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PubMed2026

Oliceridine used for patient-controlled analgesia on postoperative quality of recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological tumour resection: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Oliceridine, a novel biased μ-opioid receptor agonist, is widely used perioperatively, yet limited data exists regarding its impact on postoperative quality of recovery. This study investigated the effect of oliceridine-based patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) on postoperative quality of recovery among patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological tumour resection. METHODS: Ninety‑four female patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic gynecological tumour resection were included. Patients were randomized to two groups: oliceridine group (loading dose 1.5 mg, PCIA 0.55 mg/kg) or sufentanil group (loading dose 10 μg, PCIA 3 μg/kg). The primary outcome was the Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40) score on postoperative day 1. The secondary outcomes included the QoR-40 score, the numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HADS-A) score, the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness and Loss of weight (FRAIL) index and adverse events within 3 postoperative days. RESULTS: Higher QoR-40 scores were found in the oliceridine group on postoperative day 1 (182.9 ± 3.1 versus 177.5 ± 3.9, p < 0.001). Compared with the sufentanil group, the oliceridine group showed better QoR-40 scores within 3 days after operation. No significant differences were observed in NRS pain scores or HADS-A scores between the two groups (all p > 0.05). However, the median FRAIL score in the oliceridine group was lower on postoperative day 2 (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Oliceridine used in PCIA improves early postoperative recovery quality of patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological tumour resection. It provides analgesic effect comparable to sufentanil and lowers incidences of postoperative frailty, nausea and vomiting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR.org.cn, identifier: ChiCTR2400094271.

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PubMed2026

Effectiveness of psychologically informed physical therapy, tendon-specific exercise program and routine physical therapy in prolonged unilateral shoulder pain and symptom correlations with imaging: a single-center, randomized, parallel-group, three-arm study (RESPECT).

BACKGROUND: Shoulder complaints are one of the most common musculoskeletal ailments. Patient-specific characteristics such as obesity, depression and physical labor are established risk factors, whereas imaging findings are common and associations between specific imaging findings and symptomatology is limited. General exercises are considered useful in treatment whereas evidence for specific tendon exercises is lacking. Biopsychosocial model is also recommended, but has not been extensively studied concerning shoulder symptoms. This article describes the study protocol designed to evaluate the effectiveness and the cost-effectiveness of routine and specific physical therapy (PT) interventions. Imaging is performed for descriptive, longitudinal and imaging-symptom correlation studies. METHODS: The Rehabilitation of Shoulder Pain: Evaluation and Clinical Trial (RESPECT) is a randomized three-arm parallel-group study involving 300 participants aged 20 to 60 years with prolonged unilateral shoulder pain. Participants will receive either routine PT, physiotherapist-guided tendon-specific exercise program or psychologically informed PT. Bilateral shoulder radiographs, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging will be done at the baseline and at 12 and 36 months. Electronic surveys will be completed at the baseline and at 3, 6, 12 and 36 months. The primary outcome will be patient-specific functional scale (PSFS) at 12 months, analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), adjusted for baseline PSFS. DISCUSSION: RESPECT will provide systematic and controlled data regarding different PT interventions in prolonged shoulder symptoms, which is currently limited. Being one of the most common sources of musculoskeletal pain, improved management could reduce symptom-related burden and prolonged functional impairment at individual and population level. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Registration number NCT07235969; Registered November 18th, 2025; Version: 1.0.

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PubMed2026

Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Using a Smart Ring and Telephone Counselling: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HB-CR) is a promising alternative to center-based cardiac rehabilitation as it can address several barriers impeding CR implementation because of its enhanced accessibility. However, to date, HB-CR has not garnered adequate attention due to a lack of communication between patients and medical staff. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of HB-CR by monitoring the pulse rate (PR) using a smart ring equipped with photoplethysmography. METHODS: Patients with cardiovascular disease were educated on structured HB-CR methods following a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), and were instructed to wear the device during the exercise session. The recorded PR was uploaded to a website via a smartphone and monitored by medical staff. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: intervention or control group. The intervention group received weekly telephone counselling and was encouraged to maintain optimal levels of physical activity. In contrast, the control group only recorded their exercise data without additional interventions. After 3 months of training, the CPET was performed. RESULTS: Among the 64 randomized patients (32 in each group), an intention-to-treat analysis showed that peak oxygen consumption increased over time in both the groups, with a significantly greater improvement in the intervention group. The group-by-time interaction for peak oxygen consumption was statistically significant (estimated mean difference, 2.0 mL/kg/min; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-3.3; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: HB-CR using a smart device was effective in improving oxygen consumption. However, appropriate monitoring and timely counselling by medical professionals are important for improved outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0005893.

