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Medicine May 2018Chronic constipation is described as a common complication determined by difficult and/or rare passage of stool or both. The difference in definition of constipation has... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Chronic constipation is described as a common complication determined by difficult and/or rare passage of stool or both. The difference in definition of constipation has led to a wide range of reported prevalence (i.e., between 1% and 80%). Various factors are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, including type of diet, genetic predisposition, colonic motility, absorption, social economic status, daily behaviors, and biological and pharmaceutical factors. Diagnostic and therapeutic options play a key role in the treatment of chronic constipation. There are still debates about the timing of these diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms.
METHODS
A systematic and comprehensive search will be performed using MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, AMED, the Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. Better understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic constipation and efficacy of pharmacological agent can help physicians for treating and managing symptoms.In this study, some of the old and new therapies in the treatment of chronic constipation have been studied based on the controlled studies and strong evidence. We are trying to address some of the controversial issues to manage the disease and to provide appropriate diagnostic options in an efficient and cost-effective way.
RESULTS
The results of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
CONCLUSION
To our knowledge, our study will provide an overall estimate of chronic constipation to assess controversial issues, available diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of chronic constipation.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
Ethical approval and informed consent are not required, as the study will be a literature review and will not involve direct contact with patients or alterations to patient care.
Topics: Chronic Disease; Colon; Constipation; Female; Humans; Male
PubMed: 29768326
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000010631 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2020Hospitalization disrupts children's lives and can produce feelings such as anxiety, fear, or pain. Playing is an important part of children's lives. Thus, it is... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Hospitalization disrupts children's lives and can produce feelings such as anxiety, fear, or pain. Playing is an important part of children's lives. Thus, it is necessary to ensure holistic care during the process, including play therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of therapeutic play in hospitalized children.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed. The search was conducted in CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature), CUIDEN, and PubMed (Medline). The search equation was "pediatric nurs* AND play therapy". The search was performed in March 2020.
RESULTS
= 14 studies were included in the review. The studies reveal that the application of therapeutic play in hospitalized children decreases postoperative pain, improves behavior and attitude, and reduces anxiety during the hospital stay.
CONCLUSIONS
play therapy has a beneficial impact on the care of hospitalized children and should be implemented in pediatric units after assessing the resources and training needed for pediatric nurses.
PubMed: 32751225
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare8030239 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2021Children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer are at high risk of experiencing severe side effects from cancer treatment, many of which are amenable to physical... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer are at high risk of experiencing severe side effects from cancer treatment, many of which are amenable to physical therapy. These side effects can negatively impact a child's quality of life and ability to participate in daily activities (e.g. play and attendance at school). Researchers have evaluated physical therapy interventions in children with cancer and childhood cancer survivors. However, factors such as small sample sizes, varying intervention protocols and differences in cancer types among trials make it difficult to draw conclusions about efficacy.
OBJECTIVES
The primary aim of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of physical therapy interventions - with a specific focus on symptom relief and compensation of therapy-related side effects - on the quality of life of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer. Participants must be between the ages of 0 and 19 years at the time of the physical therapy intervention study. The intervention may occur prior to, during or following cancer treatment. The intervention must be compared to a control group of children receiving standard care, no physical therapy intervention or a comparison intervention. We have excluded general physical exercise studies where the primary aim was to improve physical fitness through aerobic, anaerobic, resistance exercise or combined physical exercise training regimens (i.e. combined aerobic and resistance exercise regimens). We have also intended to record the occurrence of any adverse effects resulting from physical therapy interventions. The secondary aims were to evaluate the efficacy of physical therapy on impairments of pain, peripheral neuropathy, balance, gait, functional abilities and mobility, motor function and performance, range of motion, strength and fatigue.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PEDro, ongoing trial registries, conference proceedings and the reference lists of relevant studies and reviews in March 2020. We also contacted oncology rehabilitation researchers working in paediatrics in March 2020 to identify additional studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The review included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cross-over trials, and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) that compared the effects of physical therapy interventions to a control group, and involved children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 0 and 19 years at the time of the intervention. We excluded studies examining general physical exercise interventions where the primary aim was to improve physical fitness through aerobic exercise, resistance exercise or combined physical exercise training regimens (i.e. combined aerobic and resistance exercise regimens).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane.
