Efficacy

Online Disease Management Training for Older Adults With Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial Introduction Using online methods in health education is effective for providing individual services to older adults with limited access to health services at low cost, allowing for continuous communication. Methods The study involved 52 older adults diagnosed with osteoarthritis, with 26 in the intervention group and 26 in the control group. Various measures were used for data collection, including scales and a telephone counseling follow-up form. The intervention group received online training for 4 weeks and telephone counseling for the subsequent 4 weeks, with scales applied to… ➡️➡️➡️

Treating Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma with Innovative Therapy Value of the Study A recent study investigated the effectiveness and safety of a new treatment for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. The treatment, known as the BLD regimen, combined domestic bortezomib with lenalidomide and dexamethasone. The results showed promising outcomes, with a high overall response rate and very good partial response rate, even in patients with high-risk genetic features. The treatment also demonstrated good overall safety. Practical Solutions for Healthcare Through our AI-driven platform, DocSym, we aim to make clinical protocols and research easily accessible for clinicians. This will help to extend… ➡️➡️➡️

Testing a persuasive health communication intervention (PHCI) for emergency department patients Key Highlights Previous studies have shown that many emergency department (ED) patients in the USA decline HIV or hepatitis C (HCV) testing. We need effective and cost-efficient interventions to increase testing rates, especially for people who inject drugs (PWIDs) who are at higher risk for these infections. Study Protocol A brief persuasive health communication intervention (PHCI) has been developed to persuade ED patients who declined HIV/HCV testing to agree to be tested. This study will determine if the PHCI is more effective when delivered by video or in person,… ➡️➡️➡️

Study on FACIT-Fatigue in Axial Spondyloarthritis Patients Key Findings and Practical Solutions Fatigue is a significant symptom for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients. The FACIT-Fatigue scale, a 13-item patient-reported outcome, was evaluated for its effectiveness in measuring fatigue severity and impact on daily activities in axSpA patients, including those with non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA) and radiographic axSpA (r-axSpA). The study found that the FACIT-Fatigue scale demonstrated good internal consistency, validity, and sensitivity to change across the entire axSpA spectrum. It was determined that a 5-11 point increase in FACIT-Fatigue score represents a meaningful within-patient change, with an 8-point increase identified as the… ➡️➡️➡️

A Tele-detection and Referral Pathways Model for Early Childhood Caries Control: The TRACE Study Background Early childhood caries (ECC) is a common disease affecting children under 6 years old. It can be reversed in early stages, but often goes undetected. New methods are needed to detect oral diseases early for better control. Methods A randomized factorial trial will compare two tele-dentistry detection methods for ECC (intraoral camera and smartphone camera) and two referral pathways (user fee removal vs. conventional care) in marginalized communities in Alexandria, Egypt. The primary outcome is the percentage of teeth receiving indicated care, with secondary outcomes… ➡️➡️➡️

Role of Comprehensive Vestibular Rehabilitation Based on Virtual Reality Technology in Residual Symptoms After Canalith Repositioning Procedure Abstract Background: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of comprehensive vestibular rehabilitation using virtual reality (VR) technology in managing residual symptoms following the canalith repositioning procedure. Methods: 124 patients diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and experiencing residual symptoms after the canalith repositioning procedure were included. They were randomly assigned to a normal control group, a Cawthorne-Cooksey exercise group, a Brandt-Daroff exercise group, and a VR group. The VR group received comprehensive vestibular rehabilitation based on VR technology. Results: Following treatment, the… ➡️➡️➡️

Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Adductor Canal Block and Surgeon-Performed Block for Pain Management after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study Objective: The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of adductor canal block (ACB) performed by surgeons and anesthesiologists using ultrasound guidance for postoperative pain management after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: A total of 240 participants were randomly assigned to three groups: surgeon-performed ACB, anesthesiologist-performed ACB with ultrasound guidance, and a control group without ACB. Pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and opioid analgesic consumption was monitored on the first, third, and tenth days, as… ➡️➡️➡️

Opioid-free Anesthesia vs. Opioid-based Anesthesia in Shoulder Arthroscopy Key Findings: Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) with esketamine-dexmedetomidine significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) compared to opioid-based anesthesia (OBA) with propofol-remifentanil. Patients in the OFA group also experienced shorter post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stays. Practical Solutions: Implementing OFA with esketamine-dexmedetomidine can help reduce PONV and streamline postoperative recovery for shoulder arthroscopy patients. Additionally, ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) was used for postoperative analgesia in both groups. Value: This research demonstrates the feasibility of OFA with esketamine-dexmedetomidine as an alternative to traditional OBA for shoulder arthroscopy, offering potential benefits in terms of… ➡️➡️➡️

Efficacy of At-Home Bleaching on Tooth Surfaces Objective To compare the effectiveness and side effects of at-home tooth bleaching on the outer (buccal) surface only versus both the outer and inner (lingual) surfaces. Materials and Methods Sixty patients with certain tooth color were divided into two groups: one received at-home bleaching on the outer surface only, and the other on both outer and inner surfaces, using 7.5% hydrogen peroxide for 1 hour daily over 2 weeks. Color change and side effects were assessed at various intervals. Results No significant difference was found in color change or side effects between the… ➡️➡️➡️

Impact of a 12-Week Dietary Intervention on Adipose Tissue Metabolic Markers in Overweight Women of Reproductive Age Study Overview The study aimed to assess the effects of a 12-week dietary intervention on metabolic markers of adipose tissue in overweight women of reproductive age. It compared the effectiveness of calorie restriction and low-starch diets, taking into account salivary amylase activity. Key Findings Both calorie restriction and low-starch diets led to significant improvements in metabolic markers of adipose tissue, with each diet showing different benefits. Calorie restriction improved insulin sensitivity by reducing visceral fat mass and enhancing insulin signaling pathways. On the… ➡️➡️➡️