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PubMed2026

Durability and Safety of Imeglimin as an Add-On to DPP-4 Inhibitors in Japanese Type 2 Diabetes: The 104-Week FAMILIAR Trial.

AIMS: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of imeglimin added to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, focusing on glycemic durability and safety in elderly patients over 104 weeks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial comprised a 24-week double-blind phase (imeglimin 1000 mg or placebo twice daily) followed by an 80-week open-label extension in which all patients received imeglimin. Eligible patients had inadequate glycemic control despite DPP-4 inhibitor monotherapy. The main assessment measured HbA1c changes from baseline to week 104. Secondary assessments included meal tolerance tests (MTT) for evaluating physiological changes in β-cell function and insulin resistance and safety monitoring. RESULTS: Of 117 randomized patients, 81 completed 104 weeks. In the early-start group that received imeglimin from week 0, the significant HbA1c reduction observed at week 24 (-0.65%) was maintained through week 104 (-0.55%; p < 0.001 vs. baseline). The delayed-start group that switched to imeglimin at week 24 achieved similar glycemic control thereafter. Elderly patients (≥ 65 years) in the early-start group maintained stable HbA1c reduction (-0.58%) without hypoglycemic events over 2 years. MTT analysis in the early-start group showed sustained improvements in glucose AUC and insulin sensitivity without unnecessary insulin secretion over time. CONCLUSIONS: Imeglimin added to DPP-4 inhibitors appeared to improve glycemic control for 104 weeks, without clear attenuation. The combination was well-tolerated with a low risk of hypoglycemia even in elderly patients. The long-term effect may be associated with improvements in insulin sensitivity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: jRCTs061210082.

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PubMed2025

Effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) has shown potential in neurological, autoimmune, and cardiovascular disorders, but its effects on HD patients remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tVNS in HD patients. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial on patients receiving HD ≥6 months. The tVNS group received stimulation for 1 h during the first 2 h of HD sessions, three times weekly for 8 weeks, while the control group received standard care. The primary outcomes were dialysis efficiency (Single-pool Kt/V, Sp Kt/V) and dialysis-related symptoms (Dialysis Symptom Index, DSI), assessed every 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes included pain and fatigue scores, physical performance, Hemodialysis Comfort Scale, hemoglobin levels, Mini-Mental State Examination, and anxiety and depression scores, measured at baseline and 8 weeks after intervention. RESULTS: A total of 63 patients were enrolled in the study, with 32 patients assigned to the tVNS group and 31 patients to the control group. At 8 weeks, the tVNS group showed significant improvements in Sp Kt/V (1.31 ± 0.11 vs. 1.25 ± 0.10, p = 0.02), and DSI (12.09 ± 5.84 vs. 16.26 ± 5.27, p = 0.004), as well as reductions in pain and fatigue, and increases in physical function, comfort, and hemoglobin. However, there were no statistically significant changes observed in cognitive function, anxiety, or depression. CONCLUSIONS: tVNS could improve dialysis efficiency, symptoms, and physical function in HD patients, indicating it may have a role as a complementary therapy.

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PubMed2026

Acupuncture improves depressive symptoms and prefrontal cortical function in mild to moderate depressive disorder: A randomized sham-controlled trial and fNIRS study.

BACKGROUND: Depressive disorder is a common mental illness associated with substantial functional impairment. Although pharmacotherapy is widely used, its effectiveness is often limited by adverse effects and poor adherence. Acupuncture has been increasingly applied as a complementary treatment for depression, and its neurobiological characteristics remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This randomized, sham-controlled trial aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for mild to moderate depressive disorder and to investigate its effects on prefrontal cortical function using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). METHODS: Patients with mild to moderate depressive disorder were randomly assigned to a real acupuncture (RA) group or a sham acupuncture (SA) group and received standardized treatment for 8 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), and a traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score. A subset of participants underwent fNIRS assessment during resting-state and task-based conditions to evaluate prefrontal cortical activation and functional connectivity. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, the RA group showed significant reductions in SDS and SAS scores and significant improvements in SF-36 emotional domains, with effects emerging at Week 4 and persisting up to 12 weeks after treatment. Improvements were greater and more stable in the RA group than in the SA group. fNIRS analyses revealed enhanced activation in dorsolateral and medial prefrontal regions and strengthened prefrontal functional connectivity following acupuncture, whereas neural changes in the SA group were limited. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is effective for improving depressive and anxiety symptoms and quality of life in patients with mild to moderate depressive disorder. Modulation of prefrontal cortical activation and connectivity may underlie its antidepressant effects.

