A systematic scoping literature review on the use of child life therapy (CLT) in the perioperative setting

Background Children and their caregivers often experience anxiety related to a perioperative admission. A systematic scoping review was conducted to map the evidence for child life therapy, including the professional background of treating clinicians. Methods A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O’Malley methodology. Six databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched. Results After reviewing 578 titles and abstracts, and 55 full texts, 11 studies were retained. Included studies were randomised controlled trials ( n = 5), retrospective studies ( n = 3), descriptive studies ( n = 1) and clinical studies ( n = 2). Child life therapy was effective for anxiety, anaesthetic induction quality, child cooperation and parental satisfaction. Professions delivering interventions included Child Life Therapists, nurses and a multidisciplinary team. Conclusion There is emerging evidence for child life therapy which may be used to guide delivery of paediatric procedural support in perioperative settings. Further studies are needed to inform practice.

Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Morphea: A Systematic Review of Literature

Morphea, also known as localized scleroderma (LoS), comprises a set of autoimmune sclerotic skin diseases. It is characterized by inflammation and limited thickening and induration of the skin; however, in some cases, deeper tissues might also be involved. Although morphea is not considered a life-threatening disease, the apparent cosmetic disfigurement, functional or psychosocial impairment affects multiple fields of patients’ quality of life. Therapy for LoS is often unsatisfactory with numerous treatments that have only limited effectiveness or considerable side effects. Due to the advances in the application of lasers and their possible beneficial effects, the aim of this study is to review the reported usage of laser in morphea. We present a systematic review of available literature, performed with MEDLINE, Cinahl, Central, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. We identified a total of twenty relevant studies (MEDLINE n = 10, Cinahl n = 1, Central n = 0, Scopus n = 2, Web of Science n = 5, Google Scholar n = 2) using laser therapy for LoS. Eight studies were focused on the use of PDL, six on fractional lasers (CO2 and Er:YAG), four on excimer, and two on either alexandrite or Nd:YAG.

The key complications of hemophilia and recent advancements in their management: an update

Hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive disorder which is due to factor VIII deficiency. It is a life-threatening coagulation disorder leading to complications including hemophilic-arthropathy, development of inhibitors, transfusion-related infections and profound psychosocial impact on the life of the patients. The aim of this study is to analyze the challenges in complications and the latest advancements in managing those complications. A thorough and systemic literature review was done to fulfill the objective of this study. The emergence of hemophilic arthropathy due to repeated symptoms of hemarthrosis is the most frequent complication found in haemophiliacs. Another critical complication, mainly seen in resource-poor settings is the development of lethal and severe bleeding episodes including episodes of intracranial hemorrhage. The development of inhibitors is another major challenge which often adds profoundly to the financial burden faced by hemophilia patients. Another major challenge is acquiring various transfusion-transmitted infections which was particularly more common few decades back. Studies also have revealed that there are myriads of significant psychosocial effects affecting the quality of life of hemophiliacs. Emerging treatments such as gene therapy, non-clotting factor concentrate products and extended half-life therapy can usher a new era in the management and the quality of life in hemophilia patients.

The Application of Quality of Life Therapy via Teletherapy during COVID-19 to Reduce Depression in Early Adulthood (When caused by bullying during adolescence)

One of the effects of bullying in adolescence is the emerging of depression tendency in early adulthood even when the bullying has stopped. This long-term impact can require psychological therapy. One of the psychological therapies that helps to reduce depression tendencies is Quality-of-Life-Therapy (QOLT). QOLT could increase happiness and overall quality of life by increasing satisfaction in several areas from 16 specific areas of life through the 5 stages of CASIO. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of QOLT on the depression tendencies in early adulthood victims of adolescent bullying. The research design used in this study was a single case experimental design with ABA pattern. The instrument used in this study was the 21-items Beck Depression Inventory. There were two subjects in this study, each with a high level of depression tendency based on the BDI score. The QOLT was conducted online for 8 sessions and administered by a psychologist. In addition, the QOLT module guide was used as a reference for implementing the therapy that has been validated by expert. The data were subjected to visual and descriptive analysis and the results show the decrease of depression tendency. Keywords: depression tendency, quality of life therapy, bullying victims, early adulthood, pandemic covid-19

Malignant Bowel Obstruction in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Regardless of the anatomic site of malignant bowel obstruction leading to the need for palliative intervention, decisions must consider the natural history of the disease, the availability and success of nonsurgical treatments, the individual patient’s symptom severity, goals, preferences, quality, and expectancy of life. Therapy for symptoms must remain flexible and individualized because the specific needs of the patient will change as disease progresses. Because strangulation is uncommon, malignant bowel obstruction is usually not a surgical emergency. There is usually time to proceed with deliberate and thoughtful decisions on how best to meet the needs and expectations of the individual patient and family. Providers must be well versed in both surgical and nonsurgical therapeutic options, the natural history of disease, and be active and compassionate providers to foster meaningful ongoing dialogue focused on excellent care even after cure is no longer possible. The palliative triangle not only allows patient, family, and surgeon to effectively utilize the full continuum of care that can be delivered, but also it supports end-of-life decisions when continuity in care matters most. Due to social distancing requirements, the dynamics of communication between patient, family, and surgeon have changed. Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime have become tools in our communication armamentarium

Θετικές παρεμβάσεις στη Γνωσιακή-Συμπεριφορική Ψυχοθεραπεία

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a well-established, evidence-based psychotherapy. Although it is the therapy of choice for both depression and anxiety disorders, many patients remain symptomatic after termination of their treatment, while relapses are not uncommon in the long-term follow-ups. Over time, different techniques have beenproposed in order to enrich cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy and increase its effectiveness. From the field of Positive Psychology, three psychotherapeutic strategies, Well-Being Therapy, Hope Therapy and Quality of Life Therapy, have been applied as additional ingredients in cognitive-behavioral packages. They are applied either as relapse prevention or as therapeutic strategies, in patients with affective and anxiety disorders who failed to respond to standard psychotherapeutic treatments. This paper presents the clinical and conceptual framework, as well as the structure and application of each strategy. Their potential clinical usefulness and results of preliminary validation studies are presented. Finally, their contribution in enriching the effectiveness of CBT is discussed.

Effectiveness of quality of life therapy on subjective well-being of Afghan women

Afghanistan experiencing more than four decades of war and violence, which has caused a lot of adversity to all specially women and affected their quality of life. This research conducted with aim of studying effectiveness of quality of life therapy on subjective wellbeing of Afghan women. It was quasi-experimental study with experimental, control groups and follow-up stage. Simple random sampling method used, therefore at first stage 200 copies of positive and negative affects questionnaire distributed among female students at Kabul University and Shaheed Rabbani Education University of Kabul city. 40 participants who had obtained scores that are more negative were invited for this study. In the second stage, 40 participants assessed through Ryff Subjective wellbeing questionnaire and then they divided to research and control groups. Finally, out of 40 participants, 28 of them participated in two groups (16 participants per group). Then the experimental group received 6-session intervention according to quality of life therapy (QOLT) package and control group did not receive any intervention. At the end of the sessions, posttest performed for both groups. In order to understand the consistency level of treatment, after 2 months the groups assessed with Ryff’s subjective wellbeing questionnaire. SPSS version 25 used for data analysis. The results show quality of life therapy have increased the subjective wellbeing of research group’s subjects in both stages (P>0.05). Based on findings it has argued that using this therapeutic package enhances subjective wellbeing and could prevent many mental health disorders.