Effects of laughter therapy on quality of life in patients with cancer: An open-label, randomized controlled trial

UNSTRUCTURED Our aim was to evaluate a telemedicine intervention program dedicated to the promotion of physical activity including teleconsultation and telemonitoring following bariatric surgery. This study was an open label randomized controlled trial. Patients were included during the first week after bariatric surgery then randomized in two groups of telemedicine intervention: (i) physical coaching focusing on mobility (=TelePhys group) or (ii) dietary coaching (=TeleDiet group). The primary outcome was the difference in the delta number of steps measured during a period of 14 days at the first and sixth postoperative months between the two groups. Data were collected using the connected wireless watch pedometer. Body weight evolution and health-related quality of life were also evaluated. Ninety patients with mean age (SD) 40.6 years (+/-10.3) were included. Seventy-three patients were females (81%) and 62 had gastric bypass (69%). An increase of the mean number of steps between the first and the sixth month was found in both groups but this delta was significant only in the TeleDiet group (p=0.010). No difference was found when comparing the delta between the two intervention groups. A significant increase in quality of life was observed in both groups without any significant differences between the two interventions. Our study was not able to show a significant superiority of a telemedicine intervention dedicated to physical activity in mobility recovery after bariatric surgery. The early postoperative time frame for our intervention may explain our findings. Further research will need to focus on long-term interventions.

Download Full-text

Efficacy of Bimin decoction for patients with perennial allergic rhinitis: an open-label non-inferiority randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-019-3763-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jingyi Zhao ◽

Xinyu Yan ◽

Jianqing Gai ◽

Jinshuai Han ◽

Hong Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Allergic Rhinitis ◽

Nasal Spray ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Nasal Resistance ◽

Open Label ◽

Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common allergic disease. It affects people worldwide and traditional Chinese medicine is becoming popular among AR patients because it has a definite clinical effect and there are few adverse reactions. Lung qi deficiency and cold syndrome (LQDCS) is a frequent type of AR, and the Chinese herbal medicine bimin decoction (BMD) is prescribed for it. This study compared the clinical efficacy of BMD for AR patients with LQDCS to the conventional medicine loratadine and fluticasone nasal spray. Methods The study was an open-label non-inferiority randomized controlled trial. A total of 108 AR patients with LQDCS aged 19 to 60 were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the BMD group or the control group by the central computer system in Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2017 to April 2018. In total, 98 participants completed the study (BMD group n = 51 and control group n = 47). Patients in the BMD group received BMD while those in the control group received fluticasone nasal spray and loratadine tablets for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in the Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) between the baseline and the end of treatment. Changes in the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), nasal resistance, and acoustic rhinometry parameters were secondary outcomes. All side effects due to the treatments were recorded. Results After the 4-week treatment, the total TNSS was significantly reduced in both groups compared to the baseline (P < 0.05). No significant between-groups differences were observed for changes in TNSS scores [− 0.298 (95% confidence interval −0.640 to 0.140)], which was within the defined non-inferiority margin. RQLQ in both groups decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from baseline, though a more obvious reduction was observed for the BMD group (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in nasal resistance, nasal volume, or nasal minimum cross-sectional area between groups after treatment (P > 0.05). Conclusions These findings indicate that BMD helps relieve the symptoms of perennial AR and improves rhinitis-related quality of life. Our study indicates that BMD is non-inferior to loratadine tablets and fluticasone nasal spray for AR patients with LQDCS. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-INR-16010063. Registered on 2 December 2016.

