Robot rehabilitation has been a primary therapy method for the urgent rehabilitation demands of paralyzed patients after a stroke. The parameters in rehabilitation training such as the range of the training, which should be adjustable according to each participant’s functional ability, are the key factors influencing the effectiveness of rehabilitation therapy. Therapists design rehabilitation projects based on the semiquantitative functional assessment scales and their experience. But these therapies based on therapists’ experience cannot be implemented in robot rehabilitation therapy. This paper modeled the global human-robot by Simulink in order to analyze the relationship between the parameters in robot rehabilitation therapy and the patients’ movement functional abilities. We compared the shoulder and elbow angles calculated by simulation with the angles recorded by motion capture system while the healthy subjects completed the simulated action. Results showed there was a remarkable correlation between the simulation data and the experiment data, which verified the validity of the human-robot global Simulink model. Besides, the relationship between the circle radius in the drawing tasks in robot rehabilitation training and the active movement degrees of shoulder as well as elbow was also matched by a linear, which also had a remarkable fitting coefficient. The matched linear can be a quantitative reference for the robot rehabilitation training parameters.
Objective To objectively evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi in fall prevention and balance function in the elderly. Methods Databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library (Issue 8, 2012), EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically searched to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from 2000 to 2012, and the relevant references of the included articles were also manually searched. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature was screened, the data were extracted and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed. Then meta-analyses were performed by using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 6 RCTs involving 2 796 participants were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that the Tai Chi group was superior to the control group in decrease of the incidence rate of fall (RR=0.82, 95%CI 0.73 to 0.92, P=0.000 6), Timed Up and Go Test (MD=0.71, 95%CI 0.29 to 1.12, P=0.000 9), Functional Reach Test (MD=0.78, 95%CI 0.33 to 1.23, P=0.000 7) and Berger Balance Scale (MD=2.45, 95%CI 1.47 to 3.43, Plt;0.000 01), and there were statistical differences. Conclusion Tai Chi can effectively reduce the risk of fall for the elderly and improve their balance function.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of doxepin in the treatment of primary insomnia. Methods We searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2009), PubMed (1966 to December 2009), EMbase (1974 to December 2009), ISI (1961 to December 2009), CNKI (1979 to December 2009), VIP (1989 to December 2008), CBM (1978 to December 2009), and WANFANG Data (1998 to December 2009). We also searched the correlated grey literature and conference literature for complement. Data were extracted, methodologically evaluated, and cross-checked by two reviewers independently. RevMan 5.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results One randomized controlled trial and three cross trials involving 171 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that total sleep time (TST), wake time during sleep (WTDS), wake time after sleep (WTAS), and sleep efficiency (SE) were improved by low and medium dosage of doxepin (1-25 mg) with statistically significant difference compared with placebo. On the contrary, most indicators of sleep quality had no statistically significant difference between high dose doxepin (50 mg) and placebo. While the sleeping structural indicators of rapid eye movement sleep (REM), rapid-eyemovement latency (REM-L), and sleep stage II (St.II) were changed by high and medium dosage of doxepin (25-50 mg) with statistically significant difference. Conclusions Low and medium dosage of doxepin (1-25 mg) is effective in improvement of the sleep quality in patients with primary insomnia, but it is necessary to concern the side effects and the effects on sleep structure when treating primary insomnia with medium dosage of doxepin (25 mg). High dosage of doxepin (50 mg) is not recommended to treat primary insomnia. However, this conclusion still needs clinical trials to be further validated.
Objective To provide a reference for the best evidence-based medicine (EBM) education modelby retrospective analysis and summary the EBM education model of the EBM center of Lanzhou University for medicalpostgraduates. Methods To utilize students’ spare time we changed the traditional teaching method, and instead used problem based learning and academic discussions to teach postgraduates how to design and apply research. Results Sixtytwo postgraduates were trained and completed 73 research papers and registered 33 Cochrane systematic reviews. Twentythree papers were published in foreign journals (SCI) as first authors, 34 papers were published in domestic journals. Five students received awards in the academic conference of Lanzhou University. Conclusion Medical students will benefit from taking part in EBM research. This education model will help them not only understand the methods of clinical research and EBM and improve the quality of their research and their cooperative skills, but also master related clinical knowledge.
Objective To evaluate the adverse events following immunization (AEFI) of meningococcal vaccines, so as to provide references for the appraisal and treatment of AEFI. Methods The Chinese Bio-medicine Database (1978 to April, 2010), China Journal Full-text Database (1994 to April, 2010), VIP Database (1989 to April, 2010) and WangFang database (1988 to April, 2010) were fully searched, and the references listed in original studies were searched manually as well. Then two reviewers independently screened studies and abstracted relevant data.Results A total of 52 articles involving 61 cases were included. Among the AEFI cases, 72.13% were hypersensitive response, including henoch-schonlein purpura (accompanied with or without nephritis), anaphylactic shock, allergic eruption, angioedema, local allergic reaction and so on. Conclusion The results of this study show that meningococcal vaccines may result in AEFI. However, most AEFI are temporary and can be cured after treatment in time. In general, meningococcal vaccine is safe, but monitoring and treatment for AEFI are necessary.
