Articles tagged with Randomization
A new study published in The Lancet found that a self-guided smartphone-based behavioral therapy led to significant improvements for patients with fibromyalgia. Stanza, a smartphone app delivering acceptance and commitment therapy, showed improved symptoms including pain intensity, fatigue, and depression.
A web-based cognitive behavioral self-help intervention effectively decreases eating disorder symptoms in individuals with bulimia nervosa, reducing illness-related burden. The digital intervention has potential as a complement to established treatments for bulimia nervosa.
A randomized controlled trial found that four weeks of outdoor gait training, combined with home exercises, improved running biomechanics and reduced the time feet were in contact with the ground. This technique may help patients improve their stride and reduce pain associated with shin splints.
Researchers explore the feasibility of deep learning models in segmenting lesions on PET/CT images to improve salvage radiation therapy planning for prostate cancer. The study demonstrates promising potential to reduce inter- and intra-observer variations, leading to more accurate treatment outcomes.
A recent review of studies on heart failure patients suggests that reducing salt intake has no clinical benefits and may even be counterproductive. Moderate to strict salt restriction was linked with improved quality of life but not mortality or hospitalization rates among patients with heart failure.
A randomized clinical trial found that combining exercise with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) treatment was the most effective weight loss strategy while preserving bone health. In contrast, GLP-1RA treatment alone reduced bone mineral density at clinically relevant sites.
The ARMMS-T2D study found that bariatric surgery yields greater long-term improvements in quality-of-life compared to medical management, with sustained weight loss correlating with better health and reduced pain.
A systematic review found that community-dwelling older adults are more likely to use wearable monitoring devices if they receive support from healthcare professionals or peers. The interventions that increased awareness and used collaborative goal-setting tools showed the best results.
A randomized clinical trial found that an intermittent fasting plan consisting of two nonconsecutive fasting days and five days of meal replacement diet improved glycemic outcomes and weight loss in the short term compared to metformin or empagliflozin. The study suggests a promising initial intervention for type 2 diabetes management.
A randomized clinical study found that a lateral episiotomy reduced the risk of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) by 53% in first-time mothers. The procedure also did not increase the risk of other complications, but may lead to wound complications.
A randomized clinical trial found that both electronic cigarettes containing nicotine and varenicline were effective for 6-month smoking cessation. The study results suggest a potential new approach to smoking cessation.
The BLING III trial found a 2% lower 90-day mortality and a 6% higher clinical cure rate for continuous β-lactam antibiotic infusions compared to intermittent infusions in critically ill patients with sepsis. Continuous infusions were also associated with improved patient outcomes.
A new WhatsApp-based program has shown significant improvements in treating depression among older adults in Brazil. The Viva Vida program used simple audio messages and images to provide education on depression and behavioral activation, with a 10-point improvement in symptom reduction between intervention and control groups.
A 15-day course of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir did not demonstrate a significant improvement in select postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection symptoms in vaccinated adults with prolonged symptom duration. Further studies are needed to determine the role of antivirals in PASC treatment.
Ivonescimab plus chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival (7.1 vs 4.8 months) compared to chemotherapy alone in TKI-treated non-small cell lung cancer patients. This treatment may offer a new option for patients with EGFR variant and limited treatment options.
Patients who received COVID-19 vaccines after acute coronary syndromes had similar rates of primary composite end point and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) compared to unvaccinated patients. Retrospective studies have shown a short-term reduction in MACE risk after COVID-19 vaccination.
A cluster randomized trial found that at-school HPV vaccination significantly increased vaccination coverage, but training general practitioners and education had limited impact. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a school- and primary care-based HPV vaccination intervention.
A web-based cognitive behavioral self-help intervention has been shown to effectively reduce binge eating episodes and improve various mental health outcomes in patients with binge eating disorder. This scalable solution bridges the treatment gap for this condition, offering a promising alternative to traditional therapies.
A new study suggests that longer screening intervals for prostate cancer are safe and effective when the initial PSA test is conducted at a young age. The PROBASE trial found that only 0.45% of men with low-risk PSA levels developed high PSA levels, indicating an increased risk of prostate cancer. This finding supports the idea of rais...
A research team at Kyoto University found that interactive AI programs can reduce prejudice and anxiety among historically divided ethnic groups in Afghanistan during online interactions. Participants in the AI intervention group showed more engagement and significantly less prejudice and anxiety compared to the control group.
