Complementary Therapies In Medicine[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Effects of a mind-body exercise intervention on anxiety, depression and quality of life in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic evaluation and META analysis.
Yan Z, Zhang T, Ding Z … +5 more , Tao B, Shu J, Yu M, Liang Q, Yan J
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40854412 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Elderly patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) commonly suffer from anxiety, depression, and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This review evaluated the effects of mind-body...
BACKGROUND: Elderly patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) commonly suffer from anxiety, depression, and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This review evaluated the effects of mind-body exercises on these outcomes and exercise tolerance in COPD patients aged ≥ 60 years. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science (inception-January 2025) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing mind-body exercise versus usual care. Outcomes were anxiety, depression, HRQOL (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire or Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire), and exercise tolerance (6-minute walk test). Meta-analyses used random-effects models, reporting Standardized Mean Differences (SMDs) or Mean Differences (MDs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Evidence certainty was assessed (GRADE framework). Seventeen RCTs were included. RESULTS: Mind-body exercise reduced anxiety (SMD = -0.59, 95 % CI: -0.84 to -0.34; high certainty) and depression (SMD = -0.34, 95 % CI: -0.54 to -0.14; high certainty). HRQOL improved significantly (SMD = -0.79, 95 % CI: -1.14 to -0.44; low certainty), with exploratory findings showing greater improvement in Southeast Asian patients (SMD = -3.41). Exercise tolerance increased (MD = 44.23 m, 95 % CI: 26.12-62.34), exceeding minimal clinically important differences. Intervention duration for depression was a key moderator, with greater benefits in patients with interventions lasting ≥ 3080 min. CONCLUSION: Mind-body exercise reduces anxiety and depression, improves health-related quality of life, and increases exercise tolerance in elderly patients with COPD. For anxiety and depression, benefits are significantly enhanced with intervention durations ≥ 3080 minutes. Incorporating mind-body exercise into comprehensive COPD management for older adults is recommended.
Potential benefit with acupuncture in functional gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Wan R, Zeng X, Zhang Y … +7 more , Wang H, Sun L, Chen S, Luo F, Hou Y, Zheng Q, Li Y
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40850525 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Many patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) seek complementary and alternative therapies to improve gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Research on the use of acupuncture to improve GI sympto...
BACKGROUND: Many patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) seek complementary and alternative therapies to improve gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Research on the use of acupuncture to improve GI symptoms has been growing, but the results have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of acupuncture-based treatment for FGIDs using the latest data and a rigorous evaluation system. METHOD: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and EMBASE (OVID interface) databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture in the treatment of FGIDs from database creation to October 15, 2023. We collected data on GI symptoms and adverse events, and meta-analysis was performed using STATA 16 software. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane's risk of bias version 2 (RoB2) tool. The quality of evidence was evaluated with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: Twenty-nine RCTs involving 5100 participants were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with sham acupuncture (RR 1.65, 95 %CI 1.35-2.03) and Western medication (RR 1.15, 95 %CI 1.07-1.23), acupuncture had a higher response rate, which was related to acupuncture frequency and treatment course. Compared with sham acupuncture or usual care, acupuncture significantly improved GI symptoms, including general symptoms (SMD 0.48, 95 % CI 0.25-0.72), stool trait (MD 0.50, 95 %CI 0.22-0.78) and dyspepsia score (MD 10.67, 95 %CI 4.88-16.47). Compared with Western medication, acupuncture only had an advantage in improving the general symptoms of GI (SMD 1.33, 95 %CI 0.93-1.73). No differences in adverse events were observed between acupuncture and sham acupuncture or Western medication. The overall certainty of the evidence ranged from very low to moderate. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence suggests that acupuncture may have a positive effect on improving GI symptoms in FGIDs, but further high-quality studies are required to validate its efficacy. The available evidence is limited by methodological flaws and potential biases in the included studies, resulting in an overall low quality of evidence. Therefore, the interpretation of these findings should be interpreted with caution.
Is acupuncture a viable therapeutic strategy for degenerative eye diseases? a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Chen KY, Chan HC, Chan CM
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40850524 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: Degenerative ocular diseases-glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), optic atrophy, and retinitis pigmentosa (RP)-are major causes of irreversible vision loss. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese t...
