The effect of mindfulness-based interventions on caregiver burden, quality of life and psychological distress in caregivers of adults with chronic diseases: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases requiring long-term treatment, care, and follow-up can negatively affect the health and well-being of caregivers. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are increasingly used as a mental health intervention to control the psychological problems experienced by caregivers and improve their quality of life. AIMS: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide evidence for a holistic evaluation and synthesis of the effects of MBIs applied to caregivers of adults with chronic disease on the burden, quality of life, and psychological distress. METHODS: Studies evaluating the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on caregivers of adults with chronic diseases and published through September 2023 were searched using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO. Methodological quality was assessed with the modified JADAD scale, and bias was assessed with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Randomized controlled studies were included. The standardized mean difference with a 95% confidence interval was calculated. Heterogeneity was analyzed using the I2 test and Q statistic. Publication bias was assessed with the Egger regression test. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 12 studies. Pooled evidence found that MBIs resulted in significant improvements in stress, anxiety, depression, and caregiver burden in caregivers of adults with chronic illness but had no significant effects on quality of life, resilience, and mindfulness. The Egger's test showed no evidence of publication bias. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: MBIs can be considered as a helpful method to increase psychological well-being and reduce caregiver burden in caregivers of adults with chronic diseases. These findings may direct clinicians to conduct mindfulness-based interventions for caregivers of adults with chronic diseases.

The effect of back massage with frankincense and myrrh oil before the cardiac electrophysiological procedure on back pain intensity and comfort: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Back pain is one of the most common problems experienced by patients after the cardiac electrophysiological study procedure. In addition, limitation of movement after the procedure negatively affects the comfort and satisfaction of patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of back massage with frankincense and myrrh oil on back pain severity and comfort in patients who were to undergo cardiac electrophysiological study. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled study with a pretest-posttest design. This study was conducted from October 2020 to March 2021, at the angio unit of a heart hospital at a university in Turkey. The study was completed with 30 patients in each group, a total of 90 people. Data were collected using a patient information form, a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ). The intervention group and the placebo group received back massage with frankincense and myrrh essential oil and with jojoba fixed oil respectively. No intervention was applied to the control group. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the post-procedure VAS values according to the groups. Except for sociocultural comfort, there were significant differences between the groups in terms of GCQ total scores and subscales at the first and last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Back massage with frankincense and myrrh oil increased overall comfort, physical comfort, the psychospiritual comfort. Additional research with a rigorous design is needed to determine its effect on pain.

The Effect of Touch Therapy on Symptoms and Psychosocial Variables in Individuals Diagnosed With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Touch therapy is used in the control of physical and psychological symptoms in cancer patients. However, its effectiveness has not been well studied. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of touch therapy intervention on symptoms and psychosocial factors for patients with cancer. METHOD: Four electronic databases were used to identify all experimental studies that examine the effects of touch therapy on symptoms and psychosocial factors for patients with cancer. The standardized mean differences between groups in levels of symptoms and psychosocial factors for postintervention were computed for each study. RESULT: The pooled results suggest that touch therapy intervention effectively reduces pain, fatigue, anxiety, and negative mood among patients with cancer postintervention. However, touch therapy intervention did not affect the quality of life and stress. CONCLUSION: A significant effect of touch therapy was the reduction of physical and psychological symptoms in cancer patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Touch therapy could be safely integrated into the clinical practice of patients with cancer.

Prevalencia y factores asociados a la fragilidad en pacientes mayores hospitalizados / Prevalence and factors associated with frailty in older hospitalized patients

Objectives This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with frailty in older hospitalized patients. Methods The point-prevalence study was completed on 263 patients aged 65 and over hospitalized in internal medicine and surgical clinics at a tertiary hospital in Türkiye. Data were collected between July 19th and July 22nd, 2021. A comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed on the participants. The Edmonton Frailty Scale (EFS) and FRAIL scale were used for frailty assessment. Results The mean age of the individuals was 72.40 ± 6.42, 51.7% were female, and 63.9% were hospitalized in internal medicine and surgical units. The prevalence of frailty was 57.4% according to the FRAIL scale and 46.8% according to EFS. Factors affecting frailty were gender (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.48–7.64), comorbidity (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.01–1.64), polypharmacy (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13−0.80), history of falling in the last year (OR 3.54, 95% CI 1.34–9.35), incontinence (OR 5.93, 95% CI 2.47–14.27), and functional dependency (ADL, OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46−0.92; IADL, OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.46−0.76). This model correctly predicted the participants' frailty at 70.5%. Conclusions The importance of frailty, which affects one out of every two hospitalized older persons, to the health care system should not be overlooked. Considering the increasing trend of the aging person population, national and global plans should be made to prevent and manage frailty (AU)

