Effects of yoga in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: A meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of yoga in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched to obtain eligible randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was fasting blood glucose, and the secondary outcomes included glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride and postprandial blood glucose. Weighted mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The I2 statistic represented heterogeneity. RESULTS: A total of 12 randomized controlled trials with a total of 864 patients met the inclusion criteria. The pooled weighted mean differences were -23.72 mg/dL (95% CI -37.78 to -9.65; P = 0.001; I2 = 82%) for fasting blood glucose and -0.47% (95% CI -0.87 to -0.07; P = 0.02; I2 = 82%) for hemoglobin A1c. The weighted mean differences were -17.38 mg/dL (95% CI -27.88 to -6.89; P = 0.001; I2 = 0%) for postprandial blood glucose, -18.50 mg/dL (95% CI -29.88 to -7.11; P = 0.001; I2 = 75%) for total cholesterol, 4.30 mg/dL (95% CI 3.25 to 5.36; P < 0.00001; I2 = 10%) for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, -12.95 mg/dL (95% CI -18.84 to -7.06; P < 0.0001; I2 = 37%) for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and -12.57 mg/dL (95% CI -29.91 to 4.76; P = 0.16; I2 = 48%) for triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence suggests that yoga benefits adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, considering the limited methodology and the potential heterogeneity, further studies are necessary to support our findings and investigate the long-term effects of yoga in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Lack of efficacy of Tai Chi in improving quality of life in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is controversial whether Tai Chi (TC) benefits breast cancer survivors (BCS) on quality of life (QoL). We therefore undertook a meta-analysis to assess this question. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A computerized search through electronic databases was performed to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The primary outcome was QoL, while secondary outcomes included body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), and muscle strength. RESULTS: Five RCTs involving 407 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled standardized mean differences were 0.10 (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.35-0.54) for physical well- being, 0.03 (95%CI: -0.18-0.25) for social/family well-being, 0.24 (95%CI: 0.02-0.45) for emotional well-being, 0.23 (95%CI: -0.03-0.49) for functional well-being, and 0.09 (95%CI: -0.19-0.36) for additional concerns. TC failed to improve BMI, BMD, and muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS: There is currently lack of sufficient evidence to support TC improving QoL and other important clinical endpoints.

[Enhanced nutritional therapy may promote wound healing after endoscopic therapy in patients with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of enhanced nutritional therapy on wound healing after endoscopic therapy in patients with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices. METHODS: Fifty patients with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices were randomly divided into an enhanced nutritional therapy group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 25). The enhanced nutritional therapy group received one week of enhanced nutritional supplementation, including liver nutritional elements, prior to routine endoscopic therapy. The routine without any change to their diet. The rate of transformation and status of wound healing of esophageal varices were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The ratio of ulcers occurring at the injection site was lower in the enhanced nutrition group than in the control group (16/25 vs. 23/25; x2 = 5.711, P = 0.017). The enhanced nutrition group had only one case of minimal bleeding occurring during endoscopy as compared to the seven cases of bleeding in the control group (x2 = 5.357, P = 0.021). On average, the enhanced nutrition group required less sessions of endoscopic treatment to achieve eradication of esophageal varices than the control group (3.8 vs. 4.1; t = 2.069, P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: Pre-endoscopic enhanced nutritional therapy may benefit patients with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices by promoting recovery of procedure-related local tissue injury and occlusion of varices.

Effects of Tai Chi in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: preliminary evidence.

BACKGROUND: Currently, several studies assessed the role of Tai Chi (TC) in management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but these studies have wide variation of sample and convey inconclusive results. We therefore undertook a meta-analysis to assess the effects of TC. METHODS: A computerized search through electronic databases was performed to obtain sample studies. The primary outcomes were 6-min walking distance (6MWD) and dyspnea. Secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life and pre-bronchodilator spirometry. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and heterogeneity was assessed with the I(2) test. A random-effects meta-analysis model was applied. RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trials involving 544 patients met the inclusion criteria. The pooled WMDs were 34.22 m (95% CI 21.25-47.20, P<0.00001) for 6 MWD, -0.86 units (95% CI -1.44--0.28, P = 0.004) for dyspnea, 70 ml (95% CI 0.02-0.13, P = 0.01) for FEV1, 120 ml (95% CI 0.00-0.23, P = 0.04) for FVC. TC significantly improved the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire total score, and the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire score except impact score. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that TC may provide an effective alternative means to achieve results similar to those reported following participation in pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Further studies are needed to substantiate the preliminary findings and investigate the long-term effects of TC.

Efficacy of Tai Chi on pain, stiffness and function in patients with osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Whether Tai Chi benefits patients with osteoarthritis remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercise for pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients with osteoarthritis. METHODS: A computerized search of PubMed and Embase (up to Sept 2012) was performed to identify relevant studies. The outcome measures were pain, stiffness, and physical function. Two investigators identified eligible studies and extracted data independently. The quality of the included studies was assessed by the Jadad score. Standard mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and pooled using a random effects model. The change in outcomes from baseline was compared to the minimum clinically important difference. RESULTS: A total of seven randomized controlled trials involving 348 patients with osteoarthritis met the inclusion criteria. The mean Jadad score was 3.6. The pooled SMD was -0.45 (95% CI -0.70--0.20, P = 0.0005) for pain, -0.31 (95% CI -0.60--0.02, P = 0.04) for stiffness, and -0.61 (95% CI -0.85--0.37, P<0.00001) for physical function. A change of 32.2-36.4% in the outcomes was greater than the minimum clinically important difference. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve-week Tai Chi is beneficial for improving arthritic symptoms and physical function in patients with osteoarthritis and should be included in rehabilitation programs. However, the evidence may be limited by potential biases; thus, larger scale randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the current findings and investigate the long-term effects of Tai Chi.