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Protocol
Chinese Herbal Medicine Treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome: A Protocol for a Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Yadi Liu, Xiaoqin Wu, Yue Wang, Guoyan Yang, Di Wang, Yoann Birling
Perspect Integr Med. 2026;5(1):65-71.   Published online February 11, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2026.02.010
  • 696 View
  • 9 Download
Graphical AbstractGraphical Abstract AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Background
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) significantly impairs sleep and daily life. Conventional treatments often cause side effects leading patients to seek alternative treatments like Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM). A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies which used CHM treatment for RLS will facilitate the evaluation of its efficacy and safety.
Methods
Randomized controlled trials will be retrieved systematically from electronic databases including PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and Chongqing Value-added Information Platform. Comparisons between the effects of CHM (as monotherapy or adjunct therapy), placebos, and conventional interventions will be made. Two reviewers will independently perform study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessments using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool. The primary outcomes will be RLS symptom severity (e.g., IRLSSG rating scale), quality of life, and adverse events. Data will be pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis, and the overall certainty of evidence will be assessed for quality of evidence and strength of recommendation using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system.
Conclusion
This review aims to synthesize high-quality evidence to determine the effectiveness and safety of CHM treatment for RLS, provide valuable insights for clinicians, patients, and policymakers, and identify gaps for future research.
Review Articles
The Safety and Effectiveness of Electroacupuncture for Labor Pain Relief: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Hyein Jeong, Jiwon Heo, Hyunsuk Park, Kyeong Han Kim
Perspect Integr Med. 2025;4(1):6-15.   Published online February 21, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2025.02.002
  • 10,654 View
  • 78 Download
AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Background
Labor pain is among the most intense forms of pain, significantly impacting physical and psychological well-being. Although epidural anesthesia is effective, it has side effects and limited accessibility. Electroacupuncture (EA) offers a low-risk alternative. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the safety and effectiveness of EA in relieving labor pain and duration.
Methods
Randomized controlled trials comparing EA with standard treatments, including epidural anesthesia, were identified through database searches up to August 2024. The primary outcome was pain reduction (assessed using the visual analog scale), and the secondary outcomes were labor duration (1st and 2nd stages), Apgar scores, and adverse effects.
Results
In the analysis there were 10 randomized controlled trials (involving 1,498 women in labor) included in this review. EA statistically significantly improved both the level of pain and reduced labor duration compared with those women who received standard treatments (p < 0.001). Apgar scores were assessed in 3 studies and determined that the physical condition of the delivered babies was not statistically significantly different between EA and standard treatment for labor pain. Study protocol indicated the recording of adverse effects in one of the ten studies. Adverse events in that study recorded mild localized discomfort (1.89%, n = 1).
Conclusion
EA reduced labor pain and duration, and demonstrated its potential as an alternative to the conventional approaches for managing labor pain. The limited data suggest EA is likely safe, but further research is needed to confirm its safety profile.
Effectiveness and Safety of Low-Level Laser Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Sang Jun Lee, Seung Jin Noh, Jeong Rock Kim, Kyung Bok Park, Sae-rom Jeon, Yejin Hong, Dongwoo Nam
Perspect Integr Med. 2023;2(3):155-163.   Published online October 23, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2023.10.003
  • 24,664 View
  • 187 Download
  • 4 Citations
Graphical AbstractGraphical Abstract AbstractAbstract PDFSupplementary Material
Background
Low-level laser treatment (LLLT) is used to treat low back pain (LBP) however, its effects on lumbar disc herniation (LDH) remain unclear. The safety and effectiveness of LLLT for LDH was determined using a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.
Methods
Studies on LLLT in adults with LDH were identified from 12 worldwide databases. A risk of bias assessment and a meta-analysis with categorization according to the type of control used (inactive, active, or add-on) was performed. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation.
Results
The quantitative analyses included five studies. LLLT was significantly more effective at treating LDH [leg pain visual analog scale (VAS) mean difference (MD): -1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.01, -1.80, I2 80%; LBP VAS MD: -0.79, 95% CI: -0.87, -0.71, I2 80%] than inactive controls (placebo or sham). The quality of the evidence ranged from “low” to “very low.” As an add-on to usual care, LLLT significantly improved pain intensity and disability compared with usual care (leg pain VAS MD: -2.52, 95% CI: -2.65, -2.40, I2 97%; LBP VAS MD: -1.47, 95% CI: -1.58, -1.36; Oswestry Disability Index MD: -4.10, 95% CI: -4.55, -3.65, I2 6%). However, the quality of the evidence ranged from “moderate” to “low.”
Conclusion
LLLT significantly improved outcomes compared with the inactive controls, but was not more effective than usual care for LDH. In combination with usual care, LLLT was significantly more effective than usual care alone highlighting the potential of LLLT.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Low-Level Laser Light Photobiomodulation in the Management of Chronic Pain
    Shane N Hennessy, Gerard D Corcoran
    Journal of Orthopaedic Science and Research.2026; 7(1): 1.     CrossRef
  • Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Warm Acupuncture Combined with Acupoint Injection and Intermediate-Frequency Infrared Therapy on Pain and Cytokines in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation
    Wang Zhang, Chunhua Pu, Jingli Liu
    Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research: Inter.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy in patients with spinal radiculopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis
    Hernán Andrés de la Barra Ortiz, Nivaldo Antonio Parizotto, Richard Eloin Liebano
    Lasers in Medical Science.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Low-level laser therapy in osteoarthritic pain: A narrative review with an approach to integrated clinical use
    S.N. Hennessy, G.D. Corcoran
    Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open.2025; 7(4): 100685.     CrossRef
Protocol
Effectiveness and Safety of Duantengyimu-tang for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Gyoungeun Park, Jeong-Hyun Moon, Eun-Jung Kim, Won-Suk Sung
Perspect Integr Med. 2023;2(2):134-137.   Published online June 23, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2023.06.009
  • 4,864 View
  • 27 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
Background
Per-oral pharmacological medication is a representative treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and has improved over several guidelines. However, limitations of long-term use of these medications including adverse events, led to the introduction and utilization of complementary and alternative treatments for RA. Several herbal medicine decoctions have been reported to be effective and safe; a recent study introduced Duantengyimu-tang (DTYMT). Regardless of the pharmacological effects of the DTYMT components, there are concerns about its safety. Therefore, this systematic review (SR) will focus on the effectiveness and safety of DTYMT treatment for RA.
Methods
Searches for randomized controlled trials using DTYMT treatment for RA will be performed using multiple electronic databases, manual searches, and emails (if necessary). A summary will be written using data on outcome measurements of the study participants, interventions, adverse events, and risk of bias in the studies. The primary outcomes will be disease activity scores including effective rate, tender joints, swollen joints, and morning stiffness. The secondary outcomes will include adverse events and blood tests for RA (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factors). This SR will use Review Manager software to perform a meta-analysis, the Cochrane Collaboration “risk of bias” tool, and determine the quality of evidence using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method.
Results
This SR will investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of DTYMT treatment in patients with RA.
Conclusion
This SR aims to be informative for patients and clinicians in clinical practice, researchers, and policymakers in managing RA.
Perspect Integr Med : Perspectives on Integrative Medicine
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