METHOD: MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus and Web of sciences were investigated to identify relevant articles up to June 2019. The search strategy combined the Medical Subject Heading and Title and/or abstract keywords. The combined effect sizes were calculated as weight mean difference (WMD) using the random-effects model. Between study heterogeneity was evaluated by the Cochran's Q test and I2.
RESULTS: Four RCTs studies investigated Carnosine use versus any control for at least 2 weeks were identified and analyzed. Overall results from the random-effects model on included studies, with 184 participants, indicated that carnosine intervention reduced HbA1C levels in intervention vs control groups (WMD: -0.92 %, 95 % CI: -1.20, -0.63, I2:69 %). Four studies, including a total of 183 participants, reported TG changes as an outcome measure variable, but combined results did not show significant reduction in this outcome (WMD: -14.46 mg/dl, 95 % CI: -29.11, 0.19, I2:94 %). Furthermore, combined results did not show any significant change in HOMA-IR, Cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, or HDL-C.
CONCLUSION: Carnosine supplementation results in a decrease in HbA1C, but elicits no effect on HOMA-IR, Cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, TG and HDL-C. Future studies with a larger sample sizes, varied doses of carnosine, and population-specific sub-groups are warranted to confirm, and enhance, the veracity of our findings.
METHODS: We carried out a systematic search of all available RCTs up to June 2019 in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Pooled weight mean difference (WMD) of the included studies was estimated using random-effects model.
RESULTS: A total of 27 articles were included in this meta-analysis, with walnuts dosage ranging from 15 to 108 g/d for 2 wk to 2 y. Overall, interventions with walnut intake did not alter waist circumference (WC) (WMD: -0.193 cm, 95 % CI: -1.03, 0.64, p = 0.651), body weight (BW) (0.083 kg, 95 % CI: -0.032, 0.198, p = 0.159), body mass index (BMI) (WMD: -0.40 kg/m,295 % CI: -0.244, 0.164, p = 0.703), and fat mass (FM) (WMD: 0.28 %, 95 % CI: -0.49, 1.06, p = 0.476). Following dose-response evaluation, reduced BW (Coef.= -1.62, p = 0.001), BMI (Coef.= -1.24, p = 0.041) and WC (Coef.= -5.39, p = 0.038) were significantly observed through walnut intake up to 35 g/day. However, the number of studies can be limited as to the individual analysis of the measures through the dose-response fashion.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, results from this meta-analysis suggest that interventions with walnut intake does not alter BW, BMI, FM, and WC. To date, there is no discernible evidence to support walnut intake for improving anthropometric indicators of weight loss.
METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases were systematically searched from their inceptions until 10 December 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing individuals who underwent resistance training and control participants. We applied a random-effects model to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD).
RESULTS: 33 trials reported IGF-1 level as an outcome measure. The pooled estimate demonstrated a significant increase in IGF-1 (WMD: 10.34 ng/ml, 95 % CI: 4.93, 15.74, p = 0.000, I2 = 90.3 %) after resistance training compared with the control group. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the increase in IGF-1 levels following resistance training was only statistically significant in treatment duration ≤16 weeks (WMD: 8.04 ng/ml), participants aged more than 60 years old (WMD: 9.84 ng/ml); and in women (WMD: 17.27 ng/ml). Subsequent analysis of the relationship between participants' age with plasma IGF-1 alterations revealed a U shape correlation in non-liner dose response, in which resistance training resulted in a declined IGF-1 level up to 40 years of age. Beyond 40 years old, the IGF-1 level was increased following resistance training.
CONCLUSION: We have successfully demonstrated that resistance training was associated with an increased IGF-1 level among those who received the training for ≤16 weeks, among participants older than 60 years old, and among women. Further studies are warranted to clarify the mechanisms underlying the influence of resistance training on IGF-1.
METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2017 to October 2017, on 121 cancer patients in oncology and hematology clinics and daycare of a tertiary hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Study data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire.
