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Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze the comparative effect of the Korean medicine treatment for idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) using Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA)., Methods: Seventeen electronic databases were used to search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated various Korean medicine treatments for ICPP. R software (version 4.2.3) was used to perform NMA. The risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 tool proposed by the Cochrane Collaboration. The results of NMA were expressed as network map, SUCRA, and Rank plot., Results: A total of 81 RCTs were included in the NMA. The gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) was the most effective for growth rate, followed by herbal medicine (HM) combined with GnRHa. The combination of HM and auricular plaster therapy was the most effective in improving the bone age index and ovarian volume, and megestrol was the most effective in improving uterine volume. The combination of HM, auricular plaster therapy and GnRHa was the most effective in improving follicle-stimulating hormone, and the combination of HM and GnRHa was the most effective in improving luteinizing hormone and estradiol., Conclusion: The combination of HM and GnRHa generally showed greater effectiveness compared to GnRHa monotherapy or HM monotherapy. Although there have been few reports of adverse events related to HM, additional research and practical experience are needed. Further diverse studies should be conducted to support the decision-making process of patients and clinicians during the diagnosis and treatment of ICPP., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: To systematically review the efficacy and safety of second-line medications for status epilepticus (SE)., Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials of second-line medications for SE from inception to January 2024. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Network meta-analysis was performed using R 4.2.2 software., Results: A total of 23 randomized controlled trials were analyzed, examining the efficacy of 5 different treatment regimens: levetiracetam (LEV), phenytoin (PHT), fosphenytoin (FPHT), valproate (VPA), and phenobarbital (PHB). The results of the network meta-analysis indicated that the seizure control rate ranking was as follows: PHB (98.1%) > LEV (60.7%) > FPHT (40.3%) > PHT (33.0%) > VPA (17.8%). The surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) values revealed that PHB had the highest ranking (SUCRA, 91.8%), followed by VPA (SUCRA, 69.3%), PHT (SUCRA, 56.1%), and FPHT (SUCRA, 5.9%) for the recurrence of seizures within 24 hours. Subgroup analysis revealed that PHB was most effective for seizure control in both pediatric and adult populations, VPA demonstrated superior efficacy in children across various indicators, LEV was deemed the safest option for children and elderly individuals, and VPA was identified as the safest choice for adult patients., Conclusions: PHB continues to be a prominent option for managing SE, although its safety profile warrants careful consideration. Meanwhile, both VPA and LEV offer distinctive advantages in the treatment of SE, with each demonstrating commendable safety profiles., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: The primary treatment of femoral neck fracture in young adults is internal fixation. The high complication rate after femoral neck fracture greatly affects the life of patients. There are many internal fixation devices for femoral neck fracture, but each has its advantages and disadvantages. Our aim was to determine the best internal fixation for young people with femoral neck fractures., Methods: We searched 5 databases from January, 2016 to December, 2023. Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies that met the inclusion criteria were assessed for quality using the RoB.2 and ROBINS-I scales, respectively. The network meta-analysis was conducted within a Bayesian framework utilizing a random effect model. Data analysis was performed using the "multinma" package within the R 4.2.0 software., Results: A network meta-analysis of 34 studies involving 2291 patients was conducted. Results indicated that the inverted triangular cannulated screws demonstrated the lowest intraoperative bleeding volume (surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA] = 0.8732) based on the SUCRA. The medial buttress plate (MBP) exhibited superior efficacy in improving the Harris hip score (SUCRA = 0.8465), reducing complications (SUCRA = 0.9251), and accelerating fracture healing time (SUCRA = 0.8111). Additionally, the femoral neck system was ranked highest in terms of operation time (SUCRA = 0.7749) and femoral neck shortening (SUCRA = 0.7933)., Conclusion: This network meta-analysis findings indicated that MBP resulted in superior postoperative hip function, reduced complication rate, faster fracture healing time. Considering the good physical condition of young adults, surgeon may consider utilizing MBP to achieve improved postoperative outcomes., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Poststroke cognitive impairment and dementia (PSCID) is a major cause of stroke-related morbidities and mortalities. Over the last few years, there has been growing evidence supporting the effectiveness of needle-related treatments in PSCID. Our goal was to rate the included therapies and assess the clinical effectiveness of various needle-related treatments in patients with PSCID., Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), Wanfang, FDA.gov, and ClinicalTrials.gov. A mix of subject terms and free words was used to search the databases. The retrieval period was from the inception date of the database to February, 2023. We included SRs and MAs from acupuncture RCTs of patients with PSCID. The Cochrane Risk Assessment Scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias in the included studies. State 17.0 was used for network meta-analysis in accordance with the Bayesian framework., Results: There were 34 studies total of 2690 patients. The cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) revealed that CT + CFT + EA was the most efficient intervention to improve (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE) efficiency, followed by CT + CFT + AP to improve (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA) efficiency, CT + CFT + ACU for improving (Activities of Daily Living scale, ADL) scores, and CT + CFT + EA to improve clinical efficiency., Conclusion: The results show that Different acupuncture methods can improve cognitive function and daily living ability in patients with PSCID. Network meta-analysis revealed that both CT + CFT + ACU and CT + CFT + EA appeared to be more beneficial for daily living activities, while CT + CFT + EA and CT + CFT + AP appeared to be more helpful for cognitive performance in patients with PSCID. Treatments including acupuncture are safer and have a reduced incidence of negative side effects., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as potential conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: This systematic review compared the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments for outcomes of different stages and labor pain among pregnant women., Methods: Eight databases were electronically searched for TCM on labor pain between January 2012 and January 2022. The studies were recorded and screened according to inclusion criteria and subsequently entered in Note Express. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and network meta-analysis was conducted with Stata 16.0. Forest plots and league tables were used to compare different treatment modalities' effect sizes. Additionally, the probabilities of various treatment modalities for each outcome under the cumulative ranking curve were determined. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022336091). This study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines., Results: Thirty articles encompassing 3277 participants were included in the network meta-analysis with 9 different treatment modalities. In terms of pain of labor at 30 minutes, acupuncture + autonomic nerve block was the most effective treatment modality. With regard to the 60-minute pain and the first stage of labor, acupressure + acupuncture therapy was most effective., Conclusion: In general, a combined treatment with acupressure and acupuncture is the most effective approach for relieving labor pain and shortening the duration of labor. Based on these data, we intend to explore further clinical TCM therapy for relieving maternal pain., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Various oral anticoagulants have been used for stroke prevention in older patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the optimal anticoagulants for stroke prevention has not yet been developed. We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis to determine the optimal instructions., Methods: We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library without restriction for publication date or language at January 2024. Any RCTs that compared the effectiveness of a direct oral anticoagulant and a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) for stroke prevention in older patients with AF were included in this network meta-analysis. The Bayesian network meta-analysis used a random effects model and surface under the cumulative ranking curve analysis to rank results. All analyses were done using R software with gemtc package, with statistical significance set at P < .05., Results: We included 7 RCTs (79,003 patients) comparing 8 different instructions including Apixaban 5 mg, Dabigatran 110 mg, Dabigatran 150 mg, Edoxaban 30 mg, Edoxaban 60 mg, Rivaroxaban 15 mg, Rivaroxaban 20 mg, and VKA. Apixaban 5 mg, Dabigatran 110 mg, and Dabigatran 150 mg was more effective than the VKA for reducing stroke or systemic embolism risks, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). Apixaban 5 mg, Dabigatran 110 mg, Dabigatran 150 mg, Edoxaban 30 mg, and Edoxaban 60 mg was associated with a reduction of the intracranial hemorrhage rate than the VKA (P < .05). The surface under the cumulative ranking curve shows that Dabigatran 110 mg ranked first for reducing stroke or systemic embolism risks. Edoxaban 60 mg ranked first for major bleeding. Dabigatran 110 mg ranked first for intracranial hemorrhage. Apixaban 5 mg ranked first for all bleeding events., Conclusions: Direct oral anticoagulants were found to have lower rates of thromboembolic events compared to VKAs in older patients with AF. Apixaban 5 mg, Dabigatran 110 mg, Dabigatran 150 mg, Edoxaban 30 mg, and Edoxaban 60 mg were also associated with a reduction of intracranial hemorrhage than VKA., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Objective: This network meta-analysis aims to investigate and compare the effectiveness of 3 dietary interventions - Mediterranean, ketogenic, and low-fat diet - on overweight and obese adults, with a comparison to traditional low-calorie diet., Methods: A systematic review was conducted in both Chinese and English databases, including the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), SinoMed, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to January 31, 2024. Two researchers independently screened and extracted data from the identified literature. The quality of these studies was assessed using the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. A random-effects network meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 and Stata 16.0 software., Results: A total of 17 randomized controlled trials involving 5802 subjects were included in this study. The network meta-analysis revealed a descending order of effectiveness for reducing body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC): ketogenic diet > low-fat diet > low-calorie diet > Mediterranean diet., Conclusions: The ketogenic diet was identified as the most effective intervention for reducing BW, BMI, and WC in the studied dietary comparisons. It consistently showed superior outcomes, ranking highest in effectiveness among the 4 evaluated dietary approaches. Nevertheless, additional high-quality randomized controlled trials are necessary to validate these findings., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) demonstrates significant effects on renal function, yet it remains unclear which TCM treatment yields the best clinical outcomes for renal hypertension (RH) management. This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of various TCM treatments for RH compared to conventional Western medicine (CWM)., Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TCM for RH were screened from 9 databases, covering the period up to July 2023. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was utilized to assess the risk of bias in the included RCTs. Network meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.0 software. Sensitivity analyses and meta-regression were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity and assess result robustness., Results: This study encompassed 3879 patients from 44 investigations involving 29 TCM interventions. The quality of the studies ranged from moderate to excellent, with well-defined inclusion criteria and generally low potential for biases related to outcome data and selective reporting. Tianma Gouteng Yin combined with Qiju Dihuang Wan + CWM demonstrated the highest total effective rate (relative risk = 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.66) compared to CWM alone. Bailing capsule + CWM was optimal for improving serum creatinine (mean difference (MD) = -53.78, 95% CI: -96.59, -10.98). Ziyin Pinggan Huayu decoction + CWM had the highest likelihood (surface under the cumulative ranking curves = 56.2%) of improving blood urea nitrogen. Zishen Pinggan prescription + CWM showed the greatest improvement in systolic blood pressure (MD = -46.29, 95% CI: -73.19, -19.38), while Ye Ren Gao decoction + CWM demonstrated the best improvement in diastolic blood pressure (MD = -13.13, 95% CI: -20.12, -6.13). Xifeng Qingnao decoction + CWM achieved the best improvement in 24-hour urinary protein (MD = -2.00, 95% CI: -3.26, -0.74). The combination of TCM and CWM was associated with a lower incidence of adverse effects., Conclusion: Combination therapy of TCM with CWM surpasses CWM alone in treating renal hypertension. This study identifies the most effective combination treatment for RH, as well as optimal treatments for lowering blood pressure (Zishen Pinggan prescription + CWM) and improving renal function (Bailing capsule + CWM)., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: To analyze and compare the pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer disease (AD), we will conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis focusing on their efficacy and safety over a duration exceeding 1 year., Methods: We searched the databases of PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CNKI until July 30, 2023, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating pharmacological treatments for AD., Results: Seventeen RCTs, comprising 7214 participants, investigated the efficacy of the following drugs: Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine, Memantine, Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb), Atorvastatin-calcium and Vitamin B in the treatment of AD. The network meta-analysis resulted indicated that placebo demonstrated greater effectiveness compared to Atorvastatin-calcium 80 mg (mean different [MD] = -6.93, confidence interval [CI] -11.57, -2.29) and Rivastigmine 12 mg (MD = -3.33, CI -6.56, -0.09). EGb120 mg exhibited a greater improvement in cognition compared to Atorvastatin-calcium 80 mg (MD = 7.77, CI 2.07, 13.46) and Rivastigmine 12 mg + EGb120 mg (MD = 9.92, CI 1.32, 17.22). EGb 120 mg emerged as the most efficient intervention for cognition, while placebo demonstrated the least harm over a period exceeding 1 year., Conclusions: In this network meta-analysis of studies of patients with AD and a follow-up period of at least 1 year, EGb 120 mg demonstrated cognitive benefits, while placebo posed the least harm for AD. More RCTs are required to address the uncertainty surrounding the efficacy of medication., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: The most popular traditional Chinese exercise (TCE) techniques include Tai Chi, Yijinjing, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, and Qigong. Exercise is advised as a primary treatment for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) according to clinical standards. According to several studies, TCE may be an effective way to help people with KOA manage their pain, stiffness, and physical function. Which TCE therapy is the most effective and whose particular usefulness is still debatable. The network meta-analysis (NMA) method is used in this study to evaluate and compare the effects of various TCE therapies on KOA patients., Methods: We will search PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, the Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and the China Biology Medical Literature Database (CBM) for randomized controlled trials reporting TCE therapy for KOA patients published before October 25, 2023. The Stata 16.0 program will compare the effectiveness of various TCE therapies on KOA patients using conventional pairwise and NMA., Results: The final 29 studies included 15 articles on Tai Chi, 7 articles on Baduanjin, 4 articles on Wuqinxi, and 3 articles on Yijinjing. Tai Chi was first for the effect sizes of VAS scores, WOMAC pain scores, and WOMAC available scores, while Baduanjin was ranked top for WOMAC stiffness scores. Research should continue to be conducted on the effect of Qigong on KOA intervention., Conclusions: This NMA will help determine the best TCE treatment for KOA and offer evidence-based bias for clinical decision-making., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Endometrial