Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), either in single herb or in herbal formula, has been used to treat insomnia for more than 2000 years. A systematic review including Chinese and English literature of randomized controlled trials was conducted to examine the efficacy, safety, and composition of CHM for insomnia. Among the 217 studies we have reviewed, only eight had a Jadad score ≥3, and seven out ...

BACKGROUND Tinnitus is a prevalent condition for which patients may seek treatment with acupuncture since no conventional treatment has been shown to be effective. OBJECTIVE To summarize and critically review all randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment for tinnitus. DATA SOURCES Four independent computerized literature searches (MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlle...

Objectives. Yoga is used for a variety of immunological, neuromuscular, psychological, and pain conditions. Recent studies indicate that it may be effective in improving pregnancy, labour, and birth outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the existing literature on yoga for pregnancy. Methods. Six databases were searched using the terms "yoga AND pregnancy" and "yoga AND [post-natal ...

INTRODUCTION Frail older people are often unable to undertake high-intensity exercise programmes. Chair-based exercises (CBEs) are used as an alternative, for which health benefits are uncertain. OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of CBE programmes for frail older people through a systematic review of existing literature. METHOD A systematic search was performed for CBE-controlled trials in f...

BACKGROUND Acyclovir has the potential to shorten the course of illness which may result in reduced costs and morbidity associated with chickenpox. OBJECTIVES 1) To examine the evidence evaluating the efficacy of acyclovir in alleviating symptoms of chickenpox and shortening the duration of illness. 2) To examine complications of chickenpox and adverse effects associated with acyclovir as rep...

CONTEXT Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of alopecia in men. OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy and safety of finasteride therapy for patients with androgenetic alopecia. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Registers, and LILACS were searched for randomized controlled trials reported in any language that evaluated the efficacy and safety of finasteride therapy in co...

INTRODUCTION Invasive fungal infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Caspofungin is an echinocandin used as an alternative treatment in the prevention and/or treatment of certain invasive fungal infections in children, although compared to the standard treatment there is little evidence on its efficacy and safety. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safet...

OBJECTIVE To assess whether there has been any improvement in the quality and quantity of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in nationally published journals through the application of standardized and validated scores. METHODS We electronically selected all RCTs published in the two indexed Brazilian journals that focus on orthopedics, over the period 2000-2009: Acta Ortopédica Brasileira (...

PURPOSE The efficacy of statins in combination with interferon therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is reviewed. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted through September 2011 to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of combination statin-interferon therapy compared with interferon therapy alone in patients with MS. Trials had to report at le...

Pregnant women frequently complain of low back discomfort associated with their pregnancies. On quality life, it could have a detrimental effect. Pregnancy-related pain (LBP) and pelvic girdle (PGP) are substantial direct indirect expenditures. Evidence addressing strategies to treat prevent these illnesses needs be clarified. This review aimed examine the connection between exercise, LBP, PGP....