All articles tagged with #systematic review
A sweeping analysis of 59 systematic reviews across more than 50 acute-pain conditions finds opioids provide only modest, short‑term relief for some cases and little or no benefit for others, while raising risks of side effects and misuse; the study calls for safer alternatives and careful, limited prescribing rather than using opioids as the default treatment for acute pain.
A comprehensive review using the Navigation Guide methodology indicates that prenatal acetaminophen use is likely associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD in children, supported by consistent findings across multiple high-quality studies, though some sibling-controlled studies show null results possibly due to methodological limitations. Caution is advised for pregnant women regarding acetaminophen consumption to protect fetal neurodevelopment.
A new systematic review of scientific literature on Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) reveals it as a clearly defined phenomenon that elicits a consistent experience, characterized by a tingling sensation triggered by specific auditory or visual stimuli. The review identifies whispering, personal attention, tapping, and natural sounds as common triggers and highlights potential therapeutic applications of ASMR, including stress relief and relaxation. However, the review also points out methodological constraints in current research and the need for more rigorous studies to validate initial findings and explore the full impact of ASMR.
A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that exercise is an effective treatment for depression, with walking or jogging, yoga, and strength training being more effective than other exercises, particularly when intense. The effects of exercise were proportional to the intensity prescribed, and yoga and strength training appeared to be the most acceptable modalities. Exercise was found to be equally effective for people with and without comorbidities and with different baseline levels of depression. The study suggests that these forms of exercise could be considered alongside psychotherapy and antidepressants as core treatments for depression.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published in PLOS One has found that spontaneous laughter can significantly reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, leading to positive effects for overall health. The analysis revealed an overall significant reduction in cortisol levels (31.9%) induced by laughter compared to the control group, even with a single laughter session. The study supports previous research showing the benefits of laughter, including its cardioprotective effect and potential metabolic effects. However, differences in methods of inducing laughter and variations in the timing of cortisol level measurements among the studies are limitations to consider.
A systematic review of available research literature indicates that horticultural therapy can be effective in reducing depression symptoms in older adults, particularly in care-providing settings and when participants are involved in planting or gardening activities. The study contributes to the systematization of scientific knowledge on the effects of horticultural therapy on symptoms of depression in the elderly, but it should be noted that all studies included in the analysis except for one were conducted in countries in east Asia.
A team of researchers conducted a systematic review of past systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the association between nutritional interventions and Alzheimer's disease. The review selected 38 studies, of which 17 were randomized clinical trials, and 21 were systematic reviews or meta-analyses. The compiled review of past results showed that specific nutritional interventions had been observed to correlate with a slowdown in the rate of Alzheimer's disease progression, improving cognitive function. However, the authors point out that more primary research is needed to prevent further meta-analysis of past meta-analyses.
A systematic review study found that most types of physical exercise can help ease motor symptoms and improve the quality of life in adults with Parkinson's disease. The study included 156 trials involving 7,939 patients, and the researchers observed clinically meaningful improvements in the severity of motor symptoms for most types of exercise, including dancing, training to improve gait, balance and movement, multi-exercise training, and mind-body training. The study also found that exercise programs designed for Parkinson's may be most beneficial, and safety data from 85 studies suggested that the exercise-based interventions were relatively safe.
A systematic review by Cochrane found that physical exercise can help improve the severity of movement-related symptoms and quality of life in people with Parkinson's Disease. The review included 156 randomized controlled trials and 7,939 participants from around the world, making it the largest and most comprehensive study on the effects of physical exercise in people with Parkinson's Disease. The review found that any type of structured exercise is better than none, and most types of exercise produced meaningful improvements in symptoms and quality of life.