MAIN RESULTS
We found no RCTs, cross-over trials or CCTs comparing the effects of physical therapy interventions with a focus on symptom relief and compensation of therapy-related side effects for children and adolescents between the ages of 0 and 19 years.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Results demonstrate that the evidence to date is inadequate to inform clinical practice. Recommendations for future research include the need for large-scale, high-quality designs that examine: (1) paediatric populations with same cancer types; (2) similar intervention protocols; (3) long-term outcomes; (4) physical therapy interventions (e.g. electrophysical modalities and sensory interventions); and (5) outcomes commonly impaired in children with cancer (e.g. peripheral neuropathy and gait deficits).
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Neoplasms; Physical Fitness; Physical Therapy Modalities; Quality of Life; Young Adult
PubMed: 34343340
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012924.pub2 -
Chinese Journal of Traumatology =... 2015Heel pain is a very common foot disease. Varieties of names such as plantar fasciitis, jogger's heel, tennis heal, policeman's heel are used to describe it. Mechanical... (Review)
Review
Heel pain is a very common foot disease. Varieties of names such as plantar fasciitis, jogger's heel, tennis heal, policeman's heel are used to describe it. Mechanical factors are the most common etiology of heel pain. Common causes of hell pain includes: Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Spur, Sever's Disease, Heel bump, Achilles Tendinopathy, Heel neuritis, Heel bursitis. The diagnosis is mostly based on clinical examination. Normally, the location of the pain and the absence of associated symptoms indicating a systemic disease strongly suggest the diagnosis. Several therapies exist including rest, physical therapy, stretching, and change in footwear, arch supports, orthotics, night splints, anti-inflammatory agents, and surgery. Almost all patients respond to conservative nonsurgical therapy. Surgery is the last treatment option if all other treatments had failed. Rest, ice, massage, the use of correct exercise and complying with a doctor's advice all play important part in helping to recover from this hell pain condition, but getting good quality, suitable shoes with the appropriate amount of support for the whole foot is the most important.
Topics: Foot Diseases; Heel; Humans; Pain Management; Physical Examination
PubMed: 26643244
DOI: 10.1016/j.cjtee.2015.03.002 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2021Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease. Cartilage and subchondral bone degeneration, as well as synovitis, are the main pathological changes associated...
Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease. Cartilage and subchondral bone degeneration, as well as synovitis, are the main pathological changes associated with knee osteoarthritis. Mechanical overload, inflammation, metabolic factors, hormonal changes, and aging play a vital role in aggravating the progression of knee osteoarthritis. The main treatments for knee osteoarthritis include pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, and surgery. However, pharmacotherapy has many side effects, and surgery is only suitable for patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis. Exercise training, as a complementary and adjunctive physiotherapy, can prevent cartilage degeneration, inhibit inflammation, and prevent loss of the subchondral bone and metaphyseal bone trabeculae. Increasing evidence indicates that exercise training can improve pain, stiffness, joint dysfunction, and muscle weakness in patients with knee osteoarthritis. There are several exercise trainings options for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, including aerobic exercise, strength training, neuromuscular exercise, balance training, proprioception training, aquatic exercise, and traditional exercise. For Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) experimental animals, those exercise trainings can reduce inflammation, delay cartilage and bone degeneration, change tendon, and muscle structure. In this review, we summarize the main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, the mechanisms of exercise training, and the therapeutic effects of different exercise training methods on patients with knee osteoarthritis. We hope this review will allow patients in different situations to receive appropriate exercise therapy for knee osteoarthritis, and provide a reference for further research and clinical application of exercise training for knee osteoarthritis.
PubMed: 34975542
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.794062 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2023Evidence regarding the management of several aspects of cerebral palsy improved in recent years. Still, discrepancies are reported in clinical practice. Italian...
BACKGROUND
Evidence regarding the management of several aspects of cerebral palsy improved in recent years. Still, discrepancies are reported in clinical practice. Italian professionals and stakeholders expressed the need of setting up updated, evidenced-based, shared statements, to address clinical practice in cerebral palsy rehabilitation. The objective of the present study was to provide an updated overview of the state of knowledge, regarding the management and motor rehabilitation of children and young people with cerebral palsy, as the framework to develop evidence-based recommendations on this topic.
METHODS
Guidelines and systematic reviews were searched, relative to evidence-based management and motor treatment, aimed at improving gross motor and manual function and activities, in subjects with cerebral palsy, aged 2-18 years. A systematic search according to the Patients Intervention Control Outcome framework was executed on multiple sites. Independent evaluators provided selection and quality assessment of the studies and extraction of data.