hyperplasia (EH) is a hyperplastic endometrial lesion with irregular gland size, increased glands, and increased glandular interstitial ratio. During follow-up, some EH progressed further to endometrial cancer. It is crucial to provide timely treatment for EH and improve the overall prognosis of EH patients., Methods: We searched the PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov., and Embase databases for studies published from their inception to March 31, 2023. The methodological quality of each study was evaluated in accordance with the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias. The RevMan5.3 software provided by the Cochrane Collaboration was used for direct meta-analysis statistical analysis; and the relative risk and 95% confidence interval along with the mean difference and 95% confidence interval, were used as evaluation indexes., Results: We included 21 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 2276 women with EH, 6 studies were of high quality, and 15 were of moderate quality. The blinding of subjects and intervention providers was identified as the main source of potential bias. Six interventions were addressed in the network meta-analysis: medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), plus metformin, norethisterone (NET), levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUD), megestrol acetate, and other drugs. In the direct meta-analysis, we found the probability of endometrial complete regression (CR) in the LNG-IUD group to be significantly higher than those in the NET. In the network meta-analysis, we found the probability of CR in the NET group to be significantly lower than those in the MPA and plus metformin groups, the probability of CR in the LNG-IUD group to be significantly higher than those in the NET, the probability of CR in the other drugs group to be significantly higher than those in the LNG-IUD. The NET group had the lowest incidences of endometrial complete regression, plus metformin could have a better outcome., Conclusion: According to the 21 randomized controlled trials included in this study, MPA is the most effective for EH endometrial outcome when applied as a single agent, while the combination of metformin can achieve a more significant effect., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflict of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Objective: Although a large body of evidence has reported on surgical approaches for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures, studies that comprehensively evaluate treatment outcomes are limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of extramedullary fixation (i.e., dynamic hip screw [DHS]), intramedullary fixation (i.e., the proximal femoral nailing [PFN]), and hemiarthroplasty (HA) for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures using network meta-analysis., Methods: This study meets the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses criteria. The Patient, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome search protocol framework was used to search the Google Scholar, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception until June 2023., Results: A total of 15 randomized controlled trials, including 1282 patients were analyzed. The Harris hip score (HHS) after DHS fixation was the lowest compared with that of PFN fixation and HA. DHS fixation had a significantly longer operation time than that of PFN fixation. Compared with HA, a lower incidence of superficial wound infection was observed with PFN and DHS fixations. PFN was significantly more likely to be implant cut out compared with HA. Compared with DHS, PFN and HA showed a lower incidence of fracture healing malunion., Conclusion: HA and PFN have good efficacy in improving the HHS and preventing joint deformities. However, HA showed a higher incidence of superficial infection than that observed with PFN, whereas a higher risk of screw cutout is observed with PFN than with HA., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the short-term outcome of SuperPATH, direct anterior (DAA) and conventional approach (CA) hemiarthroplasty (HA) in patients with femoral neck fractures using a network meta-analysis., Methods: PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Epistemonikos, and Embase were searched until May 31, 2024. In a network meta-analysis, mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method and a fixed/random effects model for continuous outcomes, and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel method and a fixed/random effects model for dichotomous outcomes., Results: The literature search identified a total of 9 randomized controlled trials on SuperPATH with 762 patients and 8 randomized controlled trials on DAA with 641 patients. In the overall ranking, SuperPATH was placed first, DAA second and CA third. SuperPATH HA was best in 7, second best in 2 and third best in 1 of the 10 outcome parameters. DAA HA was best in 2 and second best in 8 of the 10 outcome parameters. CA HA was best in 1 and third best in 9 of the 10 outcome parameters. In the indirect comparison between SuperPATH HA and DAA HA, SuperPATH HA had a 1.36 point lower visual analog scale at 2 to 7 days postoperatively and a 0.17 lower overall complication rate compared to DAA., Conclusion: For the treatment of patients with femoral neck fractures, SuperPATH HA ranked first, DAA HA ranked second and CA HA ranked third. Based on the results, we recommend that trauma surgeons increase their use of minimally invasive hip HA techniques. It should be noted that SuperPATH HA had a significantly lower overall complication rate compared to DAA HA when the minimally invasive technique was chosen., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) infertility has attracted great attention from researchers due to its high incidence. Numerous studies have shown that Chinese medicine is effective in treating this disease, but there is a wide variety of Chinese medicine therapies available, and there is a lack of comparative evaluation of the efficacy of various Chinese medicine combination therapies in the clinic, which requires further in-depth exploration. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a combined traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS using network meta-analysis (NMA)., Methods: In PubMed, web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang Data, VIP Database, China Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed) databases, searchs were conducted for information about the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of combined TCM therapy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS. Quality evaluation was performed using the Cochrane 5.3 risk of bias assessment tool, and NMA using Stata 16.0., Results: This study comprised 28 RCTs using 8 combined TCM therapies in total. The results of the NMA showed that moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, acupuncture + herbal, electroacupuncture + herbal, and acupoint application + herbal improved the clinical pregnancy rate better than acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy (P < .05). Additionally, ear point pressure + herbal enema + herbal, acupuncture and moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, and acupuncture + herbal improved the ovulation rate better than acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy (P < .05). Moxibustion + herbal, fire acupuncture + herbal, and acupuncture + herbal are the 3 most effective therapies for improving the clinical pregnancy rate. Fire acupuncture + herbal, acupuncture + herbal, and ear point pressure + herbal enema + herbal are the 3 most effective therapies for improving the ovulation rate., Conclusion: The combined TCM therapy demonstrated better efficacy for the treatment of infertility with PCOS compared to acupuncture, herbal, and western medicines monotherapy. However, the optimal treatment therapy varied depending on the outcome indicators. Further large sample, high-quality, and standardized RCTs are needed to verify these findings., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Currently, most studies primarily focus on directly comparing the efficacy and safety of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs), the two major classes of antihypertensive drugs. Moreover, the majority of studies are based on randomized controlled trials and traditional meta-analyses, with few exploring the efficacy and safety comparisons among various members of ACEIs and CCBs., Methods: ACEIs and CCB were searched for in randomized controlled trials in CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, China Biology Medicine Disc (Si-noMed), PubMed, EMbase, and Cochrane Library databases. The search can be conducted till November 2022. Stata software (version 16.0) and R 4.1.3 was used for statistical analysis and graphics plotting, applying mvmeta, gemtc, and its packages. Meta-regression analysis was used to explore the inconsistencies of