Curcumin for attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and preliminary behavioral investigation.

Curcumin has protective actions in neuropsychiatric disorders, acting as a neuroprotective agent. As a first approach, the study aimed at a systematic review of the potential effects of curcumin on cognitive performance for attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This research was carried out in the databases of PubMed, Embase, SciELO, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Web of Science, and the Grey literature. Upon discovering the scarcity of relevant studies, and knowing that curcumin might have an ADHD hyperactive and anxious behavior, the study proposed to evaluate the effects of curcumin in an ADHD phenotype of spontaneously hypertensive Wistar rats (SHR). No studies were found that related to curcumin and ADHD. Fifteen SHRs were then divided into separate groups that received water (1 mg/kg/day), curcumin (50 mg/kg/day), or methylphenidate (1 mg/kg/day) for 42 days. Behavioral tests to assess activity (Open Field Test), anxiety and impulsivity (Elevated Plus-Maze, and Social Interaction), and memory (Y-Maze, and the Object Recognition Test) were all performed. The animals that were treated with curcumin showed less anxious and hyperactive behavior, as seen in the Open Field Test and the Social Interaction Test. Anxious behavior was measured by the EPM and was not modulated by any treatment. The results of the Y-Maze Test demonstrated that curcumin improved spatial memory. In the Object Recognition Test, neither the short nor the long-term memory was improved. The treatments that were used in this study beneficially modulated the anxious and hyperactive behavior of the SHR.

Experience of hope: An exploratory research with bereaved mothers following perinatal death.

PROBLEM: The negative implications of perinatal death on mothers' mental health are documented, however little is known about their experience of hope. BACKGROUND: Within the broader literature, hope has contributed to better mental health and bereavement adjustment and often bereaved mothers report the importance of hope for the grieving process. AIM: This study aims to explore bereaved mothers' experience of hope following perinatal death. METHODS: Individual interviews were conducted with 33 mothers having experienced the death of an infant in the perinatal period. Data from the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS: The mothers' experience of hope following perinatal loss is organized into three themes: Hope disrupted by perinatal loss; Transformed hope: a new pregnancy challenged by the sense of foreboding of another loss; and Ways to restore and foster hope in life. DISCUSSION: Although hope has been a motivating force for mothers to reconnect with their life plan and move on after a loss, it is also negatively affected by the experience of perinatal bereavement, social support, and health professionals' clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Bereaved mothers have reported a disruption in their experience of hope. While some experience a loss of hope or a sense of hopelessness, others experience a transformation and restoration of hope, which is reinvested in the grieving process. Mothers' experience of hope highlights the need for the support of a healthcare professional and may contribute to enhanced clinical practice through the promotion of bereavement care, considering the aspects that instil, maintain, and interfere with hope.

The experience of health-related quality of life in extended and permanent cancer survivors: A qualitative systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This qualitative systematic review aims to synthesize qualitative evidence from primary studies on experiencing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in extended and permanent cancer survivors. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, CINAHL, LILACS, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. It followed guidelines from the statement in the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ). A quality appraisal of each study was undertaken using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Data synthesis was conducted according to the thematic synthesis approach. Confidence in each review finding was assessed using the Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research (Grade-CERQual). RESULTS: Twenty-four studies from nine countries were selected for the final sample. Analysis of the studies' results allowed for the construction of nine descriptive themes that were interpreted into three analytical themes: "The body as a representation of HRQoL," "Living through and beyond cancer: the re-signification of HRQoL," and "Employing resources to improve HRQoL." According to the CERQual approach, moderate confidence estimations were achieved for the results. CONCLUSIONS: The themes reflect that the HRQoL experience is re-signified by survivors from the privilege of being alive. This process happens with the support of social resources, family, hope, and spirituality. Based on the findings, it is suggested that health staff should be able to recognize the impact that cancer survival has on HRQoL and develop a care plan that addresses needs to sustain health in these survivors.

Pain, sleep patterns and health-related quality of life in paediatric patients with cancer.

PURPOSE: To compare sleep and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children and adolescents with cancer who had pain, with those who had no pain during hospitalisation. METHOD: A prospective comparative study was used to collect data from paediatric oncology units in three countries (Portugal, Brazil, USA). Participants (n = 118; 8-18 years) completed the Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Cancer module, which includes a pain subscale, and wore a wrist actigraph for at least 72 hr. RESULTS: Almost half of the participants (48.3%) reported having pain. Sleep patterns were not affected by pain. Girls, adolescents and patients diagnosed with leukaemia/lymphoma who reported pain, had significantly lower HRQOL scores. Low sleep duration and HRQOL were found, irrespectively of pain status. CONCLUSIONS: The low sleep duration and HRQOL score in children and adolescents with cancer highlight the importance of physical and psychosocial nursing interventions during hospitalisation. The mediating effect of gender, age and diagnoses on the relation between pain and HRQOL needs to be further understood.

Childhood cancer: Impact on parents' marital dynamics.

PURPOSE: To explore and analyze how marital relationships are affected by the crisis generated by the diagnosis and intensive regimens required in the treatment of children with cancer. METHOD: A descriptive study with a qualitative data analysis was conducted. In-depth individual interviews were carried out with 18 married biological parents of children with cancer. Data was analyzed using an inductive content analysis. RESULTS: The following themes represented the couples' experiences: (1) Abrupt changes after the child's diagnosis resulting in marital strain and need to focus on the present; (2) United but distant; (3) Exchanging roles; (4) Being parents all the time; (5) Focusing on the positive side of the experience; (6) Rescuing the marital relationship. The marital relationship of parents with a child/adolescent who has cancer may undergo either positive or negative changes, with intimacy and sexuality being negatively affected by the disease. Although the relationship may be more fragile after the illness, increased mutual commitment was observed in some couples. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that health professionals should include parents as an important focus of their care. The establishment of solid bonds to enhance couples' communication is recommended as a way to provide anticipatory guidance to address the identified changes in marital relationships. The opportunities for dialog and partnership help couples to target their needs and recognize their strengths in order to mitigate the impact of a child's illness.