Complementary therapies in medicine最新文献

{"title":"Oral probiotic supplementation to alleviate diarrhea induced by fluoropyrimidines or irinotecan-based chemotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Tippawan Siritientong ,&nbsp;Daylia Thet ,&nbsp;Nattawut Leelakanok ,&nbsp;Nutthada Areepium","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103151","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103151","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Fluoropyrimidines and irinotecan cause diarrhea, which can be particularly severe in some cases. Probiotic supplementation is a potential option for managing chemotherapy-induced diarrhea. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of probiotics in managing diarrhea induced by fluoropyrimidine or irinotecan-based chemotherapy in cancer patients.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A literature search was conducted in Cochrane Library, PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, and Scopus in August 2023. Observational and prospective studies of cancer patients receiving 5-fluorouracil, capecitabine, or irinotecan were included. RevMan (version 5.4.1) was used for statistical analysis. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 9400 records, 24 and 14 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. Most studies provided a combination of probiotic strains to patients from the initiation to the completion of chemotherapy cycles. Probiotic supplementation significantly reduced all grade diarrhea (RR = 0.40; 95 % CI: 0.27, 0.60; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.00001, I²: 0 %), nausea and vomiting (RR = 0.49; 95 % CI [0.37, 0.67]; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.00001, I²: 0 %), bloating (RR = 0.27; 95 % CI [0.11, 0.69]; <em>P</em> = 0.006, I²: 0 %) and anorexia (RR = 0.62: 95 % CI [0.43, 0.90]; <em>P</em> = 0.01, I²: 39 %) compared to controls. Absolute risk reductions (ARR) ranged from 22.7 % to 28.5 %, with the number needed to treat (NNT) value of 3–5. Moreover, probiotics improved intestinal microbial balance and symptom scales of quality of life.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Probiotic supplementation is a promising option to manage chemoradiotherapy-induced diarrhea without serious side effects in cancer patients receiving fluoropyrimidines or irinotecan-based regimens. Given the clinically meaningful ARR and favorable NNT values, probiotics may have a role in clinical practice. However, larger trials are needed to standardize probiotic strain, dosage, duration, and target patient subgroups.</div></div><div><h3>Systematic review registration</h3><div>PROSPERO database (CRD42023473324)</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"89 ","pages":"Article 103151"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143491039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of melatonin as adjunctive therapy for sepsis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","authors":"Zhuangzhuang Sun ,&nbsp;Cheng Yu ,&nbsp;Zhaopeng Zhang ,&nbsp;Chunjie Hu ,&nbsp;Xin Li ,&nbsp;Xiheng Dong ,&nbsp;Ru Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhirun Zhang ,&nbsp;Tonggang Zhu ,&nbsp;Xin Su ,&nbsp;Junpeng Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103147","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103147","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study systematically evaluates the therapeutic efficacy of melatonin as an adjunctive therapy, aiming to determine its potential to reduce mortality and mitigate inflammatory responses in patients with sepsis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases. The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias (ROB) tool was systematically employed to assess the potential for bias in the relevant studies. The <em>I²</em> statistic was employed to evaluate heterogeneity among the studies. Potential publication bias was assessed using Begg's test. Sensitivity analysis was performed to examine the stability of the results. Additionally, a GRADE evaluation of the evidence level.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This meta-analysis encompassed a total of seven randomized controlled trials involving 421 patients diagnosed with sepsis. The primary results indicated that the mortality rate in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group, suggesting that melatonin may effectively reduce mortality among sepsis patients [<em>OR</em> = 0.42, <em>95 % CI</em>: 0.23–0.77, <em>P</em> = 0.005]. Additionally, the CRP levels in the intervention group were markedly lower than those in the control group, providing evidence that melatonin possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may help decrease inflammatory markers in sepsis patients [<em>SMD</em>= -4.00, <em>95 % CI</em>: −6.47 to −1.53, <em>P</em> = 0.001]. Furthermore, Secondary outcome results showed no statistically significant differences in sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores, length of hospital stay, and adverse effects. A sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the findings from the included studies. By applying the GRADE system to evaluate the quality of evidence, we found the evidence in four grades: one rated as high quality, one as medium quality, and three rated as low quality.