European Journal of Integrative Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Meta-analysis and network pharmacology-based investigation of Shenqi Fuzheng injection plus docetaxel for the efficacy and molecular mechanism of breast cancer","authors":"Yanqiong Luo,&nbsp;Yujiao Hou,&nbsp;Qian Li,&nbsp;Han Zhang,&nbsp;Moses Manaanye Njolibimi,&nbsp;Wenjing Li,&nbsp;Bo Hong","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102351","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102351","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Breast cancer (BC), known as the \"pink killer,\" with a high incidence and poor prognosis, is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors in women. Shenqui Fuzheng injectin (SFI), a kind of Chinese medicine immunomodulator, has the potential to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity in treating BC in combination with docetaxel (DOC) because of its pharmacological effects of tonifying Qi and strengthening body resistance. Hence, there is an urgent need to summarize the effects of SFI plus DOC on various outcomes in BC patients, and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of SFI plus DOC anti-BC.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Studies matching this topic were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM, VIP, and the Wanfang database, and screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two researchers evaluated the methodological quality of the studies using the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 17.0 were used to conduct the meta-analysis of the extracted data. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were conducted to investigate the potential mechanism of SFI combined with DOC in treating BC.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Overall, 11 studies involving 1280 participants were included. Meta-analysis revealed that SFI plus DOC was beneficial for increasing the objective response rate [RR=1.32, 95 %CI (1.14, 1.51)], improving immune capacity [MD=2.15, 95 %CI (1.41, 2.89)], decreasing tumor marker levels [MD=-11.08, 95 %CI (-13.00, -9.16)], and reducing the incidence of adverse reactions [RR=0.57, 95 %CI (0.47, 0.69)]. Network pharmacology revealed that the 3 most active ingredients were luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol. The core target genes were ERBB2, EGFR, PIK3CG, GSTP1, TOP2A, and HIF1A. The relevant pathways were the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that the core active ingredients combined well with potential targets.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>SFI plus DOC can achieve better therapeutic effects than DOC alone in treating BC. Moreover, SFI combined with DOC may treat BC through a multitarget and multipathway network. Further pharmacological experiments are needed to validate the potential mechanism of SFI combined with DOC in treating BC.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"67 ","pages":"Article 102351"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140087474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Kuntai capsule for the treatment of ovulatory disorder infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","authors":"Xudong Zhang ,&nbsp;Xue Bai ,&nbsp;Lina Zhang ,&nbsp;Ling Xiong ,&nbsp;Juwen Zhang ,&nbsp;Yun Li ,&nbsp;Wenjing Chang ,&nbsp;Wei Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102350","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102350","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Ovulatory disorders contribute significantly to infertility, due to menstrual cycle disturbances and endocrine abnormalities. Kuntai capsule, a Chinese patent medicine, has been widely used in China to enhance ovarian function and fertility<strong>.</strong> This review is to evaluate Kuntai capsule's potential benefits and harms for ovulatory disorder infertility (ODI).</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WANFANG Database, Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched from their inception to May 2023. All Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) comparing the combination of Kuntai capsule with reproductive medicine to reproductive medicine for ODI were included. Primary outcomes were ovulation rate and pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes were the number of mature ovarian follicles and adverse events.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Meta-analysis was conducted on 27 RCTs with a total of 2506 patients. The results showed that the combination of Kuntai capsule with clomiphene citrate (CC) had better effect in ovulation rate (Risk Ratio (RR)=1.27, 95 % confidence interval (CI) [1.15, 1.40]) and pregnancy rate (RR=1.66, 95 % CI [1.37, 2.01]) in ODI patients. The combination of Kuntai capsule with letrozole (LE) demonstrated improvements in ovulation rate (RR=1.22, 95 % CI [1.15, 1.29]) and pregnancy rate (RR=1.57, 95 % CI [1.39, 1.77]) in ODI patients. However, further large-scale RCTs are needed to validate these findings.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The combination of Kuntai capsule with reproductive medicine may improve the ovulation rate, pregnancy rate, and number of mature ovarian follicles in patients with ODI. However, considering the methodological quality issues in the included studies, it may potentially affect the reliability of the conclusions to some extent.