Evidence-based Clinical Research Research Articles

Ayurveda Education Reforms: Nurturing the foundations of Holistic Healthcare

One crucial aspect of Ayurvedic education reform is aligning the curriculum with modern scientific standards. While Ayurveda's ancient wisdom is invaluable, integrating it with contemporary medical knowledge is essential for bridging the gap between tradition and modern healthcare expectations. A curriculum that incorporates evidence-based practices, clinical research, and interdisciplinary studies will empower Ayurvedic practitioners to collaborate seamlessly within the broader healthcare landscape. In conclusion, the need for Ayurveda education reform is not merely a call for change; it is a commitment to preserving and enriching a timeless legacy. By embracing innovation, aligning with scientific standards, and fostering a global perspective, Ayurveda can transcend geographical boundaries to emerge as a formidable force in the realm of holistic healthcare. The reform is not just a necessity; it is an opportunity to unlock the full potential of Ayurveda, ensuring that its wisdom continues to benefit humanity for generations to come.

The therapeutic effect and metabolic mechanism analysis of Guilingji on idiopathic oligo-asthenoteratozoospermia

IntroductionGuilingji, a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been used to combat aging and male sexual dysfunction in China for centuries. To date, there has been little evidence-based clinical research on the use of Guilingji to treat idiopathic oligo-asthenoteratozoospermia (OAT), and the therapeutic mechanism from a metabolic perspective needs to be investigated further. MethodsThis was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical study of 240 patients with idiopathic OAT recruited from four hospitals between January 2020 and January 2022. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1꞉1 ratio to receive oral Guilingji capsules or placebo for 12 weeks. The total progressive motile sperm count (TPMSC) was considered the primary outcome, and the other sperm parameters, seminal plasma parameters and serum hormones were considered the secondary outcome. A nontargeted metabolomics analysis of serum from OAT patients before and after Guilingji administration was performed by HPLC–MS to identify key metabolites. Furthermore, we used a rat model to show spermatogenesis phenotypes to validate the effect of the key metabolites screened from the patients. ResultsAt weeks 4, 8 and 12, TPMSC and other sperm parameters were significantly improved in the Guilingji group compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). At week 4, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acrosomal enzyme activity of seminal plasma were significantly elevated in the Guilingji group compared with the placebo group, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Lactate dehydrogenase-X (LDHX) levels appeared to be significantly increased after 12 weeks continuous medication compared with Placebo group (P = 0.032). The metabolomics analysis of serum from OAT patients before and after Guilingji administration showed that the glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) concentration in patients' serum was significantly elevated after Guilingji treatment. Compared to the control, when Kidney-Yang deficiency model rats were treated with Guilingji or its key intermediate metabolite G6P, their sperm concentration and spermatozoic activity were improved similarly, and their structural damage of rat's testicular and epididymal tissues were recovered. ConclusionThis study provided valuable clinical evidence for the utility of Guilingji as a treatment for OAT. These findings thus demonstrate that G6P is involved in the therapeutic mechanism of Guilingji in OAT treatment based on clinical and rat intervention studies.

The Impact of Testosterone Therapy on Cardiovascular Risk Among Postmenopausal Women.

To summarize the current state of knowledge surrounding the impact of testosterone therapy on cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. In this scoping review, a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature was conducted in adherence to a methodological framework comprising 4 distinct stages: conceptualizing a comprehensive search strategy, screening relevant publications, extracting pertinent data, and organizing and synthesizing the resultant findings. The search used electronic databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar, to ensure an exhaustive survey of the available literature. The database search yielded 150 articles, including systematic reviews, registered trials, and peer-reviewed studies, of which 48 duplicates were removed. Following the title/abstract screening, 36 publications were included in the full-text review. On completion of the full-text review, using the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 29 articles were excluded and 7 remained for data extraction and qualitative synthesis. Existing research provides promising insights into the benefits of low-dose testosterone therapy, typically combined with estrogen therapy. These benefits may include positive impacts on body composition, functional capacity, insulin sensitivity, inflammatory markers, and cholesterol. However, there remains a substantial lack of knowledge surrounding the effects and mechanisms behind testosterone therapy in postmenopausal women in relation to its impacts on cardiovascular risk. High-quality, evidence-based clinical intervention research is needed to investigate testosterone therapy's potential implication on cardiovascular risk factors in post-menopausal women.