the studies., Results: In 73 trials involving 33 different drugs, a total of 9176 hypertensive patients were included in the analysis, with 4623 in the intervention group and 4553 in the control group. The results of the analysis showed that, according to the SUCRA ranking, felodipine (MD = -12.34, 95% CI: -17.8 to -6.82) was the drug most likely to be the best intervention for systolic blood pressure, while nitrendipine (MD = -8.01, 95% CI: -11.71 to -4.18) was the drug most likely to be the best intervention for diastolic blood pressure. Regarding adverse drug reactions, nifedipine (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.14-0.74) was the drug most likely to be the safest., Conclusion: The research findings indicate that nifedipine is the optimal intervention for reducing systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients, nitrendipine is the optimal intervention for reducing diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients, and felodipine is the optimal intervention for safety., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: We aimed to compare 7 newer immunotherapies and targeted therapies for platinum-resistant relapsed ovarian cancer., Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library electronic databases for phase III trials involving platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer (PRrOC) patients treated with immunotherapy or targeted therapy in combination with chemotherapy. The quality of the included trials was assessed using the GRADE method. The primary outcome of comparison was progression-free survival, and secondary outcomes included overall survival and safety., Results: This analysis included 7 randomized phase III controlled trials, encompassing 2485 PRrOC patients. Combining bevacizumab plus chemotherapy and lurbinectedin demonstrated statistically significant differences in progression-free survival compared to all other regimens of interest. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the overall survival. Nivolumab and mirvetuximab exhibited fewer serious adverse events than the other regimens of interest., Conclusions: Our findings indicate that bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy and lurbinectedin monotherapy has significant efficacy in patients with PRrOC. For patients with PRrOC who have exhausted treatment options, nivolumab and mirvetuximab may be considered as alternatives because of their better safety profiles., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Although several rehabilitation interventions are effective in post-stroke aphasia (PSA), the efficacy of different rehabilitation interventions compared to each other remains controversial. Here, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of varying rehabilitation interventions in PSA., Methods: Randomized controlled trials on 8 kinds of rehabilitation interventions to improve speech function in patients with PSA were searched by computer from 10 databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, OVID, CINAHL, Embase, CNKI, WanFang, CBM, and VIP. The search scope was from the establishment of the database to August 2023. The literature screening, extraction of basic information, and quality assessment of the literature were conducted independently by 2 researchers. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed using Stata 17.0 software., Results: Fifty-four studies involving 2688 patients with PSA were included. The results of NMA showed that: ① in terms of improving the severity of aphasia, the therapeutic effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation were the most significant; ② motor imagery therapy was the most effective in improving spontaneous speech, repetition, and naming ability; ③ in terms of improving listening comprehension ability, the therapeutic effects of mirror neuron therapy was the most significant., Conclusion: The 8 rehabilitation interventions have different focuses in improving the speech function of PSA patients, and the clinical therapists can select the optimal rehabilitation interventions in a targeted manner according to the results of this NMA and the patients' conditions and other relevant factors., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated that psychological interventions are effective in alleviating anxiety and depression in patients with cancer. However, the optimal psychological intervention to alleviate anxiety and depression in patients with cancer remains unknown. This study was carried out to compare and rank the comparative effectiveness of various psychological interventions on anxiety and depression in patients with cancer., Methods: Databases, namely PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CNKI, WanFang, VIP and CBM were systematically searched from their inception dates to December 2023 for randomized controlled trials of psychological interventions for anxiety and depression in patients with cancer. Utilizing the Cochrane Review Manager 5.4, we evaluated the risk of bias in the studies included in the current study based on the Cochrane Handbook 5.1.0 Methodological Quality Evaluation Criteria. The NMA was conducted using STATA 15.0. This study did not involve human participants and therefore did not require ethical approval., Results: Thirty-one randomized controlled trials involving 3471 participants were included. MT [SMD = 1.35, 95% CI (0.76, 1.93)] and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) [SMD = 0.97, 95% CI (0.53, 1.42)] were superior to usual care in alleviating anxiety. Besides, interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) [SMD = 1.17, 95% CI (0.06, 2.28)], CBT [SMD = 0.97, 95 % CI (0.63, 1.30)], and MT [SMD = 0.93, 95% CI (0.35, 1.50)] were superior to usual care in alleviating depression. In addition, CBT was superior to family therapy in alleviating depression [SMD = 0.73, 95% CI (0.08, 1.38)]. The MT, CBT, and IPT ranked in the top three in alleviating anxiety, while IPT, CBT, and MT ranked in the top three in alleviating depression., Conclusion: MT and IPT would be a more appropriate option in alleviating anxiety and depression in patients with cancer, respectively. This study also suggested that CBT had a significant effect in alleviating negative emotions in patients with cancer. However, the results need to be validated by high-quality and large-sample studies., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: To investigate the regulatory patterns of Chinese patent medicine (CPM) interventions on lipid metabolism disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated by ischemic stroke., Methods: Two researchers independently searched 8 major databases and created a comprehensive database containing all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the application of "blood-activating and stasis-removing" CPM in the treatment of stroke combined with T2DM until October 1, 2022. The collected data were compiled and organized in Excel. Quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane 5.3 bias risk assessment tool, and the network meta-analysis was conducted using R software., Results: A total of 12 articles were included in the final analysis, covering 4 types of CPM: Naoxintong Capsules (NXT), Tongmai Jiangtang Capsules, Tongxinluo Capsules (TXL), and Yindan Xinnaotong Soft Capsules. Among these, CPM formulations containing herbs with blood-activating and stasis-removing properties were the most commonly used. The results of the network meta-analysis are as follows: (1) the combination of 3 CPM formulations showed superior efficacy in improving total cholesterol levels compared to conventional Western medicine treatment (CT). In particular, Yindan Xinnaotong Soft Capsules + CT (surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA] = 97.24%) demonstrated the highest efficacy, followed by NXT + CT (SUCRA = 66.23%), and then TXL + CT (SUCRA = 55.16%). (2) TXL + CT treatment exhibited the most promising efficacy in improving triglyceride levels (P < .05), while the effects of the other 3 CPM formulations were not statistically significant. (3) In terms of improving low-density lipoprotein levels, NXT + CT (SUCRA = 82.27%) showed better efficacy than TXL + CT (SUCRA = 73.99%), while the effects of the other 2 CPM formulations were not statistically significant. (4) The combination of CPM formulations and CT resulted in a lower incidence of adverse reactions compared to CT (P < .05)., Conclusion: The treatment of patients with T2DM complicated by ischemic stroke commonly involved the use of "blood-activating and stasis-removing" herbal medicines. These herbal medicines have shown effectiveness in regulating patients' blood lipid levels. