Web-based trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tolterodine ER 4 mg in participants with overactive bladder: REMOTE trial.

Introduction: Participatory patient-centered, web-based methods could streamline and improve the convenience of clinical trial participation. We used an entirely web-based approach to conduct a randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 4 (REMOTE) trial under an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to evaluate tolterodine extended release (ER) 4 mg for overactive bladder.

Methods: The trial was designed to replicate previous clinic-based trials of tolterodine ER but was conducted via the web from one clinical site overseen by physicians.

Milk thistle for alcoholic and/or hepatitis B or C liver diseases--a systematic cochrane hepato-biliary group review with meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials.

Objectives: Our objectives were to assess the beneficial and harmful effects of milk thistle (MT) or MT constituents versus placebo or no intervention in patients with alcoholic liver disease and/or hepatitis B and/or C liver diseases.

Methods: Randomized clinical trials studying patients with alcoholic and/or hepatitis B or C liver diseases were included (December 2003). The randomized clinical trials were evaluated by components of methodological quality.

An internet-based randomized, placebo-controlled trial of kava and valerian for anxiety and insomnia.

The herbal extracts kava and valerian are the leading dietary supplements used in the self-management of anxiety and insomnia, respectively. There is limited evidence to support their effectiveness for these common symptoms. The Internet has been used to a limited extent for research, but it is not known whether randomized controlled trials can be conducted entirely using Internet technology.

The psychosocial work environment and musculoskeletal disorders: design of a comprehensive interviewer-administered questionnaire.

Background: Psychosocial working conditions are likely to contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs), but a lack of standardized measurement tools reflects both the theoretical and methodological limitations of current research.

Methods: An interdisciplinary team including biomedical, behavioral, and social science researchers used an iterative process to adapt existing instruments for an interviewer-administered questionnaire assessing psychosocial workplace exposure related to musculoskeletal disorders.

Results: The resulting questionnaire included measures of psychosocial workplace factors based on two theoretical models (the demand-control-support and the effort-reward imbalance models), supplemented by the additional constructs of "emotional demands," and "experiences of discrimination.

Milk thistle for the treatment of liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Milk thistle, an herbal compound, is the dietary supplement taken most frequently by patients with chronic liver disease. We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine the efficacy and safety of this herb for the treatment of liver disease.

Methods: We searched English and non-English reports through July 1999 using thirteen databases and reference lists, and contacting manufacturers and technical experts.

Mind-body medicine. An introduction and review of the literature.

MBM is a well-established phenomenon in modern medicine. If one accepts a model of mind/body that is truly nondualistic, it could be said that the MBM phenomenon is inherent to medicine. Because of its popularity and efficacy for common chronic conditions, MBM may have its greatest presence in primary care medicine.