The Effect of Natural Ocean Sound Exposure and Ocean-Side Relaxation on Chronic Tinnitus Patients: A Pilot Study in Korea.

Sound therapy is a treatment modality for tinnitus patients by increasing the background neuronal activity in the auditory system and inducing relative alleviation of the tinnitus. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of natural ocean sound exposure and ocean-side relaxation in chronic tinnitus patients. We prospectively enrolled all 18 chronic tinnitus patients (≥6 months) from July to November 2018. All patients completed 90 hours of our programs. The improvement in their subjective tinnitus severity, moods, the quality of life, and sleep was serially assessed using several questionnaires at baseline, immediately, and 1 month after the program. Changes in serum stress hormone levels of the patients were also compared between the baseline and immediately after the program. Average total Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire score and factor 2 (hearing difficulty related to tinnitus) score significantly improved over time (P = .024 and P = .002). Patient's serum cortisol and epinephrine level did not show significant decrease, and serum norepinephrine and serotonin level significantly increased immediately after our program (P < .001 and P < .001). Natural ocean sound exposure and ocean-side relaxation for short-term period has a potential efficacy on chronic tinnitus patients.

Effects of Types of Horticultural Activity on the Physical and Mental State of Elderly Individuals.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of types of horticultural activities among elderly individuals in a senior citizen learning camp. We arranged four horticultural activities: Grass Doll, Kokedama, Rocky Leaf Prints, and Herb Tasting and Smelling. Twenty-seven senior citizens (60 to 76 years) were recruited to participate. We assessed their physiological and mental state before and after the activities by measuring heart rate variability (HRV), pulse rate, blood pressure, salivary amylase activity (SAA), and Profile of Mood States (POMS). Results showed that SAA was significantly lower after the Rocky Leaf Prints, Herb Tasting and Smelling, and Kokedama. Pulse rate had a downward trend after the four horticultural activities. The ratio of low frequency (LF) over high frequency (HF) results showed that the Rocky Leaf Prints had a larger downward trend, followed by Herb Tasting and Smelling. POMS scores indicated significant improvement for Rocky Leaf Prints and Herb Tasting and Smelling. The types including artistic creation and food tasting were promising methods for psychological relaxation, stress reduction, and vigor enhancement for elderly persons. Findings showed that the impact of activities involving contact with plants was more significant in short-term activities. We hope this study can help plan the horticultural activities of the elderly in the future.

The effect of music therapy on hemodialysis patients' quality of life and depression symptoms / O efeito da musicoterapia na qualidade de vida e nos sintomas de depressão de pacientes em hemodiálise

ABSTRACT Introduction: The sources of stress involved in chronic kidney disease (CKD) can lead to depressive states, directly affecting the hemodialysis patient's quality of life (QOL). There are few reports and studies on therapeutic interventions that aim to minimize depressive symptoms in these patients and an even greater shortage of studies using music therapy. Objective: This study evaluated the effect of music therapy on QOL and depressive symptoms in hemodialysis patients. Method: This was a music therapy intervention study in which 23 patients were evaluated regarding QOL and depression symptoms at two distinct stages - before and after the intervention. Eight sessions of music therapy were conducted, with two weekly sessions and an average duration of 75 minutes. The intervention was conducted by the music therapist herself, using specific music therapy techniques, besides voice and guitar to conduct harmonic and rhythmic support for the groups' sound-music production. Results: The patients showed a significant reduction in depression symptoms (p < 0.001) and better QOL results, with significant differences in the following dimensions: functional capacity (p = 0.011), pain (p = 0.036), general health (p = 0.01), vitality (p = 0.004), mental health (p = 0.012), symptom and problem list (p = 0.01), and overall health (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Intervention with music therapy constitutes an effective option in the treatment and prevention of depressive symptoms and improved QOL of HD patients.

