scholarly journals Acupuncture for Frequent Migraine: A Randomized, Patient/Assessor Blinded, Controlled Trial with One-Year Follow-Up

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanyi Wang ◽  
Charlie Changli Xue ◽  
Robert Helme ◽  
Cliff Da Costa ◽  
Zhen Zheng

Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of manual acupuncture as a prophylaxis for frequent migraine.Methods. Fifty frequent migraineurs were randomly allocated to receive 16 sessions of either real acupuncture (RA = 26) or sham acupuncture (SA = 24) during 20 weeks. The primary outcomes were days with migraine over four weeks, duration, and intensity of migraine and the number of responders with more than 50% reduction of migraine days. The secondary outcomes were the relief medication, quality of migraine, quality of life, and pressure pain thresholds.Results. The two groups were comparable at baseline. At the end of the treatment, when compared with the SA group, the RA group reported significant less migraine days (RA: 5.2 ± 5.0; SA: 10.1 ± 7.1;P=0.008), less severe migraine (RA: 2.18 ± 1.05; SA: 2.93 ± 0.61;P=0.004), more responders (RA: 19 versus SA: 7), and increased pressure pain thresholds. No other group difference was found. Group differences were maintained at the end of the three-month follow-up, but not at the one-year follow-up. No severe adverse event was reported. Blinding was successful.Discussion. Manual acupuncture was an effective and safe treatment for short-term relief of frequent migraine in adults. Larger trials are warranted.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Monticone ◽  
Igor Portoghese ◽  
Daniele Cazzaniga ◽  
Valentina Liquori ◽  
Giuseppe Marongiu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background General physiotherapy is a common means of rehabilitation after surgery for proximal humeral fracture (PHF). Better-targeted exercises seem worthy of investigation and the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a rehabilitation program including task-oriented exercises in improving disability, pain, and quality of life in patients after a PHF. Methods By means of a randomized controlled trial with one-year follow-up, 70 working patients (mean age of 49 ± 11 years; 41 females), who were selected for open reduction and internal fixation with plates caused by PHF, were randomized to be included in an experimental (n = 35) or control group (n = 35). There was a permuted-block randomization plan, and a list of program codes was previously created; subsequently, an automatic assignment system was used to conceal the allocation. The first group underwent a supervised rehabilitation program of task-oriented exercises based on patients’ specific job activities, and occupational therapy. The second group underwent general physiotherapy, including supervised mobility, strengthening and stretching exercises. Both groups individually followed programs of 60-min session three times per week for 12 weeks in the outpatient setting. The Disability Arm Shoulder Hand questionnaire (DASH; scores range from 0 to 100; primary outcome), a Pain intensity Numerical Rating Scale (scores range 0 to 10; secondary outcomes), and the Short-Form Health Survey (scores range from 0 to 100; secondary outcomes) assessed the interventions. Participants were evaluated before surgery, before and after rehabilitation (primary endpoint), and at the one-year follow-up (secondary endpoint). A linear mixed model analysis for repeated measures was carried out for each outcome measure (p < 0.05). Results Time, group and time by group showed significant effects for all outcome measures in favour of the experimental group. The DASH and the DASH work achieved clinically important between-group differences of 16.0 points (95% confidence interval [C.I.] 7.3 to 24.7) and 19.7 (95% C.I. 9.0 to 30.5) at follow-up, respectively. The NRS achieved a between-group difference of 2.9 (95% C.I. 1.0 to 3.9) at follow-up. As for SF-36, there were between-group differences ranging from 17.9 to 37.0 at follow-up. Conclusions A rehabilitation program based on task-oriented exercises was useful in improving disability, pain, and quality of life in working patients after PHFs. Improvements lasted for at least 12 months. Trial registration On 16/12/2019, the trial was retrospectively registered in the ISRCTN registry with the ID number 17996552.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-344
Author(s):  
Line Kjeldgaard Pedersen ◽  
Polina Martinkevich ◽  
Ole Rahbek ◽  
Lone Nikolajsen ◽  
Bjarne Møller-Madsen