A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial found that home blood pressure self-monitoring plus medication self-titration reduces BP in the longer term without increasing healthcare use or adverse events. This simple, inexpensive intervention has potential to improve long-term hypertension control in routine clinical practice.
Menopausal hormone therapy is appropriate to treat vasomotor symptoms in early menopause without contraindications. WHI evidence does not support routine supplementation with calcium plus vitamin D or a low-fat diet for preventing fractures and breast/colorectal cancer, respectively.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found no association between new-onset seizures and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The study included over 118,000 participants from randomized clinical trials and found the incidence proportion of new-onset seizures to be similar across vaccine recipients and unvaccinated participants.
A randomized clinical trial of 3,020 patients with high-risk nonmetastatic breast cancer found daily aspirin therapy had no effect on breast cancer recurrence or survival in early follow-up. Aspirin should not be recommended as an adjuvant breast cancer treatment despite its potential benefits and wide availability
Researchers identified 35-63 proteins affecting severe COVID-19, hospitalization, SARS-COV2 infection, and 4-32 proteins for healthspan and lifespan. Novel proteins involved in inflammation, immunity, apoptosis and metabolism were also found.
Administration of antenatal corticosteroids to late preterm babies was not linked to increased risk of neurodevelopmental problems by age 6. Long-term follow-up study suggests the medication may be safe for these high-risk infants.
A randomized clinical trial found self-administered acupressure to be efficacious and cost-effective in reducing knee pain and improving mobility in middle-aged and older adults with probable osteoarthritis. The treatment also showed significant benefits in terms of quality of life.
A telephone-based strategy improved guideline-directed medical therapy rates for outpatients with heart failure by 30 days, offering a low-cost solution for rural settings with limited access to care. This study suggests the potential for expanded remote healthcare initiatives to address health disparities.
The randomized clinical trial demonstrates plozasiran's potential to reduce triglyceride levels in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. Additional studies are needed to determine its impact on complications associated with the condition.
A new study found that high-dose influenza vaccine significantly improved humoral response in patients with heart failure or prior myocardial infarction. Vaccination remains crucial in preventing influenza-related complications in high-risk populations.
A new study found that combining pelvic floor exercises with behavioral therapy can be more effective than current medical treatments in helping men with frequent urges to urinate. The Bladder Emptying Disorder Therapy (BEST) Trial showed significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life measures after just 12 weeks.
A systematic review of 41 randomized clinical trials suggests that late-stage cancer incidence can be a suitable alternative end point to cancer-specific mortality in some cancer types, but not others. This finding has implications for multicancer screening tests and may change the way these trials are designed.
A randomized clinical trial found that PSA screening compared to no routine screening resulted in a small reduction in prostate cancer deaths after 15 years. The absolute reduction in deaths was modest, but the finding suggests potential benefits of PSA screening.
In a preliminary report from an ongoing clinical trial, prostate cancer screenings using PSA, Kallikrein Panel, and MRI detected higher rates of cancer compared to no screening. The study found one additional high-grade cancer per 196 men and one low-grade cancer per 909 men were detected in the screened group.
A new study found that inter-atrial shunts improve symptoms and outcomes in heart failure patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), but worsen outcomes in those with preserved LVEF. The device reduces high pressures in the left atrium, causing shortness of breath and hospitalizations.
Patients with post-COVID condition exhibit lower aerobic capacity and muscle strength compared to control groups, indicating potential benefits of cautious exercise regimens. The study highlights the need for personalized exercise recommendations to mitigate further skeletal muscle deconditioning in PCC patients.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet show that post-COVID does not mean strict exercise avoidance. Patients with post-COVID can benefit from supervised exercise, with improved fitness and muscle strength found in those who participated.
Researchers from USC's Keck School of Medicine synthesized over 23,000 studies to inform updated clinical practice guidelines for ADHD. The comprehensive literature review found that both medications and psychosocial treatments work for treating ADHD and that children can and do get better.
A phase 3 trial co-led by a University of Cincinnati researcher found that subcutaneous levodopa delivery through an infusion pump is safe and effective in reducing symptoms for longer periods. The study resulted in almost two hours of additional 'on time' compared to traditional oral medication, paving the way for potential FDA approval.