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"67 ","pages":"Article 102350"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876382024000209/pdfft?md5=7e25ac5f13ab9f66a31693a9a8cd46cf&pid=1-s2.0-S1876382024000209-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140190826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring why individuals utilise naturopathic treatment and choose to combine naturopathy with biomedicine","authors":"Asmita Patel ,&nbsp;Robyn Carruthers ,&nbsp;Wayne Hill ,&nbsp;Karen Wesseling ,&nbsp;Karen Mees","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102347","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102347","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>There has been a global increase in the utilisation of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM), including that of naturopathy. Limited New Zealand research exists that has examined why individuals use naturopathic treatment, and why in some cases, naturopathy is combined with biomedicine. The present study had two main aims: (1) To identify why individuals utilise naturopathic treatment, and (2) to identify why individuals choose to combine naturopathy with biomedicine in the management of chronic health conditions or ongoing symptoms.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Participants were 20 clients who attended a student naturopathy and herbal medicine teaching clinic in Auckland, New Zealand. Participants were individually interviewed. A structured interview schedule comprising of open-ended questions was used. Data was analysed using an inductive thematic approach.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Five main themes were identified in relation to why individuals utilised naturopathic treatment and combined naturopathy with biomedicine in the management of their chronic health conditions or ongoing symptoms: (1) A holistic approach, (2) a new and different approach, (3) wanting to utilise natural remedies, (4) previous use of naturopathic treatment and/or other forms of TCIM, and (5) word-of-mouth: the role of family and friends in influencing the utilisation of naturopathic treatment.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>There was an alignment between what participants desired to seek from naturopathic treatment and the philosophy and core naturopathic treatment principles: a holistic approach to health and healing and the utilisation of natural remedies. Participants combined naturopathic treatment with biomedicine, as it allowed for the use of natural and less invasive ways in treating and managing some of their symptoms. Integration of treatment modalities allowed individuals to retain some control over how their body was treated. Previous use of naturopathy and/or other forms of TCIM influenced current utilisation of naturopathy, either for the same condition or for new condition(s). Family and friends also had a salient role in influencing individuals to seek naturopathic treatment.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"67 ","pages":"Article 102347"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139954061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the potential of Cytisus purgans as a source of bioactive molecules: In vitro pharmacological evaluation","authors":"Safa Chaira ,&nbsp;Badra Bouzghaia ,&nbsp;Mourad Hanfer ,&nbsp;Imededdine Kaddi ,&nbsp;Mohammed Tahar Ben Moussa ,&nbsp;Patrick Pale ,&nbsp;Hassina Harkat","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102349","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102349","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p><em>Cytisus purgans</em> is an uncommon species found in Algeria (Aures, Mahdids and Lella Khadidja). In the current study, we present, to the best of our knowledge, the first detailed chemical profile of its extracts and collect various pieces of evidence that underscore their therapeutic potential.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>The ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of <em>C. purgans</em> was purified using different chromatographic methods. The bioactive compounds obtained were analysed by NMR and mass spectroscopy to identify their structures. The therapeutic potential of the extracts was investigated using several in vitro assays.</p></div><div><h3>Results and discussion</h3><p>The developed spectral analysis techniques enabled the structural elucidation of seven compounds. The analysis identified four isoflavones, including daidzein, genistein, isoprunetin and biochanin A. Additionally, one flavone, chrysin and one flavonol, quercetin, were positively identified. Notably, the phytosterol daucosterol was also isolated and characterised. The studied extracts were found to be rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. The EAE had the highest polyphenolic (163.85 ± 3.82 mg GAE/g dry extract) and flavonoid content (180.84 ± 3.68 mg QE/g dry extract). The extracts showed potent anti-oxidant activity, as demonstrated by DPPH 50 % inhibitory concentration (EAE: IC₅₀ = 26.66 µg/mL, BuE: IC₅₀ = 30.91 µg/mL), ferric reducing anti-oxidant power IC₅₀ (EAE: IC₅₀ = 6.37 ± 0.27 µg/mL, BuE: IC₅₀ = 13.02 ± 0.1 µg/mL) and total anti-oxidant capacity values (EAE 106.57 ± 5.81 AAE/g dry extract, BuE 105.46 ± 8.64 AAE/g dry extract). This anti-oxidant activity contributed significantly to effective sun protection (EAE sun protection factor (SPF) = 87.84, BuE SPF = 31.67). Additionally, the extracts inhibited acetylcholinesterase (EAE IC₅₀ = 24.40 ± 2.84 µg/mL, BuE IC₅₀ = 68.07 ± 02.26 µg/mL) and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes (EAE IC₅₀ = 36.39 ± 0.75 µg/mL, BuE IC₅₀ = 66.19 ± 01.25 µg/mL) the most and significantly inhibited urease (EAE IC₅₀ = 77.82 ± 4.59 µg/mL, BuE IC₅₀ = 127.05 ± 2.87 µg/mL).