Efficacy Of Complementary Therapies Research Articles

The Effect of Viola Odorata L. Oil for Fever in Children: A Randomized Triple-blinded Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial.

Finding non-systemic antipyretic option in cancer patients who simultaneously receive several other drugs seems be logical. This study was designed to evaluate complementary therapy with Viola odorata L. oil for fever control in febrile neutropenic children. In a randomized placebo controlled clinical trial, 41 febrile children were divided into two groups. Children in the active drug group received viola oil (20 drops) to be rubbed on the peripheral margin of the patient umbilicus. Primary outcome measure of the study was the mean axillary temperature in the 30, 60, and 240 minutes after the intervention. The mean temperature reduced significantly in the viola group after 30 minutes of administration (p =0.005), while there was no significant change in the placebo group (p =1.00). The number of patients who received paracetamol as the rescue treatment was significantly lower in the viola group than that in the placebo group (5 vs. 17, p =0.001). The results of our study showed the safety and efficacy of complementary therapy with Viola odorata L. oil for fever control in febrile neutropenic children during hospital course.

Cardiometabolic risks in India

In a recent article in this journal, we discussed diabetes and Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks in Indians living abroad. The article was written to complement the information that was published by an elite group of the American Heart Association (AHA);-”the council members of the various subcommittees.” In the journal Circulation, AHA published a scientific statement about the CVD risk of Indians living in the USA. In the June issue of the journal PLoS Medicine, The George Institute for Global Health (GIGH), Sydney, Australia, with collaborators from; Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, USA; Department of Economics, University of Gottingen, Heidelberg University, Germany; School of Public Health Johannesburg, South Africa; King's College London, UK, Indian Institute of Public Health, and Public Health Foundation of India, have published a one of a kind article on, “Geographic and sociodemographic variation of CVD disease risk in India: A cross-sectional study of 797,540 adults.” I am writing this article, as a complement to the topic reviewed by the George Institutes of Global Health and associates and other expert groups. The specific objectives of this academic exercise by the GIGH were, to determine how the CVD risk- and the factors that determine risk varies among states in India, by rural-urban location, and by individual-level sociodemographic characteristics. Rajeev Gupta and associates from Jaipur, under the aegis of South Asian Society on Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis, did a study in 2012, on “Regional variations in CVD risk in India: India heart watch.” The researchers found a wide regional variation in CVD mortality. They concluded, “that although no nationwide study of risk factors exists, there were significant state-level and rural-urban level differences in major CVD risk factors such as smoking, obesity, central adiposity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes. They also stressed the need for uniform protocols, to assess the regional differences. Whereas, the report by the GIGH Collaborators group, did pooled analysis of CVD risk for 797,540 adults across India, and identified important variation in risk among individuals living in different States. According to them, CVD risk was the highest in the northern (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), northeastern (West Bengal, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram), and Southern States (Kerala, Andhra Pradesh) of India. CVD risk was found to be higher in urban areas, that too among males, while mean body mass index was higher among wealthy, blood glucose, high systolic blood pressure was common in poor people of middle and older age. We have access to data from three important studies, related to the variation of CVD risk in Indians living in India, as well as abroad. It is high time, that we use these data to develop guidelines, guidance statements, novel clinical studies for validating safety and efficacy of complementary therapies for early risk factors such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, put together integrated noninvasive diagnostic platforms for risk assessment, risk prediction, and reduction or reversal of metabolic diseases. Having said that, I would like to emphasize the need for a national platform, to address the issues related to this very important public health problem, and to coordinate the prevention strategies.

The efficacy of complementary therapy for patients receiving palliative cancer care.

Involving patients in their own care is associated with improved health outcomes. Complementary therapies are popular among patients and enable them to receive the palliative care they want and need. However, the range of complementary therapy services available to patients need to be evaluated for efficacy. This study evaluated the complementary therapy services offered at one cancer outpatient clinic in the UK, with the aim of evaluating the effect of complementary therapies on patient wellbeing and to systematise concerns and categories of wellbeing in order to improve service provision. A sample of 60 patients rated their feelings of wellbeing on a Likert scale before and after a series of six complementary therapies. They were also asked which concerns they had and, after treatment, were asked about factors that may influence their wellbeing. The data were analysed quantitatively by t-test and Wilcoxon signed ranks and the results show a statistically significant improvement in wellbeing. The concerns were assigned into super categories to aid service provision and the other factors that influence general wellbeing were assessed to categorise areas of patient needs that may be addressed in patient care. These results highlight important areas for investigation, which have implications for service provision in palliative cancer care.

Efficacy of Complementary Therapies in the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer diagnosed in women and the second most common cancer overall, ranking as the fifth cause of death from cancer. The chronicity of the disease produces long-term physiological and psychological manifestations, which adversely affect the quality of life of the individual. The primary treatment while managing cancer presents with various debilitating side effects. With the recent advances in treatment techniques that have improved the survival rate, patients suffer from continuing posttreatment complications. Patients seem to cope well with the stress of treatment of BC and sustain a normal life; however, the deterioration in physical well-being makes the patient functionally inefficient. Exercise has been proven to be an effective, safe, and feasible tool in combating the adverse effects of treatment, prevents complications and decreases the risk of BC-specific mortality. This review briefly presents an overview of the burden of the disease and its management strategies. Owing to the heterogeneity of the population and the multitude of therapies they receive, the response of each patient to treatment is different and so is the magnitude of adverse effects. The review discusses the late sequelae following treatment and evidence supporting the role of physical activity in their management. In conclusion, there is a need for personalized physical activity plans to be developed to suit the individual and their circumstances.

The efficacy of complementary therapies for agitation among older persons in residential aged care: a systematic review

Review Questions/Objectives: The following question guides the systematic review: What is the efficacy of complementary therapies in the symptom management of agitation in older people living in a RACF? This systematic review aims to identify the efficacy of complementary therapy interventions in reducing the frequency and severity of agitated behaviour among older people in RACF. Specific questions to be addressed include: What type of complementary therapies are been implemented for the symptom management of agitation in older people residing in a RACF? Which complementary therapies are identified as being effective in reducing the frequency and severity of agitation in older people in a RACF? Inclusion Criteria: Types of Participants: Older people living in RACFs will be included regardless of cognitive ability, gender or ethnicity and existing co-morbities. Trials of RCTs investigating symptom management of agitation in older people over the age of sixty five will be examined. Trials undertaken in settings other than RACFs will be excluded. Types of Interventions: The types of interventions to be explored in this review are complementary therapies include: aromatherapy exercise massage music therapy therapeutic touch These interventions are of interest as they are non invasive, have minimal interactions with current medications and require minimal time, resources and training by nurses. Types of Outcome Measures: The outcome measures to be explored include severity and frequency of agitated behaviours. Outcomes will be measured with a variety of standardised and non standardised measurement tools using observation, with long term and short term measures. Measures will review the findings of frequency and severity of agitation.

The efficacy of complementary therapies for agitation among older persons in residential aged care: a systematic review

The efficacy of complementary therapies for agitation among older persons in residential aged care: a systematic review

Efficacy of complementary therapies yet to be proven

The findings of this Marie Curie Cancer Care-funded paper, based on a systematic review submitted to the Cochrane Review, suggest that more studies with much more meticulous research methodology are required before commissioners of healthcare can make thorough evidence-based decisions that determine which complementary therapy services can be funded. A more rigorous standard of research is also required to assist nurses in their provision of such therapies or advise about such measures to patients with cancer.