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Medical Archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and... Apr 2016The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques has been growing. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine places therapeutic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques has been growing. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine places therapeutic touch (TT) into the category of bio field energy. This literature review is aimed at critically evaluating the data from clinical trials examining the clinical efficacy of therapeutic touch as a supportive care modality in adult patients with cancer.
METHODS
Electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Scholar Google, and Science Direct) were searched from the year 1990 to 2015 to locate potentially relevant peer-reviewed articles using the key words therapeutic touch, touch therapy, neoplasm, cancer, and CAM. Additionally, relevant journals and references of all the located articles were manually searched for other potentially relevant studies.
RESULTS
The number of 334 articles was found on the basis of the key words, of which 17 articles related to the clinical trial were examined in accordance with the objectives of the study. A total of 6 articles were in the final dataset in which several examples of the positive effects of healing touch on pain, nausea, anxiety and fatigue, and life quality and also on biochemical parameters were observed.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of this study, an affirmation can be made regarding the use of TT, as a non-invasive intervention for improving the health status in patients with cancer. Moreover, therapeutic touch was proved to be a useful strategy for adult patients with cancer.
Topics: Cancer Pain; Humans; Neoplasms; Patient Satisfaction; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 27194823
DOI: 10.5455/medarh.2016.70.142-147 -
Hematology. American Society of... Dec 2020B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) is a key protein regulator of apoptosis. It is variably highly expressed in many hematological malignancies, providing protection from cell... (Review)
Review
B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) is a key protein regulator of apoptosis. It is variably highly expressed in many hematological malignancies, providing protection from cell death induced by oncogenic and external stresses. Venetoclax is the first selective BCL2 inhibitor, and the first of a new class of anticancer drug (BH3-mimetics) to be approved for routine clinical practice, currently in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To help understand the potential and limitations of this therapy, this brief review will touch on the history of development of venetoclax, dissect its mechanism of action, and summarize critical evidence for its approved use in the management of patients with CLL and AML. It will also consider recent data on mechanisms of resistance and explore concepts pertinent to its future development based on key lessons learned to date.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Hematologic Neoplasms; Humans; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Sulfonamides
PubMed: 33275682
DOI: 10.1182/hematology.2020000154 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2016Therapeutic Touch (TT) is an alternative therapy that has gained popularity over the past two decades for helping wounds to heal. Practitioners enter a meditative state... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Therapeutic Touch (TT) is an alternative therapy that has gained popularity over the past two decades for helping wounds to heal. Practitioners enter a meditative state and pass their hands above the patient's body to find and correct any imbalances in the patient's 'life energy' or chi. Scientific instruments have been unable to detect this energy. The effect of TT on wound healing has been expounded in anecdotal publications.
OBJECTIVES
To identify and review all relevant data to determine the effects of TT on healing acute wounds.
SEARCH METHODS
In January 2014, for this fifth update, we searched The Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register; The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid EMBASE; and EBSCO CINAHL.
SELECTION CRITERIA
All randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials, which compared the effect of TT with a placebo, another treatment, or no treatment control were considered. Studies which used TT as a stand-alone treatment, or as an adjunct to other therapies, were eligible.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
One author (DO'M) determined the eligibility for inclusion of all trials in the review. Both authors conducted data extraction and evaluation of trial validity independently. Each trial was assessed using predetermined criteria.
MAIN RESULTS
No new trials were identified for this update. Four trials in people with experimental wounds were included. The effect of TT on wound healing in these studies was variable. Two trials (n = 44 & 24) demonstrated a significant increase in healing associated with TT, while one trial found significantly worse healing after TT and the other found no significant difference. All trials are at high risk of bias.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is no robust evidence that TT promotes healing of acute wounds.
PubMed: 27581995
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002766.pub6 -
Nursing Open Sep 2021To synthesize the most recent evidence investigating the effectiveness and safety of therapeutic touch as a complementary therapy in clinical health applications. (Review)
Review
AIM
To synthesize the most recent evidence investigating the effectiveness and safety of therapeutic touch as a complementary therapy in clinical health applications.