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Melatonin, when used as an adjuvant therapy, significantly reduces mortality and lowers the levels of the inflammatory marker CRP in patients with sepsis, while also improving their physical condition. However, due to the limited number and quality of the articles, these conclusions warrant further verification through the conduct of additional high-quality research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"89 ","pages":"Article 103147"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143482413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of referent selection on balance in action observation: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Tania López Hernández ,&nbsp;Marina Caparó Ferré ,&nbsp;Albert Salas-Huetos ,&nbsp;Isabel Salvat Salvat ,&nbsp;Cristina Adillón Camón","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and purpose</h3><div>Action observation (AO) generates motor simulations in the brain, activating areas involved in actual movement and facilitating imitation. This randomized controlled trial aimed to analyze if observing actions performed by a personally selected referent improves balance in asymptomatic individuals compared to observing a standard referent.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 165 healthy participants were randomized into three groups: a control group observing landscape videos, a standard referent group observing an unidentifiable model, and a chosen referent group selecting models based on personal similarity. Balance (static and dynamic) and strength were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, at 15 days, and at 4 weeks. AO exercises related to balance were viewed three times per week for four weeks.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Key findings revealed favorable changes in static balance for both the standard and chosen referent groups, particularly in challenging single-leg stances with eyes closed. Strength improvements were observed only in the standard referent group. Average adherence to the protocol was 91%.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>AO enhances balance and strength in healthy individuals, with referent characteristics significantly impacting outcomes. The findings suggest referent selection is a crucial factor in AO’s efficacy, emphasizing AO’s therapeutic potential, particularly for populations with mobility challenges. Further research should refine referent selection to optimize clinical results.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 103150"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143476364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of acupuncture on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A multicenter randomized controlled trial","authors":"Jiansheng Li ,&nbsp;Yang Xie ,&nbsp;Yanjun Wang ,&nbsp;Lei Wu ,&nbsp;Xuefeng Yu ,&nbsp;Li Bai ,&nbsp;Suju Shao ,&nbsp;Miao Zhou ,&nbsp;Mingli Zhang ,&nbsp;Xueqing Yu ,&nbsp;Weihong Han ,&nbsp;Xuanlin Li ,&nbsp;Tao Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103146","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103146","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and frequently occurring disease that seriously endangers health, causing a heavy economic burden on patients and society. Acupuncture has been reported to have a therapeutic effect on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, compared with medications, it is difficult to identify a superior therapy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture, conventional drug and acupuncture plus conventional drug in the treatment of COPD.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This was a multicenter, open-label randomized controlled trial (RCT) through a central randomization system. A total of 150 COPD patients were randomly assigned at a 1:1:1 ratio to the acupuncture group, conventional drug group or acupuncture plus conventional drug group for 12 weeks of treatment, followed by 12 weeks of untreated follow-up. The primary outcomes included the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and the secondary outcomes included the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC), acute exacerbation, lung function, and quality of life (COPD assessment test). Statistical analysis was conducted via SPSS software (version 26.0).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 150 patients were included in the study, and 143 patients completed the trial. There were time effects, group effects and interaction effects in the three groups (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with that in the conventional drug group, the 6MWD in the acupuncture plus conventional drug group increased significantly at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment and at 12 weeks of follow-up. The difference was statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). The symptom scores, motor scores, impact scores and total SGRQ scores at different time points in the three groups tended to change with time, with a time effect (P &lt; 0.05), and there was no group or interaction effect (P &gt; 0.05). Among the secondary outcomes, there were time effects on the number of acute exacerbations, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) at different time points in the three groups (P &lt; 0.05). mMRC had time and group effects (P &lt; 0.05). CAT had time effects, group effects and interaction effects (P &lt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Compared with the acupuncture group and the conventional drug group, the acupuncture plus conventional drug group was better at improving exercise ability, improving quality of life, and reducing dyspnea. It is safe and effective for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the stable period, which can provide a reference for further related research.