George Lewith
YOU?
Author Swipe
View article: Do the effects of acupuncture vary between acupuncturists? Analysis of the Acupuncture Trialists’ Collaboration individual patient data meta-analysis
Do the effects of acupuncture vary between acupuncturists? Analysis of the Acupuncture Trialists’ Collaboration individual patient data meta-analysis Open
Objectives: The degree to which the effects of acupuncture treatment vary between acupuncturists is unknown. We used a large individual patient dataset of trials of acupuncture for chronic pain to assess practitioner heterogeneity. Methods…
View article: Identifying patients with chronic pain who respond to acupuncture: results from an individual patient data meta-analysis
Identifying patients with chronic pain who respond to acupuncture: results from an individual patient data meta-analysis Open
Background In a recent individual patient data meta-analysis, acupuncture was found to be superior to sham and non-sham controls in patients with chronic pain. It has been suggested that a subgroup of patients has an exceptional response t…
View article: Patients’ views about screening for atrial fibrillation (AF): a qualitative study in primary care
Patients’ views about screening for atrial fibrillation (AF): a qualitative study in primary care Open
Objectives There has been increased interest in screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) with commissioned pilot schemes, ongoing large clinical trials and the emergence of inexpensive consumer single-lead ECG devices that can be used to det…
View article: Placebos in primary care? a nominal group study explicating UK GP and patient views of six theoretically plausible models of placebo practice
Placebos in primary care? a nominal group study explicating UK GP and patient views of six theoretically plausible models of placebo practice Open
Objectives To better understand which theoretically plausible placebogenic techniques might be acceptable in UK primary care. Design A qualitative study using nominal group technique and thematic analysis. Participants took part in audio-r…
View article: Machine learning detection of Atrial Fibrillation using wearable technology
Machine learning detection of Atrial Fibrillation using wearable technology Open
An inexpensive wearable heart rate monitor and machine learning algorithm can be used to detect AF with very high accuracy and has the capability to transmit ECG data which could be used to confirm AF. It could potentially be used for inte…
View article: A feasibility study of a psycho‐educational support intervention for men with prostate cancer on active surveillance
A feasibility study of a psycho‐educational support intervention for men with prostate cancer on active surveillance Open
Background PROACTIVE is a psycho‐educational support intervention for prostate cancer patients managed on Active Surveillance. PROACTIVE is composed of two interdependent components: group workshops and internet‐delivered information modul…
View article: The Effect of Patient Characteristics on Acupuncture Treatment Outcomes
The Effect of Patient Characteristics on Acupuncture Treatment Outcomes Open
Objectives: To optimally select chronic pain patients for different treatments, as it is of interest to identify patient characteristics that might moderate treatment effect. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of possible moderators on the…
View article: Supporting informed choice in acupuncture: effects of a new person-, evidence- and theory-based website for patients with back pain
Supporting informed choice in acupuncture: effects of a new person-, evidence- and theory-based website for patients with back pain Open
Objectives: To test whether a newly developed person-, theory- and evidence-based website about acupuncture helps patients make informed decisions about whether or not to use acupuncture for back pain. Methods: A randomised online study co…
View article: Correction: Andrographis paniculata (Chuān Xīn Lián) for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in adults and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Correction: Andrographis paniculata (Chuān Xīn Lián) for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in adults and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis Open
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181780.].
View article: Informing Adults With Back Pain About Placebo Effects: Randomized Controlled Evaluation of a New Website With Potential to Improve Informed Consent in Clinical Research
Informing Adults With Back Pain About Placebo Effects: Randomized Controlled Evaluation of a New Website With Potential to Improve Informed Consent in Clinical Research Open
In a sample of adults with back pain, PoP increased knowledge and rates of informed choice about placebos compared with a control website. PoP could be used to improve knowledge about placebo effects in back pain. After essential further d…
View article: Effects of empathic and positive communication in healthcare consultations: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Effects of empathic and positive communication in healthcare consultations: a systematic review and meta-analysis Open
Background Practitioners who enhance how they express empathy and create positive expectations of benefit could improve patient outcomes. However, the evidence in this area has not been recently synthesised. Objective To estimate the effec…
View article: Effects of changing practitioner empathy and patient expectations in healthcare consultations
Effects of changing practitioner empathy and patient expectations in healthcare consultations Open
This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: The main aim of this review will be to assess the effects of changing practitioner empathy or patient expectations for all conditions. The main objecti…
View article: GPs’ perceptions of resilience training: a qualitative study
GPs’ perceptions of resilience training: a qualitative study Open
Background GPs are reporting increasing levels of burnout, stress, and job dissatisfaction, and there is a looming GP shortage. Promoting resilience is a key strategy for enhancing the sustainability of the healthcare workforce and improvi…
View article: Complementary and alternative medicine treatments for atopic eczema
Complementary and alternative medicine treatments for atopic eczema Open
This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of complementary and alternative medicine treatments for atopic eczema.
