Alternative therapies in health and medicine最新文献

Objective: This study aims to compare the therapeutic efficacy of laparoscopic right-lower quadrant and midline approaches for the treatment of right-sided colon cancer and evaluate the analgesic effect of parecoxib sodium.

Methods: Sixty patients with right-sided colon cancer admitted to Hospital of Lin 'an District between January 2019 and November 2022 were selected. They were divided into the study group A (n=30) with a right-lower quadrant approach and the study group B (n=30) with a midline approach. All patients received parecoxib sodium. Surgical time, blood loss, postoperative complications, and other relevant indicators were recorded and compared between the two groups. Additionally, a control group of 60 right-sided colon cancer patients who underwent conventional non-exclusive analgesic laparoscopic surgery during the same period was included to compare the analgesic effects between the study and control groups.

Results: The surgical time (RR = 0.608, 95%CI 0.51, 1.53, P = .042), blood loss (RR = 0.798, 95%CI 0.52, 1.02, P < .001), time for bowel function recovery (RR = 0.808, 95%CI 0.50, 1.77, P = .007), and length of hospital stay (RR = 0.766, 95%CI 0.56, 1.72, P =.052) were significantly lower in group A than in group B, while the number of lymph node dissections was higher in group A (RR = 0.803, 95%CI 0.62, 1.52, P = .047). The postoperative levels of tumor-specific growth factor (TSGF) (RR = 0.710, 95%CI 0.50, 1.55, P < .001) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (RR = 0.803, 95%CI 0.62, 1.52, P < .001) were significantly decreased in both groups A and B, with no significant difference between the groups (P > .05). The incidence of complications in group A was significantly lower than in group B (RR = 0.167, 95%CI 0.17, 0.63, P = .044). The VAS scores of the study group at 2/4/6/8 hours postoperatively were significantly lower than those of the control group (RR = 0.702, 95%CI 0.52, 1.62, P < .001). The SF-36 scores of the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group (RR = 0.753, 95%CI 0.56, 1.82, P < .001).

Conclusions: The Laparoscopic right-lower quadrant approach for the treatment of right-sided colon cancer offers advantages such as shorter surgical time and less blood loss. It demonstrates significant clinical efficacy and reduces the incidence of postoperative complications. Parecoxib sodium enhances postoperative analgesic effect, effectively alleviating patient pain, promoting recovery, and improving quality of life. It is worth promoting in clinical practice.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers are a serious complication accounting for about 4.54% of ulcers in people with diabetes. Matrix Rhythm Therapy (MRT) is an emerging modality focused on restoring cellular rhythm. This study explores its effect on diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), a major complication of diabetes. By enhancing microcirculation and tissue regeneration, MRT offers a promising, non-invasive approach to wound healing and improving patient outcomes.

Primary study objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of MRT on DFUs on wound characteristics, ulcer tissue healing, and ulcer grading score.

Methods/design: It was a pilot study with a sample size of 9 participants.

Setting: Recruitment of participants was monocentric, conducted at the General Surgery Department of Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital & Medical Research Centre.

Participants: 23 patients were screened and 14 were excluded since they did not meet the inclusion criteria. A total of 9 participants aged between 45 - 75 years with HbA1c < 7.5% and diagnosed DFU were recruited.

Intervention: Each patient received 2 sessions of MRT for 45 minutes, with 3 days interval in between both sessions.

Primary outcome measures: Participants were evaluated in terms of wound characteristics (imitoMeasure- Measure Wound App), ulcer tissue healing score (Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool), and ulcer grade (Wagner Ulcer Grade Classification System).

Results: The experimental group participants showed differences in pretest and posttest outcome scores of wound characteristics [(Area P = .0022) (Length P = .0032) (Width P = .0010), and (Circumference P = .0020)], ulcer tissue healing score P = .0001, and ulcer grading score P = .0431.

Conclusion: The MaRhyThe© treatment, a recent 21st-century innovation, has demonstrated significant efficacy in treating non-healing DFUs, as evidenced by marked improvements in wound characteristics, ulcer tissue healing scores, and ulcer grading scores.

Objective: To evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of progressive rehabilitation nursing in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer.

Methods: A total of 70 patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer in our hospital were selected as the research subjects, and they were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 35 patients in each group. The control group received routine rehabilitation nursing intervention after surgery, while the observation group received progressive rehabilitation nursing intervention based on the control group's nursing. The quality of life, self-care ability, mental state, and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.