RESUMO Introdução: Fontes de estresse representadas pela doença renal crônica (DRC) podem gerar estados de depressão, interferindo diretamente na qualidade de vida (QV) dos pacientes em hemodiálise (HD). Poucos são os relatos e estudos de intervenção terapêutica visando minimizar os sintomas depressivos nesses pacientes, com maior escassez de trabalhos utilizando a musicoterapia. Objetivo: O presente estudo avaliou o efeito da musicoterapia na QV e nos sintomas depressivos em pacientes em HD. Método: Estudo de intervenção musicoterapêutica, no qual 23 pacientes foram avaliados quanto à QV e sintomas de depressão em duas fases distintas: pré e pós-intervenção. Foram realizadas duas sessões em grupo por semana, com duração de 75 minutos, em um período de quatro semanas. A intervenção foi realizada por um musicoterapeuta, que utilizou técnicas específicas da musicoterapia, além da voz e do violão para conduzir apoio rítmico e harmônico na produção sonoro-musical dos grupos. Resultados: Os pacientes apresentaram redução significativa dos sintomas de depressão (p<0,001) e melhores resultados na QV, com diferenças estatísticas significantes nas dimensões: capacidade funcional (p=0,011), dor (p=0,036), estado geral de saúde (p=0,01), vitalidade (p=0,004), saúde mental (p=0,012), lista de sintomas e problemas (p=0,01) e saúde global (p=0,01). Conclusões: A intervenção com musicoterapia constitui-se opção efetiva no tratamento e prevenção de sintomas depressivos e na melhora da QV de pacientes em HD.

Home practice and quality of life among patients with neurofibromatosis randomized to a mind-body intervention.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to summarize home practice in patients with neurofibromatosis (NF) randomized to an 8-week group mind-body intervention, the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF (3RP-NF). We further examined the association between home practice and changes in four domains of quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Data are derived from a single-blind RCT of the 3RP-NF (N = 31) delivered via videoconferencing versus an attention placebo control. 3RP-NF participants submitted weekly home practice logs to the group leader prior to each weekly session, which included information regarding their engagement of relaxation response (RR)-eliciting skills and appreciation skills. Physical, psychological, social and environmental QoL were measured at baseline, post-intervention and at a 6-months follow up. RESULTS: Participants reported engaging in home practice of RR-eliciting skills on average 28.55 days (SD = 10.79) and appreciation skills on average 24.39 days (SD = 13.48) over the 49-day treatment period. Participants reported an average of 383.42 (SD = 274.38) minutes of RR-eliciting skills home practice and an average of 49.13 (SD = 41.90) appreciations skills home practice. A significant association was observed between frequency of RR-eliciting skills home practice and physical QoL at the 6-month follow-up (r = .383, p = .034). CONCLUSIONS: Participants with NF are able and willing to practice RR-eliciting skills and appreciation skills outside of treatment sessions. Frequency of RR-eliciting skills home practice may be associated with improvement in physical QoL. Future research should replicate these efforts with larger samples, and attempt to identify additional factors that predict optimal response to mind-body interventions other than home practice.

Intervenção musicoterápica para mãe-bebê pré-termo: uma proposta de intervenção na UTI neonatal / Intervención musicoterapéutica para Madre-Bebé Prematuro: una propuesta de intervención en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales / Music therapy intervention for the mother-preterm infant dyad: a proposal of intervention in the neonatal intensive care unit

RESUMO O presente relato de experiência descreve a Intervenção musicoterápica para mãe-bebê pré-termo - IMUSP, que visa sensibilizar a mãe a cantar para seu bebê pré-termo, durante a internação na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal. A IMUSP está prevista para oito sessões, alternadas entre sessões individuais com a mãe e sessões com mãe-bebê. Na implementação da IMUSP, a musicoterapeuta realizou a intervenção na UTINeo de um hospital público com nove mães e bebês prematuros. Foram encontrados vários desafios relativos à disponibilidade das famílias atendidas e às exigências do hospital. Em função disso, foi necessário adaptar a IMUSP, flexibilizando o número de sessões, o tipo de atividades propostas, bem como a alternância entre sessões com a mãe e com mãe-bebê. Evidências sugerem que a IMUSP contribuiu para o 'empoderamento' da mãe e do bebê, e para a 'musicalidade comunicativa' da díade, fortalecendo a interação mãe-bebê pré-termo. A IMUSP é uma intervenção de baixo custo com grande potencial de impacto a longo prazo, uma vez que, além de oferecer apoio à díade na UTINeo, orienta a mãe para que possa cantar autonomamente para seu bebê durante a internação e após a alta hospitalar. Futuros estudos são necessários para ampliar a aplicação da IMUSP e verificar os seus benefícios a curto e longo prazo para a mãe, o bebê pré-termo e a interação mãe-bebê.

