Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing最新文献

Introduction

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common disorder among female population that adversely affects their physical and emotional well-being. Conventional treatments for PMS may have limitations and side effects, prompting a need for complementary therapeutic approaches. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial aimed to investigate the efficacy of individualized Homeopathic medicines (IH) in treating PMS symptoms in comparison to placebo (PL).

Methods

This study recruited female participants of reproductive age who had been experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) for >3 months, from the Outpatient Department. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either IH or PL. The measured outcomes included the Shortened Premenstrual Assessment Form (SPAF) questionnaire as the primary outcome, and the Premenstrual Tension Syndrome Visual Analogue Scale (PMTS-VAS) and the Premenstrual Tension Syndrome Observer Rating Scale – Revised (PMTS-OR) as secondary outcomes. These measures were assessed at baseline and every month for 3 months.

Results

The results showed a statistically significant reduction in total SPAF scores for the IH group compared to the placebo group (F = 11.340; P < 0.001) at month 2 (-5.5 ± 1.8, P = 0.003), and month 3 (-6.6 ± 2.0, P = 0.002). Additionally, there were significant reductions in PMTS-VAS and PMTS-OR scores in the IH compared to placebo group. Natrum muriaticum (n = 4/30, 13.3 %) was the most frequently indicated medicines in the study. Four adverse events (13.33 %) occurred in the IH group, and six adverse events (16.67 %) in the Placebo group, with no serious events reported, and no additional medicinal treatment was required for participants during the study period.

Conclusions

Individualized Homeopathic medicines were found to be significantly effective, compared to placebo in reducing PMS symptoms. Further independent replication is warranted to validate and corroborate these findings, as well as to identify the most effective Homeopathic medicines for treating PMS symptoms. Until then, clinicians may consider these findings when exploring personalized and holistic therapeutic strategies for managing PMS.

Trial Registration

CTRI/2020/11/028,796, dt. 02/11/2020

Introduction

Due to the continued threat to public health posed by SARS-CoV-2 and the ongoing emergence of novel variants, the integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Western medicine provides a novel alternative management for critically ill patients.

Case presentation

This case report describes a 54-year-old male with severe COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Despite standard treatment, ECMO liberation was unsuccessful, and complications such as pneumothorax and hemothorax ensued. However, upon initiating combined TCM therapy on the 19th day of ECMO support, the patient exhibited gradual improvements in oxygenation and ventilation, leading to successful ECMO liberation on the 31st day.

Conclusion

This case underscores the potential of integrating TCM with conventional therapies for severe COVID-19 cases, offering a valuable treatment option amidst the evolving landscape of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Objective

To explore the effect of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) practice on sleep quality and perceived stress in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Method

A total of 104 patients with SCI (diagnosed via imaging and clinical symptoms) admitted to our hospital between January 2020 and December 2022 were selected as the study participants. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the MBSR (observation) group and the control group. The observation group received MBSR therapy and routine nursing, and the control group received music training therapy and routine nursing. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality, and the perceived stress score was used to evaluate stress experienced by the patients at three timepoints: before intervention, 4 weeks and 8weeks after intervention.

Results

Compared with before intervention, the PSQI scores of both the control group and intervention group participants significantly decreased after intervention(P < 0.01). Compared with the 4 weeks after intervention, the PSQI scores of both groups of participants decreased in the 8 weeks after intervention(P < 0.01). There was a significant difference in PSQI scores between the two groups of participants at 4 and 8 weeks after intervention(P < 0.01). Compared with before intervention, the average perceived stress score of both the control group and intervention group participants significantly decreased after intervention(P < 0.05). Compared with the 4 weeks after intervention, the average perceived stress score of both groups of participants decreased in the 8 weeks after intervention(P < 0.01). There was a significant difference in average perceived stress score between the two groups of participants at 4(P < 0.05) and 8 weeks(P < 0.01) after intervention(P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The use of MBSR therapy could effectively improve patient sleep quality and reduce perceived stress.

Increasing numbers of research studies have offered evidence regarding awareness of verified events during near-death experiences (NDEs) occurring during cardiac arrest and severely impaired brain function. The prevalence of patients reporting core NDEs under these conditions is reported as 10–12 %. One question that is often asked is why this percentage is low. Though it may be hypothesized that NDEs are limited to this low percentage of patients, it is also possible that more patients experience an NDE, but that memory is impaired sufficiently such that the NDE is not recalled. In this article I present a detailed and extensively verified case study of a woman, Stephanie Arnold, who experienced an NDE during the birth of her second child when she was 41 years old. The data provide evidence that supports the hypotheses 1) that during cardiac arrest an NDE may occur, but not be remembered until hypnotic regression therapy reveals extensive details of the events that could not have been perceived with the five senses, both in the operating room and elsewhere during resuscitation. 2) that there may also be pre-cognition of the events leading to the cardiac arrest, reported in clear detail, and 3) that NDEs lead to a fundamental transformation in an individual's understanding of the nature of consciousness, their quest for meaning and purpose, their concern for others, and their appreciation of life.

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.

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.