RESULTS
Four guidelines, 43 systematic reviews, and three primary studies were included. Agreement among guidelines was reported relative to the general requirements of management and motor treatment. Considering the subject's multidimensional profile, age and developmentally appropriate activities were recommended to set individual goals and interventions. Only a few approaches were supported by high-level evidence (i.e., bimanual therapy and constraint-induced movement therapy to enhance manual performance). Several task-specific active approaches, to improve gross motor function and gait, were reported (mobility and gait training, cycling, backward gait, and treadmill), based on low-level evidence. Increasing daily physical activity and countering sedentary behavior were advised. Based on the available evidence, non-invasive brain stimulation, virtual reality, action-observation therapy, hydrotherapy, and hippotherapy might be complementary to task or goal-oriented physical therapy programs.
CONCLUSION
A multiple-disciplinary family-centered evidence-based management is recommended. All motor rehabilitation approaches to minors affected by cerebral palsy must share the following fundamental characteristics: engaging active involvement of the subject, individualized, age and developmentally appropriate, goal-directed, skill-based, and preferably intensive and time-limited, but suitable for the needs and preferences of the child or young person and their family, and feasible considering the implications for themselves and possible contextual limitations.
PubMed: 37305763
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1171224 -
Indian Dermatology Online Journal 2023Melasma is an acquired disorder, which presents with well-demarcated, brown-colored hyperpigmented macules, commonly involving the sun-exposed areas such as the face. It... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Melasma is an acquired disorder, which presents with well-demarcated, brown-colored hyperpigmented macules, commonly involving the sun-exposed areas such as the face. It is a chronic and distressing condition, affecting the patients' quality of life, and has been conventionally treated with "first-line" agents including hydroquinone (HQ) alone or as a part of a triple combination cream (TCC), while "second-line" options include chemical peels, and third line options include laser therapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic search was performed for all topical and systemic treatments for melasma up till May 4, 2021, using the PubMed and EMBASE databases, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The search terms "melasma" and "treatment" were used to search for the relevant articles on both these databases, and a total of 4020 articles were identified. After removing the duplicate entries and screening the titles, abstracts, and full-text articles, we identified 174 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials.
RESULTS
Based on our review, HQ, TCCs, sunscreens, kojic acid (KA), and azelaic acid receive grade A recommendation. Further large-scale studies are required to clearly establish the efficacy of topical vitamin C, resorcinol, and topical tranexamic acid (TXA). Several newer topical agents may play a role only as an add-on or second-line drugs or as maintenance therapy. Oral TXA has a strong recommendation, provided there are no contraindications. Procyanidins, Polypodium leucotomos (PL), and even synbiotics may be taken as adjuncts.
DISCUSSION
Several newer topical and systemic agents with multimodal mechanisms of action have now become available, and the balance seems to be tipping in favor of these innovative modalities. However, it is worth mentioning that the choice of agent should be individualized and subject to availability in a particular country.
PubMed: 38099013
DOI: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_490_22 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2017Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is a rare malignant disease, although its incidence has increased over the last few decades. It derives from follicular thyroid... (Review)
Review
Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is a rare malignant disease, although its incidence has increased over the last few decades. It derives from follicular thyroid cells. Generally speaking, the prognosis is excellent. If treatment according to the current guidelines is given, cases of recurrence or persistence are rare. DTC requires special expertise by the treating physician. In recent years, new therapeutic options for these patients have become available. For this article we performed a systematic literature review with special focus on the guidelines of the American Thyroid Association, the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, and the German Society of Nuclear Medicine. For DTC, surgery and radioiodine therapy followed by levothyroxine substitution remain the established therapeutic procedures. Even metastasized tumors can be cured this way. However, in rare cases of radioiodine-refractory tumors, additional options are to be discussed. These include strict suppression of thyroid-stimulating hormone (also known as thyrotropin, TSH) and external local radiotherapy. Systemic cytostatic chemotherapy does not play a significant role. Recently, multikinase or tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of radioiodine-refractory DTC. Although a benefit for overall survival has not been shown yet, these new drugs can slow down tumor progression. However, they are frequently associated with severe side effects and should be reserved for patients with threatening symptoms only.
Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adenocarcinoma, Follicular; Carcinoma, Papillary; Drug Therapy; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Neoplasm Metastasis; Noonan Syndrome; Prognosis; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Radiotherapy; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; Thyroid Hormones; Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyroid Nodule; Thyrotropin; Thyroxine
PubMed: 28629126
DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061292 -
Sports Health 2023Hamstring strain is a common injury to the lower limbs. Early intervention in the acute phase aids with restoring hamstring function and prevents secondary related... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
CONTEXT
Hamstring strain is a common injury to the lower limbs. Early intervention in the acute phase aids with restoring hamstring function and prevents secondary related injury.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review and summarize the effectiveness of exercise-based interventions combined with physical modalities currently used in athletes with acute hamstring injuries.
DATA SOURCES
Five databases (EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane Library, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to July 2021.
STUDY SELECTION
A total of 4569 studies were screened. Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of therapeutic exercise programs with and without physical agents in athletes with acute hamstring injuries were identified for meta-analysis.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level 1.
DATA EXTRACTION
The studies were screened, and the evidence was rated using the PEDro scale. Nine RCTs with PEDro scores ranging between 3 and 9 were included and extracted pain intensity, time to return to play (TTRTP), and reinjury rate in the study.
RESULTS
Loading exercises during extensive lengthening were shown to facilitate TTRTP at < 0.0001 but did not prevent recurrence ( = 0.17), whereas strengthening with trunk stabilization and agility exercise did not reduce the duration of injury recurrence ( = 0.16), but significantly reduced the reinjury rate ( < 0.007) at a 12-month follow-up. The results of the stretching programs and solely physical modalities could not be pooled in the statistical analysis.
CONCLUSION
The meta-analysis indicated that a loading program helps athletes to return to sports on a timely basis. Although strengthening with trunk stabilization and agility exercise cannot significantly reduce recovery time, the program can prevent reinjury. The clinical effects of stretching programs and pure physical modality interventions could not be concluded in this study due to limited evidence.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION
CRD42020183035.
Topics: Humans; Muscle, Skeletal; Athletic Injuries; Reinjuries; Exercise Therapy; Leg Injuries; Soft Tissue Injuries; Athletes
PubMed: 35996322
DOI: 10.1177/19417381221118085 -
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes Nov 2010It is increasingly recognized that the impact of disease on quality of life should be taken into account when assessing health status. It is likely that tooth loss, in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
It is increasingly recognized that the impact of disease on quality of life should be taken into account when assessing health status. It is likely that tooth loss, in most cases being a consequence of oral diseases, affects Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). The aim of the present study is to systematically review the literature and to analyse the relationship between the number and location of missing teeth and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). It was hypothesized that tooth loss is associated with an impairment of OHRQoL. Secondly, it was hypothesized that location and distribution of remaining teeth play an important role in this.
METHODS
Relevant databases were searched for papers in English, published from 1990 to July 2009 following a broad search strategy. Relevant papers were selected by two independent readers using predefined exclusion criteria, firstly on the basis of abstracts, secondly by assessing full-text papers. Selected studies were grouped on the basis of OHRQoL instruments used and assessed for feasibility for quantitative synthesis. Comparable outcomes were subjected to meta-analysis; remaining outcomes were subjected to a qualitative synthesis only.
RESULTS
From a total of 924 references, 35 were eligible for synthesis (inter-reader agreement abstracts κ = 0.84 ± 0.03; full-texts: κ = 0.68 ± 0.06). Meta-analysis was feasible for 10 studies reporting on 13 different samples, resulting in 6 separate analyses. All studies showed that tooth loss is associated with unfavourable OHRQoL scores, independent of study location and OHRQoL instrument used. Qualitative synthesis showed that all 9 studies investigating a possible relationship between number of occluding pairs of teeth present and OHRQoL reported significant positive correlations. Five studies presented separate data regarding OHRQoL and location of tooth loss (anterior tooth loss vs. posterior tooth loss). Four of these reported highest impact for anterior tooth loss; one study indicated a similar impact for both locations of tooth loss.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides fairly strong evidence that tooth loss is associated with impairment of OHRQoL and location and distribution of tooth loss affect the severity of the impairment. This association seems to be independent from the OHRQoL instrument used and context of the included samples.
Topics: Humans; Oral Health; Quality of Life; Tooth Loss
PubMed: 21050499
DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-8-126