Effectiveness of Wet Cupping on Patients with Facial Acne Vulgaris: A 12-Week, Randomized, Single-Blind, Intervention-Sham-Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Tabatabaei ◽  
Mehdi Pasalar ◽  
Haleh Tajadini ◽  
Mohadese Kamali ◽  
Thomas Rampp
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Antibiotic Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Acne Vulgaris ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Single Blind ◽  
Facial Acne

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Acne vulgaris is a widespread skin disorder. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of wet cupping in the treatment of moderate to severe facial acne vulgaris. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Between August 2018 and January 2020, eligible patients with moderate to severe facial acne were recruited in this single-blind, intervention-sham-controlled clinical trial in Iran. The intervention group received wet cupping twice and likewise the control group received sham cupping. Also, both groups received 500 mg azithromycin 3 times/week for 12 weeks. Acne grades were assessed 6 weeks and 12 weeks after beginning of the treatment by the dermatologist uninformed of group allocation and participant self-assessment. Quality of life was assessed with valid questionnaire before and after the treatment. <b><i>Result:</i></b> Totally, 103 patients completed the trial. The patients in the intervention group had better improvement and grade of acne compared to the control group at the end of the trial. Patients showed a shorter time to removing facial lesions in the intervention group in contrast with the control group (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Quality of life significantly increased in the intervention group compared with the control group (<i>p</i> = 0.004). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Wet cupping plus antibiotic therapy seems to be more effective than antibiotic therapy per se in patients with facial acne vulgaris.

scholarly journals Effect of a Smartphone-Based App on the Quality of Life of Patients With Heart Failure: Randomized Controlled Trial

JMIR Nursing ◽  
10.2196/20747 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e20747
Author(s):  
Mahboube Davoudi ◽  
Tahereh Najafi Ghezeljeh ◽  
Farveh Vakilian Aghouee
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure

Background Patients with heart failure have low quality of life because of physical impairments and advanced clinical symptoms. One of the main goals of caring for patients with heart failure is to improve their quality of life. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the use of a smartphone-based app on the quality of life of patients with heart failure. Methods This randomized controlled clinical trial with a control group was conducted from June to October 2018 in an urban hospital. In this study, 120 patients with heart failure hospitalized in cardiac care units were randomly allocated to control and intervention groups. Besides routine care, patients in the intervention group received a smartphone-based app and used it every day for 3 months. Both the groups completed the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire before entering the study and at 3 months after entering the study. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software V.16. Results The groups showed statistically significant differences in the mean scores of quality of life and its dimensions after the intervention, thereby indicating a better quality of life in the intervention group (P<.001). The effect size of the intervention on the quality of life was 1.85 (95% CI 1.41-2.3). Moreover, the groups showed statistically significant differences in the changes in the quality of life scores and its dimensions (P<.001). Conclusions Use of a smartphone-based app can improve the quality of life in patients with heart failure. The results of our study recommend that digital apps be used for improving the management of patients with heart failure. Trial Registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT2017061934647N1; https://www.irct.ir/trial/26434

scholarly journals Effect of a Smartphone-Based App on the Quality of Life of Patients With Heart Failure: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahboube Davoudi ◽  
Tahereh Najafi Ghezeljeh ◽  
Farveh Vakilian Aghouee
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND Patients with heart failure have low quality of life because of physical impairments and advanced clinical symptoms. One of the main goals of caring for patients with heart failure is to improve their quality of life. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the use of a smartphone-based app on the quality of life of patients with heart failure. METHODS This randomized controlled clinical trial with a control group was conducted from June to October 2018 in an urban hospital. In this study, 120 patients with heart failure hospitalized in cardiac care units were randomly allocated to control and intervention groups. Besides routine care, patients in the intervention group received a smartphone-based app and used it every day for 3 months. Both the groups completed the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire before entering the study and at 3 months after entering the study. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software V.16. RESULTS The groups showed statistically significant differences in the mean scores of quality of life and its dimensions after the intervention, thereby indicating a better quality of life in the intervention group (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). The effect size of the intervention on the quality of life was 1.85 (95% CI 1.41-2.3). Moreover, the groups showed statistically significant differences in the changes in the quality of life scores and its dimensions (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). CONCLUSIONS Use of a smartphone-based app can improve the quality of life in patients with heart failure. The results of our study recommend that digital apps be used for improving the management of patients with heart failure. CLINICALTRIAL Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT2017061934647N1; https://www.irct.ir/trial/26434

A randomized trial of the effect of peer education on the sexual quality of life in patients with myocardial infarction