RESULTS: The prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients was found to be 61.2 %. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CAM use was associated with change in outlook on life after development of cancer. The most frequently used types of CAM were vitamins and Islamic medical practices. Majority of patients were guided by family and friends' suggestions towards using CAM. Most patients expected CAM to cure their disease. The percentage of patients who disclosed CAM use to the doctors was slightly higher than those who did not disclose CAM use.
CONCLUSION: The use of CAM was found to be remarkably high. Rate of non-disclosure of CAM use was high indicating the need for enhancement of doctor- patient relationship for effective patient's care. Future research is needed with large sample of patients to provide better representation of the population and to help understand patients' beliefs and perception more.
DESIGN AND SETTING: Self-administered questionnaires (in English, Malay, or Chinese) were provided to customers at three community pharmacies in Malaysia (Ipoh, Perak). Questionnaire validation and translation validation were performed. A pilot study was conducted before actual questionnaire distribution. Informed consent was obtained from all participants.
RESULTS: Total number of participants was 270 (99 males and 171 females) with majority from the 31-50 age group (41.5%). Among the participants, 45.6% were herbal users. The most commonly used herbal supplements were evening primrose oil (17.9%), ginkgo biloba (13.0%), and milk thistle (8.5%). The participants seemed to have sufficient knowledge regarding herbal supplements including safety, quality, and indication of use from medical literature. Participants obtained information about herbal supplements from pharmacists (26.9%), package inserts (25.2%), friends (20.5%), and the Internet (13.3%) more often than from their doctors (9.8%). Most herbal users did not inform their doctors about their usage of herbal supplements (68.3%) or the side effects (61.5%). Herbal supplement users also tended to be women, >50-year-old, and those with higher monthly household incomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Community pharmacists have a vital role in educating their customers about the safe use of herbal supplements. The participants had sufficient knowledge about herbal supplement usage; therefore, customers of these community pharmacies may have benefitted from the advice of the pharmacists. Further studies could be carried out in future on the knowledge, skills and roles of community pharmacists in the safe use of herbal supplements.
SETTING: In this study, a multinational survey was developed and administered to obtain experience, attitude, and promotion information with regard to the international use of TC&AM among nine countries: Germany, United States, Japan, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia, Kazakhstan, and United Arab Emirates (UAE). The survey was administered via online to members of SurveyMonkey Audience, a proprietary panel of respondents who were recruited from a diverse population worldwide.
RESULTS: A total of 1071 participants has completed the survey. The participants were in favor of the treatments and therapies as well as expressed positive attitudes and also have used herbal medicine treatment more than acupuncture therapy and also used the modalities to promote metabolism rather than treating musculoskeletal diseases. Moreover, participants mentioned that TC&AM should be applied for treating and managing infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. Additionally, participants recommended using Facebook channel to promote its treatments and therapies.
CONCLUSION: Based on the results, this study provides initial insights on TC&AM that may influence the non-users globally and perhaps inspire a need for further research including more countries in different continents.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
SETTING: Self-administered online survey was carried out between January and June 2021 in China.
RESULTS: A total of 1132 complete responses were received from a nationwide sample. A considerable proportion viewed TCM to be more effective than Western medicine for treating COVID-19 (67.1 %) and stated that it is safer to use TCM (63.5 %) and easier to access TCM for treating COVID-19 (63.5 %). A total of 16.4 % (95 %CI 14.3-18.7) reported ever self-medicating with TCM to resolve COVID-19 symptoms and 12.2 % (95 % CI 10.3-14.2) ever using TCM to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Lianhua Qingwen capsule/granule (53.2 %), Ganmao granule (50.5 %) and Banlangen granule (44.6 %) were most commonly used to resolve COVID-19 symptoms whereas Banlangen granule (60.1 %) was commonly used for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Older age participants, from rural areas, with chronic diseases, higher socioeconomic status, and a positive attitude towards TCM were more likely to self-medicate using TCM to resolve COVID-19 symptoms.