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PubMed2026

Multicenter randomized effectiveness/implementation trial of a digital self-management support tool to improve the quality of life during adjuvant hormonal therapy for patients with early breast cancer: The HOPE trial.

BACKGROUND: For patients with hormone receptor (HR) positive early breast cancer (BC), adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) represents the cornerstone of treatment. However, 75% of patients experience ET-related symptoms that negatively affect their quality of life (QOL). Despite their high prevalence, these symptoms are often underestimated and under-addressed during consultations. As a result, non-adherence to ET is common and remains a major barrier for optimal disease and survival outcomes. METHODS: National, prospective, randomized, open-label hybrid type 1 effectiveness/implementation trial conducted in France comparing a personalized digital health pathway plus standard of care (SoC) vs. SoC alone in patients with HR+ early BC reporting ET-related symptoms. 180 patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive either 12 weeks of the digital health pathway or 12 weeks of SoC. The intervention is anchored by the Resilience© digital companion including remote symptom and needs assessment, an introductory nurse-navigator phone call, and access to personalized, symptom-specific online educational and self-management programs (physical activity, yoga, meditation or cognitive behavioral therapy). In both arms, patients will be invited to wear a wearable device to objectively monitor behavioral parameters. The primary endpoint is the ET symptoms scale of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-BR45 over 12-weeks. Secondary endpoints include other QOL domains, self-reported ET adherence, eHealth literacy, self-efficacy, and evaluation of the implementation process. DISCUSSION: This study should provide evidence on the effectiveness and real-world implementation of a personalized digital health pathway to improve QOL in patients experiencing ET-related symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06781996; Protocol version 3.0.

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PubMed2026

Effectiveness of an AI-based home exercise app for rehabilitation of rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain contributes to disability and healthcare use. Although therapeutic exercise is first-line treatment, limited supervision and adherence may reduce its effectiveness; digital rehabilitation with real-time feedback may address these limitations. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of adding a digital rehabilitation program to standard physiotherapy on pain, function, fear-avoidance beliefs, and healthcare utilization. DESIGN: Single-center, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups. METHOD: Forty-six adults (mean age 59 years) with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain were randomized to 12 weeks of conventional physiotherapy or physiotherapy plus an AI-based digital rehabilitation program using computer vision for real-time feedback and performance monitoring. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 2, 4, and 12 weeks. Pain intensity (NPRS) was primary outcome; secondary outcomes included upper limb function (QuickDASH), fear-avoidance beliefs (FABQ), and post-intervention healthcare utilization. Analyses followed an intention-to-treat approach. RESULTS: Pain reduction exceeded the MCID (1.3) at 4 and 12 weeks. Between-group differences favoured the intervention at Weeks 2 and 4 (MD -0.7; 95% CI -1.13 to -0.14 and MD -1.01; 95% CI -1.8 to -0.2, respectively). Upper limb function improved more at Week 4 (MD -7.3; 95% CI -12.3 to -2.2). FABQ scores decreased more at Week 12 (MD -7.6; 95% CI -14 to -0.5). Fewer participants in the experimental group required post-intervention healthcare (3 vs 10; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Adding AI-based home exercise app to conventional treatment improve pain and may improve function and reduce healthcare utilization in rotator cuff-related shoulder pain.

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PubMed2026

Prenatal exposure to indoor PM2.5 and children's cognitive performance at 4 years of age: an observational analysis from the UGAAR randomized controlled trial.

Outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations during pregnancy are linked to reduced cognitive performance in children. We previously reported that portable HEPA filter air cleaners use during pregnancy improved children's mean full-scale IQ (FSIQ), but no previous studies have evaluated the relationship between indoor PM2.5 during pregnancy and FSIQ in childhood. We conducted an observational analysis using data from the Ulaanbaatar Gestation and Air Pollution Research (UGAAR) randomized controlled trial. Using a previously developed model of weekly indoor PM2.5 concentrations, we estimated the average concentrations in participants' homes over the full pregnancy and in each trimester. When the children were four years old, we measured FSIQ using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV). We used multiple linear regression to assess the adjusted relationships between interquartile range (IQR) contrasts in indoor PM2.5 during pregnancy and FSIQ among 475 mother-child dyads. An 8.8 μg/m3 increase in indoor PM2.5 concentration over the full pregnancy was associated with a reduction of 1.4 points (95% CI: -3.4, 0.6) in mean FSIQ. The strongest association between PM2.5 concentrations and FSIQ was in the first trimester, when a 19.1 μg/m3 contrast was associated with a 2.8-point reduction (95% CI: -5.7, 0.2) in mean FSIQ. Indoor PM2.5, particularly during early pregnancy, may impair brain development, leading to lower mean FSIQ scores in four-year old children. These results, combined with our previous analysis of HEPA filter air cleaners, indicate that reducing PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy has beneficial effects on children's cognitive performance.

