The Effects of Relaxing Music on Life Distress and Maternal-fetal Attachment in Pregnant Women

Background: Although pregnancy and motherhood are enjoyable experiences, they are associated with numerous biopsychological changes requiring adaptation. The present study aimed to assess the effects of relaxing music on life distress and Maternal-Fetal Attachment (MFA) in pregnant women. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test and a control group design. The research population included all Iranian pregnant women referring to Laleh Hospital in Tehran City, Iran, in 2020. In total, 30 women were selected using the convenience sampling method and randomly assigned into the intervention and control groups (n=15/group). The required data were collected using the Life Distress Inventory (LDI) and the Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS). The intervention group listened to relaxing music for twelve 45-50-minute sessions in the morning and during routine midwifery visits; however, the controls received no intervention. The collected data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS V. 22. Results: The obtained results indicated that the intervention group reported a lower level of life distress in the post-test, compared to the controls (P=0.0001, F=15.860). The intervention group also achieved a higher mean score on MFA, than the control group (P=0.0001, F=35.872). Conclusion: According to the present research findings, reproductive health, nursing professionals, and psychologists could recommend music as a complementary therapy to reduce stress and distress experienced by expecting mothers and to improve MFA.

Opportunities and Challenges of Nanoparticles in Digestive Tumours as Anti-Angiogenic Therapies

Digestive tumours, a common kind of malignancy worldwide, have recently led to the most tumour-related deaths. Angiogenesis, the process of forming novel blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, is involved in various physiological and pathological processes in the body. Many studies suggest that abnormal angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth, progression, and metastasis of digestive tumours. Therefore, anti-angiogenic therapy is considered a promising target for improving therapeutic efficacy. Traditional strategies such as bevacizumab and regorafenib can target and block the activity of proangiogenic factors to treat digestive tumours. However, due to resistance and some limitations, such as poor pharmacokinetics, their efficacy is not always satisfactory. In recent years, nanotechnology-based anti-angiogenic therapies have emerged as a new way to treat digestive tumours. Compared with commonly used drugs, nanoparticles show great potential in tumour targeted delivery, controlled drug release, prolonged cycle time, and increased drug bioavailability. Therefore, anti-angiogenic nanoparticles may be an effective complementary therapy to treat digestive tumours. In this review, we outline the different mechanisms of angiogenesis, the effects of nanoparticles on angiogenesis, and their biomedical applications in various kinds of digestive tumours. In addition, the opportunities and challenges are briefly discussed.

Utilising Virtual Reality in Pain Management: A Systematic Review

Virtual reality (VR) offers patient with a drug free supplement, an alternative or complementary therapy to traditional pain management. VR technology allowing its use in a wide variety of settings in the medicine world. So, we would like to evaluate the current existing evidence supporting VR in pain management. We conducted a systematic review of interventional and observational studies that examined VR applications in pain management between 2010 and 2019. We used Scopus databases, PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE and EBSCOhost to identify the studies using keywords “patient”, “virtual reality”, “medicine” and “pain management”. Data was obtained by two investigators and agreement was reached with the involvement of a third and fourth investigator. Narrative synthesis for all research was done. A total of 451 citations were identified, among which 12 studies met the criteria for inclusion. Studies involve various countries with participant age ranging from 6 to 75 years old. Studies were small, employed different design, instrument and measure for outcome. Studies addressed experimental, acute and chronic pain with four categories of condition which are burn injury, orthopedic diseases and chronic headache. VR was effective during the procedure in experimental and acute pain management. Majority of studies involving VR in painful physical rehabilitation therapy found VR reduced chronic pain and some provide evidence of lasting analgesia effect of VR after therapy. The usage of VR in chronic pain in term of psychological and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) showed improvement of positive mood, emotional and motivation that could lead to improvement of quality of life. VR also useful to elicit findings during painful cervical kinematics assessment in chronic neck pain. VR is a promising technology to be applied in managing chronic and acute pain. Some research showed that VR usage is able to provide lasting effect of analgesia even after VR session. However, there is a need for long term, larger sample sizes and well controlled studies to show clinical and cost-effectiveness for this technology to be used in clinical settings.

