Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Conditions
Xiao-Wen Zhang, et al.
Abstract
Background: Acupuncture is commonly used for cancer-related conditions worldwide, and evidence is increasing year on year. There is a need to
summarize the evidence of acupuncture for cancer-related conditions comprehensively and critically.
Objective: To evaluate and summarize the systematic reviews (SRs) that assess the effects and safety of acupuncture for cancer-related conditions, and to inform clinical practice and future studies.
Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted on Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, Sinomed, and Wanfang from their inception to October 16, 2021. SRs of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for cancer-related conditions were to be included. Two reviewers screened the eligible articles, and four reviewers in pair extracted data and assessed the methodological quality/risk of bias of all included reviews by AMSTAR 2 and ROBIS tools. The overlap of primary studies was measured by calculating corrected covered areas. Data from the included reviews were synthesized with a summary of meta-analysis or narrative description.
Results: Fifty-one SRs of RCTs on acupuncture for cancer-related conditions were included and synthesized. The methodological quality of SRs included 1 "high", 5 "low" and 45 "very low" by AMSTAR 2. Sixteen SRs assessed as low risk of bias (31.37%), and 35 SRs had high risk of bias (68.63%) by ROBIS. Acupuncture showed effective on systemic conditions in relation to different cancers, including cancer-related pain (17 SRs, 80 RCTs), fatigue (7 SRs, 18 RCTs), insomnia (4 SRs, 10 RCTs), quality of life (2 SRs, 15 RCTs); conditions in relation to chemo-radiotherapy, including nausea and vomiting (3 SRs, 36 RCTs) and bone marrow suppression (2 SRs, 21 RCTs); and conditions in relation to specific cancers, including breast cancer-related menopause (3 SRs, 6 RCTs), hot flashes (12 SRs, 13 RCTs), arthralgia (5 SRs, 10 RCTs), and nasopharyngeal cancer-related dysphagia (1 SRs, 7 RCTs). Acupuncture appeared to have benefit for patients with lymphoedema (3 SRs, 3 RCTs), gastrointestinal function (5 SRs, 27 RCTs), and xerostomia (4 SRs, 7 RCTs). Limited evidence showed inconsistent results on acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (3 SRs, 6 RCTs), depression and anxiety (3 SRs, 9 RCTs). Acupuncture was regarded as a safe therapy for cancer patients as no severe adverse events related were reported.
Conclusion: Evidence from SRs showed that acupuncture is beneficial to cancer survivors with cancer-related pain, fatigue, insomnia, improved quality of life, nausea and vomiting, bone marrow suppression, menopausal symptoms, arthralgia, and dysphagia, and may also be potential for lymphoedema, gastrointestinal function, and xerostomia. For neuropathy, depression and anxiety, acupuncture should be used as an option based on individual conditions. Acupuncture is relatively safe without serious adverse events. More well-designed clinical trials of acupuncture are recommended on cancer-related depression and anxiety, arthralgia, xerostomia, gastrointestinal dysfunction and dysphagia.
Phytomedicine2022 Nov;106:154430.
doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154430. Epub 2022 Sep 5.
Source: PubMed
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Acupuncture Increases Parasympathetic Tone, Modulating HRV
Sz Hamvas, et al.
Abstract
Introduction: An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can influence Autonomic Nervous System functions. Heart Rate
variability (HRV) is one widely used marker of autonomic activity. The main objective of this systematic review is to critically assess the
evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) regarding the effect of acupuncture on HRV as compared to placebo methods.
Method: EMBASE, Pubmed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus electronic databases were searched until 9 September 2020 for RCTs in which
human subjects were treated with needle acupuncture using acupoints of the body without electric stimulation.
Results: The searches identified 1698 potentially relevant articles, 9 RCTs were included. The statistical analysis of the available data showed
that the changes between pre and post treatment HF (high frequency) and LF/HF (high frequency/low frequency) values in Verum group were
significant, while there were no significant changes in these parameters in Sham groups.
Conclusion: the results of this meta-analysis suggest that real acupuncture has superior effect over placebo acupuncture in increasing
parasympathetic tone and in this way may improve physical well-being. Due to the quality of primary studies and degree of heterogeneity the
results should be interpreted cautiously.
Complement Ther Med.2022 Dec 6;72:102905.doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102905.
Source: PubMed
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Gut Microbiota: A New target for TCM in the Treatment of Depression
Boru Li, et al.
Abstract
Ethnic pharmacological relevance: The causes of depression are complex. Many factors are involved in its pathogenesis, including the
individual's biological and social environment. Although numerous studies have reported that the gut microbiota plays a significant role in
depression, drugs that regulate the gut microbiota to treat depression have not yet been comprehensively reviewed. At the same time, more and
more attention has been paid to the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in improving depression by regulating gut microbiota.
In ancient times, fecal microbiota transplantation was recorded in TCM for the treatment of severe diseases. There are also records in Chinese
ancient books about the use of TCM to adjust gut microbiota to treat diseases, which has opened up a unique research field in TCM. Therefore,
this article focuses on the pharmacological effects, targets, and mechanisms of TCM in improving depression by mediating the influence of gut
microbiota.
Aim of this review: To summarize the role the gut microbiota plays in depression, highlight potential regulatory targets, and elucidate the
anti-depression mechanisms of TCMs through regulation of the gut microbiota.
Methods: A systematic review of 256 clinical trials and pharmaceutical studies published until June 2022 was conducted in eight electronic
databases (Web of Science, PubMed, SciFinder, Research Gate, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Scopus, and China Knowledge Infrastructure),
according to the implemented PRISMA criteria, using the search terms "traditional Chinese medicine," "depression," and "gut microbiota."
Results: Numerous studies reported the effects of different gut bacteria on depression and that antidepressants work through the gut microbiota.
TCM preparations based on compound Chinese medicine, the Chinese Materia Medica, and major bioactive components exerted antidepressant-like
effects by improving levels of neurotransmitters, short-chain fatty acids, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, kynurenine, and cytokines via
regulation of the gut microbiota.
Conclusion: This review summarized the anti-depression effects of TCM on the gut microbiota, providing evidence that TCMs are safe and effective
in the treatment of depression and may provide a new therapeutic approach.
J Ethnopharmacol.2022 Dec 15;303:116038.doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.116038.
Source: PubMed
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