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PubMed2026

Prophylactic folinic acid prevents pemetrexed myelosuppression: A randomized trial toward safer treatment with chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background Pemetrexed is a cornerstone in advanced non-small cell lung cancer treatment. Although generally well tolerated, severe myelosuppression occurs in 26% of patients. Preventing chemotherapy-associated toxicity has become increasingly important with the introduction of osimertinib combined with pemetrexed-based chemotherapy. Due to substantial toxicity, this regimen is often not administered to frail patients. Folinic acid prophylaxis can mitigate pemetrexed-induced toxicity, however its preventive use has not been routinely studied. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of folinic acid prophylaxis to reduce myelosuppression. Methods Fifty patients treated with pemetrexed were randomized (1:1) to receive pemetrexed with or without oral folinic acid prophylaxis on days 2-4 after each chemotherapy cycle. The primary endpoint was absolute neutrophil count (ANC) after the first chemotherapy cycle. Secondary endpoints included ANC after the second cycle, grade neutropenia, treatment efficacy, renal function and incidence of dose modifications. Results Twenty-four patients received folinic acid and twenty-six served as controls. Higher ANC were observed in the folinic acid group after the first cycle (median 3.79; IQR 2.22-4.93 vs. 1.85; IQR 1.43-3.78; p.

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PubMed2026

Risk factors for leg wound infection after conventional and no-touch vein harvesting: insights from a multicentre randomised trial.

ClinicalTrials.gov: ID NCT03501303.

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PubMed2026

Impact of a multimodal prehabilitation program on postoperative cognitive dysfunction: a single-center randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a frequent complication after cardiac surgery. Exercise-based prehabilitation may enhance functional reserve and reduce vulnerability to perioperative cerebral insults. We hypothesized that multimodal prehabilitation reduces POCD 3 months after cardiac surgery. METHODS: This prespecified substudy of a single-center randomized controlled trial (NCT03466606) included patients aged ≥50 years undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve surgery. Participants were randomized 1:1 to 4-6 weeks of multimodal prehabilitation (exercise training, nutritional support, and psychological support) or standard preoperative care. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and 3 months postoperatively using an age- and education-adjusted neuropsychological battery. POCD was defined as performance ≥1.5 standard deviations below normative values in at least 2 cognitive tests, excluding the Mini-Mental State Examination. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate factors associated with POCD. RESULTS: Of 160 participants screened from the parent trial, 134 met eligibility criteria for the substudy and were randomized; 116 completed 3-month follow-up (prehabilitation n = 53; control n = 63). POCD occurred in 29 patients (25%), including 15/53 (28%) in the prehabilitation group and 14/63 (22%) in controls (odds ratio [OR] 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54-3.50, P = 0.52). In multivariable analysis, preoperative cognitive impairment was independently associated with POCD (OR 13.28, 95% CI 4.06-43.41, P < 0.001), whereas prehabilitation was not (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.35-3.45, P = 0.877). Higher physical activity levels at 3 months were associated with lower odds of POCD (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-1.00, P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized controlled trial, a 4-6-week multimodal prehabilitation program did not reduce postoperative cognitive dysfunction 3 months after cardiac surgery. Although the intervention did not achieve measurable cognitive protection, the observed association between postoperative physical activity levels and postoperative cognitive dysfunction warrants further investigation.

