Umbrella review: Summary of findings for acupuncture as treatment for radiation-induced xerostomia.

Acupuncture is a common part of complementary medicine. However, traditional Chinese acupuncture has been built on concepts which are not in accordance with science-based medicine. Our aim was to critically assess the evidence presented in systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) about the effectiveness of acupuncture on radiotherapy induced xerostomia.

Methodological Review: Summary of Findings for Acupuncture as Treatment for Cancer Therapy-induced Xerostomia.

Background/aim: With a rapidly growing number of studies, systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) on acupuncture, the level of evidence seems to be high. Yet, traditional Chinese acupuncture is built on concepts which are not in accordance with science-based medicine. Accordingly, our aim was to critically assess the evidence presented in SRs and MAs on xerostomia induced by treatment of head and neck cancer with radiotherapy.

The benefits of vitamin A as a complementary treatment for oncology patients: a systematic review.

Purpose: Vitamin A and its derivatives positively influence the differentiation of epithelia and other tissues and prevent the proliferation of preneoplastic and neoplastic cells. Vitamin A is therefore taken into account as a potential supporting factor in cancer therapy.

Methods: In November 2020, a systematic search was conducted searching five electronic databases (EMBASE, Cochrane, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Medline) to find studies looking at the effects of using vitamin A as a complementary therapy for cancer patients.

Homeopathy effects in patients during oncological treatment: a systematic review.

Purpose: In this systematic review we included clinical studies from 1800 until 2020 to evaluate evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathy on physical and mental conditions in patients during oncological treatment.

Method: In February 2021 a systematic search was conducted searching five electronic databases (Embase, Cochrane, PsychInfo, CINAHL and Medline) to find studies concerning use, effectiveness and potential harm of homeopathy in cancer patients.

Results: From all 1352 search results, 18 studies with 2016 patients were included in this SR.

Water therapies (hydrotherapy, balneotherapy or aqua therapy) for patients with cancer: a systematic review.

Background: Water therapies as hydrotherapy, balneotherapy or aqua therapy are often used in the relief of disease- and treatment-associated symptoms of cancer patients. Yet, a systematic review for the evidence of water therapy including all cancer entities has not been conducted to date.

Purpose: Oncological patients often suffer from symptoms which in patients with other diseases are successfully treated with water therapy.

The Vitamin E Isoform α-Tocopherol is Not Effective as a Complementary Treatment in Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review.

The term vitamin E describes tocopherols and tocotrienols, whose chemical variations result in different biological activities including antioxidants. Neuroprotective effects of alpha-tocopherol against different toxins are assumed, therefore, it is discussed as a possible protective factor for adverse effects in cancer treatment. In July 2020, a systematic search was conducted searching five databases (Embase, Cochrane, PsychInfo, Cinahl, Medline) to find studies concerning the impact of α-tocopherol application and its potential harm on cancer patients.

Clinical efficacy and safety of oral and intravenous vitamin C use in patients with malignant diseases.

Background: Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble antioxidant and free radical scavenger. It is required in the body for numerous metabolic functions and is involved in the development of proteins and connective tissue.

Methods: In April 2020, a systematic search was carried out on five electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Cinahl, PsycINFO) to find studies on the use, efficacy and safety of a complementary therapy with vitamin C in oncological patients.

Effect of question prompt lists for cancer patients on communication and mental health outcomes-A systematic review.

Objective: To provide a systematic review on the effects of question prompt lists (QPL) in oncological settings.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Collaboration. Randomized controlled studies (RCTs) that evaluated QPL-only interventions were included.

Recommendations on complementary and alternative medicine within S3 guidelines in oncology: systematic quality assessment of underlying methodology.

Purpose: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used by about half of all patients with cancer. Guidelines are an important tool to introduce evidence-based medicine into routine cancer care. The aim of our study was to assess methodology of the statements and recommendations concerning CAM.

The Stability and Change of Loneliness Across the Life Span: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies.

Individuals experience loneliness when they perceive a deficiency in the quality or quantity of their social relationships. In the present meta-analysis, we compiled data from 75 longitudinal studies conducted in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America ( = 83, 679) to examine the rank-order and mean-level development of loneliness across the life span. Data were analyzed using two- and three-level meta-analyses and generalized additive mixed models.