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Alternative Therapies in Health and... Sep 2023Mammary gland hyperplasia is a common gynecological disease, which seriously affects the patient's physical and mental health. Therapeutic strategies to treat the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Mammary gland hyperplasia is a common gynecological disease, which seriously affects the patient's physical and mental health. Therapeutic strategies to treat the disease include endocrine therapy and surgery. Compared to Western treatment, traditional Chinese medicine prescription shows its superiority in treatment. The purpose of this review was to provide a reference for the determination of the pathogenesis, treatment principles, and treatment methods of mammary gland hyperplasia.
METHOD
This article comprehensively reviewed the records on mammary gland hyperplasia in ancient Chinese medical literature.
RESULTS
The present review discussed the disease and summarizes the information on mammary gland hyperplasia, including the disease name, the traditional Chinese medicine analysis, etiology, pathogenesis, treatment methods, prognosis, and nursing care.
CONCLUSION
We clearly described the research history of mammary gland hyperplasia, and the analysis and treatment of this disease by physicians in past dynasties. This information will help modern physicians to fully understand the disease development and treatment process.
Topics: Humans; Hyperplasia; Mammary Glands, Human; Medicine, Chinese Traditional
PubMed: 37235489
DOI: No ID Found -
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy Sep 2022Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a relapse-prevention intervention for people experiencing major depression. Three qualitative meta-syntheses investigating... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a relapse-prevention intervention for people experiencing major depression. Three qualitative meta-syntheses investigating experiences of taking part in MBCT and/or Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) across different diagnostic populations reported themes including control, choice, group processes, relationships and struggles. As multiple studies have been published since, we aimed to update, systematically review and synthesize the experiences of participants with depression taking part in MBCT.
METHODS
Four databases were searched systematically (PsycInfo, Web of Science, Medline and CINAHL) up to and including 12 November 2021. Twenty-one qualitative studies met the review criteria. All papers were rated as fair using a quality appraisal tool. Meta-ethnography was applied.
RESULTS
Across 21 studies of participants with current or previous depression who had participated in MBCT, three overarching themes were developed: 'Becoming skilled and taking action', 'Acceptance' and 'Ambivalence and Variability'. Participants became skilled through engagement in mindfulness practices, reporting increased awareness, perspective and agency over their experiences. Participants developed acceptance towards their experiences, self and others. There was variability and ambivalence regarding participants' expectations and difficulties within mindfulness practices.
LIMITATIONS
Many studies were conducted in MBCT-research centres that may hold conflicts of interest. Many studies did not address the impact of the participant-researcher relationship thus potentially affecting their interpretations. Studies were skewed towards the experiences of female participants.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings help to enhance participant confidence in MBCT, alongside understanding the processes of change and the potential for difficulties. MBCT is beneficial and provides meaningful change for many but remains challenging for some.
Topics: Humans; Female; Mindfulness; Depressive Disorder, Major; Depression; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Anthropology, Cultural; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35912665
DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2773 -
Midwifery Sep 2023To conduct a systematic review exploring women's experiences, views and understanding of any vaginal examinations during intrapartum care, in any care setting and by any... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a systematic review exploring women's experiences, views and understanding of any vaginal examinations during intrapartum care, in any care setting and by any healthcare professional. Intrapartum vaginal examination is deemed both an essential assessment tool and routine intervention during labour. It is an intervention that can cause significant distress, embarrassment, and pain for women, as well as reinforce outdated gender roles. In view of its widespread and frequently reported excessive use, it is important to understand women's views on vaginal examination to inform further research and current practice.
DESIGN
A systematic search and meta-ethnography synthesis informed by Noblit and Hare (1988) and the eMERGe guidance (France et al. 2019) was undertaken. Nine electronic databases were searched systematically using predefined search terms in August 2021, and again in March 2023. Studies meeting the following criteria: English language, qualitative and mixed-method studies, published from 2000 onwards, and relevant to the topic, were eligible for quality appraisal and inclusion.
FINDINGS
Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Three from Turkey, one from Palestine, one from Hong Kong and one from New Zealand. One disconfirming study was identified. Following both a reciprocal and refutational synthesis, four 3rd order constructs were formed, titled: Suffering the examination, Challenging the power dynamic, Cervical-centric labour culture embedded in societal expectations, and Context of care. Finally, a line of argument was arrived at, which brought together and summarised the 3rd order constructs.
KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF PRACTICE
The dominant biomedical discourse of vaginal examination and cervical dilatation as central to the birthing process does not align with midwifery philosophy or women's embodied experience. Women experience examinations as painful and distressing but tolerate them as they view them as necessary and unavoidable. Factors such as context of care setting, environment, privacy, midwifery care, particularly in a continuity of carer model, have considerable positive affect on women's experience of examinations. Further research into women's experiences of vaginal examination in different care models as well as research into less invasive intrapartum assessment tools that promote physiological processes is urgently required.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Gynecological Examination; Anthropology, Cultural; Parturition; Labor, Obstetric; Midwifery; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 37315454
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103746 -
Complementary Therapies in Medicine Dec 2023Tuina is an effective complementary and alternative therapy. However, no bibliometric analysis has explored the global research status and emerging trends of tuina....
OBJECTIVES
Tuina is an effective complementary and alternative therapy. However, no bibliometric analysis has explored the global research status and emerging trends of tuina. Therefore, our study aimed to provide a perspective on the current state and frontier trends in the field.
DESIGN
Bibliometric analysis SETTING: Tuina-related publications between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2022, were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The knowledge graph software CiteSpace and VOSViewer were used to quantitatively analyse annual trends in annual publication volume, journals, countries, institutions, authors, cited references, and keywords.
RESULTS
Overall, 1877 articles were obtained. Consequently, the number of annual publications in tuina gradually increased. China published the most articles (1402 articles, 58.01%), followed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (110 articles, 2.57%). Original and review articles were the two main types of publications. Photonics Research ranked first (101 articles, 5.38%) as the most influential affiliate and productive journal. These articles come from 8423 authors, among whom Min Fang published the most publications, and Ernst E was co-cited most often. According to the keyword co-occurrence analysis, the new research frontiers were meta-analyses.
CONCLUSION
This comprehensive bibliometric study analysed the publications on tuina and presented them visually, revealing new research trends, pivotal points, research hotspots, and frontiers. Prospective strategies and potential directions for further studies were also provided.
Topics: Bibliometrics; China; Massage; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Pattern Recognition, Automated; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 37972695
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2023.103005 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Sep 2016This review documents the wide and varied repertoire of traditional practices based on the use of wild vertebrates in Spanish ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) from the... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
This review documents the wide and varied repertoire of traditional practices based on the use of wild vertebrates in Spanish ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) from the early 20th century to the present. Empirical practices, both ritual and magical, are recorded, and these EVM data are compared with those of other countries in the Mediterranean Region and Latin America. The data collected here could form a scientific foundation for future inventories of traditional knowledge and help in the discovery of new drugs for livestock.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A qualitative systematic review of international and national databases in the fields of ethnobiology, ethnoveterinary medicine, folklore and ethnography was made. Information was obtained from more than 60 documentary sources.
RESULTS
We recorded the use of 30 wild vertebrates and a total of 84 empirical remedies based on the use of a single species. The two most relevant zoological groups are reptiles and mammals. A wide diversity of body parts or products have been and are used. The meat and skin of snakes are the animal products most commonly used. These zootherapeutic resources have been and are used to treat or prevent ca. 50 animal diseases or conditions, in particular digestive and reproductive ailments, together with some infectious diseases. Sheep, cattle and equines form the group of domestic animals in which the greatest number of useful species are employed. In addition, many remedies and practices of the magical type are documented. In comparison with other culturally related areas, this is a rich heritage.