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PubMed2026

Comparison of analgesic efficacy of pericapsular group of nerve block versus anterior quadratus lumborum block in adult patients undergoing unilateral hip arthroplasty: A comparative randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty is a painful surgical procedure; therefore, it is a challenge to manage effective pain control during the perioperative period. STUDY OBJECTIVES: We compared the analgesic efficacy of the pericapsular nerve group block and the anterior quadratus lumborum block in patients undergoing unilateral hip arthroplasty. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTINGS: Operating room of a tertiary care center. PATIENTS: 92 adult patients of >18 years who underwent elective, unilateral total hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia were randomized to either Group P (USG guided PENG block with 30 ml 0.25% ropivacaine +4 mg dexamethasone) or Group Q (USG guided QL block with 30 ml 0.25% ropivacaine +4 mg dexamethasone) 20 min before surgery. MEASUREMENTS: We compared the total perioperative fentanyl consumption between the two groups in the first 24 h as the primary outcome. Other outcomes included time to first rescue analgesia in the postoperative period, NRS scores at rest and on movement at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h, incidence of intraoperative hemodynamic changes, and incidence of postoperative PONV. MAIN RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the total fentanyl consumption between the two groups: 237.5 (150-450) μg in the P group and 250 (125-400) μg in the Q group; p = 0.617. The time to first rescue analgesia was similar in both groups: the P group (198 [123-268] minutes) and the Q group (241 [180-318] minutes); p = 0.120. There was also no difference in pain scores, intraoperative hemodynamic changes, or PONV. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the perioperative opioid consumption, pain scores, and adverse event rates between the pericapsular nerve group block and anterior quadratus lumborum block in adult patients undergoing unilateral hip arthroplasty. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI number: CTRI/2023/08/057157).

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PubMed2026

Effectiveness of a blended care intervention in physiotherapy with exercise and education for patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis (SmArt-E): A multicentre pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a twelve-month smartphone-assisted physiotherapy (SmArt-E) intervention versus usual care in hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA), and to assess usability and patient satisfaction with the digital support. METHOD: We conducted a multicentre, pragmatic, parallel-group randomized controlled trial in 27 physiotherapy practices in Germany. Patients with physician-diagnosed hip and/or knee OA aged ≥50 (hip) or ≥38 years (knee) were randomly allocated to SmArt-E (IG; n=166) or usual care (CG; n=164). The twelve-month intervention combined supervised and smartphone-assisted training and education (blended care). Primary outcomes were pain (NRS, 0-10) and physical function (HOOS/KOOS-ADL, 0-100) at twelve months. Secondary outcomes followed OARSI domains; usability and patient satisfaction were also assessed. RESULTS: Among 330 participants (mean age 64±8 years), baseline NRS was 3.2±2.3 in the CG and 3.5±2.4 in the IG; HOOS/KOOS-ADL was 71.6±17.7 and 69.4±17.5, respectively. No significant between-group differences were found for pain (-0.36; 95% CI: -0.84 to 0.12; p=0.14) or physical function (2.66; 95% CI: -0.46 to 5.77; p=0.09). Among 13 secondary outcomes, significant differences favouring the IG emerged at three and twelve months for several domains; however, effect sizes were small and unlikely to be clinically meaningful. CONCLUSION: SmArt-E did not demonstrate superior effectiveness over usual care in mild hip and/or knee OA. Both groups improved over time, with slightly more favourable but clinically inconclusive outcomes in the IG. Findings highlight the need to refine the intervention, better identify eligible patients, and optimize digital and in-person components.

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PubMed2026

The efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation interventions in obsessive-compulsive disorder management: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has been widely used as an alternative treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). However, the most effective NIBS parameters are unclear. To compare the efficacy of NIBS in OCD. We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analyses (NMA) to combine direct and indirect comparisons of NIBS.Systematic searches were conducted in Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science from inception to June 20, 2025. Forty-two randomized sham-controlled trials (n = 1456) were included. All statistical analyses were conducted with R statistical software. Bayesian NMAs mainly using the BUGSnet package and gemtc package. Five NIBS protocols produced statistically significant reductions in Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores compared with sham stimulation: high-frequency rTMS over the FzFCz (Hf-rTMS-FzFCz; MD -11.77, 95% CrI -20.62 to -3.09), low-frequency rTMS over F3F4 (Lf-rTMS-F3F4; MD -9.93, 95% CrI -18.07 to -1.65), low-frequency rTMS over FCz (Lf-rTMS-FCz; MD -3.25, 95% CrI -6.06 to -0.40), high-frequency deep TMS over FzFC (Hf-dTMS-FzFC; MD -6.48, 95% CrI -12.32 to -0.50), and 2 mA anodal tDCS over F3 with cathodal over Fp2 (MD -9.34, 95% CrI -16.01 to -3.03).For secondary outcomes, high-frequency deep rTMS over FzFCz produced the largest reduction both in depressive symptoms (SMD -1.24, 95% CrI -1.92 to -0.55) and anxiety scores (SMD -1.88, 95% CrI -2.62 to -1.11), but had no effect on Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scores.Specific NIBS protocols are safe and effective adjunctive treatments for OCD, with promising yet inconclusive improvements in comorbid depressive symptoms. Further high-quality, head-to-head trials are needed.