INTRODUCTION: Degenerative ocular diseases-glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), optic atrophy, and retinitis pigmentosa (RP)-are major causes of irreversible vision loss. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese therapy, has shown promise in improving visual function through neuroprotective and vascular mechanisms. METHODOLOGY: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using data from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and other observational studies examined acupuncture or electroacupuncture for degenerative ocular diseases. Quality was assessed using RoB 2.0 for RCTs and ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies. Meta-analyses and narrative syntheses were performed using RevMan and rbiostistics. RESULTS: A total of 3362 records were identified, with 21 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Acupuncture shows improvements in visual acuity, ocular blood flow, and intraocular pressure (IOP) across conditions. Meta-analyses showed a significant improvement in total effective rate favoring acupuncture (OR = 3.52; 95 % CI: 2.18-5.68; p < 0.00001), with consistent benefits across RP, AMD, and optic atrophy. However, pooled data revealed no statistically significant improvement in visual acuity (MD = -0.03; p = 0.50) or IOP (MD = -0.86 mmHg; p = 0.11). Randomized controlled trials comparing acupuncture to sham controls also showed non-significant trends. Despite some promising physiological and functional outcomes, results remain mixed, emphasizing the need for larger, well-designed studies. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture shows potential benefits in treating degenerative eye diseases, especially in improving clinical response rates. However, its effects on visual acuity and IOP remain inconclusive, warranting further rigorous research.
"It's not just another task": Pediatric nurses' perspectives on using lavender oil chest wraps as complementary treatment for infants with bronchiolitis.
Perneger E, Stollar F, Schoen-Angerer TV … +2 more , Hudelson P, Huber BM
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40850523 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis is a leading cause of hospitalization during the first year of life, but currently no effective treatment exists. The supportive management of bronchiolitis is therefore often associated with fr...
BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis is a leading cause of hospitalization during the first year of life, but currently no effective treatment exists. The supportive management of bronchiolitis is therefore often associated with frustration by both caregivers and healthcare professionals. We explored nurses' perceptions of lavender chest wraps (LCWs) as a complementary approach to routine care. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pediatric nurses from two Swiss hospitals involved in a clinical trial on LCWs for bronchiolitis. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach, aimed at providing a rich summary of participants' ideas, experiences and opinions. RESULTS: Eighteen nurses were interviewed. They identified positive impacts of LCWs on infants, parents and the therapeutic relationship, in the context of limited conventional care for bronchiolitis. However, site-specific differences raised questions regarding how to effectively integrate LCWs into standard care practices while preserving their identity as a complementary therapy. Nurses identified time constraints, organizational issues and specific training needs as important factors for routine integration of LCWs in hospital settings. DISCUSSION: This study contributes to a better understanding of the potential effects of LCWs on infants, parents and the therapeutic relationship, and highlights the added value of LCWs for supporting minimal handling. Our findings also underline nurses' role in integrating and delivering complementary medicine interventions in hospital settings, while identifying organizational barriers to successful implementation. Methodologically, this study demonstrates the contribution of qualitative research in the context of RCTs, offering context-specific insights that may aid in interpreting clinical outcomes.
Effectiveness of Fu's subcutaneous needling on pain and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Liu T, Zhi W, Wang X … +3 more , Pei Q, Guo X, Huang Q
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40846208 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) via a meta-analysis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of FSN for KOA were searched in Pub...
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) via a meta-analysis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of FSN for KOA were searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and other databases up to July 20, 2024. Stata 15.0 was leveraged for data analysis. RESULTS: 30 RCTs were included, involving 2169 individuals. Compared to electroacupuncture, acupuncture, and other therapies, FSN demonstrated significant benefits in reducing the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index score (WOMAC, improved physical function) [SMD= -1.69 (-2.15 to -1.23), I² = 89.8 %, P < 0.001] and relieving pain (the visual analog scale) [SMD = -1.77( -2.14 to -1.40); I² = 89.8 %, P < 0.001]. Additionally, FSN was more effective in reducing inflammatory cytokine levels, such as interleukin 1β [SMD = -1.65 (-2.36, -0.94); I² = 91.9 %, P < 0.001], interleukin-6 [SMD = -3.93 (-5.08, -2.78); I² = 96.7 %, P < 0.001], and tumor necrosis factor-α [SMD = -2.65 (-3.46, -1.83); I² = 94.8 %, P < 0.001], and increasing the total effective rate [OR = 4.17, 95 % CI: 3.05-5.68; I² = 0.0 %, P < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: FSN shows promise as an adjuvant therapy for KOA, with moderate-quality evidence supporting its short-term efficacy in pain relief and functional improvement. Further validation through standardized protocols is required to determine its long-term benefits.
Yoga Nidra for cardiovascular health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of between- and within-group effects.
Ghai S, Ghai I
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40840566 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with hypertension being a major risk factor. Yoga Nidra (YGN), a guided meditative practice focused on relaxation, has ga...
INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with hypertension being a major risk factor. Yoga Nidra (YGN), a guided meditative practice focused on relaxation, has gained attention for its potential cardiovascular effects. Despite this, a clear understanding of YGN's efficacy remains limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effects of YGN on various cardiovascular parameters. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across seven academic databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest, as well as one trial database, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool for randomized trials and the Downs and Black checklist for non-randomized studies. RESULTS: A comprehensive literature search across seven databases identified 620 articles, of which 28 met the inclusion criteria for analysis. The quality assessment revealed that most included studies had methodological limitations. The between-group meta-analysis demonstrated significant small-to-large effect improvements in systolic blood pressure (Hedges' g: -1.65), diastolic blood pressure (-1.01), heart rate (-0.73), and heart rate variability parameters such as low to high frequency ratio (-0.35), when YGN was compared to active control groups. These findings were supported by within-group analyses and leave-one-out sensitivity tests. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that YGN practice was associated with improvements in cardiovascular health markers across the analyzed studies. However, the methodological limitations identified in the current literature indicates that high-quality, rigorously designed randomized controlled trials are needed to strengthen the evidence base for YGN's effectiveness in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Effectiveness and safety of light therapy for treating primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Ang L, Song E, Choi S … +1 more , Kim J
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40840565 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Primary dysmenorrhea, defined as painful menstrual cramps without identifiable pelvic pathology, is a prevalent gynecological condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests th...
OBJECTIVE: Primary dysmenorrhea, defined as painful menstrual cramps without identifiable pelvic pathology, is a prevalent gynecological condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that light-based therapies, including low-level light therapy (LLLT) and high-intensity light therapy (HILT), may offer a non-pharmacological approach to managing menstrual pain. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of light therapy in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched twelve electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), APA PsycINFO, CINAHL Complete, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), WanFang Data, Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of light therapy for primary dysmenorrhea. The search was conducted up to February 4, 2025. Two reviewers independently assessed articles for eligibility and extracted data. Disagreements were resolved through discussion. Critical outcomes were pain scales such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) or Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (RoB 2), and meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan software. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420250655437). Available from https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420250655437. SETTING: Twelve studies involving 645 participants met the inclusion criteria, highlighting the potential therapeutic role of light therapy. RESULTS: Interventions primarily involved LLLT (n = 6), with some using HILT (n = 2) or polarized light (n = 1). Meta-analysis of three RCTs showed a statistically significant reduction in pain after 12 weeks of LLLT compared to sham treatment (n = 150, mean difference (MD) = -4.02, 95 % confidence interval (CI): -7.21 to -0.82; p = 0.01). Similarly, LLLT also demonstrated greater pain reduction compared to oral contraceptives after 12 weeks (n = 156, MD = 0.91, 95 % CI: 0.49-1.33, p < 0.0001). Most studies were assessed as having some concerns regarding risk of bias. Reported adverse effects were minor and transient, with no serious adverse events noted. CONCLUSION: Light therapy, particularly LLLT, may represent a safe and effective non-pharmacological intervention for the management of primary dysmenorrhea. Despite promising results, variations in treatment protocols contributed to heterogeneity and hindered identification of optimal parameters. Limited trial numbers and regional concentration also reduce generalizability. Further high-quality, large-scale RCTs with standardized treatment protocols are needed to confirm clinical efficacy and define optimal therapeutic parameters.
Clinical outcome of electrical transcutaneous auricular vagal stimulation in patients with stable symptomatic chronic heart failure - A pilot study.
Schukro RP, Schukro C, Pramhas S … +2 more , Naka A, Sator-Katzenschlager S
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40819769 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION AND AIM OF STUDY: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by an autonomic imbalance of vagal activity and increased sympathetic activity. Low-level transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (Ta-V...
INTRODUCTION AND AIM OF STUDY: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by an autonomic imbalance of vagal activity and increased sympathetic activity. Low-level transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (Ta-VNS) may be a safe complementary treatment option for CHF patients. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, a total of 13 patients with diagnosed CHF and reduced ejection fraction were randomized to receive either low-level Ta-VNS with electrodes applied in the triangular fossa of the ear (amplitude 1 mA, frequency 1 Hz for 40 min, followed by a 20-minute break) or sham intervention. The primary endpoint was an increase of 6-minutes walking distance assessed during cardiological screening and closing visits. Secondary endpoints included assessment of New York heart association (NYHA)-classification, a physical examination, electrocardiogram and blood sampling for n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)and C-reactive protein (CRP). Echocardiogram was performed at screening and adverse events were assessed at the closing visit. RESULTS: A total of 12 patients completed the trial. 6-minute-walking-distance increased by 101.1 (94.6) metres in the transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation group, and by 7.2 (41.8) metres in the sham intervention group (p = 0.04). Concerning the secondary outcome parameters, including CRP and NT-proBNP, no difference was observed between groups. No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: In patients with CHF, Ta-VNS effectively improved 6-minutes walking distance while no such effect was observed in the sham intervention group. Further investigation of this finding in a larger patient collective might be of interest.
