Systematic review of topical capsaicin in the treatment of pruritus.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of topical capsaicin in treating pruritus in any medical condition.

Data Sources: Cochrane library, Medline, Embase, Cinahl and Amed, up to April 2008. No language restrictions.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: evaluating current evidence and informing future research.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a recently developed class-based program designed to prevent relapse or recurrence of major depression (Z. V. Segal, J.

A systematic review of randomised clinical trials of individualised herbal medicine in any indication.

Aim: To summarise and critically evaluate the evidence from randomised clinical trials for the effectiveness of individualised herbal medicine in any indication.

Methods: Search of electronic databases and approaches to experts in the field to identify randomised, controlled clinical trials of individualised herbal medicine in any indication. Independent data extraction and assessment of methodological quality by two authors and best evidence synthesis.

The antioxidant vitamins A, C, E and selenium in the treatment of arthritis: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

Objective: To systematically review the evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for the effectiveness of the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E or selenium or their combination in the treatment of arthritis. METHODSL: A systematic search of computerized databases from inception to September 2006 for relevant RCTs, application of pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria and independent data extraction by two authors. Methodological quality was assessed using the Jadad scale.

Ginkgo biloba is not a smart drug: an updated systematic review of randomised clinical trials testing the nootropic effects of G. biloba extracts in healthy people.

Here, we update our earlier systematic review of 2001, which critically evaluated the data from clinical trials to determine whether Ginkgo biloba enhances cognitive function in healthy subjects. Literatures searches of six computerised databases, updated to January 2007, were made for randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials of the effects of standardised Ginkgo biloba (G. biloba) extracts on cognitive function in healthy subjects under the age of 60 years.

Johrei family healing: a pilot study.

Johrei is a form of spiritual healing comprising "energy channelling" and light massage given either by a trained healer or, after some basic training, by anyone. This pilot trial aimed to identify any potential benefits of family-based Johrei practice in childhood eczema and for general health and to establish the feasibility of a subsequent randomised controlled trial. Volunteer families of 3-5 individuals, including at least one child with eczema were recruited to an uncontrolled pilot trial lasting 12 months.

Cost-effectiveness of complementary therapies in the United kingdom-a systematic review.

Objectives: The aim of this review is to systematically summarize and assess all prospective, controlled, cost-effectiveness studies of complementary therapies carried out in the UK.

Data Sources: Medline (via PubMed), Embase, CINAHL, Amed (Alternative and Allied Medicine Database, British Library Medical Information Centre), The Cochrane Library, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database (via Cochrane) and Health Technology Assessments up to October 2005.

Review Methods: Articles describing prospective, controlled, cost-effectiveness studies of any type of complementary therapy for any medical condition carried out in the UK were included.

Herbal medicines for the treatment of rhinosinusitis: a systematic review.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of herbal medicines for treating rhinosinusitis.

Data Source: Five electronic databases, bibliographies of located papers, manufacturers, and experts in the field.

Review Methods: Inclusion of randomized clinical trials (RCT) testing any herbal medicine in rhinosinusitis, as sole or adjunctive treatment.

A systematic review of systematic reviews of spinal manipulation.

Objectives: To systematically collate and evaluate the evidence from recent systematic reviews of clinical trials of spinal manipulation.

Design: Literature searches were carried out in four electronic databases for all systematic reviews of the effectiveness of spinal manipulation in any indication, published between 2000 and May 2005. Reviews were defined as systematic if they included an explicit and repeatable inclusion and exclusion criteria for studies.

A systematic review of randomised clinical trials of Tripterygium wilfordii for rheumatoid arthritis.

Tripterygium wilfordii is a Chinese herb with immunosuppressive effects and an established history of use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We have carried out a systematic review of randomised clinical trials (RCTs) which assess the effectiveness of T. wilfordii in this indication.

Sources of bias in reviews of spinal manipulation for back pain.

The effectiveness of spinal manipulation as a treatment for back pain remains uncertain and controversial. This is because of methodological weakness in many of the published clinical trials and also because of markedly opposing interpretations of the primary data by different reviewers. We have systematically assessed a representative sample of recent reviews on this topic.

Bringing medicinal plants into cultivation: opportunities and challenges for biotechnology.

Consumption of herbal medicines is widespread and increasing. Harvesting from the wild, the main source of raw material, is causing loss of genetic diversity and habitat destruction. Domestic cultivation is a viable alternative and offers the opportunity to overcome the problems that are inherent in herbal extracts: misidentification, genetic and phenotypic variability, extract variability and instability, toxic components and contaminants.

Construction of a Festuca pratensis BAC library for map-based cloning in Festulolium substitution lines.

Introgression in Festulolium is a potentially powerful tool to isolate genes for a large number of traits which differ between Festuca pratensis Huds. and Lolium perenne L. Not only are hybrids between the two species fertile, but the two genomes can be distinguished by genomic in situ hybridisation and a high frequency of recombination occurs between homoeologous chromosomes and chromosome segments.

Insufficient evidence to conclude whether or not Transcendental Meditation decreases blood pressure: results of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

Objective: To carry out an independent, systematic review of randomized clinical trials of Transcendental Meditation (TM) for cumulative effects on blood pressure.

Method: Searches were made of electronic databases and the collected papers and official web sites of the TM organization. We included only randomized clinical trials, without confounding co-interventions, which measured the cumulative effects of TM on blood pressure.

Research into complementary and alternative medicine across Europe and the United States.

Background: There has been an increase in complementary/ alternative medicine (CAM) research with a wide range of perspectives.

Objective: To capture and analyse the diversity of CAM research across 7 European countries (Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium) and the US. We were predominantly interested in finding out how CAM research differs between countries.

Herbal supplement use by persons aged over 50 years in Britain: frequently used herbs, concomitant use of herbs, nutritional supplements and prescription drugs, rate of informing doctors and potential for negative interactions.

Background: The use of herbal and nutritional supplements by older British people is increasing and despite the risks of adverse effects and negative herb-drug interactions, doctors are often not informed of their use. The number of herbal and nutritional supplements used most frequently by older people, and which particular herbal extracts are used, are unknown. This study aimed to identify how many herbal and nutritional supplements and which herbal extracts are most frequently used by British people >50 years of age, and to identify which herb-drug interactions represent the greatest risk to this age group.

The cumulative effects of Transcendental Meditation on cognitive function--a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

It is claimed that regular practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM) improves cognitive function and increases intelligence. This systematic review assesses the evidence from randomised controlled trials for cumulative effects of TM on cognitive function. Searches were made of electronic databases and the collected papers and official websites of the TM organisation.

Anthocyanosides of Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) for night vision--a systematic review of placebo-controlled trials.

We have systematically reviewed placebo-controlled trials of V. myrtillus-extracted anthocyanosides for evidence of positive effects on night vision. Searches of computerized databases and citations in retrieved articles identified 30 trials with outcome measures relevant to vision in reduced light.

The Alexander technique: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials.

Aim: Alexander technique (AT), a process of psychophysical re-education, is being promoted for a range of medical conditions. This systematic review is aimed at critically evaluating the evidence for or against the effectiveness of AT.

Methods: Computerized literature searches were performed in five databases to locate all controlled clinical trials of AT in any human condition.