Results: Before the intervention, the two groups had no significant difference in the quality of life (P > .05). After the intervention, the quality of life in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group (P < .05). Before the intervention, the two groups had no significant difference in the self-care ability (P > .05). After the intervention, the self-care ability in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group (P < .05). Before the intervention, the two groups had no significant difference in the SAS and SDS scores (P > .05). After the intervention, the SAS and SDS scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < .05). The incidence of complications in the control group was 22.86%, while that in the observation group was 5.71%. The incidence of complications in the observation group was significantly lower than in the control group (P < .05).

Conclusion: Compared with routine nursing intervention, the implementation of progressive rehabilitation nursing intervention can further improve the quality of life, self-care ability, and mental state of patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer and reduce the risk of related complications, which helps promote the recovery process of patients and is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Context: Bedwetting is a socially disruptive condition that can lower an individual's self-confidence. Bedwetting is quite common in school-going children and a close correlation has been observed between the mind and physical symptoms in many cases. Reassurance and relieving the anxiety in patients can help reduce the complaints. Nocturnal enuresis in a 9-year-old girl was treated with the constitutional approach to homeopathic medicine.

Objective: This case was undertaken to assess the efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicine for managing nocturnal enuresis.

Case summary: A 9-year-old girl came with complaints of bedwetting for the past 1 year. It was noticed that she had lost her sister who was 5 years old. The patient was thirsty and thermally chilly. No change in bowel habits was noted. Sleep was disturbed in the first half of night due to involuntary urination. The patient had a craving for sweets and a strong aversion to milk. After a detailed analysis of the case, the homeopathic medicine Ignatia amara 30C was prescribed for 15 days, and satisfactory results were observed.

Result: This case was successfully treated with the selected homeopathic medicine, preventing further complications.

Conclusion: Further studies can be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of homeopathy in the management of nocturnal enuresis.

Background: Although mild head of bed elevation (HBE) is a proven method to reduce obstructive sleep apnea, there is no study to apply mild HBE in daily life using an adjustable bed.

Objective: We aimed to explore the applicability of mild HBE using an adjustable bed in daily life by investigating adverse events and discomforts induced by mild HBE. This pilot randomized trial additionally investigated the objective effects of mild HBE on sleep using polysomnography (PSG).

Methods: Pilot randomized controlled trial. With a two-tailed alpha of 0.05 and a power of 0.95, the minimum number of participants for each group; control group slept on flat bed and study group slept on bed with mild HBE on follow-up PSG; was calculated to be 12. Considering a 20% follow-up loss, we enrolled a total of 32 participants (16 participants for each group).

Setting: Dongguk University, Ilsan hospital.

Participants: A total of 37 individuals complained of subjective sleep disturbance in the Republic of Korea, 32 of whom met the inclusion criteria between September 2021 to July 2022. 23 participants completed the study and participants were randomly assigned into two groups.

Intervention: A mild HBE of 7.5 degrees using an adjustable bed was implemented. PSG results and questionnaires were evaluated.

Results: There was no difference in the proportion of adverse events between groups after post-intervention which was adjusting mild HBE on study group. Changes in sleep satisfaction from baseline to post-intervention showed no significant difference between groups either. However, changes in respiratory distress index (RDI) (F = 6.088, 95% CI, 17.0% to 26.4%; P = .023) and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (F = 5.542, 95% CI, 13.6% to 23.5%; P = .029) were significantly different.

Conclusions: Mild HBE is an implementable method for changing sleep posture without definitely causing discomfort or worsening sleep satisfaction. Since an easily applicable way to implement mild HBE using an adjustable bed in daily life reduces RDI and AHI in both subjects complaining of sleep disturbance and obstructive sleep apnea, it can be an alternative treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Gout is a metabolic disorder characterized by the accumulation of urate crystals in joints due to a high concentration of uric acid in the blood. This leads to inflammation and joint swelling. Gout is traditionally treated with drugs that lower the uric acid level and reduce inflammation, but these treatments can have adverse effects. Phytopharmaceuticals, such as cinnamaldehyde nanoparticles (CANPs), have gained popularity as gout treatments. The study aimed to explore the anti-gout and antioxidant activities of CANPs in gouty mice.

Methodology: Cinnamon bark was used to synthesize CANPs, which were then characterized. The in vivo study was conducted using BALB/c mice, randomly divided into six groups (n = 6 per group). The control group received a normal diet, while the MSU group was injected with monosodium urate (MSU) crystals into the ankle joint to induce a disease model. The allopurinol group was treated with the standard drug allopurinol, serving as a positive control. Three treatment groups were administered different doses of CANPs; the experimental drug at concentrations of 5 ppm, 10 ppm, and 20 ppm, respectively. CANPs were subsequently administered orally to the mice. CANPs were studied for their impact on liver function, renal function, lipid profile, total protein, antioxidant activity, and blood parameters.