Associations of 24-hour movement guidelines adherence with social function and academic performance in youth with anxiety problems.
Luo X, Xu S, Luo Y … +7 more , Pan S, Aikeremu A, Luo J, Lin J, Wang Y, Gao Y, Song XQ
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40783113 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Anxiety problems are prevalent among children and adolescents (being referred as youth), often impairing their social and academic functioning, while healthy lifestyles as outlined in 24-hour movement (24-HBM) g...
PURPOSE: Anxiety problems are prevalent among children and adolescents (being referred as youth), often impairing their social and academic functioning, while healthy lifestyles as outlined in 24-hour movement (24-HBM) guidelines may offer potential benefits, yet their specific associations remain understudied. This study is to explore the associations between 24-HMB adherence and social and academic functioning in U.S. youth aged 6-17 years with anxiety problems. METHOD: Data from the 2022-2023 National Survey of Children's Health was utilized in this cross-sectional study, involving 3625 children and adolescents with anxiety problems. 24-HBM guidelines include a daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) duration of at least 60 min, daily recreational screen time (ST) of ≤ 2 h, and age-specific sleep duration (SP). Statistical analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between 24-HBM adherence and social functioning (e.g., difficulty keeping friends, self-regulation) and academic functioning (e.g., school engagement, grade repetition). RESULTS: Only 5.7 % of participants fully adhered to 24-HBM guidelines. Adhering to one or more components was associated with better social and academic functioning: physical activity (PA) guideline adherence was pivotal for reducing difficulties in making/keeping friends; ST guidline adherence was key for enhancing school engagement. Adherence to combined guidelines (e.g., PA+ST, PA+SP) showed synergistic effects, with full adherence (PA + ST +SP) linked to lower odds of grade repetition and better self-regulation. CONCLUSION: Promoting 24-HBM guideline adherence, particularly PA and ST components, may enhance specific health aspects in this unique group. Future longitudinal studies should be conducted to further verify study findings.
The efficacy of physical activity or exercise among individuals with cerebral palsy: An umbrella review of systematic reviews.
Alhumaid MM, Asiri FYI, Said MA … +1 more , Haegele JA
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40783112 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood disability, affecting 1.5-3 per 1000 live births. Physical exercises have been shown to improve muscle and limb outcomes in CP. This systematic review critic...
INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood disability, affecting 1.5-3 per 1000 live births. Physical exercises have been shown to improve muscle and limb outcomes in CP. This systematic review critically appraises existing systematic reviews on the effects of physical activity and exercise on physical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes in individuals with CP compared to those without. METHODS: Using a PICO framework, the question was: In patients with CP, do physical activity and exercise improve muscle- and limb-related outcomes compared to no intervention or usual care? PubMed, Cochrane, ISI Web of Science, and Embase were searched for systematic reviews meeting inclusion criteria. Seven reviews focusing on exercise-related outcomes in CP were synthesized. RESULTS: Exergaming significantly improved fine motor dexterity (SMD = 3.12) but not gross manual dexterity. Progressive resistance and general physical activity increased muscle strength (SMD = 0.59), while aerobic exercise showed mixed results. Task-oriented training led to large improvements in gross motor function (SMD = 6.04-11.05) and functional independence (SMD = 6.44). VR-based and aerobic interventions had modest or nonsignificant effects on mobility, balance, and walking. Adverse events were infrequently reported and generally mild. Task-oriented and VR-assisted training showed the most consistent benefits, though heterogeneity and incomplete reporting limit conclusions. CONCLUSION: Physical exercises, particularly task-oriented and VR-assisted training, improve motor and limb functions in CP. Future research with longer follow-up, larger samples, and better safety reporting is needed to confirm clinical impact. FUNDING: The King Salman Center for Disability Research, Grant/Award Number: KSRG-2024-036. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42025646412.
Efficacy of horticultural therapy on symptoms and functional outcomes in individuals with depressive disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Kuo YZ, Yu ZS, Li YZ … +6 more , Chen MD, Lee YW, Lin PY, Chen TT, Hsu CW, Chen CR
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40783111 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy of horticultural therapy (HT) in improving affective symptoms and functional outcomes in individuals with depressive disorders. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted acro...