A randomized clinical trial of 345 patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 found that viral load and symptom rebound were common after a standard 5-day course of antiviral treatment. Prolonging treatment duration may help reduce COVID-19 rebound
A multicenter randomized trial showed a paclitaxel-coated balloon to be superior to an uncoated balloon in preventing target lesion failure in patients with coronary in-stent restenosis. The study included 600 patients and demonstrated the effectiveness of paclitaxel-coated balloons as a treatment option.
A randomized clinical trial found that linkage case management intervention did not improve 12-month mortality outcomes for hospitalized people with HIV. The study involved 500 participants and sheds light on the potential role of this intervention among hospitalized individuals with HIV.
The latest American Psychiatric Association journals feature new treatments across the lifespan for anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder. The March issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry highlights several studies with these findings.
After 7 to 12 years of follow-up, bariatric surgery outperformed medical/lifestyle intervention in achieving superior glycemic control with reduced medication use and higher rates of diabetes remission. Individuals who underwent bariatric surgery had better long-term management of their type 2 diabetes.
A randomized clinical trial found acupuncture to be clinically efficacious and favorably affect PTSD symptoms in combat veterans. The study suggests that further research is needed to explore the efficacy and mechanisms of acupuncture for PTSD treatment.
In a phase 2 clinical trial, zilebesiran significantly reduced 24-hour mean ambulatory systolic blood pressure in adults with mild to moderate hypertension. The treatment was administered subcutaneously at varying doses and intervals, demonstrating its potential as an RNA interference therapeutic for managing hypertension.
A randomized clinical trial of 1,680 patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion found no significant improvement in disability with adjunctive methylprednisolone. The study suggests that methylprednisolone may not be effective as an adjunct therapy after endovascular thrombectomy for this patient population.
A randomized clinical trial of 336 patients with extensive ischemic stroke found that endovascular thrombectomy improved clinical outcomes across a range of infarct volumes. However, the treatment's effectiveness was limited by low enrollment rates among patients with minimal penumbra volume.
Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) plus thrombectomy demonstrates significant benefits over thrombectomy alone when administered within a short timeframe after symptom onset. This study, based on individual participant data from six randomized clinical trials, found IVT before thrombectomy to be time-dependent and statistically significant.
A randomized clinical trial of 1,015 participants found that apixaban did not significantly reduce recurrent stroke risk compared to aspirin in patients with cryptogenic stroke and atrial cardiopathy. The study suggests that alternative treatments may be more effective for preventing stroke recurrence in these patients.
A study of over 1,700 adult patients found that gastric bypass and sleeve surgeries have few short-term complications and are equivalent in terms of risk. The results suggest that patients and doctors can choose between the two procedures without worrying about short-term surgical risks.
A randomized clinical trial compared the outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 1,735 patients. The study found no clinically significant differences between the two procedures in terms of perioperative risk.
In a randomized clinical trial of 1,068 smokers, electronic cigarettes were shown to be as effective as varenicline in aiding smoking cessation, while being more effective than nicotine chewing gum. The study suggests that e-cigarettes may offer a viable alternative for quitting smoking with minimal behavioral support.
A groundbreaking new book in Chinese bridges the knowledge gap on Mendelian randomization, elevating study quality and enabling local researchers to benefit from its contents. The translation promises to facilitate high-quality studies, equip researchers with reliable results, and advance medical research.
A study published in PAIN found that exposure-based CBT and traditional CBT are equally effective in reducing symptoms of fibromyalgia. The study involved 274 participants with fibromyalgia and showed significant reductions in symptoms and functional impairment after 10-week treatment.
A large randomized study investigated the effect of preoperative, low-dose oral administration of midazolam in older patients on patient satisfaction and safety. No significant difference was found between midazolam and placebo groups regarding patient safety.
A multicenter randomized clinical vignette survey study found that AI models, when systematically biased, reduced diagnostic accuracy. The study involved hospitalist physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants from 13 states.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials found daily tooth brushing may reduce hospital-acquired pneumonia rates by up to 50% in high-risk patients. This study suggests that widespread toothbrushing policies could save lives and reduce healthcare costs.
Using metformin plus insulin to treat preexisting type 2 or gestational diabetes diagnosed early in pregnancy did not show a reduction in composite neonatal adverse outcomes. The study suggests that the effect of reducing large-for-gestational-age infant risk after adding metformin to insulin warrants further investigation.
Continued treatment with tirzepatide maintained and augmented initial weight reduction in adults with obesity. Withdrawing tirzepatide led to substantial regain of lost weight in a randomized clinical trial involving 670 participants.