Allied Health and Complementary Therapy Usage in Australian Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain: a Cross-Sectional Study

Background Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) causes non-cyclical pelvic pain, period pain, fatigue and other painful symptoms. Current medical and surgical management strategies are often not sufficient to manage these symptoms and may lead to uptake of other therapies. Aims To determine the prevalence of allied health (AH) and complementary therapy (CM) use, the cost burden of these therapies and explore predictive factors for using allied health or complementary medicines.Materials and Methods An online cross-sectional questionnaire using the WERF EndoCost tool was undertaken between February to April 2017. People were eligible to participate in the survey if they were aged 18-45, living in Australia and had chronic pelvic pain. Results From 409 responses, 340/409 (83%) of respondents reported a diagnosis of endometriosis. One hundred and five (30%) women with self-reported endometriosis, and thirteen (18%) women with other forms of CPP saw at least one AH or CM practitioner in the previous two months, with physiotherapists and acupuncturists the most common. Women who accessed CM or AH services spent an average of $480.32 AUD in the previous two months. A positive correlation was found between education and number of AH or CM therapies accessed in the past two months (p<0.001) and between income level and number of therapists (p=0.028).Conclusions Women with CPP commonly access AH and CM therapies, with a high out of pocket cost. The high cost and associations with income and education levels may warrant a change to policy to improve equitable access to these services.

Effectiveness of Messenger Plants (Peperomia Pellucida L.) and Tai Chi Exercise as Modality Therapy for Gout Sufferers: Literature review

Hyperuricemia correlated with an increase in monosodium urate crystals, which was a precipitating factor for gout arthritis. In Indonesia, this disease was more common in individuals over 34 years of age. The elderly who had gout can be associated with metabolic syndrome and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Pharmacological therapy of gout, such as allopurinol, had a greater potential to cause side effects in patients than complementary therapy. This article aimed to determine the effectiveness of the messenger plant (Peperomia pellucida) and Tai Chi exercise in overcoming hyperuricemia. The writing method used was a literature review. Articles were obtained through search sites: Google Scholar, Science-Direct, and NCBI, and the criteria used in the search were Indonesian and English with a range of publication years 2014-2020. Eight main journals were used as references; from these journals, it was concluded that Peperomia pellucida could inhibit the formation of uric acid with xanthine oxidase activity through its quercetin-type flavonoid content, while Tai Chi exercise could increase joint flexibility and blood circulation in patients with gout. Therefore, these therapies can be used as a reference for complementary therapy for individuals with hyperuricemia to help manage uric acid levels and reduce the risk of developing gouty arthritis.

Physiological and Psychological Effects of Parental Traditional Thai Massage on Children with Autism: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction Although many autistic children receive massage as a complementary therapy, it is not included in evidence-based practices for autism since evidence of its efficacy is lacking. Further, prior studies have failed to identify objective indicators of core symptoms or elucidate their mechanisms. We developed a parent-delivered traditional Thai massage (TTM) on children intervention with autism, aim is to access the physiological (gait and heart rate variability) and psychological effects of intervention. Methods and analysis A two-armed, parallel randomized controlled trial study will recruit forty-eight children with autism from the XX Special Education School at the beginning of Febuary2022. They will be randomly assigned to either a parental TTM or control group with a ratio of 1:1. Individuals in the parental TTM group will receive 16 parent-delivered TTM sessions over 8 weeks. The outcome will be assessed on admission, after 8 weeks, and as well as at 2-month follow-up, including the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist score, heart rate variability, gait, and parenting stress index. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approved by the Khon Kaen University Ethics Committee for Human Research (XXXX). Result will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and give presentations in domestic and international academic conferences to further promote communication. Trial registration number: XXXXXX

Evaluation of the genotoxic and mutagenic potentials of phytotherapic and homeopathic solutions of Euphorbia tirucalli Lineu (Aveloz)

Introduction: Euphorbia tirucalli Lineu, commonly known as Aveloz, is a very common plant found in tropical regions [1]. The ingestion or contact with its latex causes symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, pallor, skin irritation, hepatotoxicity as well as carcinogenesis [2]. Moreover, the Aveloz latex is also responsible for a few important activities against some infectious and neoplastic diseases. Aveloz latex phytochemical composition may vary according to seasonal aspects and geographic location [3], and it is used either orally or topically in traditional medicine. Popularly known as an antitumoral agent (breast, prostate, lung, kidney), it is used not only in Brazil, but in several other countries. According to the literature, the latex could have a dual behaviour, activating or inhibiting tumoral events [3-6]. However, there are few reports discussing these mechanisms. Besides, the mutagenic and genotoxic potentials of phytochemical and homeopathic Aveloz have not yet been described. Several experimental methods have been used to evaluate the mutagenic and genotoxic effects, such as Inductest, the Ames test and the chromotest. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the genotoxic and mutagenic potentials of Aveloz latex and Aveloz phytotherapic and homeopathic solutions. Methodology: In this study, Aveloz 5 and 30cH are prepared according to Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia [7], from Aveloz latex collected in the Center for Natural Products Research (NPPN) at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro [8]. The Aveloz phytochemical solution was prepared following the doses used in folk medicine: 2 drops diluted in 250ml of water and 2 drops diluted in 25 ml of water. All test solutions were submitted to the following methodologies: (a) Inductest: assesses the ability of physical or chemical agents to promote lysogenic induction as a response to DNA damage in lysogenic bacteria; (b) The Ames test: uses indicator strains of Salmonella typhimurium, which are sensitive to substances that can induce different types of mutation; (c) Chromotest: evaluates the genotoxicity of chemicals through the induction of the bacterial SOS system. Results: In the Inductest there was no decrease in bacterial survival fraction and no increase in lysogenic cycle. As measured by The Ames test and the chromotest no mutagenic or genotoxic potentials were detected. Discussion: The homeopathic and the phytochemical Aveloz solutions were unable to produce lysogenic induction or mutagenesis in bacterial cells and they were also unable to produce genotoxic effects, as measured by chromotest. Conclusion: Our results showed that no mutagenic or genotoxic damages were induced by all Aveloz preparations studied, thus we are led to believe that patients using Aveloz as a complementary therapy present no side effects in relation to mutagenesis and genotoxicity.

