Efficacy of cling film dressing on palmoplantar psoriatic lesions among patients with psoriasis: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Caring for patients with skin disorders is “more than skin deep”. Psoriasis is a systematic immune-mediated disease that generally does not affect survival, but certainly has major negative effects on patients. The previous research has reported that artificial restoration of a permeable barrier by occlusion results in regression of lesions in psoriasis.The aim of this research is to assess the efficacy of cling film dressing versus conventional treatment on palmoplantar psoriatic lesions among patients with psoriasis. Methods: The research design used in the study was a true experimental time series design. Block randomization was used to assign the study participants into either study or control group in a Psoriatic Out-Patient Department of tertiary care center at Southern part of India. As usual, the intervention group participants received the application of topical corticosteroid Eczivate MF with cling film wrap while the control group participants followed the conventional treatment (topical corticosteroid Eczivate MF without occlusive dressing). The modified psoriasis severity index (MPSI) score was used to measure the outcomes. Results: There was a high statistical significance difference on the severity of psoriatic disease level between the control and study groups (p ˂ 0.05). Conclusion: Steroidal cream application with occlusive dressing yielded better results than non-occlusive open treatment

Community-based educational intervention on necklace method as a natural family planning amongst reproductive age group women in India

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a community-based educational intervention on necklace method as a natural family planning amongst reproductive age group women. This approach helps women decide on their reproductive health choices and avoid ill health, impact and long-term consequences of unwanted pregnancy that lead to unsafe abortion. Methods: A total of 120 women were selected using non-probability purposive sampling technique. The knowledge and practice of participants were assessed using the structured knowledge questionnaire and practice checklist followed by a community-based educational intervention to participants, which covered aspects such as meaning, purposes and criteria; steps of the procedure; and advantages and disadvantages of the necklace method. The methods of teaching were lecture cum discussion and demonstration. The collected data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Results: The levels of knowledge (t = 14.571, P = 0.023) and practice (t = 14.571, P = 0.026) significantly improved after administering the community-based educational intervention. Knowledge and practice positively correlated with each other (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Nurses play a vital role in educating women and creating awareness regarding modern and safe family planning methods. These methods are effective and essential to avoid unwanted pregnancy and thus greatly impact the health of women. Keywords: Family planning services, Health promotion, Wome

Effectiveness of music on anxiety and pain among cardiac surgery patients: A quantitative systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of music on anxiety and pain among patients following cardiac surgery. BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery affects patients physically, psychologically and socially. Anxiety and pain are the usual problems among patients following cardiac surgery. DESIGN: The study design is a systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: The Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE) and Web of Science databases were searched for randomized controlled trials from January 2000 to December 2017. REVIEW METHODS: The Cochrane collaboration guidelines were followed and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach was used to summarize the quality of evidence. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included in systematic review and 13 in meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that there was a significant reduction in anxiety and pain among patients who received musical intervention compared with those who did not. CONCLUSION: Music has positive benefits on anxiety and pain. However, well-designed and high-quality trials are needed to generate higher quality evidence

Effects of yoga on anxiety, pain, inflammatory and stress biomarkers in patients undergoing cardiac surgery:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The most common surgical method of managing coronary artery disease is coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Stress, anxiety, and pain are commonly identified postoperative symptoms and are closely correlated to patient recovery. Objective: The purpose of this review was to investigate the effects of yoga interventions on anxiety, pain, inflammatory and stress biomarkers in CABG surgery patients. Methods: and analysis: The databases PUBMED, The Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science were comprehensively searched from the inception to December 2022. The quantitative research studies that evaluated the effects of yoga on anxiety, pain, inflammatory and stress biomarkers in CABG patients were included. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Cochrane guidelines and is reported using the PRISMA checklist. The RevMan 5.4 software was used for the meta-analysis. Results: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria, representing 1227 patients with a mean age of 58 years. All studies have reported that yoga interventions significantly reduced anxiety, pain, inflammatory and stress biomarkers in the experimental group compared to the control group. According to the GRADE criteria, moderate quality of evidence was found on effects of yoga intervention in CABG surgery patients. Conclusion: Yoga has been shown to benefit patients undergoing CABG surgery. It can be used as an adjunctive intervention. However, more rigorous randomized controlled trials are required to generate high-quality evidence for yoga interventions. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020175833

Efficacy of supplementation of probiotics on maternal glycaemic control – A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Aim: To evaluate the evidence pertaining to the efficacy of the supplementation of probiotics on the blood glucose level of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Background: Women with the GDM are subsequently at risk to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus, within three to six years after delivery. This makes it crucial for all pregnant women with the GDM, to monitor their blood glucose levels regularly to minimize the adverse pregnancy outcomes. The earlier studies revealed that the probiotics could improve glycaemic control and mitigate the adverse effects of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: The Google Scholar, Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane library, ProQuest, Ovid, and EMBASE were systematically searched for the available clinical trials. Review methods: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for evaluating the effects of the probiotics on the pregnancy outcomes such as glycaemic control as primary outcome were included to achieve the aim of this review and meta-analysis. Two reviewers from the team extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias in the eligible studies independently. The meta-analysis was performed by applying a model of fixed effects using the Revman 5.3 software. Results: Nine clinical trials involving 1053 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Though the components of probiotics varied significantly, Lactobacillus species was given to all the participants in all the trials included in this review. The results showed that the probiotics asignificantly improved the glycaemic control biomarkers (Fasting blood glucose and insulin sensitivity level) (P < 0.005). Conclusion: Probiotic-supplements seemed to improve the glycaemic control biomarkers. Thus, this review highlights the considerable evidence that the supplementation of probiotics has the beneficial effects on the glycaemic control markers and may be useful as a supplementary therapy among the women with the GDM. This finding would foster the health care professionals and the nurses to create awareness on the potential benefits of the supplementation of the probiotics among the women with the GDM and elevated glycaemic control biomarkers

Caring burden and quality of life among the caregivers of people living with dementia–a cross-sectional study in Udupi district of Karnataka

Dementia is a chronic disorder of the brain that affects cognitive performance. The caregivers of individuals with dementia experience a greater burden that affects their Quality of Life (QoL). This cross-sectional study conducted in India was designed to assess the caring burden and QoL among the caregivers of people with dementia, as well as to ascertain the relationship between QoL scores and burden. Our sample included 80 caregivers of people with dementia. Most of the caregivers (n = 59, 73.8%) had a higher level of caregiver burden. There was a negative correlation between caregiver burden scores and QoL. A higher level of caregiver stress and low QoL were experienced by caregivers of dementia patients. In developing countries like India, counseling, and education on home health care for people with dementia should be provided to reduce the burden and enhance the QoL of caregivers.</p