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy of horticultural therapy (HT) in improving affective symptoms and functional outcomes in individuals with depressive disorders. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted across the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, CEPS, CNKI, and Wanfang databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) implementing HT were included. Outcomes assessed included differences between HT and control groups in depression, anxiety, physical function, cognitive function, social function, and quality of life. A random-effects model was used to calculate Hedges' g. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Thirteen RCTs (n = 960) were included. HT significantly improved depression (g = 1.050; 95 % CI: 0.663-1.437), anxiety (g = 0.702; 95 % CI: 0.341-1.062), cognition (g = 0.816; 95 % CI: 0.302-1.331), social function (g = 0.806; 95 % CI: 0.295-1.317), and quality of life (g = 0.947; 95 % CI: 0.633-1.260). Only one study reported improvement in physical function. Subgroup analyses revealed greater effects among inpatients with more severe baseline symptoms who received combined indoor-outdoor HT in care-providing settings for more than eight weeks. However, the certainty of evidence across outcomes ranged from very low to low due to risks of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision. CONCLUSION: This review provides preliminary support for the efficacy of HT in depressive disorders. Given methodological limitations and potential biases, further well-designed trials with registration, blinded assessors, and long-term follow-up are warranted.
Long-term symptom recurrence and functional outcomes with Chinese ointment massage, Tuina, and combined acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis: A 24-month multicenter real-world study in China.
Bai X, Zhu Q, Tian Y … +4 more , Guo L, Liu J, Shen M, Wang C
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40780641 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Compare long-term efficacy and recurrence of Chinese ointment(Co) massage, Tuina, and combined acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHOD: A multicenter, prospective, observational real-world study was co...
PURPOSE: Compare long-term efficacy and recurrence of Chinese ointment(Co) massage, Tuina, and combined acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHOD: A multicenter, prospective, observational real-world study was conducted in multiple cities in China. 2143 KOA patients (83.76 % female) were prospectively assigned by preference to Co (n = 312), Tuina (n = 403), Co+acupuncture (n = 237), or Tuina+acupuncture (n = 1362) groups. Treatments involved 5-10 sessions. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) assessed the average degree of knee joint pain, while the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Lequesne Index evaluated knee joint dysfunction in terms of functionality and severity. The 2 years recurrence rate of KOA was also calculated. RESULTS: All groups showed significant post-treatment WOMAC, VAS, and Lequesne score reductions. The Co group had the lowest VAS scores at 2-10 months. Recurrence rates (lowest to highest) were Co group, Tuina group, Tuina+acupuncture group, Co+acupuncture group. The overall maximum recurrence rate was 33.97 % at 2 years, stabilizing after 18 months. KL grade II patients had the best long-term outcomes (recurrence 16.16 %-30.85 % over 2-24 months). No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) conservative treatments (Co therapy, Tuina, and combined acupuncture) demonstrated safety for KOA management. Patients with lower KL grades (0-III) derived greater clinical benefit from longer courses (≥10 sessions), with effects sustained for up to 2 years. Co therapy or acupuncture-integrated regimens provided optimal early improvement (within the first 5 sessions) for pain and mobility. Intensive combination protocols offered no additional cumulative benefit for patients with mild symptoms.
Differential associations of passive and active screen time with academic performance and social function among physically active youth: a cross-sectional analysis.
Liao B, Tian M
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40774464 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: While physical activity (PA) provides established benefits for youth (children and adolescents) development, the differential effects of mentally passive versus mentally active screen time (ST) on academic ac...
BACKGROUND: While physical activity (PA) provides established benefits for youth (children and adolescents) development, the differential effects of mentally passive versus mentally active screen time (ST) on academic achievement and social behavior among physically active youth remain unclear. This study examined associations between different types of ST and developmental outcomes in youth who met the PA guideline. METHODS: Data from the 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health were analyzed, including 9967 participants aged 6-17 years who met the PA guideline (≥ 60 min daily) ST was categorized as mentally passive (TV-based) ST and mentally active (computer-based) ST. Academic achievement was assessed through curiosity, psychological resilience, and memory difficulties. Social behaviors consisted of bullying victimization, friendship difficulties, and argumentative behavior. All data were collected through caregiver-completed questionnaires. Multi-variable logistic regression analyses were conducted, controlling for demographic factors including age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, premature birth and parental education. RESULTS: Mentally passive (TV-based) ST demonstrated predominantly negative associations across all social-cognitive domains. Heavy users (≥4 h daily) showed significantly lower curiosity (OR=0.38, 95 % CI: 0.17-0.89), reduced psychological resilience, nearly four times higher odds of memory difficulties (OR=3.80, 95 % CI: 1.65-8.78), and increased bullying victimization (OR=2.93, 95 % CI: 1.52-5.67). However, mentally active (computer-based) ST showed more complex patterns: light users (<1 h daily) demonstrated higher curiosity and resilience compared to non-users, while heavy users (≥4 h daily) experienced negative outcomes including reduced resilience (OR=0.54, 95 % CI: 0.34-0.87) and increased social difficulties. Both types of ST at high usage levels were associated with increased argumentative behavior (passive ST: OR=2.74, 95 % CI: 1.53-4.91; active ST: OR=2.99, 95 % CI: 1.89-4.74). CONCLUSIONS: Among physically active youth, mentally passive and mentally active ST demonstrate distinct associations with academic and social outcomes. Mentally Passive ST shows predominantly negative associations across all domains, while mentally active ST exhibits potential benefits at low usage but negative effects at high usage levels. These findings suggest that ST recommendations should consider both duration and type of sedentary activities, as PA alone may not fully protect against the adverse effects of excessive ST, particularly mentally passive screen exposure.