Poster 302: The Influence of Industry Affiliation on PRP Randomized Controlled Trials

Objectives: Industry funding and corporate sponsorship have played a significant role in the advancement of medical research and technology. However, this relationship raises concerns of how industry association may bias research findings and influence perception of results. As novel therapies continue to emerge, it is necessary to evaluate the literature for reliable and evidence-based clinical research before implementing these therapies into practice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether industry affiliation plays a role in the outcome of randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies investigating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) versus hyaluronic acid (HA), corticosteroids (CS), or placebo for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: A search of the PubMed, Cochrane, and MEDLINE databases for RCTs of Level 1 or 2 evidence published from 2011 to present comparing PRP versus HA, CS or placebo for the treatment of knee OA was performed by two independent reviewers. To determine industry affiliation, the conflicts of interest, funding and disclosure segments of publications were assessed and all authors were reviewed through the AAOS Disclosure and Open Payments databases. Industry affiliation by financial conflicts of interest were identified as license or royalty fees, paid consultant fees, advisory position or speaker, employee, stock options, or research funding from companies that synthesize PRP or manufacture devices to administer PRP. Studies were classified as industry affiliated (IA) or non-industry affiliated (NIA). The outcomes of each study were rated as favorable, analogous, or unfavorable according to predefined criteria based on previously published protocols and also statistical significance by comparing patient reported outcome measures. Favorable studies showed superior results, analogous studies demonstrated no significant difference, and unfavorable studies had inferior outcomes when comparing PRP to HA, CS or placebo. Results: A total of 37 (6 IA and 31 NIA) studies were available for analysis. All studies were of level 1 (67.6%) or level 2 (32.4%) evidence, with no statistically significant difference between IA and NIA studies (p = 0.4443). Nineteen (51.4%) studies reported PRP as favorable compared to other treatments, while 18 (48.6%) studies showed no significant differences between PRP and other treatments. No studies showed worse outcomes with PRP compared to HA, CS, or placebo. There was no significant difference in qualitative conclusions between the IA and NIA cohorts, with the IA cohort having 3 favorable studies and 3 analogous studies, while the NIA group included 16 favorable studies and 15 analogous studies (p = 0.8881). When comparing IA versus NIA studies, using 6 and 12-month WOMAC and IKDC scores, there were no significant differences in outcome measures. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate largely favorable and analogous results with PRP compared to other intra-articular injection therapies for knee OA in randomized controlled trial studies. Qualitative conclusions and outcome scores were found to not be associated with industry affiliation. Although the results of this study suggest there is no influence of industry association on RCTs involving PRP, it is still necessary to carefully evaluate pertinent corporate affiliations in published literature. [Table: see text][Table: see text][Table: see text]

Characteristics, level of evidence, and impact of clinical studies on peri-implantitis: 2017 to 2021.

The level of evidence (LOE) is an important tool in current evidence-based practice and clinical research. However, in clinical studies on peri-implantitis, the present status of the LOE and its association with research impact remains to be determined. The present study aimed to gather the characteristics and LOE of clinical studies on peri-implantitis conducted from 2017 to 2021 and assess the association of the LOE with social and scientific impact. The PubMed database was searched to retrieve clinical studies that evaluated peri-implantitis-related healthcare interventions and were published between 2017 and 2021. A 4-level modified Oxford 2011 LOE tool was used to determine the LOE of these studies. Citation count and Altmetric Attention Scores (AAS) were derived from the Web of Science and Altmetric Explorer, respectively. Multivariate generalized estimation equation (GEE) analysis was conducted to explore relationships between the LOE and citation count, and between the LOE and AAS; the publication year was considered the grouping factor for adjusting for potential clustering effects. Two hundred and thirty-five studies were considered eligible. The percentages by level from Level-1 to Level-4 were 9.8%, 35.7%, 28.9%, and 25.5%. Multivariable GEE analyses revealed that studies with higher LOE ratings had significantly greater citation counts (p=0.008). However, no significant association (p=0.872) was observed between the LOE and AAS. From 2017 to 2021, more than 40% of studies published on peri-implantitis each year had high-LOE ratings. High-LOE studies showed a tendency to have greater scientific impact.

Call for Special Issue Papers: Electroacupuncture: Basic Science and Clinical Applications: Deadline for Manuscript Submission: August 15, 2023.