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Considering the findings, <em>C. purgans</em> emerges as a promising reservoir of bioactive compounds that have the potential to contribute to the development of treatments for specific diseases. The identification of these compounds and their therapeutic potential provides valuable insights into their potential use in drug development.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"67 ","pages":"Article 102349"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139954041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating yoga into comprehensive cancer care: Starting somewhere","authors":"Kathryn M. Glaser ,&nbsp;Christina R. Crabtree-Ide ,&nbsp;Tessa F. Flores ,&nbsp;Mary E. Reid","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102348","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102348","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>The rapid increase in cancer survivors in the United States (US) highlights the importance of survivors’ long-term care needs and symptom management. Given evidence that yoga supports cancer related symptoms, our aim was to develop and implement a community yoga program available for cancer survivors, family members, and staff involved in cancer care at a public comprehensive cancer center in the US. Given the wide age range and potential side effects from cancer treatment, we adapted the yoga program to meet the needs of cancer survivors.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Beginning in May 2017, we offered sixty-minute gentle yoga sessions for all medically cleared cancer survivors and their family members, caregivers, and friends, as well as oncology staff. We aimed to evaluate acceptability, development, and implementation of an adaptive yoga program at our comprehensive cancer center using mixed methods. Classes were initially offered once a week, then increased to twice a week. A total of five service evaluations were sent approximately every six months between April 2018-October 2019 to evaluate participant satisfaction (<em>n</em> = 90 responses). Qualitative data were collected and analyzed using thematic analysis of participant satisfaction, allowing us to continuously monitor the yoga program and adjust to meet participants’ needs.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Between May 2017 and February 2020, 176 people attended our program. Ages ranged from 21 to 72 years, with an average age of 45 years. Based on these evaluations, 96 % (<em>n</em> = 86) of participants rated both the program and teachers excellent, and 4 % (<em>n</em> = 4) rated the program and teachers good. Qualitative themes highlighted positive aspects of the program, including accessibility, inclusivity, and adaptive yoga based on medical needs, skill level, and abilities.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Adaptive yoga programs are well-accepted by cancer survivors and caregivers, and may contribute a solution to healthcare staff and physician burnout. It is essential to build a solid foundation of self-care and wellness programming for cancer survivors and to create and foster adaptive yoga classes. Next steps for our program include evaluating yoga within the clinical setting, including chemotherapy infusion centers, and further research on reduction in stress through yoga in cancer survivors.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"67 ","pages":"Article 102348"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139954064","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The add-on effect of oral East Asian herbal medicine to steroid therapy for alopecia areata: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Soojin Park ,&nbsp;Jieun Lee ,&nbsp;Seoyeon Jun ,&nbsp;Kyuseok Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102345","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102345","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that degrades patients' quality of life and adversely affects mental health. Since steroid therapy (ST) has limited efficacy and a risk of recurrence, East Asian herbal medicine (EAHM) combined with ST has been suggested as an alternative treatment. Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted on the efficacy of EAHM combined with ST in AA treatment; however, the efficacy of EAHM combined with ST and the treatment effects of ST alone have not yet been compared. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the combination of ST and EAHM compared to ST alone in the treatment of AA.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We searched 10 databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, KoreaMed, Korean Medical Database (KMBASE), Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), ScienceON, and Korea Science. Bias was independently assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2.0), and meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager (Revman) 5.4.1 with the application of random-effect models. The primary outcome was defined as the cure rate.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Fifteen studies were selected, and 1,119 participants were included in the study. According to the results of the meta-analysis, a higher cure rate (RR 1.50, 95 % CI : 1.31, 1.71, <em>P</em>&lt;0.00001, I²=0 %), a higher total efficacy rate (modified Total Efficacy Rate 1 (mTER1); (RR 1.10, 95 % CI: 1,06, 1.15, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.00001, I²=0 %), modified Total Efficacy Rate 2 (mTER2); (RR 1.09, 95 % CI: 1.03, 1.16, <em>P</em> = 0.006, I²=0 %)), and a lower recurrence rate (RR 0.28, 95 % CI: 0.16, 0.48, <em>P</em>&lt;0.00001, I²=0 % %) were confirmed in the ST with EAHM group than in the ST group. Low IFN-γ levels and high IL-10 levels were identified in the ST combined with EAHM group. No serious adverse effects were observed during treatment.