CONCLUSIONS
Contemporary Spanish EVM practices amass a great richness of wild animal-based remedies. A diversity of animal parts or products have been used, offering a cultural heritage that could be a fundamental step in the discovery of new and low-cost drugs for treating livestock and alternative materials for pharmaceutical purposes. This overview contributes to the inventory of some uses and rituals seriously threatened by the progressive loss of local veterinary knowledge.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Ceremonial Behavior; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Cultural Characteristics; Endangered Species; Ethnopharmacology; Humans; Livestock; Medicine, Traditional; Organotherapy; Spain; Veterinary Medicine
PubMed: 27288756
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.06.025 -
Experimental Brain Research Dec 2021Previous research about body size estimation in obesity reported heterogeneous results. This might be related to the fact that the tasks adopted explored different body... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Previous research about body size estimation in obesity reported heterogeneous results. This might be related to the fact that the tasks adopted explored different body representations. Classifying the previous studies according to the specific body representation probed (i.e. implicit, explicit or both) might clarify discordant findings. A systematic review and meta-analysis of research articles assessing body size estimation in individuals affected by obesity compared with healthy weight individuals were performed in PubMed and Web of Science. Additional records were identified by reference lists inspection. The last search was run in May 2021. Two independent authors performed data extraction according to predefined criteria. Both groups either overestimated or underestimated the implicit body representation depending on the task used and the body part considered. Conversely, the explicit representation of the body was mainly overestimated by both individuals with obesity and healthy weight. In tasks relying on both these representations, overestimation and underestimation were reported in both groups, possibly depending on the degree of which each procedure relied on the explicit and/or implicit representation of the body. According to the meta-analysis, individuals with obesity tended to be significantly less accurate in body size estimations than participants with healthy weight. We confirmed that heterogeneous findings in body size estimation in obesity are related to the adoption of different tasks, which likely involve different body representations. We discussed the role of body dissatisfaction and altered somatosensation in the lower accuracy observed in obesity.
Topics: Body Image; Body Size; Human Body; Humans; Obesity
PubMed: 34536083
DOI: 10.1007/s00221-021-06215-4 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2021This study was aimed to find and appraise the available published pharmacoeconomic research on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to identify related issues and make...
This study was aimed to find and appraise the available published pharmacoeconomic research on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to identify related issues and make suggestions for improvement in future research. After developing a search strategy and establishing inclusion and exclusion criteria, pharmacoeconomic studies on TCM were sourced from seven Chinese and English databases from inception to April 2020. Basic information about the studies and key pharmacoeconomic items of each study were extracted. The quality of each study was evaluated by using the British Medical Journal economic submissions checklist for authors and peer reviewers, focusing on factors such as study design, research time horizon, sample size, perspective, and evaluation methods. A total of 431 published pharmacoeconomic articles with 434 studies on topics including cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, cost-minimization, cost-utility, or combination analyses were identified and included in this review. Of these, 424 were published in Chinese and 7 in English. These studies conducted economic evaluations of 264 Chinese patent medicines and 70 types of TCM prescriptions for 143 diseases, including those of the central nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, gynecologyical, and other systems. The studied TCMs included blood-activating agents (such as Xuesaitong tablet, Fufant Danshen tablet, and Danhong Injection), blood circulation promoting agents (such as Shuxuetong injection, Rupixiao tablet, and Fufang Danshen injection), and other therapeutic agents. The overall quality score of the studies was 0.62 (range 0.38 to 0.85). The mean quality score of studies in English was 0.72, which was higher than that of studies in Chinese with 0.62. The quality of pharmacoeconomic studies on TCM was relatively, generally low. Major concerns included study design, inappropriate pharmacoeconomic evaluation, insufficient sample size, or non-scientific assessment. Enhanced methodological training and cooperation, the development of a targeted pharmacoeconomic evaluation guideline, and proposal of a reasonable health outcome index are warranted to improve quality of future studies.
Topics: China; Economics, Medical; Economics, Pharmaceutical; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Research Design
PubMed: 34414159
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.706366 -
PloS One 2018To describe and explain stroke survivors and informal caregivers' experiences of primary care and community healthcare services. To offer potential solutions for how... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To describe and explain stroke survivors and informal caregivers' experiences of primary care and community healthcare services. To offer potential solutions for how negative experiences could be addressed by healthcare services.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-ethnography.
DATA SOURCES
Medline, CINAHL, Embase and PsycINFO databases (literature searched until May 2015, published studies ranged from 1996 to 2015).
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Primary qualitative studies focused on adult community-dwelling stroke survivors' and/or informal caregivers' experiences of primary care and/or community healthcare services.
DATA SYNTHESIS
A set of common second order constructs (original authors' interpretations of participants' experiences) were identified across the studies and used to develop a novel integrative account of the data (third order constructs). Study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Relevance was assessed using Dixon-Woods' criteria.