Medical AcupunctureVol. 35, No. 1 Calls for PapersFree AccessCall for Special Issue Papers: Electroacupuncture: Basic Science and Clinical ApplicationsDeadline for Manuscript Submission: August 15, 2023Guest Editors: Richard F. Hobbs IIIGuest Editors: Richard F. Hobbs IIIAssociate Professor, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Director, Longitudinal Curriculum in Medical Acupuncture, Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency, Plum Blossom Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine, Maine-Dartmouth Collaborative Care CenterSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:15 Feb 2023https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2023.29227.cfpAboutSectionsPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Medical Acupuncture is planning a Special Issue on Electroacupuncture.In the interest of fostering a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and the clinical effectiveness of electroacupuncture, we invite submissions of original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and narrative reviews, including, but not limited to, the following: Research methodologyThe biophysics of electroacupunctureElectrical properties of points and channels as they pertain to electroacupunctureOptimization of electroacupuncture treatments based on evidenceComparative effectiveness of electroacupuncture and manual stimulationComparative effectiveness of electroacupuncture and other treatment modalitiesEffectiveness of electroacupuncture combined with other treatment modalitiesElectroacupuncture in microsystemsVariable frequency protocolsFrequency-specific and point-specific effects of electroacupuncture on pain-modulating neuropeptide releaseComparison of microampere and milliampere protocolsEffects of electroacupuncture on stem cell release, neural repair, and CNS re-modelingRole of electroacupuncture in promoting wound healing Role of electroacupuncture in promoting bone healingDirections for future researchClinical data must be reported in accordance with STRICTA guidelines, and, in the interest of reproducibility, all studies must include electroacupuncture parameters (device, pulse frequency, waveform, method of determining voltage, whether stimulation was single needle (unipolar) or involved two or more needles (multi-polar), details of any variable frequency protocol, etc.)The deadline for manuscript submission is August 15, 2023.Submitted papers should not be under consideration for publication elsewhere.Questions? See the Journal homepage for answers and contact information: www.liebertpub.com/acuVisit the Instructions for Authors:www.liebertpub.com/acuSubmit your paper for peer review online:https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/acuMedical Acupuncture, published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is the Official Journal of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. All members of the Academy receive a print subscription and online access to Medical Acupuncture as a benefit of their membership. The peer-reviewed Journal presents authoritative, evidence-based clinical papers, case reports, and research findings that integrate concepts from traditional and modern forms of acupuncture with Western medical training.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 35Issue 1Feb 2023 InformationCopyright 2023, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishersTo cite this article:Guest Editors: Richard F. Hobbs III.Call for Special Issue Papers: Electroacupuncture: Basic Science and Clinical Applications.Medical Acupuncture.Feb 2023.3-4.http://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2023.29227.cfpPublished in Volume: 35 Issue 1: February 15, 2023PDF download

Post-marketing effectiveness evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine in paradigm based on "proving efficacy, conforming standard, and exploring mechanism":a case study of Danhong Injection

At present, new concepts, new technologies, and new methods are emerging in the field of medical research, breaking through the inherent thinking patterns and research models, and promoting the transformation of the research paradigm of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). This paper gave a case study of clinical research in Danhong Injection in the treatment of chronic stable angina, and based on the background of the study, index evaluation model, experimental design method, blind implementation of placebo, data management system, and exploration of clinical efficacy mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine compounds under the framework of modular pharmacology, the scientific idea of &quot;proving efficacy, conforming standard, and exploring mechanism&quot; was used as the guideline to discuss the research model of reevaluation of the effectiveness of post-marketing TCM varieties. This paper drew a target network map of Danhong Injection in the treatment of chronic stable angina for the first time, which was composed of targeted functional modules. By combining evidence-based clinical research with modular pharmacology framework, changes in the pharmacolo-gical mechanism were finally associated with changes in clinical efficacy, and the advantages of phenotypic correlation of efficacy were explored. This study is expected to provide references for the post-marketing effectiveness evaluation and new ideas for the phenotypic pharmacological mechanism study of multi-target TCM compounds and precise treatment, thereby promoting the innovative development of TCM.