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PubMed2026

Adjunctive middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis of eight randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: Randomized trials suggest that adjunctive middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) may reduce recurrence in chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH), but potential sources of variability in treatment effects across studies remain poorly understood. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MMAE and to explore potential study-level sources of between-study heterogeneity. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing MMAE plus surgery versus surgery alone, following PRISMA guidelines. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was prespecified to assess the robustness of pooled findings. Exploratory mixed-effects meta-regression was performed to examine whether aggregate study-level mean age and anticoagulation use were associated with variability in recurrence outcomes. RESULTS: Eight trials including 1961 patients were analyzed. MMAE plus surgery was associated with a reduction in recurrence compared with surgery alone (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46-0.85; I² = 0%), and TSA supported this finding. Although conventional meta-analysis suggested a reduction in reoperation, the TSA findings were more sensitive to analytical assumptions and less robust. Exploratory study-level meta-regression analyses suggested possible associations between recurrence outcomes and mean age or anticoagulation use, although these findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating only. Safety outcomes were comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive MMAE was associated with reduced recurrence in CSDH. Exploratory analyses evaluating aggregate study-level characteristics were limited by the small number of included trials and the use of aggregate-level data, and should be considered hypothesis-generating only. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand variability in treatment effects.

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PubMed2026

Descemet Stripping Only in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial of Topical Ripasudil and Directions for Future Innovation.

PURPOSE: To review history of Descemet stripping only (DSO) in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, describe the results of a clinical trial of topical ripasudil after DSO (K-321-201 study), and discuss future directions. METHODS: A 1-year, phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter clinical trial of two doses of K-321 (ripasudil) administered for 12 weeks after DSO surgery in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy was performed. The primary endpoint, central corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) at 12 weeks after surgery, was determined by an independent reading center that was masked to study group assignment. Duration of corneal edema, need for medical or surgical rescue therapy, corneal thickness, and central ECD throughout the entire study period were also examined. Adverse events and exploratory endpoints were collected. RESULTS: Sixty-five subjects were enrolled (21 in the QID group, 22 in the BID, and in the placebo group). Over 95% of subjects completed the trial. The QID group had a higher central ECD 12 weeks after DSO than the placebo group (531 ± 312 cells/mm2 vs 228 ± 298 cells/mm2, P = .0065). Corneal edema cleared in 17/21 (81.0%) of the QID group at 12 weeks, compared with 2/22 (9.1%) of the placebo group (P < .0001). Rescue was required in 2/21 (9.5%) subjects in the QID group and 6/22 (27.3%) subjects in the placebo group (P = .0092). Adverse events were mild and did not lead to discontinuation of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Topical K-321 given QID improves DSO outcomes, as demonstrated by a higher ECD, more rapid resolution of corneal edema, and reduced failure rate. The medication was well-tolerated.

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PubMed2026

Short-term effects of foot reflexology on pain, anxiety, and physiological responses in women with shoulder and neck pain: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Shoulder and neck pain (SNP) is a common musculoskeletal complaint among women and is often accompanied by heightened anxiety. Foot reflexology (FR) is a complementary therapy proposed to promote relaxation and short-term psychophysiological regulation. This study examined the short-term effects of a single session of FR on pain, anxiety, and physiological responses in women with SNP. METHODS: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 80 women aged 20-64 years in southern Taiwan. Participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups: FR, exercise, or passive rest control. Each group received a single 50-min session. Pain intensity and anxiety were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), respectively. Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded as physiological indicators. Outcomes were measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 24-h follow-up. RESULTS: Baseline pain, anxiety, and physiological measures did not significantly differ among groups. Immediately after the intervention, both the FR and exercise groups demonstrated greater reductions in pain intensity compared with the passive rest control (P < 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively). The FR group additionally showed greater reductions in anxiety and heart rate compared with the passive rest group (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, respectively). Pain reduction in the FR group remained significant at the 24-h follow-up (P = 0.013), whereas anxiety reductions were not sustained. No significant between-group differences were observed for systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: A single session of FR was associated with immediate and short-term reductions in pain, anxiety, and heart rate among women with SNP. Foot reflexology may serve as a supportive, non-pharmacological approach for short-term modulation, although sustained effects require further investigation.

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