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Compared to ST alone in AA treatment, the combination treatment of ST and EAHM may effectively and safely increase the cure and total efficacy rates and may lower the recurrence rate. However, to strengthen the basis of this review, higher quality RCTs must be performed.</p></div><div><h3>Registration</h3><p>CRD42023397023</p></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"68 ","pages":"Article 102345"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139920521","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effects of catgut embedding in patients with obesity of gastrointestinal internal heat: A randomised controlled trial","authors":"Qingqing Zhu ,&nbsp;Jian Cheng ,&nbsp;Xiaolan Xu ,&nbsp;Tangying Xu ,&nbsp;Xingjiang Gu ,&nbsp;Yun Xia ,&nbsp;Lingzhen Mao ,&nbsp;Nannan Hu ,&nbsp;Yuexia Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2023.102327","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2023.102327","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Globally, the incidence of obesity is increasing, causing increased rates of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Acupoint catgut embedding, a popular acupuncture method in China, has greater efficacy than acupuncture for weight control. The effectiveness of catgut embedding in patients with fatty liver associated with metabolic dysfunction was investigated.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>In this randomised controlled trial, 60 patients with gastrointestinal internal heat-type obesity were randomised to the intervention (<em>n</em> = 30) and control (<em>n</em> = 30) groups. The intervention group participated in the catgut embeddings with diet and exercise for 2 months, with a catgut treatment frequency of once every 10 days for 30 min. The control group participated only in diet and exercise for the same period. Body weight; body mass index (BMI); waist-to-hip ratio (WHR); fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, and lipid levels were assessed before and after treatments.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Fifty-seven patients completed the courses. After 2 months, the intervention group showed a statistically significant trend of decrease in WHR and total score of gastrointestinal internal heat-type clinical symptoms when compared with the control group (mean difference: −0.03, 95 % confidence level [CI]: −0.07 to 0.00 and mean difference: −6.04, 95 % CI: −8.59 to −3.50, respectively). In the intervention group, the mean reductions in body weight and BMI were 6.18 kg (95 % CI: 4.60 to 7.76) and 2.23 kg/m² (95 % CI: 1.72 to 2.74), respectively. The total treatment efficiency for fatty liver in the intervention and control groups was 61.5 % and 30.8 %, respectively (risk ratio: 3.60; 95 % CI: 1.14 to 11.35).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Catgut embedding administered with diet and exercise is effective for patients with gastrointestinal internal heat-type obesity and some patients with obesity complicated by metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. The effects observed in the intervention group were superior to those in the control group in terms of body weight, BMI, WHR, total score of gastrointestinal internal heat-type clinical symptoms, and treatment effectiveness for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. There were no serious adverse reactions during the treatment.</p></div><div><h3>Registration number</h3><p>ChiCTR2200057237.</p></div><div><h3>Funding</h3><p>This study was supported by the Hangzhou Medicine and Health Science and Technology Program and Hangzhou Lin'an District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article 102327"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876382023001038/pdfft?md5=1e0505cc3272ba77d025c5185e34708c&pid=1-s2.0-S1876382023001038-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138683913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combined Korean medicine therapies in children with allergic rhinitis: A prospective, multicenter, observational registry study at primary-care network clinics","authors":"Hongmin Chu ,&nbsp;EunKyoung Lee ,&nbsp;Seunghwan Moon PharmB ,&nbsp;Hamsoa Clinics KM Doctors Group ,&nbsp;Bo-Hyoung Jang","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102336","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102336","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Allergic rhinitis (AR) causes symptoms such as hyper-rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, and pain by triggering inflammation in the nasal mucosa and an immune response caused by antigen-specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE). This prospective multicenter observational study aimed to evaluate the symptoms change and safety of combined Korean medicine (KM) therapy in patients with AR.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This study was conducted in HAMSOA Korean Medicine Clinics, a network specializing in treating pediatric patients in Korea, and 15 centers participated. The patients were divided into three groups (mild, moderate, and severe) according to their baseline total nasal symptom score. The patients were treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping therapy, and moxibustion therapy.