RESUMEN En este reporte de experiencia se describe la Intervención musicoterapéutica para madre-bebé prematuro - IMUSP, que tiene como objetivo sensibilizar a la madre a cantar a su bebé prematuro durante la hospitalización en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales. La IMUSP está organizada en 8 sesiones, alternando entre sesiones individuales con la mamá, y sesiones con mamá-bebé. En la implementación de la IMUSP, la músico-terapeuta realizó la intervención en un hospital público con nueve mamás y sus bebés prematuros. Se encontraron varios retos relacionados a la disponibilidad de las familias atendidas y las exigencias del hospital. Por este motivo, fue necesario adaptar la IMUSP, flexibilizando el número de sesiones, el tipo de actividades propuestas, y la secuencia de las sesiones con mamá y mamá-bebé. Las evidencias sugirieron que la IMUSP contribuyó al 'empoderamiento' de la mamá y el bebé, y a la 'musicalidad comunicativa' de la diada, mejorando así la interacción mamá-bebé prematuro. La IMUSP es una intervención de bajo costo con un gran potencial de impacto a largo plazo, ya que, además de ofrecer apoyo a la diada en la UTINeo, orienta la mamá para que pueda cantar autónomamente a su bebé, durante la hospitalización y después de recibir el alta del hospital. Son necesarios estudios adicionales para ampliar la aplicación de la IMUSP y verificar sus beneficios a corto y largo plazo para la mamá, el bebé prematuro y la interacción mamá-bebé.

ABSTRACT This report of experience describes the Music therapy intervention for the mother-preterm infant dyad - MUSIP, that aims at sensitizing the mother to sing to her preterm infant, during the hospitalization in the Neonatal Intensive Unit Care. The MUSIP is organized in eight sessions, alternating individual sessions with the mother and sessions with the mother-infant dyad. During the implementation of the MUSIP, the music therapist carried out the intervention in a NICU of a public hospital with nine mothers and their preterm infants. Several challenges were found regarding the availability of the families and the demands of the hospital. Therefore, it was necessary to adapt the MUSIP, by making the number of sessions more flexible, the kind of activities that were proposed, as well as the alternation between the sessions with the mother and with mother-infant dyad. Evidences suggest that MUSIP contributed to the mother's and the infant's 'empowerment' and to their 'communicative musicality', enhancing the mother-preterm infant interaction. The MUSIP is a low-cost intervention with a big potential of long-term effects, since, besides supporting the dyad in the NICU, it guides the mother to sing autonomously for her infant during the hospitalization and after discharge. Future studies are needed to expand the MUSIP and to investigate its short and long-term effects for the mother, the preterm infant and mother-infant interaction.

Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Tailored Yoga in Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: Treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) results in long-term toxicities and increased physical and psychosocial survivor burden. There are a limited number of treatments for these late effects. Yoga postures, breath work, relaxation, and meditation, may improve these late effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a tailored yoga program in HNC survivors and obtain preliminary efficacy data. METHODS: This was a randomized wait-list control study of yoga-naive HNC survivors who were >3 months post-cancer treatment. Baseline data were collected. Participants were randomized to either an 8-week hatha yoga intervention group or a wait-list group. Feasibility and efficacy data were collected. At 4 and 8 weeks, patients underwent a repeat assessment of health. Wait-list control group participants were offered the yoga program after data collection. Descriptive statistics evaluated feasibility. Mixed effects general linear models were used to generate estimates of the efficacy outcomes. RESULTS: Seventy-three individuals were screened and 40 were eligible. All eligible individuals consented and enrolled. Five of the intervention group discontinued early and none in the wait-list control group. Feasibility was affirmed as participants were recruited and retained in the study, there were no adverse events, fidelity to protocol was demonstrated, and satisfaction rates were high. Efficacy measures indicated potential benefit for shoulder range of motion ( d = 0.57-0.86, P < .05), pain ( d = 0.67-0.90, P ≤ .005), and anxiety ( d = 0.59, P = .015). CONCLUSION: A tailored hatha yoga program is feasible and potentially efficacious for HNC survivors. Preliminary data supports further investigation of yoga in this population is needed.

