Acupuncture for post-stroke depression: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with post-stroke depression (PSD) usually experience anxiety, hopelessness, and insomnia, which have a negative impact on their daily activities and post-stroke rehabilitation. Acupuncture (AC), as a minimally invasive technique, has become a popular choice for improving depression symptoms. However, it is still unclear which therapy is associated with the best outcomes for PSD. In this review, we aimed to explore the impact of AC in alleviating symptoms of PSD and to evaluate the difference in effectiveness between AC combined with pharmacotherapies and various non-pharmacotherapies. METHODS: Six databases and three clinical trials registration platforms were searched from inception to March 2023. Randomized clinical trial comparing needle-based AC with pharmacotherapy, and other non-pharmacotherapy or invalid group were included. Two independent reviewers identified eligible studies, and collected data using a pre-made form. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted to assess and compare different techniques using RStudio 3.6.0 with the package 'GEMTC' V.0.8.1. The primary outcome was the efficacy for PSD assessed by scales measuring depressive symptoms. The secondary outcomes were effectiveness for neurological function and the quality of life. The ranking probabilities for all treatment interventions was performed using the Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking curve (SUCRA). The risk of bias was assessed by using the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2. RESULTS: Sixty-two studies, involving 5308 participants published from 2003 to 2022, were included. The results showed that compared with western medicine (WM) (defined as pharmacotherapy for PSD), AC alone or with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (RTMS), Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) alone or with WM, were superior for alleviating depression symptoms. Compared to Usual Care, AC alone or plus other therapies could significantly decrease scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating scale. According to result of SUCRA, AC plus RTMS had the highest probability of improving depressive symptoms with a probability of 49.43%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that AC alone or combined with other therapies appears to be effective in improving depression symptoms of stroke survivors. Moreover, in comparison to WM, AC alone or plus RTMS, TCM, TCM with WM, or WM, were more effective in improving depression symptoms of PSD. Also, AC with RTMS seems to be the most effective with the highest probability. REGISTRATION: This study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database in November 2020 and updated in July 2021. The registration number is CRD42020218752.

Perioperative enhanced recovery programmes for women with gynaecological cancers.

BACKGROUND: Gynaecological cancers account for 15% of newly diagnosed cancer cases in women worldwide. In recent years, increasing evidence demonstrates that traditional approaches in perioperative care practice may be unnecessary or even harmful. The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme has therefore been gradually introduced to replace traditional approaches in perioperative care. There is an emerging body of evidence outside of gynaecological cancer which has identified that perioperative ERAS programmes decrease length of postoperative hospital stay and reduce medical expenditure without increasing complication rates, mortality, and readmission rates. However, evidence-based decisions on perioperative care practice for major surgery in gynaecological cancer are limited. This is an updated version of the original Cochrane Review published in Issue 3, 2015. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of perioperative enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes in gynaecological cancer care on length of postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications, mortality, readmission, bowel functions, quality of life, participant satisfaction, and economic outcomes. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the following electronic databases for the literature published from inception until October 2020: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Scopus, and four Chinese databases including the China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), WanFang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Weipu Database. We also searched four trial registration platforms and grey literature databases for ongoing and unpublished trials, and handsearched the reference lists of included trials and accessible reviews for relevant references. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared ERAS programmes for perioperative care in women with gynaecological cancer to traditional care strategies. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened studies for inclusion, extracted the data and assessed methodological quality for each included study using the Cochrane risk of bias tool 2 (RoB 2) for RCTs. Using Review Manager 5.4, we pooled the data and calculated the measures of treatment effect with the mean difference (MD), standardised mean difference (SMD), and risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) to reflect the summary estimates and uncertainty. MAIN RESULTS: We included seven RCTs with 747 participants. All studies compared ERAS programmes with traditional care strategies for women with gynaecological cancer. We had substantial concerns regarding the methodological quality of the included studies since the included RCTs had moderate to high risk of bias in domains including randomisation process, deviations from intended interventions, and measurement of outcomes. ERAS programmes may reduce length of postoperative hospital stay (MD -1.71 days, 95% CI -2.59 to -0.84; I2 = 86%; 6 studies, 638 participants; low-certainty evidence). ERAS programmes may result in no difference in overall complication rates (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.05; I2 = 42%; 5 studies, 537 participants; low-certainty evidence). The certainty of evidence was very low regarding the effect of ERAS programmes on all-cause mortality within 30 days of discharge (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.14 to 6.68; 1 study, 99 participants). ERAS programmes may reduce readmission rates within 30 days of operation (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.90; I2 = 0%; 3 studies, 385 participants; low-certainty evidence). ERAS programmes may reduce the time to first flatus (MD -0.82 days, 95% CI -1.00 to -0.63; I2 = 35%; 4 studies, 432 participants; low-certainty evidence) and the time to first defaecation (MD -0.96 days, 95% CI -1.47 to -0.44; I2 = 0%; 2 studies, 228 participants; low-certainty evidence). The studies did not report the effects of ERAS programmes on quality of life. The evidence on the effects of ERAS programmes on participant satisfaction was very uncertain due to the limited number of studies. The adoption of ERAS strategies may not increase medical expenditure, though the evidence was of very low certainty (SMD -0.22, 95% CI -0.68 to 0.25; I2 = 54%; 2 studies, 167 participants). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Low-certainty evidence suggests that ERAS programmes may shorten length of postoperative hospital stay, reduce readmissions, and facilitate postoperative bowel function recovery without compromising participant safety. Further well-conducted studies are required in order to validate the certainty of these findings.