Objetivos Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la prevalencia y los factores asociados a la fragilidad en pacientes mayores hospitalizados. Métodos Este estudio de prevalencia puntual se realizó con 263 pacientes de 65 años o mayores hospitalizados en los Servicios de Medicina Interna y Clínicas Quirúrgicas en un hospital terciario en Turquía. Los datos se recopilaron entre el 19 y el 22 de julio de 2021. Se realizó una evaluación geriátrica integral en los participantes. Se utilizaron la escala de fragilidad de Edmonton (EFS) y la escala FRAIL para la evaluación de fragilidad. Resultados Respecto a los datos de los pacientes, la edad promedio fue de 72,40 ± 6,42 años y el 51,7% de los pacientes fueron mujeres. Y el 63,9% de estos pacientes fueron hospitalizados en Servicios de Medicina Interna. La prevalencia de fragilidad fue del 57,4% según la escala FRAIL y el 46,8% según la EFS. Los factores que afectan la fragilidad fueron: sexo (OR 3,48, IC 95% 1,42–8,49), edad (OR 9,91, IC 95% 1,99–49,30), comorbilidad (OR 1,33, IC 95% 1,01–1,76), polifarmacia (OR 0,30, IC 95% 0,11−0,79), historial de caídas en el año pasado (OR 3,59, IC 95% 1,25–10,32), incontinencia (OR 10,48, IC 95% 3,66–29,99), y dependencia (ADL OR 0,63, IC 95% 0,43−0,93; IADL OR 0,51, IC 95% 0,38−0,68). Este modelo predijo correctamente la fragilidad de los participantes a una tasa de 75,5%. Conclusiones No se debe pasar por alto la importancia de la fragilidad, que afecta a uno de cada dos pacientes mayores hospitalizados, dentro del sistema de atención médica. Teniendo en cuenta la tendencia de crecimiento de la proporción de personas mayores en la población, se deberían hacer planes nacionales y globales para la prevención y gestión de la fragilidad (AU)

Prevalence and factors associated with frailty in older hospitalized patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with frailty in older hospitalized patients. METHODS: The point-prevalence study was completed on 263 patients aged 65 and over hospitalized in internal medicine and surgical clinics at a tertiary hospital in Türkiye. Data were collected between July 19th and July 22nd, 2021. A comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed on the participants. The Edmonton Frailty Scale (EFS) and FRAIL scale were used for frailty assessment. RESULTS: The mean age of the individuals was 72.40 ± 6.42, 51.7% were female, and 63.9% were hospitalized in internal medicine and surgical units. The prevalence of frailty was 57.4% according to the FRAIL scale and 46.8% according to EFS. Factors affecting frailty were gender (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.48-7.64), comorbidity (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.01-1.64), polypharmacy (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13-0.80), history of falling in the last year (OR 3.54, 95% CI 1.34-9.35), incontinence (OR 5.93, 95% CI 2.47-14.27), and functional dependency (ADL, OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46-0.92; IADL, OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.46-0.76). This model correctly predicted the participants' frailty at 70.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of frailty, which affects one out of every two hospitalized older persons, to the health care system should not be overlooked. Considering the increasing trend of the aging person population, national and global plans should be made to prevent and manage frailty.

Effect of massage therapy with lavender oil on severity of restless legs syndrome and quality of life in hemodialysis patients.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the effects of massage therapy using 5% lavender oil on the severity of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and the quality of life (QoL) of patients on hemodialysis (HD). DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a randomized placebo-controlled study with a pretest-posttest design. This study was conducted from January 30, 2019, to May 6, 2019, at HD centers in Turkey, and it includes 58 participants-31 study patients and 27 controls. Data were collected using patient identification form, RLS severity rating scale, Kidney Disease Quality of Life Scale (KDQOLTM -36) and patient follow-up charts. As per the massage therapy protocol, the patients in the study and control groups received massage therapy with lavender oil and baby oil, respectively. FINDINGS: RLS severity significantly decreased in all follow-up weeks in the study group and in the first, second, and third follow-up weeks in the control group. There were significant differences between the groups in terms of KDQOLTM -36 subscales and total scores at the initial and final follow-ups. CONCLUSION: In HD patients, massage with lavender oil lessened the severity of RLS and improved the QoL. Accordingly, this therapy can be recommended to HD patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Massage therapy during HD sessions is easy, inexpensive, and patient-friendly with no side effects. It is known to reduce symptoms and enable the patients to easily perform daily activities of living. Massage therapy with lavender oil is effective and can be easily applied to patients with RLS by nurses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered under the Clinical Trials protocol registration system (NCT04630470) upon completion.

Psychological Distress and Its Association with Unmet Needs and Symptom Burden in Outpatient Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationships of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, symptom burden, and supportive care needs of patients with a prevalence of psychological distress in outpatients with cancer. DATA SOURCES: The study was carried out with 298 outpatient cancer patients at an oncology center in Turkey, and a descriptive correlational design was used. The data were collected through Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS), Nightingale Symptom Assessment Scale (N-SAS), and Supportive Care Needs Scale Short Form (SCNS-SF34). Descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression analyses were performed. CONCLUSION: The study determined that the anxiety and depression scores of a significant portion of cancer patients receiving outpatient treatment were clinically significant. It was observed that the physical and psychological symptom burden of the patients and the increase in unmet care needs related to psychological, physical, and activities of daily life contributed to the development of anxiety and depression. Of the sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics of the patients, female sex was found to be an important factor for both anxiety and depression, and advanced age was found to be an important factor for depression. These results indicate that cancer patients receiving outpatient treatment need intensive supportive psychosocial care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: It is recommended that patients' psychological distress levels and supportive care needs be included in the care process as a routine component of care, as in symptom assessment, and to develop a more sensitive and supportive care environment in meeting psychosocial care needs and accessing support.