DESIGN
A rapid evidence assessment (REA) approach was used to review recent TT research adopting PRISMA 2009 guidelines.
METHODS
CINAHL, PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane databases, Web of Science, PsychINFO and Google Scholar were screened between January 2009-March 2020 for studies exploring TT therapies as an intervention. The main outcome measures were for pain, anxiety, sleep, nausea and functional improvement.
RESULTS
Twenty-one studies covering a range of clinical issues were identified, including 15 randomized-controlled trials, four quasi-experimental studies, one chart review study and one mixed methods study including 1,302 patients. Eighteen of the studies reported positive outcomes. Only four exhibited a low risk of bias. All others had serious methodological flaws, bias issues, were statistically underpowered and scored as low-quality studies. No high-quality evidence was found for any of the benefits claimed.
Topics: Humans; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Prohibitins; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Therapeutic Human Experimentation; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 33742792
DOI: 10.1002/nop2.841 -
American Journal of Physiology.... Mar 2021The extensive investigation of the human microbiome and the accumulating evidence regarding its critical relationship to human health and disease has advanced... (Review)
Review
The extensive investigation of the human microbiome and the accumulating evidence regarding its critical relationship to human health and disease has advanced recognition of its potential as the next frontier of drug development. The rapid development of technologies, directed at understanding the compositional and functional dynamics of the human microbiome, and the ability to mine for novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers are leading innovative efforts to develop microbe-derived drugs that can prevent and treat autoimmune, metabolic, and infectious diseases. Increasingly, academics, biotechs, investors, and large pharmaceutical companies are partnering to collectively advance various therapeutic modalities ranging from live bacteria to small molecules. We review the leading platforms in current development focusing on live microbial consortia, engineered microbes, and microbial-derived metabolites. We will also touch on how the field is addressing and challenging the traditional definitions of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, dosing, toxicity, and safety to advance the development of these novel and cutting-edge therapeutics into the clinic.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Biological Therapy; Drug Design; Gastrointestinal Agents; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans
PubMed: 33264062
DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00381.2019 -
Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.) Nov 2019The incorporation of novel biomarkers into therapy selection for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mcrc) has significantly improved outcomes. Optimal treatment... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The incorporation of novel biomarkers into therapy selection for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mcrc) has significantly improved outcomes. Optimal treatment planning now takes into account diverse characteristics of patients and their tumours to create personalized therapeutic plans.
DISCUSSION
This review is split into two sections. In the first section, we review the prognostic and predictive significance of expanded mutation testing, mutations, (her2) amplification, microsatellite instability (msi) and deficient mismatch repair (dmmr) protein, fusions, mutations, and met amplifications. The therapeutic implication of each of those biomarkers for personalizing therapies for each patient with mcrc is discussed. In the second section, we touch on testing methods and considerations of relevance to clinicians when they interpret companion diagnostics meant to guide therapy selection. The advantages and pitfalls of various methods are evaluated, and we also look at the potential of liquid biopsies and circulating tumour dna (ctdna) to change the landscape of therapeutic choice and biologic understanding of the disease.
SUMMARY
Routine testing for extended , dmmr or high msi, and fusions is necessary to determine the best sequencing of chemotherapy and biologic agents for patients with mcrc. Although next-generation sequencing and ctdna are increasingly being adopted, other techniques such as immunohistochemistry retain their relevance in detection of her2 amplification, fusions, and dmmr.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Colorectal Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Male; Neoplasm Metastasis; Prognosis
PubMed: 31819705
DOI: 10.3747/co.26.5719 -
Medical Journal, Armed Forces India 2023Traditionally, millets were the earliest food to be domesticated by human beings and it constituted the staple food for various civilisations across Asia and Africa.... (Review)
Review
Traditionally, millets were the earliest food to be domesticated by human beings and it constituted the staple food for various civilisations across Asia and Africa. Somehow, during the course of modernization, the production and consumption of millets has declined significantly. Government of India has taken a lead role and has launched widescale strategies to promote millets in order to make India a global hub for millets. Millets has immense potential in enhancing the socioeconomic and health status of people. Regular consumption of millets translates into better post prandial blood glucose and better HbA1c levels. Millets mitigates atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk by lowering insulin resistance, better glycemic control, lowering non high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, lowering BP and by virtue of presence of various antioxidants. There is a need to revive the awareness about nutritive and therapeutic values of millets. Scientific community is increasingly realising the enormous potential of millets in enhancing the nutritional quality of the population and as a tool to halt the global pandemic of lifestyle diseases.