Would integrated Western and traditional Chinese medicine have more benefits for stroke rehabilitation? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a major cause of death or long-term disability worldwide. Many patients with stroke receive integrative therapy consisting of Western medicine (WM) and routine rehabilitation in conjunction with Chinese medicine (CM), such as acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. However, there is no available evidence on the effectiveness of the combined use of WM and CM interventions in stroke rehabilitation. AIMS: The purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the results of all individual studies to assess the combined use of CM and WM in stroke rehabilitation compared with WM only. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched. The included outcomes were dependency, motor function, depression and swallowing function. Subgroup analysis was performed, and publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. SUMMARY OF REVIEW: 58 studies and 6339 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis revealed that combined therapy comprising both acupuncture and WM had a superior effect on improving dependency and swallowing function compared with standard WM therapy alone. Potential superiority of combined therapy comprising CM and WM in improving depression compared with standard WM therapy was also found. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the combined use of CM and WM could be more efficacious in stroke rehabilitation compared with the use of WM therapy alone. However, most studies were short in duration (2 to 4 weeks) and prone to different types of biases, which prevents making any conclusion regarding the long-term effects and raises concerns regarding true efficacy in context of high likelihood of Hawthorn bias. So, more randomised controlled trials with more rigorous design and longer duration of treatment and follow-up need to be conducted to compare WM alone versus WM and CM combined. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020152050.

Effects of Tai Chi on health outcomes among community-dwelling adults with or at risk of metabolic syndrome: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review evaluated the effects of Tai Chi on health outcomes among community-dwelling adults with or at risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in 10 databases. Data were statistically pooled for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Twenty RCTs were included. One study involved adults with MetS, and the other 19 studies involved adults with at least one risk factor for MetS. Tai Chi was found to reduce waist circumference and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in obese adults. Tai Chi also reduces waist circumference, body mass index, blood glucose level, insulin resistance, and increases the quality of life (QoL) in adults with elevated blood glucose/type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Among participants with hypertension, Tai Chi improves blood pressure, lipid profiles, anxiety, depression, and physical QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Tai Chi may be effective for enhancing the physiological and psychosocial wellbeing of community-dwelling adults at risk of MetS. Further RCTs are needed to examine its effects in adults with MetS and identify optimal regimes.

The effects of sitting Tai Chi on physical and psychosocial health outcomes among individuals with impaired physical mobility: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Impaired physical mobility refers to a limitation in independent and purposeful physical movement of the body or one or more extremities. Physical restrictions result in negative consequences on an individual's physical and psychosocial functions. Sitting Tai Chi, a derivative form of traditional Tai Chi, has been found to increase the flexibility of all joints involved and enhance the ability to perform physical activity. However, the evidence of sitting Tai Chi on physical and psychosocial health outcomes on individuals with impaired physical mobility is limited. OBJECTIVES: To critically synthesize evidence that evaluates the effects of sitting Tai Chi on health outcomes among individuals with impaired physical mobility and to identify implementation strategies for the sitting Tai Chi intervention. METHODS: Searches were performed across 11 English and two Chinese databases systematically from inception to January 2020. Randomised controlled trials and non-randomised controlled trials, written in English or Chinese were included. Two independent reviewers screened all eligible studies, appraised risk of bias, and extracted the data. Meta-analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.4 and narrative syntheses were performed where meta-analysis was inappropriate. The certainty of evidence was assessed using Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation profiler Guideline Development Tool. This study was registered in PROSPERO. RESULTS: A total of 1,446 records were generated and 11 studies were eligible for inclusion. Meta-analysis reported a statistically significant effect size favouring sitting Tai Chi on depressive symptoms (SMD: -1.53, 95% CI: -2.81 to -0.21, 2 studies; very low quality), heart rate (MD: -5.72, 95% CI: -11.16 to -0.29, 2 studies; low quality) and social domain of quality of life (MD: 1.42, 95% CI: 0.66 to 2.19, 3 studies; low quality). CONCLUSIONS: Sitting Tai Chi was found to have favourable effects on depressive symptoms, heart rate, and social domain of quality of life of individuals with impaired physical mobility. Very low to low quality evidence does not support the effectiveness of sitting Tai Chi on dynamic sitting balance, handgrip strength, and the physical and psychological domains of quality of life. There was limited evidence to suggest the best implementation strategies for the sitting Tai Chi intervention. It is anticipated that more well-designed studies will continue developing high quality evidence in this field.

Fostering gerontology students' competence in Interprofessional collaborative practice.