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Abbasi ◽  
Hossein Ebrahimi ◽  
Hossein Bagheri ◽  
Mohammad Hasan Basirinezhad ◽  
Seyedmohammad Mirhosseini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Peer Education ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Sexual Quality Of Life ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractBackgroundOne of the factors associated with readmission is inappropriate sexual activity after myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to assess the effect of peer education on the sexual quality of life (SQOL) in patients with MI.MethodsIn this randomized controlled clinical trial, 70 patients with MI meeting the inclusion criteria were assigned to experimental or control groups using block randomization. Peer education for the intervention group was provided on the third day after MI. Education sessions lasted from 90 to 120 minutes. Data were collected using demographic, sexual quality of life-female (SQOL-F), and sexual quality of life-male (SQOL-M) questionnaires during the fourth week after MI.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the two groups before the intervention in terms of demographic and SQOL. The mean of SQOL in the peer education group was significantly higher than the control group at the 4-week follow-up.ConclusionsAccording to the results, using peer education is recommended for the sexual health care professionals.

scholarly journals Asthma in Adolescents: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of an Asthma Program for Adolescents and Young Adults with Severe Asthma

2002 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L Cowie ◽  
Margot F Underwood ◽  
Cinde B Little ◽  
Ian Mitchell ◽  
Sheldon Spier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Asthma Control ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Disease Specific

BACKGROUND: Asthma is common and is often poorly controlled in adolescent subjects.OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of an age-specific asthma program on asthma control, particularly on exacerbations of asthma requiring emergency department treatment, and on the quality of life of adolescents with asthma.METHODS: The present randomized, controlled trial included patients who were 15 to 20 years of age and had visited emergency departments for management of their asthma. The interventional group attended an age-specific asthma program that included assessment, education and management by a team of asthma educators, respiratory therapists and respiratory physicians. In the control group, spirometry was performed, and the patients continued to receive usual care from their regular physicians. The outcomes were assessed by a questionnaire six months after entry into the study.RESULTS: Ninety-three subjects entered the study and were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Of these, only 62 patients were available for review after six months. Subjects in both the control and the intervention groups showed a marked improvement in their level of asthma control, reflected primarily by a 73% reduction in the rate of emergency department attendance for asthma. Other indexes of disease control, including disease-specific quality of life, as assessed by questionnaires, were improved. There was, however, no discernible difference between the subjects in the two groups, with the exception of an improvement in favour of the intervention group in the symptom (actual difference 0.7, P=0.048) and emotional (actual difference 0.8, P=0.028) domains of the asthma quality of life questionnaire. The overall quality of life score favoured the intervention group by a clinically relevant difference of 0.6, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.06).CONCLUSIONS: Although all subjects demonstrated a significant improvement in asthma control and quality of life, the improvement attributable to this intervention was limited to two domains in disease-specific quality of life.

Impact of a 12-month web and smartphone-based intervention initiated during spa therapy to improve long-term physical activity of patients with chronic diseases: randomized controlled trial. (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florie FILLOL ◽  
Ludivine PARIS ◽  
Sébastien PASCAL ◽  
Aurélien MULLIEZ ◽  
Christian-François ROQUES ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Spa Therapy

BACKGROUND Lack of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors are leading risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD). Web-based interventions are effective in increasing PA in older adults and in NCD patients. In many countries a course of spa therapy is commonly prescribed to NCD patients and represents an ideal context to initiating lifestyle changes. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study was to evaluate in NCD patients the effectiveness of an intervention combining an individual face-to-face coaching during spa therapy and, when returning home, a web- and smartphone-based PA program including a connected wrist pedometer and a connected weighing scale, on the achievement of physical activity guidelines (PAG) 12 months after the end of spa therapy. METHODS This was a 12-month, prospective, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. Patients were enrolled during spa therapy and randomized 1:1 to intervention or control group who received usual advices about PA. From the end of spa therapy, PA, weight, waist circumference, and quality of life of the participants in both groups, were assessed by phone every 2 months. Primary outcome was meeting PAG (PA≥600 METs) at 12 months after the end of spa therapy. Secondary outcomes were: meeting current PAG at 6 months of follow-up; sedentary time, weight and waist circumference, PA and quality of life, at 6 and 12 months. Objective use data of the web-and smartphone-based PA program were collected. Analytic methods include intention-to-treat and constrained longitudinal data analyses. RESULTS The study sample was 228 patients (female : 77.2% (176/228), mean age: 62.4 years (SD 6.7), retired: 53.9% (123/228), mean BMI = 28.2 kg.m-2 (SD 4.2)). No group differences were found for any baseline variable. At 12 months, the proportion of patients achieving PAG was significantly higher in intervention group versus control group (81% vs 67% respectively, OR = 2.34 (95% CI 1.02- 5.38; P=.045). No difference between intervention and control group was found neither in achieving PAG at 6 months nor for sedentary time, weight and waist circumference, at 6 and 12 months. Regarding quality of life, the physical component subscale score was significantly higher at 12 months in intervention group versus control group (mean difference: 4.1 (95% CI 1.9-6.3; P<.001). The mean duration use of the program was 7.1 months (SD 4.5). Attrition rate during the first 2 months of the program was 20.4% (23/113) whereas 39.8% (45/113) of the participants used the program for at least 10 months. CONCLUSIONS The results showed significantly more participants meeting PAG at one year in the intervention group compared to controls. A course of spa therapy offers the ideal time and setting to implement education in PA. Digital coaching seems to be more efficient than usual coaching for increasing the level of PA and decreasing sedentariness on the long term. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02694796; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02694796.