Download Full-text

A randomized controlled trial of the effect of intercessory prayer on the spiritual wellbeing and quality of life of patients with cancer

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2009.27.15_suppl.e20708 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e20708-e20708

Author(s):

I. N. Olver ◽

H. S. Whitford

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Well Being ◽

Intercessory Prayer ◽

Spiritual Wellbeing ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

To Receive

e20708 Background: A number of scientific trials assessing the positive impact of intercessory prayer attest to centuries of anecdotal evidence, despite debate of its mechanism. However, little attention has been afforded to patients with cancer and the effect such intervention has on quality of life, including spiritual wellbeing. This study aimed to assess the effect of remote, Christian intercessory prayer on cancer patients’ quality of life, specifically their spiritual wellbeing, including their search for meaning, peace, and faith. Methods: New, consecutive patients with cancer attending an Australian cancer centre, aged 18 years or above, able to read English, and give consent were recruited. With Ethics Committee approval, this prospective, double blinded randomized controlled trial only partially divulged the nature of the study to patients who were informed of the measurements but not the inclusion of randomization to an intervention. Specifically, patients were blindly, randomly allocated to receive distant, intercessory prayer from an established Christian prayer chain (intervention) or not to receive prayer (control). All patients completed the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) scale and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Spiritual Well-Being (FACIT-Sp) at baseline. The FACIT-Sp was re-administered six months later to assess the primary endpoint, a change in spiritual wellbeing. It was anticipated that 1000 patients were needed (allowing for 20% drop out) to achieve 80% power to detect hypothesized small differences (Cohen's d .20-.50) between groups (alpha = .05). Results: A total of 1003 eligible, consenting patients were accrued between June 2003 and May 2008. Intervention (n = 509) and control (n = 494) groups will be compared across baseline characteristics to identify any pre-existing differences. Between-within subject analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) will be used to assess whether any differences were evident between groups across measures of spiritual wellbeing and other facets of quality of life. Conclusions: The results of these analyses will be presented. It is hoped this research will provide further empirical support for the biopsychosocialspiritual model of health. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Download Full-text

Effect of Medical Qigong on cognitive function, quality of life, and a biomarker of inflammation in patients with cancer: A randomized controlled trial.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2011.29.15_suppl.9035 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 9035-9035

Author(s):

B. Oh ◽

P. Butow ◽

N. Pavlakis ◽

P. J. Beale ◽

S. J. Clarke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Randomized Controlled

Download Full-text

Telemedicine Intervention Efficiency on Mobility Recovery After Bariatric Surgery: The MyGoodTrip Randomized Controlled Trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-58886/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mathieu Bruzzi ◽

Claire Carette ◽

Katia Lurbe i Puerto ◽

Tigran Poghosyan ◽

Marion Bretault ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Bariatric Surgery ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Time Frame ◽

Open Label ◽

Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background: The use of telemedicine may improve mobility recovery in patients with severe obesity undergoing bariatric surgery. Our aim was to evaluate a telemedicine intervention program dedicated to the promotion of physical activity including teleconsultation and telemonitoring on patients’ number of steps in the six first months following bariatric surgery. Methods: This study was an open label randomized controlled trial. Patients were included during the first week after bariatric surgery. Patients were randomized in two groups of telemedicine intervention: (i) physical coaching focusing on mobility (=TelePhys group) or (ii) dietary coaching (=TeleDiet group). The primary outcome was the difference in the delta number of steps measured during a period of 14 days at the first and sixth postoperative months between the TelePhys and the TeleDiet groups. Data were collected using the connected wireless watch pedometer. Body weight evolution and health-related quality of life were also evaluated. An additional qualitative approach was conducted to evaluate patients’ perception of the connected devices used in the trial.Results: Ninety patients with mean age (SD) 40.6 years (±10.3) were included. Seventy-three patients were females (81.1%) and 62 had gastric bypass (69%). The two intervention groups were comparable at inclusion except for the number of steps significantly higher in the TelePhys group (1073.102 ± 471.102 versus 839.102 ± 437.102, p=0.045). An increase of the mean number of steps between the first and the sixth month was found in both groups but this delta was significant only in the TeleDiet group (p=0.010). No difference was found when comparing the delta between the two intervention groups. A significant increase in quality of life was observed in both groups without any significant differences between the two interventions. Conclusions: Our study was not able to show a significant superiority of a telemedicine intervention dedicated to physical activity in mobility recovery after bariatric surgery. The early postoperative time frame for our intervention may explain the null findings. Further research will need to focus on long-term interventions.Trial registration: This study was registered the 23th of March 2016 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02716480).

Download Full-text