A clinical pharmacological evidence-based analytical research study on the clinical pharmacokinetic dose-dependent correlation of oral haematinics with the obstetric and gynaecological global anaemic patients’ recovery rate

Background: The goal of iron therapy is to repair the haemoglobin deficit and replenish storage iron. Oral haematinics are the treatment of choice, due to their higher effectiveness, higher safety, higher ease of administration, higher patient compliance, better accessibility, no occurrence of nosocomial infections and lower cost. This analytical evidence-based clinical research was conducted for the molecular pharmacokinetic study of the pharmacological response and adherence of the patients to oral haematinics, in global tertiary medical care centres.Methods: 100 anaemic patients, who were treated for moderate iron-deficiency anaemia, were prescribed oral haematinics, such as, ferrous ascorbate, ferrous sulphate, ferrous fumarate and ferric ammonium citrate, containing 60 mg of elemental iron, once to thrice daily, with or after meals, according to the progress of the disease, treatment regimen scheduling, occurrence or non-occurrence of adverse drug reactions and prognosis of the patient. The pharmacokinetic dose-dependent percentage recovery rate of the patients on 1st (30th day), 2nd (60th day) and 3rd (90th day) months and follow-up (105th day) visits, was finally deduced from the patients’ recovery features of symptoms and signs, and the confirmatory laboratory investigations recordings, with the efficacy and safety evaluation findings.Results: During the oral haematinics treatment, the pharmacokinetic dose-dependent percentage recovery rate of the patients was 29% on 30th day, 62% on 60th day, 93% on 90th day and 100% on 105th day of treatment.Conclusions: All the oral haematinics treated global anaemic patients had shown 100% recovery rate in tertiary medical care centres.

The Impact of Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Insomnia: A Systematic Review.

Insomnia is characterized by difficulty in maintaining sleep and early morning awakenings. Although pharmacotherapies and psychological interventions remain essential for conventional treatment, motivational factors and interest in using complementary and alternative therapies for insomnia have developed over the last two decades. This review aims to comprehensively explore the effects of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on improving sleep quality to guide evidence-based clinical decision-making and inform future research. Several electronic databases such as MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Clinical key, Cochrane, and Research gate were explored to search the relevant articles. For the systematic review, CAM studies were classified under "manual practices," "natural practices," and "mind-body practices." A total of 35 clinical trials were selected for inclusion in the systematic review, comprising adult samples. The systematic review revealed 11 RCTs with manual practice, 12 with mind-body practice, and 12 with natural medicine practice. The methodological quality of the RCTs was measured using the modified Jadad scale, a scientific quality index of ≥ 5/10 (on the augmented Jadad scale). Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were calculated and reported in all placebo-controlled studies with the available data. Regardless of systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials on CAM, acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, yoga, and tai chi, for insomnia, most of the RCTs did not agree with the findings. Further RCT for insomnia should be developed by considering the current advanced studies in the field of CAM.

A brief discussion on evidence-based clinical research of traditional Chinese medicine.

The evaluation of clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the focus of the development of Chinese medicine, but at present there is no internationally recognized clinical efficacy evaluation system, which prevents TCM going abroad. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) research methods have achieved good results in the evaluation of TCM, but there are still some problems. How to use EBM methods in accordance with China's national conditions and develop evidence-based TCM that meets its own characteristics is the key to the current discussion. Search websites such as PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data and VIP by computer, and search papers related to evidence-based clinical research of TCM. A total of 15 high quality representative research papers published in internationally renowned journals were selected for example, including 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to Chinese medicine, 9 RCTs related to acupuncture, and 2 observational studies on the safety of TCM. EBM method is suitable for clinical research of TCM. There are differences between "disease" and "syndromes" in the use of TCM. Based on the further standardization of syndromes and classification of TCM, modern clinical research methods can be reasonably applied. However, the quality of clinical research related to TCM is not high, and there is a lack of research related to the safety of it, which should be paid attention to and improved in future research.

Planning for Implementation Science in Clinical Practice Research: An Augmentative and Alternative Communication Example.

Most evidence-based clinical research findings in communication sciences and disorders never achieve full implementation by practicing clinicians. To address this almost universal problem, this tutorial focuses on the initial planning steps of including implementation methodologies as part of clinical practice research programs. Integrating the principles and methodologies of implementation science can shift the current reality, leading to better uptake of evidence-based interventions. A step-by-step approach to integrating implementation science into new or existing research projects is provided, including the construction of a logic model, the selection of an implementation framework, and the selection of research methodologies. A detailed example of an augmentative and alternative communication research program is provided to illustrate the process. Readily available online tools can help researchers start the process of integrating implementation science into clinical practice research, and existing frameworks can assist with developing and guiding research programs to ensure maximal impact. If the ultimate goal is to improve the daily lives of individuals with communication disorders through the use of evidence-based practices, clinical practice researchers must integrate these approaches into their research programs.