Objective To survey and analyze the quality assessment of the included studies in the Overviews of reviews (Overviews), so as to provide methodology references for Overviews authors. Methods A computerized search was performed for collecting Overviews in The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2010), PubMed, EMBASE, and CBM, and the search time ended by December, 2009. Then the relevant data, such as assessment standard etc, were extracted, and the staple standards were analyzed. Results A total of 43 typical Overviews were included. Thirty-two (74.4%) of them assessed the methodology quality of the included systematic reviews with different standards, including OQAQ (34.9%/15), AMSTAR (9.1%/3), Checklist from DARE (4.6%/2), Assendelft scale (4.6%/2), Effective Public Health Practice Project standards (2.3%/1), self-formulated standards (14.0%/ 6), syntaxic standards (2.3%/1), and other standards (4.6%/2). Ten Overviews (23.6%) assessed the quality of evidence, including eight (18.6%) applied the GRADE system. Only 7 studies (16.3%) assessed the quality of evidence and applied the GRADE system as well. Conclusion The quality assessment in Overviews includes the assessment of both methodological quality and evidence quality. But most Overviews do not assess comprehensively. The methodological quality standards applied in current Overviews are numerous and no standard is acknowledged. Yet, the OQAQ and AMSTAR are applied widely and recommended because they are comprehensive and easy to be conducted. It suggests that Overviews authors should choose appropriate methodological quality assessment standards according to concrete conditions. The GRADE system is much more comprehensive and systematic than other systems, so it is recommended that Overviews authors should apply GRADE to assess the quality of evidence in their studies in order to make the study results more comprehensive and easier for clinical application.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with argon-helium cryotherapy system (AHCS) for primary hepatic carcinomas (PHC), and to provide references for clinical practice and research. Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched, and other sources like the relavant references were also retrieved to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about TACE combiend with AHCS for PHC published by May 1st, 2012. After literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation performed by two reviewers independently according to the inclusion criteria, the meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 16 RCTs involving 1 467 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed: a) The TACE+AHCS group was superior to the TACE alone group in total effective rate, complete necrosis rate, 0.5-, 1-, 1.5-, 2- and 2.5-year survival rates, AFP, CD4 and Th/Ts cells, and there were significant differences (Plt;0.05); and b) The TACE+AHCS group was superior to the AHCS alone group in 0.5-, 1.5-, 2- and 2.5-year survival rates, AFP and Th/Ts cells, and there were significant differences (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Compared with the TACE or AHCS alone, TACE combined with AHCS can improve long-term survival rate and short-term curative effect, and improve PHC patients’ immunity. However, its long-term curative effect and safety still needs to be further verified by more large sample and high quality RCTs.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese medicine treatment of cholelithiasis. Methods We searched electronic databases including MEDLINE (1966 to Feb. 2009), EMbase (1974 to Feb. 2009), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2008), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM, 1978 to Feb. 2009), CJFD (CNKI, 1994 to Feb. 2009), the Chinese Scientific and Technical Journals database (VIP, 1989 to Feb. 2009), and a database of Chinese biomedical journals (CMCC, 1994 to Feb. 2009). At the same time, we searched references of the included studies. Metaanalysis was performed using RevMan 5 if there was no significant heterogeneity. We described the date which could not be combined. Results A total of 18 randomized controlled trials involving 2 276 patients were included. According to measurement indicators and interventions, subgroup analysis was performed. Efficacy was reported in 10 studies, which showed that part of proprietary Chinese medicines had a higher efficiency for cholelithiasis. Gallbladder emptying index and the trend of bile into the stone were compared in 5 studies, suggesting that the bile of proprietary Chinese medicines reduced the stone index, which eased the bile tendency to rock. Three studies reported the rate of cholecystokinin. Metaanalysis results suggested that the difference was significant. Two studies reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs), such as epigastric discomfort and diarrhea. Most ADRs were slight, and could be self relieved. Conclusion Results suggest that Chinese medicines produce effects on clinical symptoms of cholelithiasis, gallbladder function and reduce the trend of bile into stones. However, the therapeutic effects for long-term are rarely reported. The conclusion needs further verification due to low methodological quality and apparent heterogeneity.
Objective To investigate the effect of problem-based learning (PBL) used in the course of evidencebasedmedicine.Methods Totally eight classes were randomly assigned to the lecture based learning (LBL) group(n=4) and PBL group (n=4). The examination scores, questionnaire, and seminars were used to evaluate the teaching effectiveness. SPSS 11.5 software was used for statistical analysis. Results More than 50% of students in each group believed that the teaching method of PBL could activate learning enthusiasm and interest, improve problem analysis and independent study abilities. There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of comprehensive analysis, learning efficiency, digesting the contents of study and strengthening the teacher-student communication, and whether or not to perform PBL teaching. Apart from single choice questions, other types of examination questions and total scores have significant differences. Conclusions The PBL teaching model can effectively train undergraduateclinical thinking, cultivate the abilities of deconstructing problem, comprehensive analysis, literature retrieval, language expression, exploration innovation; and overall improve the teaching quality of evidence based medicine.
Objective To evaluate the methodological and reporting qualities of randomize controlled trials involving MTC (microwave tissue coagulation) therapy for cervical erosion. Methods Through computer and handsearch, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and/or quasi-randomized controlled trials (quasi-RCTs) were collected. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using quality assessment criteria of Cochrane systematic review guideline, and the reporting quality was assessed using the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) checklist.Results Eleven clinical controlled trials (CCTs) were included. Three were RCTs and eight were quasi-RCTs. The methodological and reporting qualitiy of the included studies was generally low (10 trials ranked Level C, and the maximum CONSORT score was only 17).Conclusions The quality of the CCTs involving microwave therapy for cervical erosion is generally low with a high risk of biases. And the reporting of these trials is also incomplete. Therefore, more randomized controlled trials of high quality are required to provide reliable evidence.