This randomized controlled study aimed to investigate the effects of classical massage (CM) and Benson relaxation exercise (BRE) on symptom status and quality of life (QoL) in patients with heart failure (HF). Seventy-two patients with HF were recruited from 4 hospitals in Ankara, Turkey. The study sample was allocated to a CM (n = 24), BRE (n = 26), or control group (n = 22) based on the New York Heart Association classification of HF (stages III and IV) through stratified randomization. The intervention groups received either CM or BRE twice daily for 7 days (total of 14 sessions). The control group received only routine care. The scores of symptom status decreased in the CM and BRE groups at the end of the intervention (first week) as compared with the control group (P < .05). Nevertheless, at the end of the monitoring period, no significant differences were detected between the 3 study groups at baseline (P = .474), week 1 (P = .936), and week 3 (P = .668) in terms of QoL scores. The CM and BRE showed beneficial effects in the management of HF symptoms in advanced stage HF patients who were hospitalized and received intensive treatment.
Aims To analyse the different types of Aloe vera (AV) effects on various mucocutaneous problems among adults. Design A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Data Sources An exhaustive scanning of PubMed, Medline, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases was conducted from January 2000–December 2019. Review Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) publishing reports on the effects of AV in various mucocutaneous problems, psoriasis, burn, wound‐healing were included. The standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence Intervals (CIs) were determined for the main outcomes, heterogeneity was analysed using the I2 test and the risk of bias in the studies was reviewed by the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Results The study included 23 trials with a total of 4,023 participants. Six trials were included in the meta‐analysis. The results indicated no significant differences in pain scores as assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (SMD = 0.11, 95% CI: −0.37 to 0.59). The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores were significantly lower following AV gel application in two of the studies (SMD = −1.32 95% CI: −1.86 to −0.78). Considering results in a systematic manner, AV accelerated tissue epithelialization and wound‐healing process (N = 3), reduced oral mucositis (N = 3), and improved quality of life (N = 1). Conclusion AV might have beneficial effects in reducing pain scores and the severity of mucocutaneous problems compared with placebo, especially with limited mild to moderate adverse effects. Impact AV may be used as an alternative and integrative approach to reducing symptom severity in mucocutaneous problems and the wound‐healing process. High quality and well‐designed RCTs are still needed to elucidate the effects of AV in a variety of dosages and forms among adults with mucocutaneous problems.
Background: Hypoglycemia is a common, symptom seen in individuals. Hypoglycemia in the elderly is both under-recog- nized and misdiagnosed due to nonspesific hypoglycemic symptoms and accompanying comorbidities in this population. In diabetic individuals, hypoglycemia is most commonly caused by administering insulin or sulphonylureas and insulin secretagogues. Other drugs, such as antibiotics or beta-blockers, have been reported to reduce blood glucose to abnormally low levels. Hypoglycemia in non-diabetic patients is considered a rare event, and the possible reasons may be reactive hypo- glycemia, insulin-secreting tumours and other malignancies, hypopituitarism, hypocortisolism, alcohol abuse, inappropriate insulin self-administration, malnutrition, renal failure and sepsis. Case: An 86- year- old male was admitted to the emergency department with hypoglycemia diagnosed with non-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (NET) on lung secreting insulin. No surgical intervention or chemotherapy was planned due to patients age and comorbidities so best supportive care was planned. We used prednisone for symptomatic treatment of hy- poglycemia and the patient has been followed up periodically. In this period he had no hypoglycemic attack. Conclusion: For patients with hypoglycemia who are unable/decline to receive any further treatment, low dose glucocorti- coid is a good choice to achieve normoglycemia. It seems to be more cost effective compared to other treatment options. Furthermore hospitalisation rates may decrease due to decreased hypogylcemic attacks. Keywords: Neuroendocrine tumour; hypoglycaemia; prednisone; non-islet cell tumour.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the outcomes of various interventions to alleviate death anxiety and fear. Studies published between January 2010 and June 2022 were searched in the ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CHINAL databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement guidelines were used in this meta-analysis. The results were examined using 95% confidence intervals, p-values, and fixed- or random-effects models based on the heterogeneity test. Sixteen studies involving 1262 participants were included in this systematic review. Interventions in seven studies using the Templer Death Anxiety Scale (TDAS) significantly decreased death anxiety levels in the intervention groups compared to the control groups (z = −4.47; p < 0.001; 95% CI: −3.36 to −1.31). This meta-analysis provides insights into implementing logotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, spirituality-based care, and educational interventions for death anxiety and the fear experienced by patients with chronic diseases.
Purpose This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to synthesize the outcomes of theory‐based nursing interventions for coronary heart disease management. Design and Methods Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed databases were electronically searched from January 2013 to August 2021. The Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses statement guidelines was followed for this meta‐analysis. Randomized controlled trials on patients with coronary heart disease, using a theory‐based nursing intervention were eligible. Methodological quality was examined by two authors using the Modified Jadad Scale. Based on the heterogeneity test, the results were analyzed using a pool of data with 95% confidence intervals, p‐values, and fixed or random‐effect models (PROSPERO registration number X). Findings A total of 1030 studies were initially retrieved, and 8 randomized controlled trials were eventually included in the meta‐analysis after screening. The big majority (81.3%) of participants were males, and the mean age was 54.8 (SD = 8.7) years. This meta‐analysis found theory‐based nursing interventions had no significant effect on blood lipid profile, blood pressure, and healthy lifestyle. However, these interventions significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, and body mass index and improved the physical and psychological domains of quality of life. Conclusions The evidence from this meta‐analysis reveals that theory‐based nursing interventions have a positive effect on fasting blood glucose, body mass index, and quality of life. However, their effects on blood lipid profile, blood pressure, and a healthy lifestyle are inconclusive. The results of this metanalysis are largely based on a few trials and were limited in terms of the number of outcomes. Conducting well‐designed randomized controlled trials with adequate power is needed to make a firm conclusion on the influence of theory‐based nursing interventions on patient outcomes in the CHD population. Clinical relevance Considering the high mortality and morbidity of coronary heart disease, nurses may play a significant role in coronary heart disease management by providing interventions that are based on a certain theoretical framework. This meta‐analysis provides insights into the implementation of theory‐based nursing interventions in heart attack survivors or those newly diagnosed with coronary heart disease led by nurses and lasting longer than 6 months in coronary heart disease. In addition, future studies should consider enhancing the content of training programs for a healthy lifestyle within the theory‐based nursing interventions and compare the effects of these interventions on acute and chronic coronary syndromes.
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