Current practices in the management of central airway obstruction.

Airway obstruction continues to cause substantial pulmonary morbidity and mortality. We present a review of classic, current, and evolving management techniques, highlighting recently published studies on the topic. Recommendations have historically been primarily based on anecdotal experience, case reports, and retrospective studies, but more solid evidence has emerged in the last decade. Novel endobronchial stents are being developed to mitigate the issues of stent migration, mucus plugging, fracture, and granulation tissue formation. Endobronchial drug delivery has become an active area of translational and clinical research, especially with regards to antineoplastic agents used for malignant airway stenosis. Even classic or updated techniques such as spray cryotherapy, injections of mitomycin-c, and balloon dilation have recently been examined in methodologically sound studies. Finally, recently published data have confirmed that patient breathlessness and quality of life improve significantly with therapeutic airway interventions. A multimodal and multidisciplinary approach to patient care is key to achieving the best outcomes. The treatment of central airway stenosis is often multimodal and should focus on patient-centric factors, taking into account risks and benefits of the procedure, operator, and center expertise, and always occur in the context of a multidisciplinary approach. Evidence-based clinical research is increasingly driving patient management.

Call for Special Issue Papers: The World Acupuncture Forum: Deadline for Manuscript Submission: January 15, 2022.

Medical AcupunctureVol. 33, No. 5 Calls for PapersFree AccessCall for Special Issue Papers: The World Acupuncture ForumDeadline for Manuscript Submission: January 15, 2022Guest Editors: Gerhard Litscher, Frank Bahr, and Im Quah-SmithGuest Editors: Gerhard LitscherGerhard Litscher, MSc, PhD, MDsc; Head of the Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, and the Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, and Chairman of the TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, Austria.Search for more papers by this author, Frank BahrFrank Bahr, MD; EATCM, Munich, Germany.Search for more papers by this author, and Im Quah-SmithIm Quah-Smith, MD, PhD; Adjunct Lecturer, School for Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Auricular Medicine, Centre for WellBeing, The Mater Hospital, Wollstonecraft, NSW Australia; Roseville Wellness Group, Roseville, NSW, Australia.Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:18 Oct 2021https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2021.29186.cfpAboutSectionsPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Dear Acupuncture Community:It is our pleasure to announce a new Special Issue on the “World Acupuncture Forum (WAF) Davos 2022” guest-edited by the team of Prof. Litscher, Dr. Bahr, and Dr. Quah-Smith.The editors invite manuscript submissions related to high-level acupuncture research and/or acupuncture practice of significant interest to the readership of Medical Acupuncture. Manuscript topics should be related to either the general aspects or specific aspects outlined by the World Acupuncture Forum. The full list of topics is below. Manuscript types may be original research, review articles, perspectives, commentaries, or letters to the editor.Main Topics (general aspects):Acupuncture in EuropeAcupuncture in ChinaAcupuncture in AmericaAcupuncture in AustraliaAcupuncture Research on Different ContinentsSpecial Topics (specific aspects):Acupuncture and COVID-19Acupuncture and mental healthTreatment of pain with acupunctureLaser acupuncture and innovative laser medicineAcupuncture and allergiesHow to handle effectively psychological injuries and traumas of soul with acupunctureAuricular medicine and dynamic pulse reaction (RAC)Acupuncture and addictionsSubmitted papers should not be under consideration for publication elsewhere.Further information on the World Acupuncture Forum (WAF) is available at https://www.eatcm.de/world-acupuncture-forum-davos-2022/The deadline for manuscript submission is January 15, 2022.Please review the Journal's Instructions for Authors, including Manuscript Types and Guidelines, at www.liebertpub.com/acuPlease submit your papers online to our web-based manuscript submission and peer-review system at https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/acupunctureIf you are interested in having your manuscript published in this Special Issue, please do not hesitate to contact Managing Editor, Yael BenPorat (yaelbenporat@me.com). We look forward to hearing from you soon.Medical Acupuncture, published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is the Official Journal of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. All members of the Academy receive a print subscription and online access to Medical Acupuncture as a benefit of their membership. The peer-reviewed Journal presents authoritative, evidence-based clinical papers, case reports, and research findings that integrate concepts from traditional and modern forms of acupuncture with Western medical training.Visit the Instructions for Authors:www.liebertpub.com/acuSubmit your paper for peer review online:https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/acupunctureFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 33Issue 5Oct 2021 InformationCopyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishersTo cite this article:Guest Editors: Gerhard Litscher, Frank Bahr, and Im Quah-Smith.Call for Special Issue Papers: The World Acupuncture Forum.Medical Acupuncture.Oct 2021.315-316.http://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2021.29186.cfpPublished in Volume: 33 Issue 5: October 18, 2021PDF download

