Massage therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder
Prof. Ernst and colleagues have reviewed the evidence. First, the details. Of 132 articles, only 6 studies met the authors’ inclusion criteria. And, the results. 1 study found that massage plus...
View ArticleAn Ernst review: Yoga for menopausal symptoms
Prof. Ernst and colleagues reviewed the evidence and found it insufficient. First, the details. Data from 7 studies were included in the meta-analysis. 2 studies compared the effects of yoga to walking...
View ArticleReview: Botanicals to reduce skin aging and wrinkling
Prof. Ernst tells us, “Although topical creams and other anti-aging products purport to reduce the appearance of aging and skin wrinkling, there has been no critical analysis in the scientific...
View ArticleReview: Spinal manipulation to treat migraine
Prof. Ernst reviewed the evidence. First, the details. 3 studies were included in the review. Their design quality was mostly poor and ranged between 1 and 3 on the Jadad scale. And, the results. 2...
View ArticleA well-designed study of qigong in type 2 diabetes
Past studies have been criticized because of poor study design, according to Prof. Ernst. Researchers from Bastyr University tighten up the design and report their results. First, the details. 251...
View ArticleHerbal and dietary supplements on cognition in menopause
Prof. Ernst and colleagues evaluated the evidence regarding the effects of herbal and dietary supplements on cognition (ability to reason) in menopause. First, the details. 12 studies were included in...
View ArticlePunching holes in the claims for acupuncture
Acupuncture is commonly used for pain control, but there are doubts about its effectiveness and safety. Prof. Ernst and colleagues are critical of acupuncture as a treatment of pain. Here, they...
View ArticleReview: Acupuncture to treat pain
Prof. Ernst and a colleague reviewed previous Cochrane reviews. First, the details. 8 Cochrane reviews were included. All were high quality. And, the results. 4 reviews concluded that acupuncture is...
View ArticleReview: CAM for arthritis
Prof. Ernst and colleague evaluated the evidence on CAM treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. First, the details. 5 systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. And, the...
View ArticleCAM Archive: Flawed study designs in acupuncture
A couple of years ago Prof. Ernst evaluated the risk of bias in studies of acupuncture that use the A + B versus B study design. First, some background. A commonly used approach in the design of...
View ArticleReviewing the reviews of tai chi
Prof. Ernst and a colleague critically evaluated the systematic reviews of tai chi for any improvement of medical conditions or clinical symptoms. First, the details. 35 reviews were…reviewed. The...
View ArticleYoga to help ease low back pain
It has been suggested that yoga has a positive effect on low back pain and function. Now, Prof. Ernst and colleagues have reviewed the evidence. First, the details. 7 studies were included in the...
View ArticleDoes acupuncture relieve pain?
Acupuncture is commonly used for pain control, but doubts about its effectiveness and safety remain. Prof. Ernst and colleagues reviewed the evidence. First, the details. 57 systematic reviews met the...
View ArticleReview: Ginger to treat pain
Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, has been used to treat pain, among other things. Prof. Ernst and colleagues from the University of Exeter, in the UK reviewed the evidence for the use of...
View ArticleContaminated and adulterated herbals
Prof. Ernst and colleagues reviewed the evidence and they aren’t sanguine. First, the details. 26 systematic reviews were included. And, the results. Most common herbal medicine product contaminants:...
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