Small-world network properties and cortical responses of Tai Chi Yunshou: Insights from fNIRS.
Fan J, He R, Zhong D … +13 more , Liu X, Liu H, Chen Z, Dong Q, Li Y, Xue C, Zhang J, Xie C, Xiao X, Hu X, Wu X, Li J, Jin R
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40774463 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to characterize the time-domain features and functional network properties from Tai Chi Yunshou across four states (rest, observation, imagination, and motion) using functional near-infrared sp...
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to characterize the time-domain features and functional network properties from Tai Chi Yunshou across four states (rest, observation, imagination, and motion) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), thereby discriminating the neural mechanisms underlying the mental regulation and integrative body-mind harmony of Tai Chi Yunshou. METHODS: 100 healthy participants were included and administered with rest, observation, imagination and motion states of Tai Chi Yunshou. The forty-channel wearable fNIRS system was utilized to evaluate the real-time cortical responses during four states. Brain network properties were analyzed with MATLAB and the GRETNA toolbox. Machine learning models, including random forest, AdaBoost, and gradient boosting, were applied for classification. RESULTS: Small-world network properties (γ>1 and λ≈1) across four states were detected. Compared to states of rest and observation, the motion state exhibited significantly higher γ, λ, Cp, and Eloc (P < 0.01). Additionally, λ and Cp were significantly greater in the motion state than that of the imagination state (P < 0.01). The motion state had increased betweenness centrality and nodal efficiency hubs of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and frontopolar area. Gradient boosting outperformed both AdaBoost and random forest across all evaluation metric. CONCLUSION: The motion of Tai Chi Yunshou enhances regulatory capacity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and frontopolar area, boosts local brain processing, and improves network integration. Machine learning models can effectively capture and differentiate the neural features between mental regulation and integrative body-mind harmony.
Heat and acupuncture restore mobility in knee osteoarthritis (HARMOKnee): A pragmatic integrated care, randomized controlled study.
Ng HP, Tan CY, Lim CJ … +17 more , Tan TL, Yang SY, Long GSC, Tan SI, Chua YC, Yan YW, Soh DBQ, Goh TH, Ng PJ, Ng YT, Kuan SB, Teo BS, Kong KH, Ho G, Koh HQ, Pereira MJ, Tan BY
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40769283 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has increasingly gained popularity as alternative approach to conventional care for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) management. We conducted a pragmatic randomized controlled study to evaluate the clini...
BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has increasingly gained popularity as alternative approach to conventional care for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) management. We conducted a pragmatic randomized controlled study to evaluate the clinical and health utility outcomes of acupuncture and heat therapy in conjunction with standard care for KOA. METHODS: Community-ambulating KOA patients of 45 years or older were randomly assigned to the intervention or control (SC) group. The HARMOKnee group received 12 acupuncture and heat treatments in addition to standard care for six weeks. We evaluated the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis and Outcome Score-12 (KOOS-12) at baseline, 6-, 12- and 24-week. Secondary outcomes including Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity (PEG) scores, Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), and TCM syndrome differentiation were evaluated. Comparative analysis was performed using mixed-effect models. RESULTS: Among 101 participants (HARMOKnee=50; SC=51), the mean age was 63.99 ± 7.03 years, and KOA duration was 5.07 ± 6.35 years. There was a significant intervention-time interaction, favouring HARMOKnee group, for the KOOS-12 total score [Coef= 6.43, 95 %CI: 0.72, 12.14; p = 0.027], KOOS-12 quality of life (QOL) domain-score [Coef= 8.50, 95 %CI: 1.28, 15.73; p = 0.021], and PEG overall score [Coef= -1.32, 95 %CI: -2.14, -0.49; p = 0.002] at 6-week. No between-group differences were identified at other time-points. The HARMOKnee group demonstrated considerable pain reduction and improved knee flexion and extension after 12 treatments (0.001 < p < 0.014). This treatment approach markedly enhanced knee flexion in patients with Kidney yang deficiency with phlegm and blood stasis syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: HARMOKnee provides short-term pain-management benefits to KOA patients compared to standard care alone, particularly in patients with Kidney yang deficiency with phlegm and blood stasis syndrome.
