Summarized research from NAFKAM

NAFKAM aims to summarize knowledge from research in several areas:

  • The prevalence and prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
  • The safety of CAM
  • Effects/ efficacy of CAM
  • Shortcomings in the research literature on CAM
  • The patient's preferences, experiences and other aspects concerning the use of CAM

Here is a chronological overview of published reviews, where NAFKAM researchers have contributed:

  1. Yang GY, Hunter J, Bu FL, Hao WL, Zhang H, Wayne PM, Liu JP. Determining the safety and effectiveness of Tai Chi: a critical overview of 210 systematic reviews of controlled clinical trials. Syst Rev. 2022 Dec 3;11(1):260. doi: 10.1186/s13643-022-02100-5. PMID: 36463306.
  2. Martí-Carvajal AJ, Gluud C, Gluud LL, Pavlov CS, Mauro E, Liu JP, Monge Martín D, Martí-Amarista CE, Comunián-Carrasco G, Nicola S. Liver support systems for adults with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2022, Issue 11. Art. No.: CD015119. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD015119
  3. Choi TY, Ang L, Jun JH, Alraek T, Birch S, Lu W, Lee MS. Acupuncture for Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Sep 11;14(18):4419. doi: 10.3390/cancers14184419. PMID: 36139579; PMCID: PMC9496910.
  4. Zhang XW, Hou WB, Pu FL, Wang XF, Wang YR, Yang M, Cheng K, Wang Y, Robinson N, Liu JP. Acupuncture for cancer-related conditions: An overview of systematic reviews. Phytomedicine. 2022 Nov;106:154430. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154430. Epub 2022 Sep 5. PMID: 36099656.
  5. Dai N, Zhao FF, Fang M, Pu FL, Kong LY, Liu JP. Gynostemma pentaphyllum for dyslipidemia: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Aug 26;13:917521. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.917521. PMID: 36091752; PMCID: PMC9459123.
  6. Liang SB, Cao HJ, Kong LY, Wei JL, Robinson N, Yang SH, Zhu SJ, Li YQ, Fei YT, Han M, Liu JP. Systematic review and meta-analysis of Chinese herbal formula Tongxie Yaofang for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: Evidence for clinical practice and future trials. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Aug 25;13:904657. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.904657. PMID: 36091782; PMCID: PMC9452967.
  7. Wider B, Rostock M, Huntley A, van Ackeren G, Horneber M. Mistletoe extracts for cancer treatment. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2022, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD014782. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD014782.
  8. Zhang XW, Xia RY, Gao JQ, Liu JJ, Xu DH, Li X, Hu XY, Willcox M, Moore M, Dai MY, Trill J, Fei YT, Liu JP. Chinese Patent Medicine Shufeng Jiedu Capsules as an Adjuvant Therapy for Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Jul 4;13:923395. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.923395. PMID: 35860018; PMCID: PMC9289368.
  9. Mora DC, Kristoffersen AE, Overvåg G, et al. Safety of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatment among children and young adults who suffer from adverse effects of conventional cancer treatment: A systematic review. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2022;21. doi:10.1177/15347354221105563
  10. Fuchs KH, Musial F, Eypasch E, Meining A. Gastrointestinal Quality of Life in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review. Digestion. 2022;103(4):253-260. doi: 10.1159/000524766. Epub 2022 May 23. PMID: 35605592.
  11. Choi T-Y, Ang L, Jun JH, Alraek T, Lee MS. Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Cancer-Related Fatigue: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. Cancers. 2022; 14(10):2347. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14102347
  12. Stea TH, Jong MC, Fegran L, Sejersted E, Jong M, Wahlgren SLH, Fernee CR. Mapping the Concept, Content, and Outcome of Family-Based Outdoor Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Problems: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(10):5825. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19105825
  13. Mora DC, Overvåg G, Jong MC, Kristoffersen AE, Stavleu DC, Liu J, Stub T. Complementary and alternative medicine modalities used to treat adverse effects of anti-cancer treatment among children and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2022 Apr 2;22(1):97. doi: 10.1186/s12906-022-03537-w. PMID: 35366871; PMCID: PMC8976304.
  14. Kim T-H, Lee MS, Birch S and Alraek T (2022) Plausible Mechanism of Sham Acupuncture Based on Biomarkers: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Front. Neurosci. 16:834112. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.834112
  15. Smedslund G, Kjeken I, Musial F, Sexton J, Østerås N. Interventions for osteoarthritis pain: A systematic review with network meta-analysis of existing Cochrane reviews. Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 2022 Feb 15;4(2):100242. doi: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2022.100242. PMID: 36475286; PMCID: PMC9718209.
  16. Shang YX, Shen C, Stub T, Zhu SJ, Qiao SY, Li YQ, Wang RT, Li J, Liu JP. Adverse Effects of Andrographolide Derivative Medications Compared to the Safe use of Herbal Preparations of Andrographis paniculata: Results of a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Studies. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Jan 28;13:773282. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.773282. PMID: 35153776; PMCID: PMC8831758.
  17. Lee HW, Lee MS, Kim TH, Alraek T, Zaslawski C, Kim JW, Moon DG. Ginseng for Erectile Dysfunction: A Cochrane Systematic Review. World J Mens Health. 2021 Jun 15. doi: 10.5534/wjmh.210071
  18. Lee HW, Lee MS, Kim TH, Alraek T, Zaslawski C, Kim JW, Moon DG. Ginseng for erectile dysfunction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Apr 19;4(4):CD012654. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012654.pub2
  19. Jong M, Lown EA, Schats W, Mills ML, Otto HR, Gabrielsen LE, Jong MC. A scoping review to map the concept, content, and outcome of wilderness programs for childhood cancer survivors. PLoS One. 2021 Jan 6;16(1):e0243908. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243908. 
