ABSTRACT
Objectives: Propolis has an anti-inflammatory effect induced by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, subsequent inhibition of prostaglandin and nitric oxide synthesis, reduction of inflammatory cytokines, and eventually immunosuppressive activity [1-3]. This study aims to evaluate the impact of propolis on clinical features and specific IgE levels against salsola in perennial allergic rhinitis patients. Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with perennial allergic rhinitis with salsola-positive skin prick test were enrolled in this randomized controlled clinical trial and divided into two groups. The intervention group received the propolis (200 mg per day), and the control group received a placebo for four months, besides intranasal corticosteroids. At baseline and the end of the intervention, the level of Salsola-specific IgE was measured by the RAST method. To assess the propolis effect on the quality of life and disease severity, miniRQLQ and SNOT22 questionnaires were completed by patients before and after the intervention. Results: According to Table 1, Serum IgE level showed decreasing changes (-0.057) despite increasing changes in the control group (1.039). However, these differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.967). Based on the miniRQLQ questionnaire, quality of life improved in both groups without any significant difference (P = 0.930). According to the SNOT-22 questionnaire, both groups' nasal and sinus problems decreased significantly. However, the intervention type did not affect this decrease and was observed over time in both groups (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Propolis supplementation did not significantly affect various laboratory parameters, clinical symptoms, and quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of maternal psychosomatic empowerment during pregnancy on improving mental health in Mashhad, Iran. METHODS: In this quasi-experimental pilot study, 90 pregnant women were assigned into two groups. The intervention group was provided training sessions and routine care, while the control group only received routine care. The General Health Questionnaire - 28 (GHQ - 28) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were completed by mothers in both groups. The data were analyzed in SPSS software by multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures. RESULTS: The mean GHQ scores were reduced from 39.3 ± 14.8 and 43.1 ± 12.84 in the first stage to 15.7 ± 8.66 and 22.72 ± 11.3 in the fourth stage in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The results demonstrated a significant difference among the GHQ scores obtained at four stages (F = 244.057, P < 0.001), regardless of the group factor. CONCLUSIONS: The mothers subjected to the training sessions had a lower level of depression than their counterparts in the control group. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings encourage healthcare providers to improve mothers' mental health by implementing psychosomatic empowerment training during pregnancy.