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The study involved 72 subjects aged 6.47 ± 2.37 years. The average Numeric Rating Scale for allergic rhinitis symptoms at the baseline and final follow-up were 4.39 ± 2.14 to 3.47 ± 2.51, respectively, indicating a significant improvement over an average of 4 weeks. The Pediatric Allergic Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire scores at the final screening improved in all three groups. The mean difference was -10.44, with a 95 % confidence interval of -15.35 to -5.54 (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01.). Furthermore, no adverse events were reported in any patient in this study.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The results provide preliminary evidence suggesting that KM treatment may be a safe and effective option for reducing symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis in children. Additional prospective studies are required to confirm the results of the present study.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article 102336"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139510331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Selecting indicators of acupuncture service quality using analytic hierarchy process","authors":"Chao-Chan Wu ,&nbsp;Chiung-Chen Ho ,&nbsp;Kai-Chun Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2023.102324","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2023.102324","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) services, formulating management strategies and policies to improve service quality is essential for maintaining competitive advantages. The purpose of this study is to select key indicators of acupuncture service quality to assist in the development of relevant strategies in order to guide service management in TCM clinics.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This study uses analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to identify key indicators of acupuncture service quality. A hierarchical architecture comprising four main criteria and twelve sub-criteria was established based on a solid theoretical foundation. Next, the judgements of experts in pairwise comparisons were used to calculate the weight of each criterion and determine the critical criteria for acupuncture service quality. Furthermore, fuzzy AHP was utilized to validate the effectiveness of AHP.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Of all the main criteria, “outcome quality” was the most important, followed by “interaction quality”. Among the twelve sub-criteria, “patient satisfaction” was deemed as the most important, with “expertise” and “waiting time” ranking second and third, respectively. “Interactional justice” and “process quality” were ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The key findings indicate outcome quality, interaction quality, and the five sub-criteria are key indicators of acupuncture service quality. Therefore, time-saving strategies for operating procedures and human resource policies should be developed to improve acupuncture services.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article 102324"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138683914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy on the incidence of preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Zainab Alimoradi ,&nbsp;Farideh Kazemi ,&nbsp;Azita Tiznobeik ,&nbsp;Mark D. Griffiths ,&nbsp;Seyyedeh Zahra Masoumi ,&nbsp;Soodabeh Aghababaei","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102343","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102343","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>The results of previous studies regarding the effect of vitamin D on the incidence of preeclampsia are inconsistent. Therefore, the primary objective of the present review was to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on the risk of preeclampsia.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Five major scientific databases were searched from inception to June 10, 2023. Studies with randomized controlled trial designs were identified. To assess the methodological quality of the selected studies, the Cochrane Tool Checklist (CTC) was used. The random effect model was chosen as a combination model. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated using the standard χ² test, and the intensity of heterogeneity was calculated using <em>I</em>². Effect size indicators including risk ratio (RR), risk difference (RD), and number needed to treat (NNT) were calculated with estimated 95 % confidence intervals.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Nineteen studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled RR of preeclampsia in the intervention group compared to the control group was 0.61 (95 % CI, 0.47 to 0.78; <em>I²</em>=14.4 %; χ²=23.37; <em>p</em> = 0.27; tau²=0.05), and indicated a 39 % reduction in the risk of preeclampsia. The pooled RD of preeclampsia in the intervention group compared to the control group was -0.03 (95 % CI: -0.05 to -0.01; <em>I²</em>=45.5 %; χ²=36.68; <em>p</em> = 0.01; tau²=0.0008) and the difference in the risk of preeclampsia among women who received vitamin D supplements was 3 % less than the control group. The NNT was 29 (95 % CI: 20 to 52).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Vitamin D supplementation significantly reduces preeclampsia during pregnancy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article 102343"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139920601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}