View article: Andrographis paniculata (Chuān Xīn Lián) for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in adults and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Andrographis paniculata (Chuān Xīn Lián) for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in adults and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis Open
A. Paniculata appears beneficial and safe for relieving ARTI symptoms and shortening time to symptom resolution. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously owing to poor study quality and heterogeneity. Well-designed trials e…
View article: Feasibility study for a community based intervention for adults with severe chronic fatigue syndrome/ME
Feasibility study for a community based intervention for adults with severe chronic fatigue syndrome/ME Open
Background: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME (CFS/ME) is characterised by debilitating fatigue with many bedbound patients. The study aims were: to determine whether a new intervention could be successfully delivered; to collect quantitative ou…
View article: What trial participants need to be told about placebo effects to give informed consent: a survey to establish existing knowledge among patients with back pain
What trial participants need to be told about placebo effects to give informed consent: a survey to establish existing knowledge among patients with back pain Open
The findings identified key gaps in knowledge about placebos. The lack of understanding of the nocebo effect in particular has implications for the informed consent of trial participants. Research ethics committees and investigators should…
World Congress Integrative Medicine & Health 2017: part two Open
Background \nCannabis may be used for cancer pain relief, also in concomitance with anticancer chemotherapy. However, herb-drug interactions can lead to potentially severe and even life-threatening adverse reactions. For instance, inhibiti…
View article: What techniques might be used to harness placebo effects in non-malignant pain? A literature review and survey to develop a taxonomy
What techniques might be used to harness placebo effects in non-malignant pain? A literature review and survey to develop a taxonomy Open
Objectives Placebo effects can be clinically meaningful but are seldom fully exploited in clinical practice. This review aimed to facilitate translational research by producing a taxonomy of techniques that could augment placebo analgesia …
View article: Influences on GP coping and resilience: a qualitative study in primary care
Influences on GP coping and resilience: a qualitative study in primary care Open
Background ‘Neoliberal’ work policies, austerity, NHS restructuring, and increased GP consultation rates provide the backdrop against increasing reports of GP burnout and an impending shortage of GPs. Aim To explore GPs’ experiences of wor…
View article: Positive messages may reduce patient pain: A meta-analysis
Positive messages may reduce patient pain: A meta-analysis Open
Introduction: Current treatments for pain have limited benefits and worrying sideeffects. Some studies suggest that pain is reduced when clinicians deliver positivemessages. However, the effects of positive messages are heterogeneous and h…
View article: Mulberry-extract improves glucose tolerance and decreases insulin concentrations in normoglycaemic adults: Results of a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study
Mulberry-extract improves glucose tolerance and decreases insulin concentrations in normoglycaemic adults: Results of a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study Open
Mulberry leaf extract significantly reduces total blood glucose rise after ingestion of maltodextrin over 120 minutes. The pattern of effect demonstrates a classical dose response curve with significant effects over placebo. Importantly, t…
View article: Standardised versus individualised multiherb Chinese herbal medicine for oligomenorrhoea and amenorrhoea in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomised feasibility and pilot study in the UK
Standardised versus individualised multiherb Chinese herbal medicine for oligomenorrhoea and amenorrhoea in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomised feasibility and pilot study in the UK Open
ISRCTN 31072075; Results.
View article: Screening for Atrial Fibrillation using Economical and accurate TechnologY (SAFETY)—a pilot study
Screening for Atrial Fibrillation using Economical and accurate TechnologY (SAFETY)—a pilot study Open
Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a cause of stroke and a marker of atherosclerosis and of all patients with stroke, around 17% have AF. The screening and treatment of AF could prevent about 12% of all strokes. Several relatively lo…