Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing最新文献

Context

Acupressure and halogen light stimulation, are used to reduce false non-reactive nonstress test results related to fetal sleep.

Objective

This study was conducted to determine the effect of acupressure and halogen light stimulation on nonstress testing and anxiety during pregnancy.

Design

Randomized controlled experimental study.

Setting

The population of the study consisted of pregnant women who were requested to have a nonstress test.

Participants

The sample of the study included 132 pregnant women (acupressure group:44; halogen light group:45, and control group:43).

Methods

The acupressure group was applied acupressure on the Zhiyin acupuncture point three times, the halogen light group was applied halogen light stimulation twice on the fetal head from the mother's abdomen. In the interpretation of the results, the level of statistical significance was taken as P < 0.05.

Main outcome participants

In our study, there was no difference between the acupressure and halogen light groups in terms of the mean number of fetal movements, the number of accelerations, the time to the first acceleration, and the time to reach the reactive result in the nonstress test (P > 0.05), while the mean number of fetal movements and accelerations of these two groups were higher, and the mean time to the first acceleration and the mean time to reach the reactive result in the nonstress test were shorter than those of the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of mean state anxiety inventory scores (P > 0.05).

Results

Acupressure and halogen light stimulation increased the rates of reactive nonstress tests.

Introduction

There is a limited amount of research specifically focusing on the effects of Swedish massage on mood disorders and the quality of life (QOL) among individuals with MS, emphasizing the need for further investigation. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of a 6-week Swedish massage on the quality of life, stress, anxiety, depression, pain, fatigue, spasticity, and sleep quality in MS patients.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial involved 70 MS patients who were divided into two groups. The massage group underwent two 50-minute sessions of whole-body Swedish massage per week for six weeks, while the usual treatment group maintained their regular medical care routine. Outcomes were Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-P), and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). These measurements were taken before and after the massage intervention.

Results

The massage group demonstrated significant improvements in QOL and its components compared to the usual treatment group (Hedge's g = 0.53 for QOL, ranging from 0.31 to 0.58 for QOL components; p < 0.001). Participants in the massage group also reported significantly lower levels of stress (Hedge's g = 0. 80), anxiety (Hedge's g = 0.47), and depression (Hedge's g = 0.70) than those in the usual treatment group (p < 0.001). Additionally, the massage group had lower levels of pain, fatigue, and spasticity, and better sleep quality compared to the usual treatment group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Swedish massage can be considered a valuable complementary and alternative treatment alongside conventional medicine for individuals with MS.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the effects of aromatherapy use on cognitive function, anxiety, and sleep quality in the elderly with diabetes.

Methods

The study was conducted with 63 participants aged 65 and over. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: lavender, rosemary and control groups. The intervention continued for four weeks. Data was collected using the Blessed Orientation Concentration Test, State-Trait Anxiety Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale. Data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U/Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon and Friedman tests.

Results

In both intervention groups, the 4th week scores of cognitive functions, anxiety, and sleep quality after aromatherapy were significant compared to the baseline scores. In the control group, state anxiety scores were significantly higher in the 2nd and 4th weeks compared to the initial scores.

Conclusions

Inhaling lavender and rosemary has been observed to improve cognitive function and sleep quality and reduce anxiety levels. The effects of the essential oils used in the research were evaluated over four weeks. It is thought that studying for a longer period and with more samples would be beneficial. There is a need for studies examining its effects, especially in the elderly with diabetes.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of neroli-flavored chewing gum in reducing anxiety. A single-blind, two-group study was conducted on 72 university students. Participants were randomly assigned to either the commercial neroli-flavored chewing gum (CNC) group or the natural hydro-distilled neroli-flavored chewing gum (NNC) group. The research instrument used was Spielberger's State-Anxiety questionnaire. While there was no significant difference in anxiety scores between the CNC and NNC groups before the intervention, a significant difference was observed in anxiety scores 20 min after the intervention. Within-group comparisons indicated statistically significant differences between pre-test and post-test values of anxiety in the NNC group. The results of this study suggest that natural hydro-distilled neroli-flavored chewing gum can reduce anxiety in university students.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of aromatherapy through inhalation of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil in relieving pain during the immediate postoperative period of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods

A single-blind, randomized and controlled clinical trial, with 52 patients in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery were randomly distributed into experimental (n = 26) and control (n = 26) groups. The primary outcome was whether or not pain was relieved and secondary outcomes included changes in vital signs, sleep and facial relaxation. The control group received industry standard care and application of an essential oil-free ceramic diffuser necklace. The experimental group received the inhalation intervention with pure Lavandula angustifolia essential oil, with a drop of the oil on a ceramic diffuser necklace at a distance of 15-20 cm from the patient's nose for 30 min. Pain was measured using the Numerical Visual Scale, and vital signs using the multiparametric monitor before the intervention, 10 minutes after its start and 30 minutes after the total end of inhalation. Face relaxation was assessed before and after the intervention and sleep was assessed at the end of inhalation.

Results

There was a decrease in pain levels (p < 0.001) 30 min after the end of inhalation in the Experimental Group, with a decrease in the measurements of Mean Blood Pressure (p= 0.008) and Respiratory Rate (p = 0.011). Furthermore, facial relaxation and sleep had a large effect size of 2.54 and 1.28, respectively.

Conclusion

Lavandula angustifolia essential oil was effective in relieving pain, causing sleep and relaxation, proving to be a low-cost and easy-to-use tool that the nursing team can use in their care.

The purpose of this study was to deepen our understanding of the phenomenon of long-term transformational effects of near-death experiences (NDEs). Methods: Participants included 834 individuals who had experienced NDEs. We compared their responses with those of 42 individuals who had faced life-threatening situations (LTEs) without experiencing NDEs, aiming to discern whether transformations could be attributed solely to the proximity to death. We employed chi-square statistics to assess differences in aftereffects reported by the NDE and LTE-only groups. We also conducted a thematic analysis of the participants’ narratives to capture a more detailed account of the transformations experienced. Results: Our central finding reveals a significant transformation in values and spiritual attitudes among participants following their NDEs, as compared to individuals who were faced with life-threatening situations without an NDE. Key transformations include an enhanced belief in divinity and in the afterlife, a decreased fear of death, and increased levels of compassion. Participants also reported a stronger belief in the meaningfulness of life, and a profound shift in life priorities and values, emphasizing the increased importance of their spiritual or religious lives. Conclusions: The results support the notion that NDEs lead to a profound spiritual awakening and a reorientation towards life distinct from changes following LTEs without NDEs.

Neutropenia, a common side effect of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, was observed in a 47-year-old female patient undergoing a six-cycle chemotherapy regimen. She experienced recurrent neutropenia and leukopenia but refused granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) due to severe bone pain and high costs. Moxibustion combined with guasha therapy (MGT) was administered each time neutropenia occurred. The treatment involved guasha therapy on the bladder meridian (BL) and the governor vessel (GV), followed by moxibustion at Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), and Shenzhu (GV 12) points over 2–3 days. This approach led to the recovery of neutrophil and leukocyte counts, enabling the patient to complete six chemotherapy cycles without G-CSF. These findings suggest that MGT may enhance neutrophil and leukocyte counts in patients with chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression, presenting a potential alternative for those intolerant to G-CSF. However, further high-quality research is needed to confirm its efficacy.