Hysteroscopic management of a uterine caesarean scar defect (niche) in women with postmenstrual spotting: a randomised controlled trial

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hatem Hussein El-Gamal ◽  
Walid El-Basuony Mohammad ◽  
Ahmed Samir Mohamed Zeerban
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Caesarean Section ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Expectant Management ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Caesarean Scar Defect ◽  
Interventional Group

Abstract Background Long-term complaints after caesarean section, such as postmenstrual spotting, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, or chronic pelvic pain, are frequently described in relation to the presence of a niche. A post-caesarean niche is defined as an indentation in the myometrium at the site of the uterine scar. Two independent prospective cohort studies reported that the presence of a niche after caesarean section increases the risk of postmenstrual spotting for more than 2 days from 15 to 30%. Postmenstrual spotting may be caused by a mechanical outflow problem, with the retention of menstrual blood in a niche, or by the accumulation of blood because of impaired uterine contractions at the site of the niche. Additionally, newly formed fragile vessels in the niche may play a role in the formation of blood or fluid in the niche and uterine cavity. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a hysteroscopic niche resection versus no treatment in women with postmenstrual spotting and a uterine caesarean scar defect. Methods This trial is a randomised controlled trial that provides evidence for the (cost) effectiveness of hysteroscopic resection of a niche versus expectant management in women with niche related postmenstrual spotting. It was carried out on 28 cases divided into two equal group. The study was conducted at Ain Shams University on the women reporting postmenstrual spotting after a caesarean section. The primary outcome was the number of days of postmenstrual spotting 6 months after randomization. Secondary outcomes were spotting at the end of menstruation, intermenstrual spotting, dysuria, sonographic niche measurements, quality of life, women’s satisfaction, sexual function, and additional therapy. Outcomes were measured at 3 months and, also at 6 months after randomization. Results The results of this study show a significant improvement in interventional group after 3 months more than the control group in bleeding micturition characteristics which includes total days of spotting, spotting end of menstruation, intermenstral spotting, discomfort from spotting, dysmenorrhea and daily pain during micturition, after 6 months the two group improved but the interventional group was significantly higher than control group. Regarding the radiological assessment it was found that there was a significant improvement in intervention group more than the control group after 3 months, also the control group improved after 6 months also, but the intervention groups was significantly higher than the control group. The quality of life show a significant increasing in intervention group more than the control group after 3 months of intervention, at the end of follow up the intervention group was significantly higher in quality of life more than the control group. Conclusion A hysteroscopic niche resection reduces postmenstrual spotting, and the discomfort from spotting, compared with expectant management after 3 months of follow-up in women with a niche with a residual myometrium of at least 3 mm.

scholarly journals Impact of a Postoperative Intervention Educational Program on the Quality of Life of Patients with Hip Fracture: A Randomized, Open-Label Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (24) ◽  
pp. 9327
Author(s):  
Francisco Javier Amarilla-Donoso ◽  
Raúl Roncero-Martín ◽  
Jesus Lavado-García ◽  
María de la Luz Canal-Macías ◽  
María Pedrera-Canal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hip Fracture ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Educational Program ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of a postoperative educational intervention program on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with hip fracture using a controlled clinical trial in a randomized, multicenter study. In total, 102 patients (45.5%) from trauma units at the two University Hospitals of the province of Cáceres received the educational program, whereas 122 (54.5%) did not. Patients were consecutively included in either an intervention or a control group. Patients from the intervention group received an educational program during admission and the postoperative period. Patients from the control group did not receive any educational program. These patients were managed according to routine protocols. The patients were predominantly female (76.3%), aged 84.6 years (SD 6.1). All dimensions in both groups at 12 months showed a significant decrease with respect to baseline, except for bodily pain in both groups (p = 0.447; p = 0.827) and social functioning in the intervention group (p = 0.268). Patients receiving the educational program showed higher levels in the dimensions of the Mental Component Summary (MCS-12) (p = 0.043), vitality (p = 0.010), and social functioning (p < 0.001), as well as in the dimensions of the SF-12 health survey questionnaire of HRQoL 12 months after surgery. In conclusion, our study of the intervention group showed that there were significant improvements in MCS-12, vitality, and social function dimensions compared to the control group.