  20. Stub T, Kristoffersen AE, Overvåg G, Jong MC, Musial F, Liu J. Adverse effects in homeopathy. A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing. 2020. Nov 28;S1550-8307(20)30379-7. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2020.11.008.
  21. Bu FL, Han M, Lu CL, Liu XH, Wang WG, Lai JL, Qiu XH, He BX, Zhang H, Robinson N, Fei YT, Liu JP. A systematic review of Tuina for irritable bowel syndrome: Recommendations for future trials. Complement Ther Med. 2020 Aug;52:102504. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102504.
  22. Liang SB, Lai BY, Cao HJ, Cai QH, Bai X, Li J, Zhang YP, Chi Y, Robinson N, Liu JP. Pediatric tuina for the treatment of anorexia in children under 14 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2020 Jun;51:102411. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102411.
  23. Stub T, Kristoffersen AE, Overvåg G, Jong MC. An integrative review on the information and communication needs of parents of children with cancer regarding the use of complementary and alternative medicine. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020 Mar 17;20(1):90. doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-02882-y.
  24. Liang S, Liang, Yang, Li, Tian, Robinson N, Liu J. Clinical effects and safety of Compound Glutamine Entersoluble Capsules for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2019;32:1-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2019.101005
  25. Lu, C-L, Lui, X-H, Stub, T, Kristoffersen, AE, Liang, SB, Wang, X, Liu, J-P (2018). Complementary and alternative medicine for treatment of atopic eczema in children under 14 years old: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 18:260. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2306-6
  26. Yang, X-Y, Wang, L-Q, Li, J-G, Liang, N, Wang, Y & Liu, J-P (2018). Chinese herbal medicine Dengzhan Shengmai capsule as adjunctive treatment for ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 36, 82-89. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.12.004
  27. Li JG, Wang LQ, Yang XY, Chen Z, Lai LYW, Xu H, Liu JP. Chinese herbal medicine Dengzhan Xixin injection for acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2017 Oct;34:74-85. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.08.004.
  28. Zhang YJ, Cao HJ, Li XL, Yang XY, Lai BY, Yang GY, Liu JP. Cupping therapy versus acupuncture for pain-related conditions: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and trial sequential analysis. Chin Med. 2017 Jul 24;12:21. doi: 10.1186/s13020-017-0142-0.
  29. Zhou F, Liang N, Maier M, Liu JP. Sanfu acupoint herbal patching for stable asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2017 Feb;30:40-53. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2016.11.007.
  30. Hervik JB, Stub T. Adverse effects of non-hormonal pharmacological interventions in breast cancer survivors, suffering from hot flashes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2016 Nov;160(2):223-236. doi: 10.1007/s10549-016-4002-x.
  31. Stub T, Quandt SA, Arcury TA, Sandberg JC, Kristoffersen AE, Musial F, Salamonsen A. Perception of risk and communication among conventional and complementary health care providers involving cancer patients' use of complementary therapies: a literature review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016 Sep 8;16(1):353. doi: 10.1186/s12906-016-1326-3. 
  32. Sun J, Zhang K, Xiong WJ, Yang GY, Zhang YJ, Wang CC, Lai L, Han M, Ren J, Lewith G, Liu JP. Clinical effects of a standardized Chinese herbal remedy, Qili Qiangxin, as an adjuvant treatment in heart failure: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016 Jul 11;16:201. doi: 10.1186/s12906-016-1174-1.
  33. Stub T, Musial F, Kristoffersen AA, Alræk T, Liu J. Adverse effects of homeopathy, what do we know? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2016 Jun;26:146-63. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2016.03.013.
  34. Wider B, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Feverfew for preventing migraine. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Apr 20;4(4):CD002286. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002286.pub3.
  35. Wang YY, Li XX, Liu JP, Luo H, Ma LX, Alraek T. Traditional Chinese medicine for chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2014 Aug;22(4):826-33. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2014.06.004.
  36. Cao H, Li X, Han M, Liu J. Acupoint stimulation for fibromyalgia: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:362831. doi: 10.1155/2013/362831.
  37. Stub T, Alræk T, Liu, J. Acupuncture treatment for depression - A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Integrative Medicine 2011 (3) pp. 259-270. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2011.09.003
  38. Alraek T, Lee MS, Choi TY, Cao H, Liu J. Complementary and alternative medicine for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011 Oct 7;11:87. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-11-87
  39. Musial F, Büssing A, Heusser P, Choi KE, Ostermann T. Mindfulness-based stress reduction for integrative cancer care: a summary of evidence. Forsch Komplementmed. 2011;18(4):192-202. doi: 10.1159/000330714.
  40. Li X, Hu J, Wang X, Zhang H, Liu J. Moxibustion and other acupuncture point stimulation methods to treat breech presentation: a systematic review of clinical trials. Chin Med. 2009 Feb 27;4:4. doi: 10.1186/1749-8546-4-4.
  41. Liu J, Xing J, Fei Y. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) and cancer prevention: a systematic review of randomized trials and epidemiological studies. Chin Med. 2008 Oct 22;3:12. doi: 10.1186/1749-8546-3-12.
  42. Liu J, Zhang J, Shi Y, Grimsgaard S, Alraek T, Fønnebø V. Chinese red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) for primary hyperlipidemia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Chin Med. 2006 Nov 23;1:4. doi: 10.1186/1749-8546-1-4.

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Norway's National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine

We work to give you facts about complementary and alternative medicine, so that you can make safer choices for your health.

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