to the CONSORT statement and STRICTA statement to improve the quality of clinical evidence.

Kinesio tape reduces pain in patients with lateral epicondylitis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The efficacy of Kinesio tape (KT) in lateral epicondylitis (LE) is widely discussed, but the results of these studies are conflicting. We perform this meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of KT in the treatment of LE. A comprehensive search of the published literature in PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases was implemented. Only English RCTs were included in this study. The outcome measures included visual analogue scale (VAS), grip strength, modified Mayo performance index, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and adverse events. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was also utilized to evaluate the risk of bias. Data analysis was performed with STATA version 13.0 (Statacorp, college station, Tex). Five studies with a total of 168 patients were included. The present meta-analysis demonstrated that KT yielded statistically superior pain scores, grip strength, Modified Mayo performance index and DASH score. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of adverse events. KT is effective in relieving pain, restoring grip strength, and improving functionality in patients with LE undergoing rehabilitation.