Swedish Massage: A Systematic Review of its Physical and Psychological Benefits.

Context • Swedish massage is the systematic application of manual pressure and the movement of soft tissue, with rhythmical pressure and stroking to obtain or maintain health. Studies have revealed its many benefits. Objective • The aim of the current study was to determine the results of past studies that evaluated the benefits of Swedish massage for various populations and to highlight its relevance as an alternative medical practice in health promotion and disease prevention. Methods • The research team performed a review of the literature using the key terms massage, relaxation, and benefits of massage. Original case reports and literature reviews of manual therapy published from 2004 to 2014 were included in the current review. The search was conducted using the SciELO, PubMed, and Medline databases. Setting • The study was performed at the Central Library of the Federal University of Sergipe, in São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil. Participants • Participants in the reviewed studies included varied populations, such as nurses in hospitals, infants and older children, pregnant women, older adults, and cancer patients. Results • A total of 4516 articles were identified for consideration through the electronic database searches. After screening, 117 potentially relevant articles were identified for full review, and 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies showed beneficial results in most cases, including improved nasal breathing and cleanliness in children, reduced lower-back pain for nurses, and improved adrenocortical function in infants. Massage is not completely risk free, however, and should be done by a professional very cautiously. Conclusions • Swedish massage has shown beneficial effects for multiple populations and can be used as a therapy. Its use in disease prevention is highly recommended.

The importance of perceived stress management skills for patients with prostate cancer in active surveillance.

Little is known about whether and how stress management skills may improve adjustment for men diagnosed with prostate cancer who opt for active surveillance. This study examined whether two types of perceived stress management skills, specifically the ability to relax and confidence in coping, moderated the relationship between prostate cancer (PC) concerns and psychological distress. Participants were 71 ethnically diverse men in active surveillance. Coping confidence moderated the relationship between PC concerns and intrusive thoughts (p < .01). At low levels of coping confidence, PC concerns was positively related to intrusive thoughts, ß = .95, p < .001, but not when coping confidence was high, ß = .19, p > .05. Coping confidence also moderated the relationship between PC treatment concerns (a subscale of PC concerns) and intrusive thoughts. At low levels of coping confidence, PC treatment concerns was positively associated with intrusive thoughts, ß = .73, p < .001, but not when coping confidence was high, ß = .20, p > .05. Findings underscore the importance of interventions aimed at improving coping in men undergoing active surveillance.

Effects of olfactory stimulation with perilla essential oil on prefrontal cortex activity.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the effect of olfactory stimulation with perilla essential oil on human prefrontal cortex activity using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. DESIGN: Single-center prospective study. METHODS: Nineteen female university students (mean age, 21.6 ± 1.5 years) participated in the study. Perilla essential oil was used as an olfactory stimulant and air as a control. Oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the prefrontal cortex were measured by using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy when the participants were presented with the stimulant or control. Emotional effects were subjectively evaluated by using a modified semantic differential method. RESULTS: Olfactory stimulation with the perilla essential oil significantly reduced the oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex. No significant differences in the feelings of comfort or relaxation, which strongly reflect human mental status, were observed between the perilla essential oil and control periods. CONCLUSIONS: Olfactory stimulation with perilla essential oil reduced prefrontal cortex activity, thereby inducing physiologic relaxation.

Easier does it.

Nurses at a Belfast hospital have eased the anxiety of cardiac patients attending for day procedures by introducing reclining chairs and a relaxing waiting area. A nurse-led care pathway has also removed delays in care and provided consistency from admission to discharge.

The effects of meditation-based interventions on the treatment of fibromyalgia.