</div><div><strong>Trial registration:</strong></div><div>ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03169504. Registered on 30 May 2017.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"89 ","pages":"Article 103146"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143420461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effects and optimal dosage of traditional Chinese exercises on patients with chronic ankle instability: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Yikun Yin ,&nbsp;Qihan Lin ,&nbsp;Yongsheng Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103145","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103145","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The effectiveness of Traditional Chinese exercises in promoting functional recovery in patients with chronic ankle instability, as well as the potential impact of variables such as intervention type, duration, frequency, and cycle on treatment outcomes, still requires further investigation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Literature searches were conducted in multiple databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, Wanfang, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), PubMed, EBSCO(Medline、CINAHL、SPORTDiscus), Embase, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of Traditional Chinese Exercises interventions on patients with Chronic Ankle Instability. The publication timeframe spanned from the inception of each database until January 20, 2025. Meta-analysis was performed using STATA 15 software on the included studies.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twelve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 323 patients were included in this analysis. Compared with the control group, Traditional Chinese exercises showed the following improvements: CAIT: WMD = 4.02, 95 % CI [3.22, 4.81], z = 9.90, P &lt; 0.001.Balance: ANT: SMD = 0.38, 95 % CI [0.18, 0.59], z = 3.71, P = 0.003.PM: SMD = 0.49, 95 % CI [0.26, 0.70], z = 4.73, P &lt; 0.001.PL: SMD = 0.67, 95 % CI [0.46, 0.88], z = 6.35, P &lt; 0.001.C: SMD = 0.80, 95 % CI [0.35, 1.25], z = 3.51, P &lt; 0.001.JPS:Plantarflexion: SMD = -0.58, 95 % CI [-0.94, −0.21], z = 3.09, P = 0.002.Inversion: SMD = -0.46, 95 % CI [-0.86, −0.06], z = 2.23, P = 0.025.Muscle Strength: Plantarflexion: SMD = 0.81, 95 % CI [0.43, 1.18], z = 4.25, P &lt; 0.001.Inversion: SMD = 0.66, 95 % CI [0.25, 1.07], z = 3.16, P = 0.002.Eversion: SMD = 1.04, 95 % CI [0.62, 1.46], z = 4.82, P &lt; 0.001.Subgroup Analysis: Tai Chi training conducted twice weekly for a 12-week intervention period, with 60-minute sessions, demonstrated the most effective improvements. Level of Evidence: The evidence level for the effects of Traditional Chinese exercises on Balance-ANT, Balance-PM, and Balance-PL balance directions in CAI patients is rated as \"moderate.\"</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Traditional Chinese exercise has been shown to significantly improve balance, muscle strength, and joint position sense in CAI patients. Based on the current findings, Tai Chi training appears to provide greater benefits for CAI patients. It is recommended that CAI patients participate in Tai Chi training twice a week, with each session lasting 60 minutes, over a 12-week period.</div></div><div><h3>Systematic review registration</h3><div>PROSPERO database, CRD42024613359.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"89 ","pages":"Article 103145"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143402701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative efficacy of acupuncture therapies in premature ovarian failure: A systematic review and network meta-analysis","authors":"Yonghang Yi,&nbsp;Fengjun Ma,&nbsp;Yang Jiao,&nbsp;Rongqi Zhang,&nbsp;Yunhao Yi,&nbsp;Yuxia Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103141","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103141","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Premature ovarian failure (POF) is becoming more common and has a major negative impact on women's mental and physical well-being. The use of acupuncture therapies to treat POF has gained popularity. However, the optimal treatment remains uncertain. This study aimed to systematically review the literature and conduct a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare the efficacy of different acupuncture and related therapies and identify methodologic weaknesses in previous studies.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>We systematically searched six databases from their inception to April 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture therapies for POF. We assessed methodological quality and risk of bias using the RoB 2.0 tool. The NMA was conducted using R and STATA software based on frequency theory, focusing on overall effectiveness rates and hormone levels. Additionally, we critically reviewed methodological limitations and potential biases in the studies included.