Topical application of Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema: a systematic review with a meta-analysis.

Background: Atopic eczema (AE) affects 10-20% of children in industrialised countries.

Objective: This review systematically evaluated the effects and safety of topical use of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for AE.

Methods: Randomised controlled trials on topical use of CHM were identified through searching electronic databases.

Sham control methods used in ear-acupuncture/ear-acupressure randomized controlled trials: a systematic review.

Ear-acupuncture/ear-acupressure (EAP) has been used for a range of health conditions with numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating its efficacy and safety. However, the design of sham interventions in these RCTs varied significantly. This study systematically reviewed RCTs on EAP for all clinical conditions involving a number of sham EAPs as a control intervention.

Efficacy and Safety of a Chinese Herbal Medicine Formula (RCM-104) in the Management of Simple Obesity: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objective. This study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a Chinese herbal medicine formula (RCM-104) for the management of simple obesity. Method.

Oral ginseng formulae for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review.

Ginseng alone or combined with other herbs has been increasingly used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral Ginseng formulae for stable COPD. Four English databases and three Chinese databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials.

Assessing quality of case series studies: development and validation of an instrument by herbal medicine CAM researchers.

Objectives: When higher level of evidence is absent, findings of case series studies can be used to generate hypotheses for further research. However, to date, there has been no established instrument for determining their quality. This study was to develop and validate an instrument to assess the quality of case series studies on herbal medicines.

Recent developments of acupuncture in Australia and the way forward.

Almost one in ten Australians has received acupuncture treatment by acupuncturists and/or medical doctors in private clinics. The majority of Australian health insurance funds offer rebates for acupuncture. Statutory regulations for acupuncture have been implemented in the State of Victoria, Australia.

Effective Application of Knowledge Management in Evidence-based Chinese Medicine: A Case Study.

Chinese medicine (CM) practice, as a knowledge-based industry, has not embraced knowledge management (KM) techniques widely. However, KM may facilitate the adaptation and promotion of evidence-based CM. A KM framework was introduced to its activities in evidence-based CM through the development of a CM portal.