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the analysis was influenced by variations in the number and quality of RCTs involving different CPM formulations. Therefore, additional validation through large-scale, high-quality RCT studies is required., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) is mainly characterized by intense pain and severe skin lesions, particularly during the acute phase, which seriously affects the patient's quality of life. Acupuncture is a widely used and effective treatment for HZ. However, there are many types of acupuncture, which have different curative efficacy. This study employed a network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess and rank the clinical efficacy of different acupuncture therapies., Methods: The database of Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese BioMedical Database, VIP Database, and Wanfang Database were searched from inception to December 31, 2022 to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture related therapies in the treatment of acute HZ. The outcome indicators measured were visual analogue scale (VAS), date of cessation of herpes increase (DCHI), effective rate (ER), postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and adverse events (AEs). Bayesian network meta-analyses were performed using the GeMTC package (version 1.0-1) and R software (version 4.2.3)., Results: A total of 59 RCTs with 3930 patients were included. The results of this NMA were as follows: compared with pharmacotherapy, electroacupuncture (EA) + pricking and cupping (PC) shown the best efficacy to improve VAS score and reduce DCHI. In terms of ER, EA + fire needle (FN) had the highest results of probability ranking. PC was more effective in reducing the incidence of PHN. Furthermore, this study shown that the incidence of AEs associated with acupuncture-related therapies was acceptable., Conclusions: This study indicated that therapies related to acupuncture were both effective and safe in treating acute HZ, and could significantly reduce patients' symptoms such as pain and skin lesions with fewer adverse events. Clinically, the selection of the appropriate therapy should be based on practical considerations. However, due to the limitations of this study, more high-quality trials are required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture-related therapy for the treatment of acute HZ., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: The effectiveness of different medical interventions in managing labor pain has yielded mixed results. Therefore, this systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to provide a comprehensive summary of the available evidence on the impact of different strategies for reducing labor pain., Methods: We systematically searched 3 English databases (Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane Library) from inception to January 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials that investigating the effects of different strategies for reducing labor pain were included in this network meta-analysis. Risk of bias (ROB) was assessed using the Cochrane ROB tools. Network meta-analysis was performed using the R software (version 4.2.1) with gemtc package., Results: A total of 9 studies involving 823 patients, including 9 treatments (acupressure, birth ball exercise, Bonapace method, distraction techniques, ice pressure, LI4 acupressure, lidocaine spray, smartphone-based music intervention and placebo). The surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) shows that Bonapace method ranked first (SUCRA, 79.5%), LI4 acupressure ranked second (SUCRA, 65.6%), distraction technique ranked third (SUCRA, 57.6%), birth ball exercise ranked fourth (SUCRA, 51.8%)., Conclusions: According to the results of the network meta-analysis, among the different strategies examined, the Bonapace Method stands out as the most effective nonpharmacological intervention for reducing labor pain. The results of this meta-analysis can aid both patients and healthcare professionals in choosing the most effective techniques to reduce labor pain., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) represent a prevalent clinical challenge globally, with various ultrasound-guided ablation techniques developed for their management. Despite the availability of these methods, a comprehensive evaluation to identify the most effective technique remains absent. This study endeavors to bridge this knowledge gap through a network meta-analysis (NMA), aiming to enhance the understanding of the comparative effectiveness of different ultrasound-guided ablation methods in treating BTNs., Methods: We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Ovid, SCOPUS, and ProQuest for studies involving 16 ablation methods, control groups, and head-to-head trials. NMA was utilized to evaluate methods based on the percentage change in nodule volume, symptom score, and cosmetic score. This study is registered in INPLASY (registration number 202260061)., Results: Among 35 eligible studies involving 5655 patients, NMA indicated that RFA2 (radiofrequency ablation, 2 sessions) exhibited the best outcomes at 6 months for percentage change in BTN volume (SUCRA value 74.6), closely followed by RFA (SUCRA value 73.7). At 12 months, RFA was identified as the most effective (SUCRA value 81.3). Subgroup analysis showed RFA2 as the most effective for solid nodule volume reduction at 6 months (SUCRA value 75.6), and polidocanol ablation for cystic nodules (SUCRA value 66.5)., Conclusion: Various ablation methods are effective in treating BTNs, with RFA showing notable advantages. RFA with 2 sessions is particularly optimal for solid BTNs, while polidocanol ablation stands out for cystic nodules., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: The efficacy and safety of different oral ginkgo-based Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) regimens for hypertension patients were analyzed based on the network meta-analysis of the frequency framework., Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database to gather data on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of 8 ginkgo biloba oral preparations for the treatment of hypertension. The trials included in the analysis were conducted from the inception of the databases up to September 2023. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the RoB 2.0 evaluation tool, and a reticulated meta-analysis was conducted using STATA MP 14 software. The RCTs included in this study were published studies and therefore did not require ethics committee review or patient consent., Results: We ultimately included 46 RCTs covering 8 CPMs including ginkgo biloba tablet (GBT), GB capsule (GBC), ginkgo biloba drop (GBD), ginkgo biloba ketone ester drop, Fufangyinxing capsule, fufangyinxingtongmai oral liquid, Yinxingmihuan oral liquid, Yindanxinanotong softgel capsule (YDXNT). GBD + CT demonstrated the highest effectiveness in reducing systolic blood pressure (surface under the cumulative ranking [SUCRA] = 78.7%) and improving total effective rate (SUCRA = 86.7%). GBC + CT exhibited the greatest efficacy in reducing diastolic blood pressure (SUCRA = 92.6%). GBT + CT was identified as the most effective in lowering total cholesterol (TC) (SUCRA = 100%). Additionally, YDXNT + CT demonstrated notable improvements in triglyceride levels (SUCRA = 92.2%), Nitric oxide (NO) (SUCRA = 93.9%), and ET-1 (SUCRA = 67.5%). In terms of safety, 14 studies reported the occurrence of adverse reactions with a high degree of clinical heterogeneity, which was only qualitatively analyzed in this study., Conclusion Subsections: We found that a combination of 8 ginkgo-based CPMs + CT was effective in hypertension compared with CT. The evidence showed that GBD + CT were the best in improving systolic blood pressure and total effective rate, GBC + CT improved diastolic blood pressure, GBT + CT were the most effective in improving TC, and YDXNT + CT was the most effective in improving TG, NO, and ET-1. Adverse effects were only analyzed qualitatively, and the number of adverse effects of CPMs treatment was relatively low compared to CT. In addition, the quality of the literature included in the study was low, and further validation through RCTs with larger sample sizes, higher quality, and more rigorously designed is needed., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. As this study did not involve clinical data, ethics approval was not applicable., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: The goal of this study was to estimate the relative efficacy and safety of different biological agents (infliximab, canakinumab, baricitinib, anakinra, adalimumab, tofacitinib, tocilizumab, and rilonacept) compared with placebo for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients, through a network meta-analysis., Methods: Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from database inception to July 2023 for randomized controlled trials comparing different biological agents (infliximab, canakinumab, baricitinib, anakinra, adalimumab, tofacitinib, tocilizumab, and rilonacept) or placebo directly or indirectly in JIA. Bayesian network meta-analyses were conducted. Data was extracted and analyzed by R with gemtc package. The treatment options were ranked using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) value., Results: We identified 10 randomized controlled trials and analyzed 898 participants. Canakinumab (odds ratio 55.0, 95% credible intervals 2.4-67.0) was more effective than the placebo, and the difference was statistically significant. However, there was no statistical significance between other drugs versus placebo in terms of the modified ACRpedi30 (P > .05). The SUCRA shows that canakinumab ranked first (SUCRA, 86.9%), anakinra ranked second (SUCRA, 77.7%), adalimumab ranked third (SUCRA, 61.9%), and placebo ranked the last (SUCRA, 6.3%). Nevertheless, there were no notable discrepancies in the occurrence of adverse events, hepatic-related adverse events, infectious adverse event, serious adverse events, and serious infection following treatment with canakinumab, anakinra, tocilizumab, rilonacept, or the placebo. Based on the clustergram of modified ACRpedi30 and adverse events, canakinumab is suggested for JIA according to the surface under SUCRAs considering the symptom and adverse events simultaneously., Conclusions: Among patients with JIA, canakinumab exhibited the highest likelihood of being the optimal treatment for achieving the modified ACRpedi30 response rate, and neither of the tested biological agents carried a significant risk of serious adverse events., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is 1 of the most common types of arrhythmias. At present, the treatment for patients with AF mainly includes oral anticoagulants (OACs). Studies have shown that OACs are associated with cognitive decline in patients with atrial fibrillation; however, there is a lack of relevant evidence. This study used Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) to investigate the effects of different oral anticoagulants on cognitive decline in patients with AF., Methods: We systematically searched for clinical studies on oral anticoagulants in patients with AF in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library as of July 3, 2023. Cochrane's randomized controlled trial bias risk assessment tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to assess the bias risk of the included studies. The main outcome measure was decreased cognitive functioning., Results: Ten studies were included, including 2 RCTs and 7 RCSs, including 882,847 patients with AF. Five oral anticoagulants and 2 anticoagulants were included: VKAs (especially warfarin), Dabigatran, Edoxaban, Rivaroxaban, Apixaban, and Aspirin, Clopidogrel. The results of the mesh meta-analysis showed that VKAs were superior to warfarin in reducing the risk of cognitive decline in patients with AF (OR = -1.19, 95% CI (-2.35, -0.06), P < .05) (Table 5). The top 3 drugs in terms of the probability of reducing the incidence of cognitive impairment in patients with AF with different oral anticoagulants were VKAs (87%), rivaroxaban (62.2%), and dabigatran (60.8%)., Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, VKAs may be the best intervention measure for reducing the risk of cognitive decline in patients with AF. Owing to the limitations of this study, more high-quality randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes and multiple centers are required to provide more evidence., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Currently, a variety of Western medical interventions are available for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) with comorbid anxiety and depression. However, the attendant negative effects also emerge, putting pressure on healthcare resources and socio-economic structures. In recent years, the benefits of acupuncture (ACU) and moxibustion in the treatment of IBS-D with anxiety and depression have gradually emerged. However, there are many types of ACU-moxibustion-related treatments, and the aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of different ACU-moxibustion therapies in the treatment of anxiety and depression in IBS-D patients., Methods: Searched and identified randomized controlled trials (RCTS) of ACU for the treatment of anxiety and depression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The search spanned from the establishment of the database until September 1, 2023. Revman 5.4 and Stata 15.0 software were used for network meta-analysis (NMA), and the included interventions were ranked by the area under the cumulative ranking curve., Results: A total of 26 articles involving 8 interventions were included. In terms of improving HAMA score, MOX was superior to EA, combined therapies, CH, WM and placebo; In terms of improving HAMD score, MOX was superior to ACU, EA, combined therapies, WM and placebo; In terms of improving the SAS score, The combined therapies were superior to EA, CH and WM; In terms of improving SDS scores, The combined therapies were superior to EA, CH and WM; In terms of improving IBS-SSS score, The combined therapies were superior to WM; In terms of reducing recurrence rates, CH was superior to combined therapies; In terms of improving total effective rates, MOX was superior to EA, CH, WM and placebo; MOX, combined therapies, ACU and EA ranked higher in SUCRA of different outcome indicators., Conclusion: MOX, combined therapies, ACU and EA have certain curative effect on anxiety and depression in patients with IBS-D, and their safety is high. ACU and MOX combined with other therapies also have significant advantages in the treatment effect., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been approved for treating patients with clinically advanced metastatic thyroid cancer. However among the many TKIs, it remains unknown which regimen is the best choice for these patients., Methods: We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis to compare the survival benefits and efficacy of the available first-line regimens. We conducted an active search for phase II, III, or IV randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases to compare the effects of at least 2 drugs in the systemic treatment of advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer up to May 2023. The network meta-analysis model was adjusted using Bayesian Network model. Twelve trials with 2535 patients were included in our meta-analysis. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and serious adverse events (SAEs) were taken as reference indicators. We also performed subgroup analyses of OS and PFS in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC) to explore the variations of TKIs in different groups., Results: As a result, apatinib had the best effect on overall survival (OS) (hazards ratio [HR] = 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.18-0.98), lenvatinib 18 mg/d has the best effect on progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.064-0.27), and cabozantinib 60 mg/d has the best safety profile., Conclusions: Our network meta-analysis showed that we believe that cabozantinib has the potential to become a widely used drug in clinical practice., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Exercise is an important factor for the treatment and rehabilitation of depression. Traditional Chinese exercise is considered as an effective treatment for depression. In recent years, many studies have shown that Chinese exercise therapy may be safe in the treatment of depression. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese exercise on depression using network meta-analysis., Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP shop Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, and Wan Fang Data Knowledge Service Platform were included in randomized controlled studies on traditional Chinese exercises for the treatment of depression from the establishment of the library to July 2023. The literature was extracted and assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment and statistically analyzed using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 14.2., Results: A total of 25 studies involving 3 exercises with a total of 1605 cases were included. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that each exercise significantly reduced the 24-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24), Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Self-rating Depression Scale scores. However, conventional treatments have the advantage of improving the sleep quality of patients with depression., Conclusions: The 3 exercises included in this study were effective for depression. Baduanjin and Tai Chi were better at improving the outcomes related to depression and anxiety. The effect of sleep quality intervention was slightly worse. Larger, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to compare interventions across exercises in a more granular manner., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. In China, traditional Chinese medicine is used to treat prostate cancer. However, there is a lack of evidence for differences in the effectiveness and safety of different Chinese patent medicines. Therefore, we conducted this Network Meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of different Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of prostate cancer., Methods: We systematically search PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane library, CNKI database, VIP database, wanfang database, and SinoMed Randomized controlled trials of Chinese patent medicines for the treatment of prostate cancer sores included in the database were retrieved until June 1, 2023. The included studies were assessed for risk of bias using Cochrane randomized controlled trial Bias risk Assessment tool. The main outcome indicators were Efficacy, Prostate Specific Antigen, and adverse reaction. Since different courses of treatment were used in the included studies, we used Bayesian mesh meta-regression to investigate the effects of treatment courses on efficacy and safety., Results: Twenty-seven articles were included, involving 1885 patients. Including 9 kinds of Chinese patent medicine. The results of Network Meta-analysis show that: ① efficacy: compared with androgen antagonists, Bruceolic oil emulsion (relative risk = 1.70, 95% credibility interval [CI] (1.30, 2.29)), Compound Kushen injection (relative risk = 1.39, 95%CI (1.19, 1.70)) had significant advantages. There was no significant difference among all Chinese patent medicines (P > .05). The top 3 Chinese patent medicines were Bruceolic oil emulsion, Zhibodihuang pill, Compound Kushen injection. ② Prostate specific antigen: compared with androgen antagonists, Bruceolic oil emulsion (mean difference [MD] = -10.4, 95%CI [-17.6, -3.21]), Compound Kushen injection (MD = -4.46, 95%CI [-8.80, -1.70]), Shenfu injection (MD = -14.7, 95%CI [-23.4, -6.01]) had significant advantages. The top 3 Chinese patent medicines were Shenfu injection, Bruceolic oil emulsion, Compound Kushen injection. adverse reaction: compared with androgen antagonists, there was no significant difference among all PCM (P > .05)., Conclusion: Compared with androgen antagonists, Chinese patent medicine has significant difference in effectiveness. The effect of Chinese patent medicine is little affected by the course of treatment and dose. From comprehensive analysis, Bruceolic oil emulsion combined with androgen antagonist is the best intervention measures., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Objective: This systematic review and network meta-analysis were performed to compare different interventions for the reduction of labor pain., Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and ScienceDirect databases were searched for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting prespecified inclusion criteria up to January, 2023. Interventions including electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), epidural analgesia (EA) and control treatments. The primary outcomes included pain scores, failure rate of natural delivery, adverse events and Apgar scores. The methodological quality was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed by R software with gemtc package. Surfaces under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRA) were used to rank the intervention., Results: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the network meta-analysis. TEAS (WMD -3.1, 95% CrI -3.8, -2.5) and EA (WMD -2.1, 95% CrI -2.8, -1.3) was more effective than the control in decreasing VAS. TEAS ranked first (SUCRA, 90.9%), EA ranked second (SUCRA, 74.0%) and control ranked last (SUCRA, 35.0%) for reducing VAS. For patients with labor pain, with respect to the most effective treatment for reducing failure rate of natural delivery, TEAS ranked first (SUCRA, 96.6%), EA ranked second (SUCRA, 50.4%) and control ranked last (SUCRA, 3.0%). With regard to the Apgar scores, there was high probability that TEAS ranked first (SUCRA, 80.7%), compared to control (SUCRA, 41.4%) and EA (SUCRA 27.9%). With regard to the adverse events, there was high probability that TEAS ranked first (SUCRA, 99.9%), compared to control (SUCRA, 33.2%) and EA (SUCRA 17.6%)., Conclusion: TEAS has the potential to serve as a viable alternative for women in labor, offering a simple, noninvasive, and non-pharmacological intervention that surpasses EA in terms of both analgesic effectiveness and safety for both mothers and neonates., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Cancer pain is one of the most intolerable and frightening symptoms of cancer patients. However, the clinical effect of the three-step analgesic ladder method (TSAL) is not satisfactory. The combination of external treatment of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can improve the clinical effect., Objective: This study used network meta-analysis to compare the effects of different external treatment methods of TCM combined with TSAL on cancer pain., Methods: Databases searched by our team included Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. Randomized controlled trials related to the external treatment of TCM combined with TSAL for cancer pain were screened from the establishment of the database till now. The above literature extracted clinical efficacy, NRS score, KPS score, analgesic onset time, and duration as the main results after the screening. The 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of OR value and SMD value was used as the effect index to compare the difference in efficacy of different interventions, and the ranking was conducted. STATA 17.0 software was used for the statistical analysis of the above data., Results: A total of 78 studies were included, including 8 interventions and 5742 participants. Based on ranking probability, the clinical effective rate of manual acupuncture combined with TSAL was the best when the intervention time was set at 4 weeks [OR = 5.42, 95% CI (1.99,14.81)], and the improvement effect on KPS score was also the best [SMD = 0.97, 95% CI (0.61, 1.33)]. Acupoint external application was the best intervention in reducing NRS score [SMD = -1.14, 95% CI (-1.90, -0.93)]. Acupoint moxibustion combined with TSAL was considered to be the most effective intervention to prolong the duration of analgesia [SMD = 1.69, 95% CI (0.84, 2.54)] and shortening the onset time of analgesia [SMD = -3.00, 95% CI (-4.54, -1.47)]., Conclusions: TSAL combined with manual acupuncture is the best in terms of clinical efficacy and improvement of patients' functional activity status. With the extension of treatment time, the intervention of this kind of treatment on the clinical effect is more pronounced. Acupoint external application also has a unique advantage in reducing the pain level of patients. From the point of view of analgesic duration and duration of analgesia, combined acupoint moxibustion has the best effect., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Although the effectiveness of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) technology in assisting rehabilitation is widely recognized, its therapeutic efficacy in patients with poststroke aphasia (PSA) requires further validation. Here, we aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of the NIBS technique combined with speech training in PSA by traditional Meta-analysis and to compare the intervention effects of the 2 NIBS techniques by Network meta-analysis., Methods: Randomized controlled trials of the NIBS technique combined with speech training for treating PSA in 9 databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and CNKI, and 2 clinical trial registries were searched by computer. Literature screening was performed using EndNote X9 software, and data analysis and presentation of results were performed using RevMan 5.4.1 and Stata 17.0 software., Results: Screening yielded 17 studies with 1013 patients with PSA. Meta-analysis showed that aphasia quotient scores were higher in the intervention group than in the control group [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.63, 1.49), Z = 4.80, P < .00001]; Western aphasia battery scores on all 4 subscales were higher than those of the control group, the spontaneous language score is [SMD = 0.62, 95% CI (0.46, 0.78), Z = 7.52, P < .00001], the listening comprehension score is [SMD = 0.46, 95% CI (0.30, 0.62), Z = 5.62, P < .00001], the repetition score is [SMD = 1.14, 95% CI (0.59, 1.70), Z = 4.04, P < .0001], the naming score is [SMD = 1.06, 95% CI (0.79, 1.32), Z = 7.85, P < .00001]; The effective rate of the intervention group was higher than that of the control group [odd ratio = 4.19, 95% CI (2.39, 7.37), Z = 4.99, P < .00001]. The results of the Network meta-analysis showed that the best probability ranking of the 2 NIBS techniques combined with speech training in improving aphasia quotient scores was repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation group (92.2%) > transcranial direct current stimulation group (55.7%). Regarding safety, it was not found that the NIBS technique combined with speech training to treat PSA increases the risk of adverse reactions., Conclusion: The NIBS technique combined with speech training can effectively improve the recovery of language function in PSA patients with minimal adverse effects, and