Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Chronic pain is a prevalent and challenging condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. The use of herbal remedies for pain management has gained popularity due to their perceived safety and efficacy. This thesis presents a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at investigating the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies in managing chronic pain. The study begins with an introduction providing background information on chronic pain and the increasing interest in complementary and alternative medicine, particularly herbal remedies. The problem statement highlights the need for evidence-based research to evaluate the effectiveness of herbal remedies in chronic pain management. The objectives of the study include synthesizing existing literature, analyzing data through meta-analysis, and providing recommendations for clinical practice. The literature review in Chapter Two critically examines previous studies on herbal remedies for chronic pain, focusing on the types of herbs used, their mechanisms of action, and reported outcomes. The review identifies gaps in the current knowledge and highlights the need for a comprehensive analysis of the existing evidence. Chapter Three outlines the research methodology, including the search strategy for identifying relevant studies, selection criteria for inclusion in the review, data extraction methods, and the statistical analysis plan for the meta-analysis. The chapter also discusses the potential limitations of the study and strategies to address bias. Chapter Four presents the findings of the systematic review and meta-analysis, summarizing the efficacy and safety outcomes of herbal remedies in managing chronic pain. The discussion delves into the implications of the results, potential areas for further research, and the clinical relevance of using herbal remedies as part of pain management strategies. Finally, Chapter Five concludes the thesis by summarizing the key findings, discussing the implications for clinical practice, and offering recommendations for future research. The study underscores the importance of evidence-based practice in evaluating the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies for chronic pain management and provides valuable insights for healthcare professionals and researchers in the field. In conclusion, this thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on herbal remedies for chronic pain and serves as a resource for clinicians and policymakers seeking to integrate complementary and alternative therapies into conventional pain management approaches.

Thesis Overview

The project titled "Investigation of the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies in managing chronic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis" aims to critically evaluate and synthesize the existing literature on the use of herbal remedies for managing chronic pain. Chronic pain is a complex and prevalent health issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide, often leading to significant disability and reduced quality of life. While conventional pharmacological treatments are commonly used for pain management, there is growing interest in exploring alternative therapies such as herbal remedies due to their perceived safety and potential efficacy. This research project will employ a systematic review and meta-analysis methodology to comprehensively examine the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies in managing chronic pain. The systematic review will involve a thorough and structured search of various databases to identify relevant studies that have investigated the use of herbal remedies for chronic pain management. The selected studies will then be critically appraised to assess their methodological quality and risk of bias. Subsequently, a meta-analysis will be conducted to quantitatively analyze the pooled data from the included studies, providing a more robust estimate of the overall effect of herbal remedies on chronic pain outcomes. This statistical approach will allow for the integration of findings from multiple studies, thereby enhancing the generalizability and reliability of the results. Through this research, the project aims to address several key research questions, including the types of herbal remedies commonly used for managing chronic pain, their mechanisms of action, the comparative efficacy of different herbal interventions, and the safety profile of these remedies. By synthesizing and analyzing the available evidence, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the potential role of herbal remedies in the management of chronic pain and contribute to the existing body of knowledge in this field. Overall, this research project holds significant importance as it has the potential to inform healthcare professionals, policymakers, and patients about the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies in managing chronic pain. By conducting a rigorous systematic review and meta-analysis, this study aims to generate evidence-based recommendations that can guide clinical practice and improve patient outcomes in the field of chronic pain management.