Effect of intraoperative music intervention on anxiety and pain control in patients undergoing kidney surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Lou Y, Xu S, Gao P
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Dec · PMID 40749809 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: To report the first systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) for the effect of intraoperative music intervention on anxiety and pain control in patients undergoing kidney surg...
OBJECTIVES: To report the first systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) for the effect of intraoperative music intervention on anxiety and pain control in patients undergoing kidney surgery. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane up to November 2024. Outcomes included visual analog score (VAS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were used for data pooling of continuous variables. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the stability of the results. All analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4 and STATA 15.1. RESULTS: The meta-analysis revealed that patients in the music intervention group had significantly lower postoperative VAS (SMD: -0.65; 95 % CI: -0.93, -0.38; P＜0.00001) and STAI scores (SMD: -0.48; 95 % CI: -0.71, -0.26; P＜0.0001) compared to those in the control group. Significant heterogeneity was observed for both outcomes. In addition, sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of both outcomes, but VAS was found to have significant publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Music intervention can significantly reduce the postoperative VAS and STAI of patients undergoing renal surgery, and effectively control the anxiety and pain caused by surgery. Considering the potential heterogeneity, publication bias, and low regional selection bias in this study, more large-sample, multicenter RCTs are needed in the future to further confirm the effect of music intervention on pain and anxiety relief in individuals undergoing renal surgery and potential influencing factors.
The potential of acupuncture in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: An exploration from traditional Chinese medicine to modern technology.
Wang M, Zhang L, Huang W … +3 more , Huang J, Luo Y, Huang N
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40749808 · Publisher ↗
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with the highest prevalence worldwide, and it places considerable life and economic burdens on patients and their families. Currently, treatments for AD only delay...
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with the highest prevalence worldwide, and it places considerable life and economic burdens on patients and their families. Currently, treatments for AD only delay symptoms, fail to reverse disease progression, and are often accompanied by significant side effects. Acupuncture, a nonpharmacological therapeutic method originating from China, has a history of thousands of years and is characterized by safety and economy. In recent years, the potential of acupuncture use in AD treatment has received widespread attention. With the rapid development of modern science and technology, the mechanism of action of acupuncture in the treatment of AD has gradually become increasingly clear. Therefore, we searched the databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed and Web of Science for relevant studies on acupuncture for AD in recent years. According to the literature, acupuncture can improve cognitive function in AD patients through various mechanisms, such as reducing β-amyloid deposition, inhibiting Tau protein hyperphosphorylation, and attenuating neuroinflammation, and shows good therapeutic potential. Future studies should further explore in depth the mechanisms of acupuncture in treating AD through the rational use of modern science and technology techniques, with the aim of providing new strategies for the treatment of AD.
Regulation of emotional states by volatile herbal extracts: Multisystem physiological evidence from Rosa rugosa, Acorus tatarinowii, and Cyperus rotundus.
Wang H, Qin D, Shi X … +3 more , Fan M, Li W, Wang Y
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40749807 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Traditional aromatic herbs Rosa rugosa Thunb. (R. rugosa), Acrorus tatarinowii Schott (A. tatarinowii) and Cyperus rotundus L. (C. rotundus) have been used for emotional state regulation, yet their underlying...
BACKGROUND: Traditional aromatic herbs Rosa rugosa Thunb. (R. rugosa), Acrorus tatarinowii Schott (A. tatarinowii) and Cyperus rotundus L. (C. rotundus) have been used for emotional state regulation, yet their underlying physiological mechanisms and clinical efficacy in modern applications remain underexplored. OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the emotional state regulatory effects of volatile extracts from R. rugosa, A. tatarinowii, and C. rotundus through multisystem physiological measurements and develop a data-driven quantitative assessment model. METHODS: Sixty-six female participants underwent pre/post-intervention recordings of comprehensive biosignals, including 32-channel Electroencephalography (EEG), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), Mean Blood Pressure (MBP), Pulse Rate (PR), Heart Rate (HR), Body Temperature (BT), Respiratory Rate (RR), and completed the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). A logistic regression model was used to integrate multisource biosignals and SCL-90 scores for constructing the emotional state scorecard. RESULTS: The emotional state scorecard showed 82.51 %-97.23 % classification accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) > 0.90) across 11 emotional states. R. rugosa modulated the prefrontal-limbic network, significantly reducing somatization and hostility. A. tatarinowii influenced the limbic-autonomic interface, alleviating depression and anxiety. C. rotundus targeted the default mode network (DMN), mitigating obsessive-compulsive symptoms and depression. In depression-specific analysis, C. rotundus improved symptoms in 53.85 % of cases, while R. rugosa prevented depressive risk in 61.54 % of healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides robust quantitative physiological evidence for the emotional state regulatory effects of these herbs, highlighting their translational potential in evidence-based mental health management. Future research should prioritize isolating bioactive compounds and validating efficacy via randomized controlled trials to advance precision herbal medicine.