the clinic can give priority to r TMS combined with speech training in treating PSA., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Critically ill patients in intensive care often struggle with disrupted sleep, a prevalent issue in this population. However, the question of which non-pharmacological intervention is most effective in enhancing sleep quality remains unanswered. This study was conducted to comprehensively evaluate and compare the efficacy of various non-pharmacological interventions aimed at improving sleep quality among critically ill individuals., Methods: We conducted a search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) without language restrictions to identify articles published until July 15, 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated various nursing interventions designed to improve sleep quality in critically ill patients were included in this network meta-analysis. All analyses were performed using R software (version 3.4.3) with the "gemtc" package., Results: A total of 2036 patients from 31 RCTs were included in the network meta-analysis, involving 11 different nursing interventions (routine care, relaxation combined with imagery (RI), nursel, music + earplugs + eye masks, music, eye masks, earplugs + eye masks, earplugs, aromatherapy, Warm footbath combined with acupoint exercise (WFA), Virtual reality meditation (VR)). Eye masks and earplugs + eye masks were associated with improved sleep quality compared to routine care intervention (P < .05)., Conclusions: In summary, eye masks and earplugs + eye masks stand out as the most effective interventions for enhancing sleep quality in critically ill patients. Therefore, critical care nurses should consider incorporating the use of eye masks alone or combining music with eye masks into the sleep care regimen for critically ill patients., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Non-pharmacological treatments, particularly TCM health exercises, have garnered attention for their affordability, ease of access, and potential health advantages. Despite this interest, systematic and direct comparative studies assessing the effectiveness and safety of these therapies in patients with CHD-CHF remain scarce., Methods: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of conventional treatment, conventional treatment integrated with aerobic endurance training, and various TCM health exercises in treating patients with CHD-CHF using NMA. The analysis was designed to provide a reference for developing treatment plans. To achieve this, literature databases were searched for RCTs on different TCM health exercises for CHD-CHF patients up to December 6, 2022. Major outcomes analyzed included NT-proBNP, LVEF, 6-minute walk test, MLHFQ, clinical effectiveness, and adverse event occurrence. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was employed to assess the risk of bias in the included RCT studies. Systematic review with NMA was conducted using RevMan 5.4 and Stata for cumulative ranking, and comparative adjustment funnel plot analysis., Results: Traditional Chinese medicine gong methods included BaDuanJin (A) and TaiChiQuan (B). The NMA and SUCRA results revealed that: A + D and A + C + D were most likely to be the best interventions to improve NT-proBNP; B + D and A + C + D were most likely to be the best interventions to improve LVEF; A + D and A + C + D were the best interventions to improve 6WMT in CHD-CHF patients; B + C + D had the best effect on shrinking LVESD;A + D and B + C + D was likely the best interventions for contracting LVEDD;B + D and A + D were consistent in their capacity to improve MLHFQ in patients with CHD-CHF, but B + D had better efficacy. Unlike A + C + D, B + C + D was the best intervention to improve MLHFQ. In contrast with interventions, including Dand C + D, B + D was the most clinically effective intervention. Unlike interventions including B + C + D, C + D, and D, A + C + D was the most clinically efficient intervention., Conclusion: The findings of this NMA showed that traditional Chinese health exercises integrated with conventional treatment are more effective than conventional treatment (D) alone in patients with CHD-CHF, with A + D, B + D, B + C + D, and A + C + D considered potentially optimal treatment interventions., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Currently, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has become one of those public issues in society, which has added a huge burden to both the individuals and the society. In the current clinical stage, there are numerous drugs developed to treat this disease, and different drug treatment measures have been proven to achieve certain clinical efficacy in the corresponding randomized controlled trials. However, there are still many therapeutic drugs that have not been directly compared and studied. Therefore, it is difficult to directly compare the effectiveness and safety of various strategies for the treatment of DILI. In this regard, the present study collected the therapeutic efficacy of diverse treatments in DILI in recent years through network meta-analysis, evaluated and screened the existing optimal clinical therapeutic plan, and helped physicians formulate clinical therapeutic plans., Methods: Databases, including the Chinese Journal Full-text Database, Wanfang Data Journal Paper Resources (Wangfang), VIP Chinese Science and Technology Journal Full-text Database, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE, were searched using keywords from inception to January 2023. Eligible randomized controlled trials were selected in line with eligibility criteria, and mesh meta-analysis of binary variables was carried out using Stata 16 software., Conclusion: In combination with alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin, MI may be the intervention measure for minimizing alanine aminotransferase levels in patients after treatment. Besides, compound glycyrrhizin may be the intervention for minimizing aspartate aminotransferase levels in patients after treatment, and polyene phosphatidylcholine may be the intervention for minimizing total bilirubin levels in patients after treatment. Placebo is the potential intervention that has the least adverse reactions post-treatment, and RT has the second least adverse reactions. Moreover, hepatocyte growth-promoting factors may be the most effective intervention after treatment., Results: To sum up, the present work compared the clinical effects of 13 liver protective drugs through meta-analysis and provided a systematic understanding of commonly used drugs for the treatment of DILI in clinical practice., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) were conducted to explore the efficacy and safety of different antiplatelet or anticoagulation drugs in chronic coronary syndromes patients., Methods: Electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases) were systematically searched to identify randomized controlled trials evaluating different antiplatelet or anticoagulation drugs (aspirin, aspirin + clopidogrel, aspirin + clopidogrel + cilostazol, clopidogrel/prasugrel + aspirin, aspirin + rivaoxaban 2.5 mg, aspirin + ticagrelor 60 mg, aspirin + ticagrelor 90 mg, clopidogrel or rivroxaban 5 mg) versus placebo for treatment chronic coronary syndromes patients. Outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events, all cause death, major bleeding and myocardial infarction. A random-effect Bayesian NMA was conducted for outcomes of interest, and results were presented as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% credible intervals. The NMA was performed using R Software with a GeMTC package. A Bayesian NMA was performed and relative ranking of agents was assessed using surface under the cumulative ranking probabilities., Results: Ten randomized controlled trials met criteria for inclusion and finally included in this NMA. In head-to-head comparison, no significant difference was observed between all antithrombotic treatment strategies with respect to primary endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular events. In head-to-head comparison, no significant difference was observed between all antithrombotic treatment strategies with respect to all cause death. Clopidogrel/prasugrel + aspirin (OR = 3.8, 95% credible intervals [CrI]: 1.3-12.0, P < .05) and aspirin + rivaroxaban 2.5 mg (OR = 3.1, 95%CrI: 1.1-9.5, P < .05) was associated with an increase of the major bleeding. Compared with aspirin alone, aspirin + clopidogrel (OR = 0.42, 95%CrI: 0.22-0.76, P < .05) and aspirin + ticagrelor 90 mg (OR = 0.42, 95%CrI: 0.17-0.95, P < .05) was associated with a decrease of the myocardial infarction., Conclusions: Myocardial infarction was significantly lower when adding clopidogrel or ticagrelor 90 mg to aspirin than those in the aspirin alone group. However, clopidogrel/prasugrel and rivaroxaban 2.5 mg was associated with an increase of the major bleeding than aspirin alone., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)