scholarly journals The Role of Trigonella, Cichorium, and Foeniculum Herbal Combination in the Treatment of Cancer-Induced Anorexia/Cachexia: A Quasi-Experimental Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amirreza Famil-Dardashti ◽  
Ali Hajigholami ◽  
Shirinsadat Badri ◽  
Afsaneh Yekdaneh ◽  
Azadeh Moghaddas
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Placebo Group ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Combination Group ◽  
Anthropometric Indices ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Background: Anorexia and cachexia are one of the major problems in patients suffering from advanced malignancies. Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of herbal combination containing Fenugreek, Fennel, and Chicory supplementation to the high-dose megestrol for the treatment of cancer-induced cachexia and anorexia. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 47 adult patients with advanced malignancy; they experienced anorexia and weight loss over the 2 past months and referred to a university-affiliated hospital (Omid) in Isfahan, Iran. Patients who had met the inclusion criteria were assigned to take either herbal combination or placebo tablets in addition to megestrol (160 mg daily) for a 2-month follow-up. All patients’ demographic information, weight changes, anthropometric indices, as well as the quality of life criteria were recorded at the baseline and after the duration of follow-up. Results: Patients in the herbal combination group experienced a mean weight gain of 1.5 kg, while patients in the placebo group had an average weight loss of 0.6 kg. Anthropometric indices including triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm muscle circumference index, and grip strength were significantly improved in the herbal combination group. The other evaluated criteria such as quality of life, functional assessment of anorexia/cachexia therapy (FAACT), and some factors of Anderson criteria were significantly improved in the herbal combination group than the placebo group. Conclusions: Given the ameliorated results of the herbal combination supplementation in terms of weight gain and appetite improvement, as well as physical and quality of life enhancement, it seems that the herbal combination can be used as an adjunctive treatment for the management of patients suffering from cancer-induced cachexia and anorexia.

The effectiveness of mindfulness on quality of life of women with premature menopause: a quasi-experimental study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Pyri ◽  
Parvin Abedi ◽  
Elham Maraghi ◽  
Maryam Gholamzadeh Jashreh
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Hot Flashes ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Premature Menopause ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Abstract Background: Premature menopause may impair the quality of life and expose women to disorders such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and depression. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness on the quality of life of women with premature menopause. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study in which 62 women were recruited and randomly allocated in two groups of mindfulness and control. The mindfulness group received eight sessions of training. A demographic questionnaire, Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) and a checklist (for assessing frequency and intensity of hot flashes) were used to collect data. The quality of life, frequency, and intensity of hot flashes measured at baseline, after eight weeks and in three months follow-up. The Independent t-test, the chi-square test, and the repeated measure test were used for analyzing data. Results: The score of quality of life was significantly improved after the intervention and in three months follow-up in the mindfulness group compared to the control group (p<0.001). The scores of vasomotor, psychological, physical, and sexual domains also improved significantly in the mindfulness group compared to the control group. The severity and the frequency of hot flashes were significantly reduced in the mindfulness group in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that eight weeks of mindfulness training could significantly improve the quality of life and also could reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes in women with premature menopause. Using mindfulness for women with premature menopause is recommended.

Functional outcomes and quality of life during long-term follow-up after acute pulmonary embolism: analysis of the prospective multicentre FOCUS study

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Barco ◽  
L Valerio ◽  
M Jankowski ◽  
M.M Hoeper ◽  
F.A Klok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Acute Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Combination Group ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Median Score ◽  
Persistent Symptoms

Abstract Background It is unclear to which extent persistence of symptoms and/or residual haemodynamic impairment clinical course of pulmonary embolism are associated with worse quality of life (QoL). Aims To study the correlation between symptoms and haemodynamic impairment with QoL during the first year after acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods The Follow-Up after acute pulmonary embolism (FOCUS) study prospectively enrolled and followed consecutive adult patients diagnosed with acute symptomatic objectively diagnosed PE. In the present analysis, we considered patients who completed the Pulmonary Embolism QoL (PEmb-QoL) Questionnaire at predefined visits 3 and 12 months after acute PE. The PEmb-QoL score ranges from 0% (best QoL) to 100% (worst QoL). We evaluated at these two time points the correlation between persisting symptoms (group: symptoms), elevation of natriuretic peptides or residual right ventricular dysfunction (group: RVD), or their combination (group: symptoms + RVD) and QoL. Results A total of 617 patients were included; their median age was 62 years, 44% were women; 8% had active cancer, and 21% previous venous thromboembolism. At 3 months, patients with neither symptoms nor RVD (n=302) had the highest quality of life (median score 18%, 25th–75th percentile: 8%–34%), followed by those without symptoms but with RVD (n=255; median score 19%, 25th–75th percentile: 7%–34%), and by those with symptoms only (n=131; median PEmb-QoL 31%, 25th–75th percentile: 18%–49%). Patients with both symptoms and RVD (n=170) had the worst quality of life (median score 38%, 25th–75th percentile: 19%–53%); Figure 1A. At 12 months, we found an overall improvement of PEmb-QoL score. The degree of this QoL improvement varied across groups, being largest for patients who recovered from having symptoms + RVD at 3 months to normalization of at least one at 12 months. The change in QoL from 3 to 12 months was smaller both in patients who had neither symptoms nor RVD and in patients who had no recovery in either symptoms or RVD; Figure 1B. Conclusions Persistent symptoms after PE, especially in patients with elevated biomarkers or residual echocardiographic dysfunction, were the main drivers of QoL at 3 months as well as of the course of QoL over time. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; German Federal Ministry of Education and Research

scholarly journals Influence of Craniosacral Therapy on Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo A. Matarán-Peñarrocha ◽  
Adelaida María Castro-Sánchez ◽  
Gloria Carballo García ◽  
Carmen Moreno-Lorenzo ◽  
Tesifón Parrón Carreño ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Placebo Group ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Treatment Period ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Craniosacral Therapy

Fibromyalgia is considered as a combination of physical, psychological and social disabilities. The causes of pathologic mechanism underlying fibromyalgia are unknown, but fibromyalgia may lead to reduced quality of life. The objective of this study was to analyze the repercussions of craniosacral therapy on depression, anxiety and quality of life in fibromyalgia patients with painful symptoms. An experimental, double-blind longitudinal clinical trial design was undertaken. Eighty-four patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia were randomly assigned to an intervention group (craniosacral therapy) or placebo group (simulated treatment with disconnected ultrasound). The treatment period was 25 weeks. Anxiety, pain, sleep quality, depression and quality of life were determined at baseline and at 10 minutes, 6 months and 1-year post-treatment. State anxiety and trait anxiety, pain, quality of life and Pittsburgh sleep quality index were significantly higher in the intervention versus placebo group after the treatment period and at the 6-month follow-up. However, at the 1-year follow-up, the groups only differed in the Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Approaching fibromyalgia by means of craniosacral therapy contributes to improving anxiety and quality of life levels in these patients.

Quality of life of residents with dementia in traditional versus small-scale long-term care settings: A quasi-experimental study

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 931-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alida H.P.M. de Rooij ◽  
Katrien G. Luijkx ◽  
Juliette Schaafsma ◽  
Anja G. Declercq ◽  
Peggy M.J. Emmerink ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Quasi Experimental

scholarly journals Effect of Narrative Therapy on Happiness and Quality of Life in Women with Breast Surgery Experience: A Quasi-Experimental Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 57-66
Author(s):  
Hamid Aboutalebi ◽  
Nafiseh Yazdchi ◽  
هادی Smkhani Akbarinejhad ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Narrative Therapy ◽  
Breast Surgery ◽  
Quasi Experimental
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