CONCLUSION: Self-medication with TCM during the COVID-19 pandemic for symptom control or prevention is prevalent. The findings of the user behavioural profile and types of TMCs commonly used in this study provide beneficial information for the development of strategies to improve public health-seeking behaviour and the performance of the country's healthcare system in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODOLOGY: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and PubMed (1985-January 2022) and trial registries for relevant randomised clinical trials were used. Relevant and published randomised clinical trials were reviewed and evaluated. The primary outcomes were anthropometry measurements, which were weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentages. The secondary outcomes were changes in quality of life, psychological impact, lipid profile measurement, presence of adverse events, and changes in blood pressure and blood glucose. We assessed the data for risk of bias, heterogeneity, sensitivity, reporting bias, and quality of evidence.
RESULTS: 15 studies are included, involving 1161 participants. The analysis performed is based on three comparisons. For the first comparison between yoga and control, yoga reduces the waist circumference (MD -0.84, 95% CI [-5.12 to 3.44]), while there is no difference in body weight, BMI, or body fat percentages. In the second comparison between yoga and calorie restriction, yoga reduces body weight (MD -3.47, 95% CI [-6.20 to -0.74]), while there is no difference in waist circumference, BMI, or body fat percentage. In the third comparison between yoga and exercise, yoga reduces the body weight (MD -7.58, 95% CI [-11.51 to -3.65]), while there is no difference in waist circumference or BMI. For the secondary outcomes, yoga intervention reduces total cholesterol (MD -17.12, 95% CI [-32.24 to -2.00]) and triglycerides (MD -21.75, 95% CI [-38.77 to -4.73]) compared to the control group, but there is no difference compared to the calorie restriction and exercise group. There is no difference in the rest of the outcomes, which are LDL, HDL, quality of life, psychological impact, adverse events, blood pressure, and blood glucose. However, findings are not robust due to a high risk of bias and low-quality evidence.
CONCLUSION: From our review, there were methodological drawbacks and very low to moderate quality of evidence across all comparisons, and hence, it is inconclusive to say that yoga can significantly improve anthropometric parameters. More well-designed trials are needed to confirm and support the beneficial effects of yoga.
METHODS: We systematically searched various databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, EBSCO Host, Science Direct, CNKI, Wan-Fang, and VPCS, and obtained 1448 articles for review. The articles were selected following the PICO eligibility criteria. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to interpret the results of the different studies.
RESULTS: We included 16 studies in the systematic review. Six of them were of very high quality, ten were of acceptable quality. Overall, the results showed that Taichi Chuan is beneficial to physical fitness, but not all indices supported this statement. Specifically, the effects were significant on Balance (ES = - 0.33; P = 0.02), BMI (ES = - 0.83; P
DESIGN: Single-blind, controlled, randomized cross-over study. Patients received 5-day aromatherapy treatment using either ginger essential oil or fragrance-matched artificial placebo (ginger fragrance oil) which was instilled in a necklace in an order dictated by the treatment group sequence.
SETTING: Two oncology clinics in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: VAS nausea score, frequency of vomiting and HRQoL profile (EORTC QLQ-C30 scores).
RESULTS: Sixty female patients completed the study (age=47.3±9.26 years; Malay=98.3%; on highly emetogenic chemotherapy=86.7%). The VAS nausea score was significantly lower after ginger essential oil inhalation compared to placebo during acute phase (P=0.040) but not sustained for overall treatment effect (treatment effect: F=1.82, P=0.183; time effect: F=43.98, P<0.001; treatment×time effect: F=2.04; P=0.102). Similarly, there was no significant effect of aromatherapy on vomiting [F(1, 58)=0.29, P=0.594]. However, a statistically significant change from baseline for global health status (P<0.001) was detected after ginger essential oil inhalation. A clinically relevant 10 points improvement on role functioning (P=0.002) and appetite loss (P<0.001) were also documented while patients were on ginger essential oil.
CONCLUSION: At present time, the evidence derived from this study is not sufficiently convincing that inhaled ginger aromatherapy is an effective complementary therapy for CINV. The findings for HRQoL were however encouraging with significant improvement in several domains.