AbstractBackground and aimsThis prospective study aimed to assess pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) by pressure algometry and the correlation to postoperative pain in children undergoing orthopaedic surgery. We hypothesized, that the PPTs would decline immediately after elective orthopaedic surgery and return to baseline values at follow-up.MethodsThirty children aged 6–16 years were included. PPTs and intensity of pain (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS) were assessed 3–6 weeks before surgery (baseline), 1–2 h before surgery (Day 0), the first postoperative day (Day 1) and 6–12 weeks after surgery (Follow-up).ResultsA significant difference of PPTs between the four assessments was seen using the Friedman test for detecting differences across multiple tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank test with a Bonferroni adjustment. The changes in PPTs between baseline (PPTcrus = 248 kPa, PPTthenar = 195 kPa) and day 1 (PPTcrus = 146 kPa, PPTthenar = 161 kPa) showed a decline of PPTs as hypothesized (Zcrus = 2.373, p = 0.018; Zthenar = 0.55, p = 0.581). More surprisingly, a significant decrease in PPTs between baseline and day 0, just before surgery (PPTcrus = 171 kPa, PPTthenar = 179 kPa), was also measured (Zcrus = 2.475, p = 0.013; Zthenar = 2.414, p = 0.016). PPTs were positively correlated to higher age, weight and height; but not to NRS or opioid equivalent use.ConclusionsChildren undergoing orthopaedic surgery demonstrate significant changes in PPTs over time. The PPTs decrease significantly between baseline and day 0, further decreases the first day postoperatively and returns to baseline values at follow-up. This suggests that other factors than surgery modulate the threshold for pain.ImplicationsAwareness of pressure pain thresholds may help identify children with affected pain perception and hence improve future pain management in children undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Factors as for example anticipatory anxiety, psychological habitus, expected pain, catastrophizing, distraction, physical activity, patient education and preoperative pain medication might play a role in the perception of pain and need further investigation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1234
Author(s):  
Gabriele Melegari ◽  
Enrico Giuliani ◽  
Chiara Dallai ◽  
Lucia Veronesi ◽  
Elisabetta Bertellini ◽  
...  

Introduction: An infection by COVID-19 triggers a dangerous cytokine storm, so tocilizumab has been introduced in Italy as an agent blocking the cytokine storm. This paper aims to describe the one-year survival of ICU patients treated with tocilizumab. Methods: This observational study enrolled all patients confirmed to be infected by COVID-19 who were admitted to the ICU in our center. We offered tocilizumab to all non-septic patients if they did not present any contraindications. Results: We enrolled 68 ICU patients in our center on 72 occasions during the enrollment period; we excluded four patients due to study criteria. The one-year mortality hazard ratio of treated patients was 0.64, with a confidence interval of 0.31 to 1.19, with p = 0.169. Among the survivors, 32 of 35 patients answered the phone interview (14 patients in the treated group and 18 in the untreated group); overall, the effect of COVID-19 on quality of life was 58.14%. These effects were lower in the tocilizumab group, with p = 0.016 *. Conclusions: Our observational data follow the most relevant largest trial. Patients treated with tocilizumab had lower rates of new-onset symptoms later COVID-19 ICU hospitalizations. As reported by recent medical literature, the presence of these symptoms suggests that a follow-up program for these types of patients could be useful.


2008 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Virkkunen ◽  
M. Venermo ◽  
J. Saarinen ◽  
L. Keski-Nisula ◽  
P. Apuli ◽  
...  

Background and Aims: Investigating the impact of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) on clinical status and health related quality of life in patients with claudication and critical limb ischaemia (CLI). Material and Methods: 61 patients and 64 limbs underwent a primary PTA (30 claudication and 34 CLI cases). Clinical status was graded according to Ahn and Rutherford and ankle/brachial index (ABI). Quality of life was assessed using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) preoperatively, one month and one year after the procedure. Triplex scan evaluation of the treated arterial segment was carried out postoperatively and one year after the procedure. Results: Claudication: 24/27 patients underwent one-year follow up, after which 20/24 had no claudication. In triplex evaluation 17 (63.0%) treated segments were open with 0–50% restenosis, 9 (33.3%) with 51–99% restenosis and one (3.7%) was occluded. CLI: 13/34 (38.2%) patients underwent one-year follow-up after which eight patients (61.5%) were asymptomatic and five (38.1%) had claudication. In triplex evaluation there was 0–50% restenosis in 6 (46.2%) segments treated with PTA and 51–99% restenosis in 7 (53.8%) segments. 21 (61.8%) patients did not conclude the one year follow up: 7 had died, 5 had undergone bypass surgery and 6 an amputation and 3 did not attend the follow-up up for unknown reasons. Quality of life: For CLI patients, improvement was observed in the domain of pain, which continued throughout the follow-up period. Among the claudicants, the domain of physical mobility was improved at one month's follow-up, but this effect disappeared during the following year and could not be seen at one the one- year follow-up. Conclusions: Technical success and one-year results in claudication are good, and the rate of complications is low. However, although PTA resulted in an immediate improvement in the quality of life, this effect was not seen in the long term. In critical limb ischemia there was a group of patients in whom PTA led to a significant benefit in terms of limb salvage and quality of life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Olsson ◽  
Olivia Kiwanuka ◽  
Sofia Wilhelmsson ◽  
Gabriel Sandblom ◽  
Otto Stackelberg