Call for Special Issue Papers: Women in Acupuncture: Deadline for Manuscript Submission: January 28, 2022.

Medical AcupunctureVol. 33, No. 5 Calls for PapersFree AccessCall for Special Issue Papers: Women in AcupunctureDeadline for Manuscript Submission: January 28, 2022Guest Editors: Lisa Taylor-Swanson and Nadia VolfGuest Editors: Lisa Taylor-SwansonLisa Jean Taylor-Swanson, PhD, MAcOM, LAc, Dipl.OM; Health Systems & Community-Based Care Division The University of Utah, USASearch for more papers by this author and Nadia VolfNadia Volf, MD, PhD; Professor and Co-Director of the Scientific Acupuncture Department Medical School of Paris (XI) University, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:18 Oct 2021https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2021.29184.cfpAboutSectionsPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Dear Acupuncture Community:We are Guest Editors of a Special Issue in Medical Acupuncture on “Women in Acupuncture: Celebrating the Contributions of Clinicians, Researchers, Leaders, and Teachers.”When Tu Youyou was awarded the Nobel Prize for her discovery of artemisinin (qīnghāosù) extract to treat malaria, she became the first female scientist from the Peoples Republic of China to win the Nobel Prize, and her prize was the first awarded for a Traditional Chinese Medicine preparation.Inspired by Tu's accomplishment, this special issue in Medical Acupuncture aims to highlight the great contributions of women in the development of the acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine evidence base. We hope to use this Special Issue to reveal the accomplishments of women in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine that distinguish them from others.This Special Issue will solicit invited articles and literature reviews featuring women leaders and mentors in the field of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in areas that have enhanced the field, as well as an Open Call featuring women authors or primarily women teams of authors.This Special Issue will be co-edited by Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson and Dr. Nadia Volf, overseen by Dr. Richard Niemtzow and Jennifer Stone (Editor-in-Chief and Senior Editor, respectively, of Medical Acupuncture). Please don't hesitate to reach out to any of us if you would like to have additional information about this Special Issue. Also, feel free to forward to your colleagues and collaborators who might be interested.The deadline for manuscript submission is January 28, 2022.Please review our Instructions for Authors, including Manuscript Types and Guidelines, at www.liebertpub.com/acuPlease submit your papers online to our web-based manuscript submission and peer-review system at https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/acupunctureMedical Acupuncture, published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is the Official Journal of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. All members of the Academy receive a print subscription and online access to Medical Acupuncture as a benefit of their membership. The peer-reviewed Journal presents authoritative, evidence-based clinical papers, case reports, and research findings that integrate concepts from traditional and modern forms of acupuncture with Western medical training.Visit the Instructions for Authors:www.liebertpub.com/acuSubmit your paper for peer review online:https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/acupunctureFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 33Issue 5Oct 2021 InformationCopyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishersTo cite this article:Guest Editors: Lisa Taylor-Swanson and Nadia Volf.Call for Special Issue Papers: Women in Acupuncture.Medical Acupuncture.Oct 2021.317-318.http://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2021.29184.cfpPublished in Volume: 33 Issue 5: October 18, 2021PDF download

Call for Special Issue Papers: COVID “Long Haulers”: Treating Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 Syndrome