PubMed: 37193512
DOI: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2023.04.001 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2007Anxiety disorders are a common occurrence in today's society. There is interest from the community in the use of complementary therapies for anxiety disorders. This... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Anxiety disorders are a common occurrence in today's society. There is interest from the community in the use of complementary therapies for anxiety disorders. This review examined the currently available evidence supporting the use of therapeutic touch in treating anxiety disorders.
OBJECTIVES
To examine the efficacy and adverse effects of therapeutic touch for anxiety disorders.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched the Cochrane Collaboration Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Controlled Trials Registers (CCDANCTR-Studies and CCDANCTR-References) (search date 13/01/06), the Controlled Trials website and Dissertation Abstracts International. Searches of reference lists of retrieved papers were also carried out and experts in the field were contacted.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Inclusion criteria included all published and unpublished randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing therapeutic touch with sham (mimic) TT, pharmacological therapy, psychological treatment, other treatment or no treatment /waiting list. The participants included adults with an anxiety disorder defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV),the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), validated diagnostic instruments, or other validated clinician or self-report instruments.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently applied inclusion criteria. Further information was sought from trialists where papers contained insufficient information to make a decision about eligibility.
MAIN RESULTS
No randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials of therapeutic touch for anxiety disorders were identified.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Given the high prevalence of anxiety disorders and the current paucity of evidence on therapeutic touch in this population, there is a need for well conducted randomised controlled trials to examine the effectiveness of therapeutic touch for anxiety disorders.
Topics: Anxiety Disorders; Humans; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 17636838
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006240.pub2 -
Journal of Natural Science, Biology,... Jan 2014Botulinum Toxin (BT) is a natural molecule produced during growth and autolysis of bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. Use of BT for cosmetic purposes has gained... (Review)
Review
Botulinum Toxin (BT) is a natural molecule produced during growth and autolysis of bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. Use of BT for cosmetic purposes has gained popularity over past two decades, and recently, other therapeutic uses of BT has been extensively studied. BT is considered as a minimally invasive agent that can be used in the treatment of various orofacial disorders and improving the quality of life in such patients. The objective of this article is to review the nature, mechanism of action of BT, and its application in various head and neck diseases.
PubMed: 24678189
DOI: 10.4103/0976-9668.127274 -
International Journal of Biological... 2016Pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDA) is infamously moving to the top of the list as one of the most lethal cancers with an overall 5 year survival... (Review)
Review
Pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDA) is infamously moving to the top of the list as one of the most lethal cancers with an overall 5 year survival rate of 7%. Multiple genomic-based and molecular characterization studies of PDA specimens and established animal models have provided the field with multiple targets and a progression model of this disease. Still, to date, the best therapeutic options are surgery and combination cytotoxic therapies. In general, even in the best case scenario (i.e., an early stage diagnosis and a response to a specific therapy), most of these fortunate patients' PDA cells acquire or exert resistance mechanisms and eventually kill the patient. Herein, we touch on a growing field of investigation that focuses on PDA cell therapeutic resistance mechanisms. We examine extrinsic elements (i.e., the tumor microenvironment, hypoxia) to the intrinsic processes within the cell (i.e., post-transcriptional gene regulation and somatic mutations) that are important for therapeutic efficacy and resistance. Even as better targeted and personalized approaches move through the clinical trial pipeline the discussed resistance mechanisms will most likely play a role in the management of this deadly disease.
Topics: Animals; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Humans; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 26929734
DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.14951