Search

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of complementary and integrative health approach (CIHA) use in patients with heart failure (HF) and compare quality of life (QoL) between CIHA users and nonusers. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and comparative study including 130 patients with HF in Turkey. The data were collected using the sociodemographic and CIHA information form and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). The mean age was 64.51 ± 10.40 years. Furthermore, 26.1% of the participants had used at least one form of CIHA in the previous year. The most used CIHA was herbal therapies (94.2%). The total scores of the KCCQ were 47.70 ± 9.50 in the study, and a statistically significant difference was found in the total scores of the KCCQ between CIHA users and nonusers. The findings of this study revealed that more than a quartile of patients with HF used at least one form of CIHA. Further prospective studies are warranted to follow up with patients having HF who use any form of CIHA for a longer period and determine other parameters that directly influence QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To analyse the effects of nurse‐driven self‐management (SM) programs on physical and psychosocial health variables in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Data Sources: An exhaustive scanning of PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, CINAHL, ScienceDirect and Medline databases between January 2010–December 2019 was conducted for this meta‐analysis. Review Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to nurse‐driven SM programs in COPD population were included. The standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were determined for the main variables and heterogeneity was analysed using the I2 test. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) was used. Results: Twelve studies were included. The results indicated that significant difference in physical health scores based on COPD Assessment Tool (CAT) and walking distance according to the 6‐min walk distance (6MWD) test in the intervention groups compared with the control groups. About psychosocial health findings, the quality of life increased and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores decreased following SM programs. All of the studies had good quality (varying from 5–8 points) according to The Modified Jadad Scale. Conclusion: Nurse‐driven SM programs may contribute to prognosis in patients with COPD. Due to methodological weaknesses in the included trials, high‐quality RCTs are needed to better determine the effects of nurse‐driven SM programs in the management of COPD. Nurse‐driven SM programs may be employed as a useful strategy to improve health status and QOL and psychosocial health in the COPD population, as well. Impact: Current evidence shows that nurse‐driven SM programs could be safely integrated into the clinical practice for patients with COPD. Future studies are warranted that evaluating the effects of nurse‐driven SM programs on other frequently observed COPD symptoms such as dyspnoea, fatigue and sleep disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this feasibility study was to determine the effects of a nurse-led education and counseling program for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD-ECP) on dyspnea, health status, and care dependency in patients. A quasi-experimental, pre-posttest research design without a control group was performed on 30 COPD patients. The patients received an 8-week COPD-ECP via home visits during the first 4 weeks and via phone interviews in the subsequent 4 weeks. After completion of COPD-ECP and a 4-week break, a final follow-up was conducted at the end of 12th week. The Dyspnea-12, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and Care Dependency Scale (CDS) scores were calculated during the first interview, and on the 4th, 8th, and 12th week of the study. The patients completed all sessions of COPD-ECP without side effects. There was a significant decrease in the total Dyspnea-12 scores at the end of the study period. Compared to the baseline assessment, CAT total scores significantly decreased in the 4th, 8th, and 12th week (p < 0.05), and CDS scores showed a significant reduction at the 12th week (p < 0.05). In conclusion, COPD-ECP is feasible in regular clinical practice and well accepted by patients, and it seems to improve health status and decrease dyspnea, and care dependency. Future randomized controlled studies are warranted to explore the effects of COPD-ECP on fatigue, cough and sleep problems, and the best innovative strategies to improve the efficiency of COPD-ECP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]