Effect of acupressure on venous access procedural pain in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Hosseini SJ, Yousefabady MA, Hosseini SR … +1 more , Firooz M
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40721012 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Effective pain management during venous access in children is a clinical priority, but evidence on acupressure remains inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure on venous acc...
BACKGROUND: Effective pain management during venous access in children is a clinical priority, but evidence on acupressure remains inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure on venous access pain in children. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar. Relevant studies were identified using a combination of keywords related to the research objective, covering all available records up to January 15, 2025. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of acupressure on pain intensity during catheter insertion and venipuncture in children versus a control group were included in the review. RESULTS: This systematic review and meta-analysis included eight studies with a total of 537 pediatric participants. The pooled analysis demonstrated that acupressure significantly reduced pain intensity during peripheral catheter insertion and venipuncture compared to the control group (SMD: -2.30; 95 % CI: -3.20 to -1.40; Z = 5.01, P < 0.001, I² = 93.6 %). Subgroup analysis further indicated that acupressure effectively decreased pain severity for both peripheral catheter insertion (SMD: -1.99; 95 % CI: -3.45 to -0.54) and venipuncture (SMD: -2.61; 95 % CI: -3.62 to -1.61), with statistically significant results. CONCLUSIONS: Given that only two studies met high-quality criteria and the certainty of the overall evidence remains very low, the interpretation of findings should be approached with caution. To enhance the robustness of future evidence, there is a pressing need for rigorously designed randomized trials incorporating placebo control groups and proper allocation concealment.
Daily intranasal sesame oil instillation to improve nasal barrier function and mucosal immunity for respiratory health: A pilot randomized trial in healthy adults.
Chaturvedi S, Karandikar M, Mundada P … +12 more , Tripathy S, Kolhe R, Yadav B, Rana R, Gautam PC, Satoor S, Phalke T, Suryawanshi P, Khanduri S, Rao B, Srikanth N, Patwardhan B
Complement Ther Med · 2025 Oct · PMID 40716461 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Nasal barrier function and mucosal immunity are important to respiratory health, especially with growing evidence of health effects of air pollution. Native American, Traditional Chinese and Indian medicine s...
BACKGROUND: Nasal barrier function and mucosal immunity are important to respiratory health, especially with growing evidence of health effects of air pollution. Native American, Traditional Chinese and Indian medicine systems recommend intranasal oil instillation for respiratory health. We assessed feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of daily intranasal oil instillation for improved respiratory health. METHODS: A parallel group three arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) in healthy volunteers (n = 102) allocated equally to intranasal sesame oil, medicated sesame oil (Anu Oil) and control groups tested its feasibility and acceptability. Preliminary efficacy was tested by assessing expression of mucin genes (MUC5B, MUC5AC) that code for nasal barrier function. Other outcomes included expression of Occludin (OCLN), Claudin 9 (CLDN9) and Junction Adhesion Molecules (JAM), cytokines (IL6, IL10, TNF alpha, IFN gamma), pH of nasal mucus, mucosal immunity (sIGA), sleep quality, perceived stress, and incidence and severity of respiratory infections. RESULTS: Recruitment and retention of participants (Mean age= 20.6years) in Pune, India was feasible. Ninety nine participants completed this 12-week study. There were no serious adverse events. We standardized methods for noninvasive collection of nasal mucus samples using Whatman (no.42) paper strips and its processing to optimize RNA yield. Assessment of outcomes was feasible except for expression of JAM and IFN gamma that were undetectable. Downregulation of MUC5B and MUC5AC and no concurrent rise in cytokine levels suggest potential beneficial effect and assure safety of intranasal oil instillation, though nonsignificant in this pilot RCT. Significant improvements in sleep quality (group difference [∆] = -1.33, p = 0.02) and nasal pH (∆ = -0.16, p = 0.01) were found in sesame oil group. INTERPRETATION: Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of self-administered intranasal sesame oil instillation is demonstrated. A definitive RCT to evaluate it as a prophylaxis for respiratory health is needed.
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