Terapi SEFT (Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique) Sebagai Upaya Penurunan Hipertensi Pada Lansia: Literature Review

Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique (SEFT) is a relaxation technique which is a form of mind-body-therapy from complementary and alternative therapies. SEFT works by activating the body's meridian pathways by light tapping on 9 or 18 meridian points of the body, with the mind and heart concentrating on the place and the pain that we feel accompanied by prayer. The study aimed to examine the effect of SEFT therapy on blood pressure in the elderly with hypertension. The study applied a literature review. By using the keywords "SEFT, Hypertension, Elderly" the articles were searched from GARUDA and Google Scholar databases. The articles that published in period of 2011 to 2021 and fit with the inclusion and exclusion criteria were reviewed. The quality of articles was assessed using CONSORT checklist. The results show that the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure before SEFT therapy was 163 mmHg and 93 mmHg, respectively. Meanwhile, the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure after SEFT therapy was 154 mmHg and 88 mmHg, respectively. There is a significant effect of SEFT therapy on reducing blood pressure in the elderly with hypertension. SEFT therapy is effective and can be applied as a complementary therapy in reducing blood pressure in the elderly. Based on the results, SEFT therapy can be socialized to the wider community and can be applied as an alternative therapy to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients.Keywords: Elderly, Hypertension, SEFT AbstrakSpiritual Emotional Freedom Technique (SEFT) merupakan teknik relaksasi yang merupakan salah satu bentuk mind-body-therapy dari terapi komplementer dan terapi alternatif. SEFT bekerja dengan mengaktifkan jalur-jalur meridian tubuh dengan cara ketukan ringan atau tapping di 9 atau 18 titik meridian tubuh, dengan pikiran dan hati konsentrasi pada tempat dan rasa sakit yang kita rasakan disertai dengan doa. Untuk mengetahui pengaruh terapi SEFT terhadap tekanan darah pada lansia. Penelitian ini menggunakan literature review, dengan pencarian artikel menggunakan database garba garuda dan google scholar untuk menemukan artikel yang sesuai kriteria inklusi dan eksklusi dengan memasukan kata kunci “SEFT, Hipertensi, Lansia” dalam periode 2011-2021. Instrument untuk menilai kualitas artikel menggunakan CONSORT Instrumen. Hasil literature review menunjukan mean tekanan darah systole dan diastole sebelum dilakukan terapi SEFT adalah 163 mmHg dan 93 mmHg. Sedangkan mean tekanan darah systole dan diastole setelah dilakukan terapi SEFT adalah 154 mmHg 88 mmHg. Terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan terapi SEFT terhadap penurunan tekanan darah pada lansia lansia dengan hipertensi.Terapi SEFT efektif dan dapat diterapkan sebagai terapi komplementer dalam penurunan tekanan darah pada lansia. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ini terapi SEFT dapat disosialisasikan kepada masyarakat luas dan dapat diterapkan sebagai terapi alternatif untuk menurunkan tekanan darah pada pasien hipertensi.Kata kunci: SEFT; Lansia;Hipertensi

Intervention of Yoga in Stress, Anxiety and Depression

Yoga is not only an art but also an ancient science that evolved more than 5000 years ago. It is practised by people from all walks of life in almost every part of the world. In the past, the practice, which was seen to be spiritual and divine, used to be confined to smaller groups of individuals who were seeking moksha or liberation; however, the trend has transformed over the decades. Today, there are so many yoga studios worldwide, and this has made it easy for yoga enthusiasts. This chapter investigates the effectiveness of yoga not only as a complementary therapy but also as a viable option in the management of stress, anxiety and depression. Articles were retrieved using PubMed, MEDLINE and PsychInfo databases. The findings reveal that the practice of yoga as a complementary therapy and stand-alone therapy is effective in managing stress, anxiety and depression. However, further research is needed as all the studies reviewed were limited in terms of heterogeneity, sample size, intervention styles, frequency and duration of practice, and also teaching methods. The chapter concludes with suggestions for home practice.