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Thirty-seven eligible studies involving 2419 patients were included in this NMA. The NMA results indicated that moxibustion_catgut implantation at acupoint (MB_CIA) (P-score = 0.88; pooled mean difference (95 % CI): 22.07 (1.61–302.48)) showed the highest improvement in overall effectiveness, while warming acupuncture (WA) (0.95; −27.56 (-45.35 to −9.78)) improved follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels best. WA_MB (0.85; −9.35 (-15.08 to −3.62)) and WA (P-score = 0.77) were most effective for luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) levels, respectively. Confidence in evidence ranged from moderate to very low, with low overall confidence. Key methodologic weaknesses included insufficient allocation concealment, lack of blinding, and small sample sizes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Acupuncture therapies may effectively improve POF. MB_CIA, WA, and WA_MB seem to be the most effective. However, severe methodological constraints, such as insufficient randomization and a lack of blinding, may reduce trust in these results. To offer robust evidence, high-quality RCTs must overcome these limitations.</div></div><div><h3>Systematic review registration</h3><div>[PROSPERO], identifier [CRD42024550180].</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"89 ","pages":"Article 103141"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143374043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Letter to Editor on “Tuina versus physiotherapy or a combination of both for the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial”","authors":"Swarup Ghosh,&nbsp;Krishnagopal Mondal","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103140","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103140","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"89 ","pages":"Article 103140"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143378760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Response to Letter to Editor on “Tuina versus physiotherapy or a combination of both for the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial”","authors":"Qinqyu Ma,&nbsp;Jiaxu Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103143","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103143","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"89 ","pages":"Article 103143"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143374046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Defending science, democracy, and human health: A call to action against authoritarian interference in funding and communicating medical science","authors":"Kathi Kemper","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103144","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103144","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 103144"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143364047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The safety and effectiveness of tDCS for epileptic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Xiao-Tong Ding ,&nbsp;Ming-Yu Hu ,&nbsp;Chi Wang ,&nbsp;Wei-Ye Kang ,&nbsp;Jin-Zhao Huang ,&nbsp;Rui-Yu Wang ,&nbsp;Qiu-Song Shen ,&nbsp;Hou-Ming Kan","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103142","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103142","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and purpose</h3><div>Although transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used in the treatment of epilepsy for many years, further research is needed on the efficacy and safety of tDCS treatment. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the effectiveness of tDCS on seizure frequency (SF), epileptiform discharges, depression, anxiety, and cognitive function in epilepsy.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from inception to 9 September 2024. The primary outcomes included SF. The secondary outcomes included epileptiform discharges, depression, anxiety, cognitive function, and adverse events. The meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4 software.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>12 trials were included, 356 participants (219 in the tDCS group and 137 in the sham group). Among the included studies, three were of high risk, two were of some concern, and seven were of low risk. For the primary outcome metrics, tDCS can reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures (SMD = − 0.63, 95 % CI = [-0.90, − 0.36], <em>P</em> <em>&lt;</em> 0.00001). For secondary outcome measures, there are no statistical differences between the tDCS group and the sham group in epileptiform discharges (SMD = − 0.27, 95 % CI = [-0.71, 0.16], <em>P</em> = 0.22) and adverse events (MD = 1.30, 95 % CI = [0.49, 3.45], <em>P</em> = 0.60). The outcomes of tDCS treatment for depression and anxiety were inconsistent. tDCS did not enhance or impair cognitive function.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>tDCS can reduce SF but has no effect on epileptiform discharges in patients with epilepsy. The current evidence is limited to support tDCS treatment for depression, anxiety, and cognitive function in epilepsy patients. Future studies should be standardized and personalized, ensure higher methodological rigor, and probe long-term effects to prove the findings further.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"89 ","pages":"Article 103142"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143179608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}