Impacting Quality of Life for Patients With Advanced Cancer With a Structured Multidisciplinary Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 635-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa A. Rummans ◽  
Matthew M. Clark ◽  
Jeff A. Sloan ◽  
Marlene H. Frost ◽  
John Michael Bostwick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
Multidisciplinary Intervention ◽  
Linear Analog

Purpose The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a structured, multidisciplinary intervention targeted to maintain the overall quality of life (QOL), which is more comprehensive than psychosocial distress, of patients undergoing radiation therapy for advanced-stage cancer. Patients and Methods Radiation therapy patients with advanced cancer and an estimated 5-year survival rate of 0% to 50% were randomly assigned to either an eight-session structured multidisciplinary intervention arm or a standard care arm. The eight 90-minute sessions addressed the five domains of QOL including cognitive, physical, emotional, spiritual, and social functioning. The primary end point of maintaining overall QOL was assessed by a single-item linear analog scale (Linear Analog Scale of Assessment or modified Spitzer Uniscale). QOL was assessed at baseline, week 4 (end of multidisciplinary intervention), week 8, and week 27. Results Of the 103 participants, overall QOL at week 4 was maintained by the patients in the intervention (n = 49), whereas QOL at week 4 significantly decreased for patients in the control group (n = 54). This change reflected a 3-point increase from baseline in the intervention group and a 9-point decrease from baseline in the control group (P = .009). Intervention participants maintained their QOL, and controls gradually returned to baseline by the end of the 6-month follow-up period. Conclusion Although intervention participants maintained and actually improved their QOL during radiation therapy, control participants experienced a significant decrease in their QOL. Thus, a structured multidisciplinary intervention can help maintain or even improve QOL in patients with advanced cancer who are undergoing cancer treatment.

scholarly journals Effects of a Training Intervention for Enhancing Recovery after Ivor-Lewis Esophagus Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Fagevik Olsén ◽  
G. Kjellby Wendt ◽  
E. Hammerlid ◽  
U. Smedh
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Lung Function ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ivor Lewis

Background and Aims: There is a risk of decreased physical function, quality of life and persistent pain after open surgery for esophageal cancer. There are currently no studies that evaluate the effect of any postoperative intervention, including physical exercises, after this type of surgery. The aim of the study was therefore to evaluate the effect of a training intervention after Ivor-Lewis resection of the esophagus. Material and Methods: Patients scheduled for esophagus resection according to Ivor-Lewis were randomized to an intervention group or a control group. The training intervention started at discharge and lasted three months. Before discharge, patients were given three leaflets with exercises to increase range of motion in the affected area and exercises aiming to restore lung function and physical function. All exercises were described in detail and the patients carried out the ones in the first program under supervision. Before surgery and three months after discharge, the patients estimated their level of physical function, level of physical activity, and quality of life. They also underwent spirometry, measurements of range of motion in the rib cage, spine, and shoulders, and three functional tests. Comparisons of differences within and between the groups were made. Results: A total of 43 of 64 randomized patients participated in the follow-up. Postoperatively, the patients in the intervention group had a significantly higher degree of physical function and less deteriorated range of motion in right shoulder flexion and thoracic left lateral flexion. There were no significant differences between the groups in lung function, pain, or quality of life. Conclusion: The results of the three-month intervention indicate that specific training can positively affect physical function and range of motion to preoperative values. The intervention was well tolerated, and no side effects were registered.

AwareCare: a pilot randomized controlled trial of an awareness-based staff training intervention to improve quality of life for residents with severe dementia in long-term care settings

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Clare ◽  
Rhiannon Whitaker ◽  
Robert T Woods ◽  
Catherine Quinn ◽  
Hannah Jelley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Severe Dementia ◽  
Term Care

ABSTRACTBackground: The extent to which care home residents with severe dementia show awareness is influenced by the extent to which the environment provides opportunities for engagement and by the way in which care staff interact with them. We aimed to establish whether training care staff to observe and identify signs of awareness in residents with severe dementia resulted in improved quality of life for residents.Methods: In this pilot cluster randomized trial, care staff in four homes (n = 32) received training and supervision and carried out structured observations of residents using the AwareCare measure (n = 32) over an eight-week period, while staff in four control homes (n = 33) had no training with regard to their residents (n = 33) and no contact with the research team. The primary outcome was resident quality of life. Secondary outcomes were resident well-being, behavior and cognition, staff attitudes and well-being, and care practices in the home.Results: Following intervention, residents in the intervention group had significantly better quality of life as rated by family members than those in the control group, but care staff ratings of quality of life did not differ. There were no other significant between-group differences. Staff participating in the intervention identified benefits in terms of their understanding of residents’ needs.Conclusions: Staff were able to use the observational measure effectively and relatives of residents in the intervention homes perceived an improvement in their quality of life.

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