Efficacy and safety of adjuvant therapies in older patients with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of real-world data.

Background: Insufficient data available for older patients with breast cancer complicates decision-making regarding optimal treatment. A systematic review that uses real-world data is required for assessing the effectiveness and potential adverse effects of various therapies for this age group of patients.

Methods: Databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched.

The Effect of Oncology Nurse Navigation on Mental Health in Patients with Cancer in Taiwan: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

In this study, we investigated the prevalence of mental health problems among patients with cancer and whether oncology nurse navigation improved their mental health outcomes and medical experience. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, we recruited 128 outpatients with cancer via purposive sampling from a teaching hospital in northern Taiwan. Participants were randomly assigned to the navigation group ( = 61) or the usual care group ( = 67).

Clinical guidelines for early hepatocellular carcinoma treatment options: a systematic review and bibliometric analysis.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with treatment options including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgical resection. This study evaluates the evolving guidelines for these treatments to identify the current consensus and divergences.

Method: The authors conducted a systematic review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines of documents from 2017 to 2024 by major liver societies.

Liver resection had better disease-free survival rates compared with radiofrequency ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis based on randomized clinical trials.

Background: Liver resection (LR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are the most commonly used treatment modalities for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (ES-HCC). The comparative efficacy of LR and RFA in ES-HCC remains debated. The authors conducted a meta-analysis based on randomized trials to compare the outcomes of LR and RFA.

Efficacy of cryotherapy in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The study investigates cryotherapy's efficacy in mitigating Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), an adverse effect of chemotherapy that often leads to dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation.

Method: The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023428936). A literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases.

Oxygen therapy for exercise capacity in fibrotic interstitial lung disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Background: Fibrotic interstitial lung disease (fILD) is characterised primarily by impaired lung function and quality of life. The present study investigated whether oxygen therapy could improve exercise capacity among patients with fILD.

Methods: Previously published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were surveyed.

Efficacy of natural products in preventing oral mucositis resulting from cancer therapies: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Oral mucositis significantly compromises the quality of life for patients undergoing cancer therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of natural products in either preventing or alleviating oral mucositis resulting from cancer treatments.

Methods: A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted, sourcing data from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Airiti Library, and Wan Fang Data Knowledge Service Platform until August 2023.

Use of a wearable device to compare subjective and objective fatigue in lung cancer patients and cancer-free controls.

Purpose: The study evaluates the use of heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulation via wearable smart bands, to objectively assess cancer-related fatigue (CRF) levels. It aims to enhance understanding of fatigue by distinguishing between LF/HF ratios and LF/HF disorder ratios through HRV and photoplethysmography (PPG), identifying them as potential biomarkers.

Methods: Seventy-one lung cancer patients and 75 non-cancer controls wore smart bands for one week.

Efficacy and Safety of Ginger on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a prevalent and distressing side effect. Historically, ginger has been explored as a potential remedy for various ailments, including its potential efficacy against CINV.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether taking ginger supplements can relieve CINV.

Oral aspirin for preventing colorectal adenoma recurrence: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Colorectal adenomas have the potential of malignant transformation if left untreated. Multiple randomized controlled trials have been performed to evaluate the efficacy of aspirin in preventing colorectal adenoma recurrence in a population with a history of colorectal adenoma but not colorectal cancer, however, the relationship between aspirin dose and colorectal adenoma recurrence remains unclear. We conducted pairwise meta-analysis, meta-regression, trial sequential analysis, and network meta-analysis of all eligible studies.

Effectiveness of glutamine for the treatment of radiodermatitis in cancer patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: After receiving radiation therapy, 60%-95% of patients with cancer develop radiodermatitis, which causes pain, wound infection, and poor quality of life. Glutamine is a popular nutritional supplement for patients with cancer. Several studies examined the usefulness of glutamine for reducing radiodermatitis.

Trismus in head and neck cancer: translation and validation of the Chinese version of the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire-2 (C-GTQ-2).

Objectives: Trismus, marked by restricted mouth opening, significantly affects patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and head and neck cancer (HNC). Despite its prevalence, specialized questionnaires for trismus assessment are scarce. This study aims to fill this gap by translating and validating the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire version 2 (GTQ-2) into Chinese (C-GTQ-2), enhancing the evaluation of trismus in HNC and TMD patients.

Effects of Walking Combined With Resistance Band Exercises on Alleviating Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common symptom, and exercise has shown potential in alleviating CRF. However, there is a need for diverse exercise options tailored to individual patient needs.

Objective: To evaluate the overall effects of a combined walking and resistance band exercise intervention in relieving CRF among cancer patients through randomized controlled trials.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Purpose: Immersive virtual reality (IVR) shows promise in cancer care, especially for chemotherapy patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses IVR's impact on adult and pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Effect of bright light therapy on cancer-related fatigue and related symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common side effect in cancer patients, possibly due to disrupted circadian rhythms. While bright light therapy (BLT) is known to modulate circadian rhythms, its role in mitigating CRF remains unclear. This study examined the impact of BLT on CRF and other related symptoms.

Effects of an Interactive e-Book on Enhancing Nursing Students' Knowledge, Confidence, and Learning Self-efficacy of Nursing Skills: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Interactive e-books offer multimedia and interactive features that make them particularly suitable for learning nursing skills and also allow for easy content updating, ensuring that students learn the most current skills based on the latest clinical guidelines.

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of an interactive e-book in increasing nursing students' knowledge, confidence, and learning self-efficacy of performing nasogastric tube feeding.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 62 nursing students, with the experimental group using an interactive e-book for learning whereas the comparison group using a printed textbook.

Effectiveness of Cryotherapy on Cancer Therapy-Induced Oral Mucositis: An Umbrella Review.

Background: Oral mucositis (OM) considerably affects the experience of patients with cancer during treatment. This study investigated the effects of cryotherapy on cancer therapy-induced OM.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically appraise evidence on whether cryotherapy can reduce the incidence and severity of OM.

Effects of Music Therapy on Spiritual Well-Being among Patients with Advanced Cancer in Palliative Care: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Purpose: Patients with advanced cancer in palliative care often experience physical and psychological symptoms that negatively impact their quality of life (QoL) and spiritual well-being. Music therapy can be used for symptom management in these patients. However, the effectiveness is uncertain.

Efficacy of smartphone-based virtual reality relaxation in providing comfort to patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy in oncology outpatient setting in Indonesia: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy experience various physical and psychological problems and discomfort. Virtual reality (VR) can be used in technology-based non-pharmacological therapy that can serve as a potential distractor in the symptom management of patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. We propose a smartphone-based virtual reality relaxation (S-VR) technique as a complementary modality to provide comfort to patients with cancer, and we will evaluate its effect on patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Cancer-related fatigue classification based on heart rate variability signals from wearables.

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most distressing side effect in cancer patients and affects the survival rate. However, most patients do not report their fatigue level. This study is aimed to develop an objective CRF assessment method based on heart rate variability (HRV).

Essential of Immediate Exercises on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Prostate Cancer Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can cause several adverse effects, including cancer-related fatigue (CRF). CRF has multiple manifestations, with no definitive treatment to date. Among management, exercise has been a field with high complexity and uncertainty.

Comparison of the effects of acupotomy and acupuncture on knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Purpose: Acupotomy and acupuncture are both treatments for knee osteoarthritis symptoms. However, acupotomy also has the additional anatomical effect of dissecting inflamed tissue. The problem this study aims to address is whether acupotomy is a better treatment than acupuncture in treating knee osteoarthritis.