Medical AcupunctureVol. 33, No. 4 Call For PapersFree AccessCall for Special Issue Papers: COVID “Long Haulers”: Treating Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 SyndromeDeadline for Manuscript Submission: October 29, 2021Guest Editors: Joseph Audette, David Groopman, and Mitchell ElkissGuest Editors: Joseph AudetteSearch for more papers by this author, David GroopmanSearch for more papers by this author, and Mitchell ElkissSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:17 Aug 2021https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2021.29183.cfpAboutSectionsPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Medical Acupuncture is planning a Special Issue focusing on how acupuncture can be used as an effective adjunct treatment for post-COVID-19 Syndrome or patients (pediatric or adult) deemed “Long Haulers.”The editors invite manuscripts from clinicians who have employed acupuncture and herbal preparations as well as combinations of acupuncture with dietary and/or neutraceutical approaches with patients experiencing the lingering side effects of COVID-19, such as loss of sense of smell, mental dullness, depression, anxiety, palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath, vertigo, headaches, insomnia, musculoskeletal pain, or disorders of the nervous system, among others.Acupuncture and herbs are known for their ability to reduce a myriad of physical and psychological conditions. In the interest of fostering an understanding of their effectiveness in treating some of the many common and/or complex conditions encountered with “Long Haulers,” we are interested in submissions of original translational research, case series, or review articles that will be of practical importance.The deadline for manuscript submission is October 29, 2021.Please submit your papers online to our web-based manuscript submission and peer-review system at https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/acupunctureVisit our website for Instructions for Authors and to view a sample issue: www.liebertpub.com/acuQuestions? Contact Managing Editor Yael Benporat at yaelbenporat@me.comMedical Acupuncture, published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is the Official Journal of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. All members of the Academy receive a print subscription and online access to Medical Acupuncture as a benefit of their membership. The peer-reviewed Journal presents authoritative, evidence-based clinical papers, case reports, and research findings that integrate concepts from traditional and modern forms of acupuncture with Western medical training.Visit the Instructions for Authors:www.liebertpub.com/acuSubmit your paper for peer review online:https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/acupunctureFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 33Issue 4Aug 2021 InformationCopyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishersTo cite this article:Guest Editors: Joseph Audette, David Groopman, and Mitchell Elkiss.Call for Special Issue Papers: COVID “Long Haulers”: Treating Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 Syndrome.Medical Acupuncture.Aug 2021.259-259.http://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2021.29183.cfpPublished in Volume: 33 Issue 4: August 17, 2021PDF download

Clinical epidemiology in complementary medicine (discussion)

The article presents an analytical review of the literature on the application of the principles of evidence-based medicine in modern healthcare. It is noted that in some areas of medicine, scientifically based standards of treatment significantly fall behind the general trends. Complementary medicine, including osteopathy, is an important healthcare resource, the use of which is officially recognized in 94 countries around the world. However, despite certain achievements in the treatment and prevention of many chronic diseases, there are scientific articles that criticize its effectiveness. Therefore, the relevance of obtaining new, strictly evidence-based data on the impact of osteopathy on health is beyond doubt. For osteopathy, as for other types of complementary medicine, a new paradigm of evidence-based clinical research is probably needed. Three types of the organism response to treatment — instant, fast and delayed — are identified.

Initiatives, Concepts, and Implementation Practices of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) Data Principles in Health Data Stewardship Practice: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

BackgroundData stewardship is an essential driver of research and clinical practice. Data collection, storage, access, sharing, and analytics are dependent on the proper and consistent use of data management principles among the investigators. Since 2016, the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) guiding principles for research data management have been resonating in scientific communities. Enabling data to be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable is currently believed to strengthen data sharing, reduce duplicated efforts, and move toward harmonization of data from heterogeneous unconnected data silos. FAIR initiatives and implementation trends are rising in different facets of scientific domains. It is important to understand the concepts and implementation practices of the FAIR data principles as applied to human health data by studying the flourishing initiatives and implementation lessons relevant to improved health research, particularly for data sharing during the coronavirus pandemic.ObjectiveThis paper aims to conduct a scoping review to identify concepts, approaches, implementation experiences, and lessons learned in FAIR initiatives in the health data domain.MethodsThe Arksey and O’Malley stage-based methodological framework for scoping reviews will be used for this review. PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar will be searched to access relevant primary and grey publications. Articles written in English and published from 2014 onwards with FAIR principle concepts or practices in the health domain will be included. Duplication among the 3 data sources will be removed using a reference management software. The articles will then be exported to a systematic review management software. At least two independent authors will review the eligibility of each article based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A pretested charting tool will be used to extract relevant information from the full-text papers. Qualitative thematic synthesis analysis methods will be employed by coding and developing themes. Themes will be derived from the research questions and contents in the included papers.ResultsThe results will be reported using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) reporting guidelines. We anticipate finalizing the manuscript for this work in 2021.ConclusionsWe believe comprehensive information about the FAIR data principles, initiatives, implementation practices, and lessons learned in the FAIRification process in the health domain is paramount to supporting both evidence-based clinical practice and research transparency in the era of big data and open research publishing.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/22505