RESULTS
51 studies (including 168 stroke survivors and 328 caregivers) were synthesised. We developed three inter-dependent third order constructs: (1) marginalisation of stroke survivors and caregivers by healthcare services, (2) passivity versus proactivity in the relationship between health services and the patient/caregiver dyad, and (3) fluidity of stroke related needs for both patient and caregiver. Issues of continuity of care, limitations in access to services and inadequate information provision drove perceptions of marginalisation and passivity of services for both patients and caregivers. Fluidity was apparent through changing information needs and psychological adaptation to living with long-term consequences of stroke.
LIMITATIONS
Potential limitations of qualitative research such as limited generalisability and inability to provide firm answers are offset by the consistency of the findings across a range of countries and healthcare systems.
CONCLUSIONS
Stroke survivors and caregivers feel abandoned because they have become marginalised by services and they do not have the knowledge or skills to re-engage. This can be addressed by: (1) increasing stroke specific health literacy by targeted and timely information provision, and (2) improving continuity of care between specialist and generalist services.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER
PROSPERO 2015:CRD42015026602.
Topics: Anthropology, Cultural; Attitude; Caregivers; Community Health Services; Humans; Primary Health Care; Stroke; Survivors
PubMed: 29466383
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192533 -
BMC Geriatrics Aug 2017This study aimed to synthesize the current literature examining the association between migration and cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to synthesize the current literature examining the association between migration and cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults.
METHODS
We used the PRISMA as a guideline for this systematic review and searched the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Global Health.
RESULTS
Twenty-five published studies were included. Twenty-two studies were focused on international migrants, while only 3 studied internal migrants. Fourteen studies were conducted in the United States, followed by UK (n = 2), Israel (n = 2), India (n = 2) and other countries like Canada and Australia. Some studies showed that middle-aged and older migrants demonstrated poorer cognitive function comparing to non-migrants in hosting places; while other studies indicated no association between migration and cognitive function. A higher level of acculturation was associated with better performance on cognitive function tests among migrants.
CONCLUSION
It is unclear how or whether migration and cognitive function are related. The quality of current literature suffered from methodological deficiencies. Additional research is needed to examine the linkages using more comprehensive measures of migration and cognitive function.
Topics: Acculturation; Aged; Cognition; Emigration and Immigration; Humans; Middle Aged; Transients and Migrants
PubMed: 28818064
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-017-0585-2 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Apr 2023Pueraria Flos (PF), a traditional herbal medicine, is botanically from the dried flowers of Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Ohwi. (Chinese: ) or Pueraria thomsonii Benth.... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Pueraria Flos (PF), a traditional herbal medicine, is botanically from the dried flowers of Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Ohwi. (Chinese: ) or Pueraria thomsonii Benth. (Chinese: ). It has a long history of thousands of years in China for awakening the spleen, clearing the lungs, relieving alcohol.
AIM OF THE REVIEW
This review aims to report the up-to-date research progress in ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, metabolism and therapeutic application of PF, so as to provide a strong basis for future clinical treatment and scientific research.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Relevant information on PF was collected from scientific literature databases including PubMed, CNKI and other literature sources (Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations and Chinese herbal classic books) by using the keyword "Puerariae".
RESULTS
Briefly, phytochemical research report has isolated 39 flavonoids, 19 saponins and 25 volatile oils from PF. Flavonoids and saponins are the most important bioactive compounds, and most of the quality control studies focus on these two types of compounds. Modern pharmacological studies have revealed their significant biological activities in relieving alcoholism, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidation, which provides theoretical support for the traditional use.
CONCLUSIONS
Comprehensive analysis showed that pharmacological activity of most purified compounds from PF had not been reported. Kakkalide, tectoridin and their deglycosylated metabolites (irisolidone and tectorigenin) has been focused on excessively due to their higher content and better activities. This leads to low development and resources waste. Interestingly, PF made a breakthrough in the field of food. Many kinds of fat-lowering foods such as PILLBOX Onaka have been popular in Japan market, which received extensive attention. Therefore, we suggest that future research can be paid attention on the development of the plant's function in the field of food and medicine, as well as the transformation from experimental to clinical.
Topics: Pueraria; Ethnopharmacology; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Flavonoids; Flowers; Saponins; Phytochemicals; Medicine, Chinese Traditional
PubMed: 36621660
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.116089