Efficacy

Effectiveness of Fractional Erbium-YAG Laser, Microneedling, Platelet-Rich Plasma in Localized Stable Vitiligo Patients: Randomized Clinical Trial ABSTRACT Vitiligo is a challenging autoimmune disease to treat. This study compared the effects of fractional erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser-assisted delivery of platelet-rich plasma with microneedling (Mn) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in enhancing skin repigmentation in localized stable vitiligo patients. 40 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: one undergoing fractional Er:YAG laser with PRP and the other undergoing microneedling with PRP. The treatments were repeated every 2 weeks for 6 months, and the patients’ progress was assessed using the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI).… ➡️➡️➡️

Study Results: Impact of Online Educational Seminar on Systemic Sclerosis Patients Key Findings: An online, two-day educational seminar showed a small increase in disease-specific knowledge among systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. The seminar resulted in a measurable, but not statistically significant, increase in knowledge. Being a member of a self-help group was found to be a positive predictor of higher disease knowledge. Practical Solutions and Value: Despite the increase in knowledge, the format of a two-day online seminar may not be the most appropriate for generating measurable disease-specific knowledge. Self-help group membership was identified as a positive factor for higher disease-specific… ➡️➡️➡️

Effectiveness of a Novel Diet in Ulcerative Colitis Patients Key Findings: A combined Mediterranean, low-FODMAP diet with partial enteral nutrition (PEN) significantly reduced disease activity index and improved quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The diet also led to a significant decrease in serum level of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and showed potential as a safe and highly effective approach for patients with significant intestinal symptoms. Practical Solutions: Our AI-driven platform, DocSym, consolidates ICD-11 standards, clinical protocols, and research into a single, easily accessible knowledge base for clinicians, extending the benefits of clinical trials into everyday… ➡️➡️➡️

Effects of Routine Physical Therapy with and without Kinesio Taping in Improving Gross Motor Function in Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy Children Objective To determine the effectiveness of Kinesio taping along with routine physical therapy on improving gross motor function in sitting and standing among spastic diplegic Cerebral Palsy children. Design Randomized controlled trial. Participants 53 participants with diagnosed spastic diplegic cerebral palsy were randomly allocated in control and experimental groups. Intervention 26 Participants were treated by kinesio taping which was applied in a criss-cross manner along with routine physical therapy program while the control group (n = 27) received NDT… ➡️➡️➡️

Efficacy and Safety of Atropine and Orthokeratology Lens in Delaying Juvenile Myopia Key Findings: A study investigated the effectiveness and safety of combining low-concentration Atropine with orthokeratology (OK) lens in delaying juvenile myopia. The study included 172 adolescents aged 8 to 12 years over a period from April 2021 to May 2022. The results showed that the combination of low-concentration Atropine with OK lens effectively delayed the development of juvenile myopia and demonstrated high safety. Additionally, the combination treatment had a lower probability of postoperative adverse reactions compared to other treatment methods. Furthermore, the study found that low-concentration Atropine did… ➡️➡️➡️

Positive Effect of Self-Exercise Following Botulinum Toxin Injection on Recovery in HFS and BFS Patients: Clinical Trial ABSTRACT Botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection is the main treatment for hemifacial spasm (HFS) and blepharospasm (BFS). However, its long-term effectiveness is uncertain. This study investigates whether self-exercise after BoNT injection can prolong its effectiveness. METHODS 51 volunteers with HFS or BFS were split into 2 groups. Group 1 received detailed self-exercise instructions and were asked to perform the exercises 3 times a week for 1 week. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed using hemifacial spasm grading scale (HSGS) and Jankovic scales. RESULTS… ➡️➡️➡️

Comparison of Yoga with Exercise in Ankylosing Spondylitis on Mobility and Functional Capacity Abstract To compare the effects of Yoga with traditional exercise on the mobility and functional capacity of individuals with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods The study recruited participants from the rheumatology department based on specific criteria and randomized them into two groups: Group A (Yoga) and Group B (Exercise). Both groups underwent an 8-week intervention with 3 weekly sessions of their respective activities. Outcomes were measured at pre-treatment, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Results Both the Yoga and Exercise groups showed improvements in mobility, functional capacity, sleep quality,… ➡️➡️➡️

Study Overview Title: Is the addition of running retraining to best standard care beneficial in runners with medial tibial stress syndrome? Protocol for a randomised controlled trial Journal: J Foot Ankle Res. 2024 Jun;17(2):e12029 DOI: 10.1002/jfa2.12029 Background Running retraining is commonly used in the management of medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The primary aim of this study is to determine if the addition of running retraining to best standard care is beneficial in the management of runners with MTSS. Study Design This study is a randomised controlled trial with 64 participants aged 18-45.… ➡️➡️➡️

Assessing the Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Outpatient Triage Study Overview Our study evaluated the effectiveness of ChatGPT, an AI-powered natural language processing tool, in outpatient triage. We presented 30 common outpatient questions to ChatGPT and scored its responses with the help of experienced doctors. Key Findings The evaluation revealed that ChatGPT provided highly professional, comprehensive, and humanized responses. It demonstrated a high level of consistency with manual triage, with 93.3-100% agreement among 45 patients. This innovation has the potential to improve patient treatment time, diagnosis, and cure rates, while also alleviating medical staff shortage pressure. Practical Solutions Our AI-driven… ➡️➡️➡️

The iTAPP Study: Evaluating the 15-Method in Primary Care Practical Solutions and Value Background: The 15-method is a proven approach for alcohol problems in primary care, as effective as specialized treatment for mild to moderate alcohol dependence in Sweden. A feasibility study in Danish primary care found the method acceptable and feasible. Aims: Evaluate the 15-method in Danish primary care to lower patients’ alcohol consumption levels and increase the likelihood of alcohol use being addressed during consultations. Methods: Stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial in sixteen general practices in the Region of Southern Denmark. General practitioners and nurses receive training… ➡️➡️➡️