The Effect of Curcumin on Reducing Atherogenic Risks in Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study Overview Curcumin, derived from turmeric root, has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects, and this study aimed to assess its potential in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. The trial, involving 227 participants, utilized a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design to evaluate the impact of curcumin over a 12-month period. Key Findings After 12 months, participants receiving curcumin demonstrated a significant reduction in pulse wave velocity (p < 0.001) and saw decreased levels of cardiometabolic… ➡️➡️➡️

Effect of Rosuvastatin versus Atorvastatin on New-Onset Diabetes Mellitus in Patients Treated with High-Intensity Statin Therapy for Coronary Artery Disease Key Findings: Among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) receiving high-intensity statin therapy, the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) was not significantly different between those treated with rosuvastatin and atorvastatin. However, a notable drug effect on NODM was observed when the achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level was below 70 mg/dL, with a higher incidence of NODM in the rosuvastatin group compared to the atorvastatin group. Practical Implications: These findings suggest that the choice of statin type may have… ➡️➡️➡️

Impact of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology Strategy for Diagnosis of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis Introduction In India, tuberculosis (TB) is a significant concern, particularly in individuals with HIV/AIDS. Extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) accounts for about 50% of TB cases, with tuberculous lymphadenitis being the most common form, representing around 35% of EPTB cases. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has shown to be highly accurate in diagnosing tuberculous lymphadenitis, with 83-94% accuracy. Methods This study was a randomized cluster trial with one control and one intervention arm. At the intervention units (DMCs), suspected tuberculous lymphadenitis cases underwent FNAC of the suspected superficial lymph nodes… ➡️➡️➡️

Primary Premature Ejaculation Treatment Study Exploring Warm Acupuncture with Large-Quantity Moxibustion Objective: To investigate the clinical impact of warm acupuncture with large-quantity moxibustion on primary premature ejaculation (kidney deficiency and liver stagnation). Methods: 240 patients were randomly assigned to a warm acupuncture group, an acupuncture group, or a western medication group. The warm acupuncture group received moxibustion after acupuncture at specific points, while the acupuncture group did not receive moxibustion. The western medication group was treated with dapoxetine hydrochloride tablets. Various measurements were taken before and after treatment to evaluate the clinical effect in each group. Results: After treatment, all… ➡️➡️➡️

Practical Solutions for Postherpetic Neuralgia Treatment Combining Traditional Techniques with Modern Medicine Pricking-cupping combined with auricular thumbtack needle treatment has shown promising results for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) of qi stagnation and blood stasis on chest and waist. This randomized controlled trial compared this approach with oral pregabalin capsule treatment. Key Findings: Patients receiving pricking-cupping combined with auricular thumbtack needle treatment showed significant improvement in TCM symptoms, pain scores, sleep quality, and mental health compared to the control group. Serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) increased, while interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels decreased after treatment in both groups. However,… ➡️➡️➡️

Effect of Utilizing Different Data Sources on Clinical Trial Findings Key Findings: A study investigated the impact of using self-reported questionnaires, administrative data, or a combination of both on the outcomes of a long-term clinical trial. Results showed that utilizing different data sources had no significant impact on the study findings compared to when outcomes were assessed using adjudicated outcomes. There were no differences in study outcomes between participants exposed to betamethasone and those exposed to placebo when the outcomes were assessed using different data sources. The study concluded that utilizing self-reported questionnaires, administrative data, or a combination of both… ➡️➡️➡️

Empowering mind-body wellness: effect of bundling seated exercises and psychoeducational rehabilitation using the teach-back approach on fatigue and coping of women postmastectomy ABSTRACT Being diagnosed with Breast Cancer (BC) can cause significant fatigue and disrupt a patient’s life. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of combining seated exercises and psychoeducational rehabilitation using the teach-back approach on the fatigue and coping abilities of women postmastectomy. METHODS We conducted a quasi-experimental study at the Alexandria Main University Hospital, Egypt, involving 60 women. The study group received seated exercises and psychological rehabilitation interventions, while the control group received routine care. RESULTS The… ➡️➡️➡️

Inflammatory Markers and Noncoding-RNAs Responses to HIIT and Berberine Supplementation in Prediabetic Men Study Overview This study compared the effects of two different models of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with or without berberine supplementation on inflammatory markers and insulin resistance in middle-aged men with prediabetes and overweight or obesity. Key Findings All exercise interventions led to significant reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) compared to the non-exercising control group. Berberine supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in FBG and HOMA-IR compared to baseline. Low-compression HIIT uniquely exhibited more… ➡️➡️➡️

Surgical Advantage of Modified Labial Salivary Gland Biopsy Using Chalazion Forceps: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study Key Findings: Modified labial salivary gland biopsy (LSGB) using chalazion forceps showed significant advantages over traditional LSGB, including: Smaller incision Shorter operative time Less intraoperative bleeding Lower 24-hour post-surgery pain score Better incision healing at 7 days after surgery There was no significant difference in the accuracy of diagnosis between the two surgical methods. The modified LSGB using chalazion forceps demonstrated a high match rate with the final diagnosis of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Practical Solutions and Value: The use of modified LSGB with… ➡️➡️➡️

The Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Male Factor Infertility: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial Background The global prevalence of infertility is 9%, with male factors potentially accounting for 40% to 60% of cases. Conventional treatments can be ineffective, invasive, costly, and linked to adverse effects and high risks. Previous studies have shown that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) can regulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-testis axis, improve sperm abnormalities and quality, mitigate oxidative stress, and decrease DNA fragmentation index (DFI). However, the evidence backing the use of CHM for treating male factor infertility lacks conviction due to study design limitations, and… ➡️➡️➡️