Results: CANP administration had a favorable effect on gouty mice, according to the findings. CANPs dramatically lowered uric acid, urea, and creatinine concentrations, demonstrating their potential for treating hyperuricemia and gout. CANPs improved liver function, lipid profile, antioxidant activity, and blood parameters.

Conclusion: The study suggests that CANPs derived from cinnamon exhibit anti-gout and antioxidant properties in gouty mice. These findings support the potential use of CANPs as a natural and alternative treatment for gout. Further research is needed to explore the therapeutic applications of CANPs in treating gout in humans.

World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity and overweight as excessive or aberrant fat accumulation that poses an increased health risk. Despite this oversimplified definition, obesity is a complex illness caused by a persistently positive energy balance, or when dietary energy intake surpasses energy expenditure. Extra energy is transformed into triglycerides, which are then stored in depots of adipose tissue that enlarge, resulting in weight gain and an increase in body fat. The escalating global prevalence of obesity, impacting more than two billion individuals, necessitates innovative and holistic approaches in public health. This review paper aims to evaluate the potential of medicinal herbs in obesity management by systematically examining their mechanisms of action, including enzyme inhibition, appetite suppression, and modulation of metabolic processes, to propose an integrative, safer, and holistic approach to enhance current strategies for obesity treatment. A comprehensive search of literature was conducted in PubMed, Google scholar, and Science Direct. Search was conducted using the terms - "Unani herbs", obesity management, Siman Mufrit. This review paper highlights critical evaluation of contemporary obesity management strategies, emphasizing need for safer and more sustainable alternatives. Insights from Unani medicine contribute to a holistic understanding of obesity, paving way for an exploration of medicinal herbs and their mechanisms of action. Enzyme inhibition, appetite suppression, and modulation of metabolic processes emerge as key factors in anti-obesity effects of medicinal herbs. In conclusion, this comprehensive review underscores potential of medicinal herbs as promising contributors to global obesity management drawing insights from epidemiological data and traditional Unani medicine. By combining traditional wisdom with modern research, a more holistic and individualized approach can be achieved. The proposed integrative strategy advocates for further research, collaboration, and shift towards natural and culturally sensitive healthcare practices to address obesity.

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the complementary and alternative treatments used by infertile women in Turkey.

Materials and methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional design was used in the study conducted at the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Center (ARTC) of a university hospital in Istanbul city. The study sample consisted of 153 women diagnosed with infertility, who volunteered to participate in the research. Study data were collected using a 'Participant Information Form,' created by the researchers, and the 'Complementary and Alternative Medicine Approaches Scale.'

Results: It was determined that 30.1% of the women included in the study used complementary and alternative medicine methods in addition to infertility treatments. The level of education had a statistically significant effect only on the mean manipulative approaches sub-dimension score, the place of residence on the mean cognitive behavioral sub-dimension score, and the type of infertility and the duration of treatment on the mean biological approaches sub-dimension score (P < .05). However, the mean score of the total Complementary and Alternative Medicine Approaches Scale did not affect the mean scores of other sub-dimensions (P > .05).

Conclusion: This study determined that the complementary and alternative medicine methods commonly used by women include biological and cognitive behavioral approaches. Women who had received secondary infertility treatment and had a long period of infertility were found to use complementary and alternative medicine methods at a higher rate.

Background: Cold chest pack (CCP) is a hydrotherapeutic technique used to improve cardiorespiratory outcomes, however, their effects on the cardiovascular system remain substantiated by credible scientific research. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate how CCP affects central hemodynamics in healthy volunteers.

Method: This study was a randomized, open-label crossover trial with 24 healthy male participants between 18 and 26 years of age. The study employed a counterbalanced design in which participants were randomized to either a dry chest pack (DCP) or a CCP for 20 minutes, followed by a 2-day washout period during which they were switched to the opposite phase. Central hemodynamics and heart rate variability were measured at baseline, throughout the session, and ten minutes following the intervention.

Results: Our findings showed a significant decrease in cardiac output (P = .03) with an increase in total peripheral resistance (P = .004), mean arterial pressure (P < .001), systolic blood pressure (P < .001), and diastolic blood pressure (P < .001) during the use of a CCP. These changes were retained after 10 minutes, except cardiac output (P = .32), and a persistent decrease in heart rate (P < .001) during and after the CCP use. These changes were not observed in DCP and the stroke volume was not impacted in either group (P > .05). A significant increase in mean RR intervals (P < .001) and the percentage of differences between adjacent normal heartbeats (NN intervals) that are greater than 50 milliseconds (P < .01) was observed only after the application of a CCP.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed the application of a CCP for 20 minutes affects central hemodynamics and heart rate variability; these results may be considered when using CCP therapeutically.