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain in Older Veterans: A Randomized Clinical Trial Overview Chronic pain is common and disabling in older adults, and psychological interventions are indicated. However, the gold standard approach, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), produces only modest benefits, and more powerful options are needed. Study Details The trial included a racially and ethnically diverse group of veterans aged 60 to 95 years with at least 3 months of musculoskeletal pain. The interventions included emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET) and CBT, each presented as one 90-minute individual session followed by eight 90-minute… ➡️➡️➡️

Theoretical Explanation of the Benefits of a Nutrition Counseling and Meal Delivery Program for Lung Cancer Patients Study Overview A study was conducted to understand how a medically tailored meal delivery program and intensive nutrition counseling helped individuals with lung cancer. The study involved interviews with participants from four cancer centers in the USA. Findings Analysis of the data led to the identification of three key categories: engaging in treatment, adjusting to diagnosis, and active coping. The participants engaged in the program throughout their treatment, leading to improved adjustment to their diagnosis and active coping through self-care and behavior change.… ➡️➡️➡️

Impact of Telemedical Management on Heart Failure Patients with Diabetes Key Findings from the TIM-HF2 Trial The TIM-HF2 study showed that remote patient management (RPM) reduced hospital admissions and mortality in heart failure (HF) patients. This post-hoc analysis focused on HF patients with diabetes, who are at higher risk. Practical Solutions and Value: RPM decreased days lost to hospitalization or death by 34% and reduced all-cause mortality by 48% in HF patients with diabetes. It also improved their quality of life. Conclusion: These results support the use of RPM in HF patients with diabetes, offering a practical solution to improve… ➡️➡️➡️

Efficacy and Safety of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation for Primary Dysmenorrhoea Overview Primary dysmenorrhoea (PD) causes significant physical and psychosocial impacts. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in managing PD symptoms. Study Design 60 participants with moderate to severe PD will be recruited and randomly assigned to a TEAS group or a TEAS-sham group. The TEAS group will undergo 12 sessions of TEAS treatment over two menstrual cycles, while the TEAS-sham group will receive simulated TEAS treatment without current output. Outcomes The primary outcome is pain assessment using the Visual Analogue… ➡️➡️➡️

Molecular Detection of SARS-CoV-2 From Throat Swabs: Practical Solutions and Value Background Testing for SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for early COVID-19 treatment and controlling the spread of infection. Proper upper respiratory specimen collection is vital for accurate diagnosis. Throat swabs are commonly used for mass testing, but their sensitivity for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis varies. Objective This study aims to compare the sensitivity and patient discomfort of throat swabs including palatine tonsil specimens versus swabs from the posterior oropharyngeal wall only for SARS-CoV-2 testing. Methods We will conduct a randomized controlled study to compare the molecular detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 using throat swabs… ➡️➡️➡️

Limosilactobacillus reuteri 6475 and Prevention of Early Postmenopausal Bone Loss: A Randomized Clinical Trial Summary Daily supplementation with the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 (L reuteri) was tested against a placebo to reduce early postmenopausal bone loss in women aged 50 to 60 years over a 2-year period. The study aimed to evaluate the potential skeletal benefits of long-term treatment with L reuteri. Key Findings The trial involved 239 postmenopausal women and found that supplementation with L reuteri did not have a significant effect on bone loss or bone turnover over the 2-year period. However, a significant interaction was… ➡️➡️➡️

Pain Monitoring in Intensive Care: The Impact of Nociception Level Index on Treatment and Prognosis Background Effective pain management is crucial in critical care, especially after surgery. Clinicians need objective and efficient methods to assess pain in a patient-centered manner. The nociception level (NOL) index offers promise in achieving this through its multi-parameter evaluation. Methods This study involved a prospective, controlled, randomized trial with two groups of patients in a diverse intensive care unit. Participants were over 18 years old with American Society of Anesthesiology scores ranging from I to III and were scheduled for critical care follow-up after general… ➡️➡️➡️

Safety and Efficacy of Multi-Target TKI Combined with Nivolumab in Check-Point Inhibitor-Refractory Patients with Advanced NSCLC Study Overview A study published in BMC Cancer explored the use of anlotinib, a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in combination with nivolumab in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Study Methods The study involved two stages: dose-finding and expansion cohorts. Patients received anlotinib orally and nivolumab intravenously on a 21-day treatment cycle. The primary objectives were to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), assess safety, and evaluate objective response rate (ORR). Key Findings Out… ➡️➡️➡️

Study Title Utility, acceptability and applicability of a nucleic acid amplification test in comparison with a syndromic approach in the management of sexually transmitted diseases at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Uganda (ASTRHA): protocol for an open-label, randomised controlled trial Abstract Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are common in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) and are currently managed using a syndromic approach due to limited resources. This study aims to evaluate the clinical usefulness and acceptability of a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) compared to the syndromic approach in LMICs. The results may inform diagnostic guidelines and update recommendations for STD… ➡️➡️➡️

Antiplatelet Therapy After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Five-Year Follow-Up Objective To evaluate the impact of different antiplatelet strategies on patient outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting. Design Five-year follow-up of the randomized DACAB trial (Different Antiplatelet Therapy Strategy After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting). Participants 500 patients aged 18-80 years who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and completed the DACAB trial. Interventions Patients were randomly assigned to receive either dual antiplatelet therapy, ticagrelor monotherapy, or aspirin monotherapy for one year post-surgery, with subsequent therapy based on standard care. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome was the occurrence of major… ➡️➡️➡️