Abstract Aim Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA) is a condition affecting many post-partum women. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term results of surgical repair of DRA in a cohort of post-partum women. Material and Methods Sixty post-partum women with DRA and training-resistant core dysfunctions were included. Surgical repair was performed with suture plication of the linea alba. Abdominal core function was evaluated with the Abdominal Trunk Function Protocol (ATFP) including a self-report questionnaire and seven functional tests. Urinary incontinence and Quality of Life was evaluated with the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) and the SF-36 questionnaire. Follow-up was performed at one year and three years’ post-operatively. Results Response rate at the three-year follow-up was 86.7 % for the DRI questionnaire; and 71.7% for ATFP, the UDI-6, IIQ-7, and SF-36 questionnaires. All DRI-parameters were improved (p &lt; 0,05) after three-years of follow-up compared to preoperative values. The functional tests in the ATFP showed an improvement (p &lt; 0.05) in core muscle strength and stability, persisting back and abdominal muscle strength compared to preoperative values as well as an improvement compared to the one-year follow-up values (p &lt; 0.05). UDI-6 and IIQ-7 results were improved (p &lt; 0.05) compared to preoperative values and showed consistent values compared to the one-year follow-up. Quality of life measured with SF-36 were improved compared to preoperative values and showed consistent values compared to the one-year follow-up (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions The functional improvement of surgical reconstruction of the DRA persisted for three years in this series of post-partum women with DRA.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Molkara ◽  
Elaheh Poursoltani ◽  
Kurt-Wilhelm Stahl ◽  
Masoud Maleki ◽  
Ali Khamesipour ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Lupoid cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) is known as a rare but serious complication of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) resistant to conventional treatments. Sodium chlorosum, a pro-oxidative preparation of pharmaceutical sodium chlorite (NaClO2), has been successfully used for the treatment of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions (OWCL) and of some LCL cases in Afghanistan. This clinical trial study aimed to evaluate the effect of a last resort therapy with topical 0.09% sodium chlorosum on LCL in Iran. Methods Twenty Iranian patients (12 women and 8 men) with LCL refractory to treatment were included in this salvage study. A magistral preparation of sodium chlorosum (10 mM NaClO2 in amphiphilic basic cream) was applied twice daily to the lesions for 6 weeks and continued up to 12 weeks in patients who showed a clinical response within the first 6 weeks. Responders were followed up for a maximum of 1 year. Lesions were photographed during weekly visits. Disappearance of erythema and indurated lesions were rated as complete clinical response. Results Patients with a mean age of 28.6 (±24.3) and with an ACL proven lesion history of 3.8 (±1.4) years were treated for an average of 7.9 (±1.8) weeks. At the end of the treatment period (12th week), a complete response was observed in 9 of 20 patients (45%). During the one-year follow-up period, LCL lesions recurred in 4 of these 9 patients (with one patient showing only a tiny lesion) and one case lost to follow up whereas the other four remained completely lesion-free. Mild temporary side-effects such as erythema and itching were seen in 4 of 20 patients (20%). Conclusions Topical sodium chlorosum showed promising therapeutic results and can be considered as safe, painless, and relatively effective treatment for LCL, an ethical prerequisite for a two-armed controlled trial. Trial registration This study was registered in Iranian registry of clinical trials on 2019-02-02 with registration number IRCT20190114042356N1.


2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Knahr ◽  
R. Jagsch ◽  
I. Kryspin-Exner

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical and psychological situation of total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients before and one year and five years after surgery. Data of 101 patients were available for the one-year and of 69 patients for the five-year follow-up. Quality of Life (QoL) data were collected using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), functional capacity comprised patient's self-assessment (Functional Outcome Questionnaire Hannover, FFbH) and surgeon's assessment (Harris Hip Score, HHS). While all dimensions of QoL and functional capacity except social isolation showed significant improvement at the one-year follow-up, only pain scores showed further improvement at the five-year evaluation. Implantation of THA is accompanied by significant increases in QoL and functional capacity. Stabilised scores were found at the five-year evaluation while significant increases could be observed after one year.


Author(s):  
Thi Thi Htwe ◽  
Hla Hla Yi ◽  
Saw Kler Ku

Background: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is a common presentation to both general practitioner and gynaecologists which can have a significant effect on a woman’s quality of life. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of treating dysfunctional uterine bleeding according to endometrial thickness.Methods: This study was a hospital based prospective study undertaken in gynecology outpatient clinic of Central Women’s Hospital, Mandalay, Myanmar for one-year period (2016). A total of 60 patients were recruited and divided into 3 groups based on endometrial thickness and offered targeted hormonal treatments. At the end of the one-month treatment, patients were asked to return for a follow-up visit and from their menstrual diaries, the number of bleeding days and bleeding scores were assessed and calculated.Results: Among sixty women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding, 55% of patients had endometrial thickness less than 6 mm, 25% had endometrial thickness 6-11 mm, with 20% of patients having endometrial thickness more than 11 mm. After one month of study period, treatment was found to be effective in 86.6% of the patients according to bleeding days and in 70% of the patients according to bleeding score.Conclusions: In women presenting with dysfunctional uterine bleeding, increased endometrial thickness was found to be associated with increased BMI. In the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, when the endometrial thickness of the patient was assessed and hormonal treatment was given according to the endometrial thickness, treatment was proven to be effective.


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