BACKGROUND: Interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) is increasingly recognised as being crucial for the provision of holistic care and optimising health outcomes among older adults, many with multiple complex health problems. However, little is known about the challenges of facilitating this in practice. Therefore, this study explores these issues from the perspective of different healthcare professionals and how this might inform interprofessional education curricula. METHODS: Sixteen different healthcare professionals working in a variety of aged care (acute, rehabilitative and community) settings were invited to participate in individual semi-structured in-depth interviews designed to: (i) explore the meaning of IPCP; (ii) explore the facilitators of and barriers to IPCP; and (iii) examine the opportunities and challenges in interprofessional gerontological education. All interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim with thematic analysis conducted by two independent researchers. RESULTS: Three major themes emerged from the interviews: the need for IPCP; role preparedness, scope and liability; and strategies for interprofessional education. Respondents shared a common belief that IPCP improves the quality of life of older adults in both hospital and community settings by improving person-centred coordinated care and decision making in care planning. However, respondents perceived major barriers to IPCP to be lack of knowledge about healthcare professionals' scope of practice, lack of training in interprofessional collaboration, professional culture and stereotypes, and liability issues. Suggested approaches to overcome these barriers included innovative teaching and learning approaches, engaging students early on in the curriculum of health professional degree programmes, and enhancing collaborative effective communication in health and social care settings. CONCLUSIONS: It is anticipated that these findings will be used to inform the development of a new interprofessional gerontological education curriculum that aims to enhance students' competence in IPCP.

The effects of sitting Tai Chi on physical and psychosocial health outcomes among individuals with impaired physical mobility.

BACKGROUND: Impaired physical mobility, most often seen in people with neurological disorders (i.e., stroke and spinal cord injury survivors), musculoskeletal diseases or frailty, is a limitation in independent and purposeful physical movement of the body or one or more extremities. The physical restrictions result in negative consequences on an individual's physical and psychosocial functions. This proposal describes a systematic review protocol to determine the effectiveness and approaches of sitting Tai Chi intervention for individuals with impaired physical mobility. Our review would inform stakeholders' decisions in integrating this complementary therapy into current rehabilitation services. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental studies that compared an intervention group receiving sitting Tai Chi with a control group among adult participants with impaired physical mobility resulting from any health condition(s) will be included. Outcomes of interest will include physical and psychosocial health outcomes. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, AMED, PsycINFO, SPORDiscus, PEDro, WanFang Data and China National Knowledge Infrastructure will be searched from their inception to January 2020. Additional searches will be performed to identify studies that are being refereed, to be published, unpublished or ongoing. Two reviewers will select the trials and extract data independently. The risk of bias of the included studies will be assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tools. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation will be used to assess evidence quality for each review outcome. Data synthesis will be performed using Review Manager 5.3. When a meta-analysis is possible, we will assess the heterogeneity across the studies by computing the I statistics. RESULTS: A high-quality synthesis of current evidence of sitting Tai Chi for impaired physical mobility will be stated from several aspect using subjective reports and objective measures of performance. CONCLUSION: This protocol will present the evidence of whether sitting Tai Chi is an effective intervention for impaired physical mobility. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD 42019142681.

Effects of Acupuncture on the Recovery Outcomes of Stroke Survivors with Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Poststroke shoulder pain limits stroke survivors' physical functioning, impairs their ability to perform daily activities, and compromises their quality of life. The use of acupuncture to manage shoulder pain after a stroke is believed to free the blockage of energy flow and produce analgesic effects, but the evidence is unclear. We therefore conducted a systematic review to summarize the current evidence on the effects of acupuncture on the recovery outcomes of stroke survivors with shoulder pain. METHODS: Fourteen English and Chinese databases were searched for data from January 2009 to August 2017. The review included adult participants with a clinical diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke who had developed shoulder pain and had undergone conventional acupuncture, electroacupuncture, fire needle acupuncture, or warm needle acupuncture. The participants in the comparison group received the usual stroke care only. RESULTS: Twenty-nine randomized controlled trials were included. Most studies were assessed as having a substantial risk of bias. Moreover, due to the high heterogeneity of the acupuncture therapies examined, pooling the results in a meta-analysis was not appropriate. A narrative summary of the results is thus presented. The review showed that conventional acupuncture can be associated with benefits in reducing pain and edema and improving upper extremity function and physical function. The effects of conventional acupuncture on improving shoulder range of motion (ROM) are in doubt because this outcome was only examined in two trials. Electroacupuncture might be effective in reducing shoulder pain and improving upper extremity function, and conclusions on the effects of electroacupuncture on edema, shoulder ROM, and physical function cannot be drawn due to the limited number of eligible trials. The evidence to support the use of fire needle or warm needle acupuncture in stroke survivors with shoulder pain is also inconclusive due to the limited number of studies. CONCLUSION: Although most studies reviewed concluded that conventional and electroacupuncture could be effective for management of shoulder pain after stroke, the very high potential for bias should be considered. Further work in this area is needed that employs standardized acupuncture treatment modalities, endpoint assessments, and blinding of treatments.