Chronic Primary Pain of the Spine: an Integrative Perspective Part 2

The purpose of this review is to provide a follow-up discussion to a companion article reviewing current models of low back and neck pain, focused on chronic and disabling primary pain of the spine. While the preceding article addresses risk factors, etiology, pathophysiology, and differential diagnosis of low back and neck pain, this article discusses the best available research regarding current management strategies for chronic primary pain of the spine and expands upon ways to improve these strategies. A review of the English medical literature was performed using search terms “chronic primary pain,” “low back pain,” OR “neck pain” AND “management,” “treatment,” “prevention,” or “biopsychosocial.” Additional searches were made using Google Scholar and PubMed search engines through April 18, 2020. The authors reviewed and identified 136 relevant articles to be used in this discussion. While certain elements of societal and legislative infrastructure hinder optimized implementation of evidence-based care, clinical research and updated practice guidelines advocate for the safe and cost-effective nonpharmacological interventions typically offered by chiropractors, physical therapies, and other manual therapists as first-line care. The authors expand upon these therapies individually to determine their relevance and contextual purpose. A framework for an integrative perspective, adopting concepts from biopsychosocial and behavioral models, is called to action to provide an improved understanding of the nature of chronic primary pain and to aid in patient-centered clinical decision-making.

The Relationship Between Anti-Hypertensive Drugs and Cancer: Anxiety to be Resolved in Urgent.

Hypertension is the prevailing independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease worldwide. Anti-hypertensive drugs are the common and effective cure for lowering blood pressure in patients with hypertension. However, some large-scale clinical studies have pointed out that long-term ingestion of some oral anti-hypertensive drugs was associated with risks of incident cancer and the survival time. In contrast, other studies argue that anti-hypertensive drugs are not related to the occurrence of cancer, even as a complementary therapy of tumor treatment. To resolve the dispute, numerous recent mechanistic studies using animal models have tried to find the causal link between cancer and different anti-hypertensive drugs. However, the results were often contradictory. Such uncertainties have taken a toll on hypertensive patients. In this review, we will summarize advances of longitudinal studies in the association between anti-hypertensive drugs and related tumor risks that have helped to move the field forward from associative to causative conclusions, in hope of providing a reference for more rigorous and evidence-based clinical research on the topic to guide the clinical decision making.

Attitudes and Practices of Pharmacists and Physicians towards Bush Medicine in Guyana

Aims: To examine the attitudes and practices of physicians and pharmacists towards bush medicine, and explore the factors influencing their attitudes. Also, to determine whether a video educational intervention impacted attitudes.&#x0D; Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study of registered physicians and pharmacists.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: A total of 274 persons participated: 134 pharmacists attending their first Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) of 2015 and 140 physicians attending their annual Medical Scientific Conference.&#x0D; Methodology: A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was distributed and collected, a video intervention was shown, and a post-intervention questionnaire was administered. Data were analysed using latent class cluster analysis, and the best-fitting model was determined using mainly the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). Logistic and multinomial regression and Fisher's exact test were also employed to investigate associations with demographic variables and the impact of the intervention.&#x0D; Results: Most of the participants (56.4%) were 20-30 years old, and the majority (52%) had five years or less professional experience. Pharmacists displayed a more positive attitude to bush medicine than physicians. Most (99%) believed that patients should inform their physician/pharmacist about their bush medicine use, but only 53% routinely requested this information. More than half (52%) had personally used bush medicine, but only 38% had ever recommended its use. More than 90% believed that clinical trials should be conducted with bush medicine before it is used, and 88% were interested in further training. Ethnicity, years of professional experience and type of profession influenced attitudes and the intervention led to an improved outlook regarding bush medicine.&#x0D; Conclusion: Overall, most participants had some misgivings about bush medicine but were willing to learn more and were interested in clinical trials. Evidence-based clinical research and training at the tertiary level or future continuing education sessions should be implemented using the content in the video as a template.