Meditation is the third most commonly requested complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy reported in a US survey. Those who suffer from chronic pain are those who most frequently use CAM therapies. This review aims to evaluate whether meditation-based interventions can help the treatment of fibromyalgia. A PubMed search was conducted using the terms "fibromyalgia" and "meditation", or "mindfulness", or "mantra" or "relaxation response". We selected articles which clearly described a meditation intervention being used in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Only four articles were classified with score 3 in the Jadad scale. Another seven articles were included in this review. Most of the results indicate improvement in fibromyalgia-related symptoms in patients who participated in a meditation-based intervention. Considering only 4 of the 13 studies achieved a score of 3 on the Jadad scale, researchers of meditation interventions should discuss the best methodologic control for these studies.

Meditação, bem-estar e ciência psicológica: revisão de estudos empíricos / Meditation, well-being and psychological science: a review of empirical studies

A meditação sentada e silenciosa pode ser descrita como um treinamento mental, o qual tem sido tradicionalmente associado ao bem-estar. O crescente interesse científico pela prática tem ajudado a demonstrar esta relação através de diferentes metodologias. Este trabalho objetiva discutir a interface entre alguns pressupostos da meditação e da ciência psicológica no que tange ao bem-estar, assim como resultados empíricos que parecem apoiar o efeito da prática sobre experiências emocionais positivas. O artigo também propõe que esta relação ocorre mediada por três processos psicológicos principais e interdependentes: relaxamento, metacognição/mindfulness e autorregulação. Discute-se que a investigação destes, assim como dos efeitos da meditação em geral, pode auxiliar na sua aplicação no campo da psicologia, assim como no desenvolvimento da ciência psicológica.

Sitting and silent meditation can be described as a mental training, which has been traditionally associated with well-being. The growing scientific interest in it has helped confirm this association through various methodologies. This work aims to discuss the interface between some of the tenets of meditation and psychological science concerning well-being, as well as empirical results supporting the effects of this practice on positive emotional experiences. It also proposes that this relationship is mediated by three main and interdependent psychological processes: relaxation, metacognition/ mindfulness, and self-regulation. We discuss that the investigation of such mechanisms and the general effects of meditation can contribute to its application in the field of psychology, as well as to the development of the psychological science.

Eficacia de las técnicas de percepción de control y relajación en la reducción de ansiedad dental / Effectiveness of the control sensing techniques and relaxation in reducing dental anxiety

La ansiedad dental (AD) es un problema frecuente en la atención dental y constituye una barrera para el éxito terapéutico. El objetivo del estudio es determinar la eficacia de dos estrategias psicológicas para la reducción de la AD. Se conformaron tres grupos de 20 pacientes adultos cada uno, que se incorporaban a atención dental. El primer grupo fue apoyado con técnicas de percepción de control (PC), el segundo con técnica de relajación (R) y un tercero recibió la atención habitual (control). Se midió la AD utilizando la escala de Corah. El grupo PC tuvo una disminución significativa del porcentaje de sujetos con AD. Al término de las sesiones, el 40% de los sujetos con PC se ubicaron en el rango de baja ansiedad. La técnica de Percepción de Control es una estrategia más eficaz que la relajación en la reducción de ansiedad dental, cuando es aplicada por el dentista

Dental anxiety is a frequent problem in dentistry. It is one of the main barriers for therapeutic success. The aim of the study is to determinate the efficacy between two anxiety reduction psychological techniques. Three groups of 20 patients each received clinical dental sessions. The Control Perception (PC) technique was applied to the first group, the Relaxation (R) technique to the second and the third received the usual dental care (control group). Anxiety degree was assessed using the Corah Scale. Data showed a significant reduction in dental anxiety only in the PC group after the sessions. At the end of interventions, forty percent (40%) of the PC group and only a 15% of the R and control group ranged in low anxiety degree. The PC technique is simply to apply and more effective to reduce levels of dental anxiety than the relaxation technique, when applied by the dentist

Reflexões sobre os destinos de um luto: “Retrato de um homem invisível”, a escrita e o falso self motriz / Reflexiones sobre los destinos de un duelo: “Retrato de un hombre invisible”, la escritura y el falso self motriz / Reflections on the destinies of mourning: “Portrait of an invisible man”, the writing and the false self driving

A partir do romance O retrato de um homem invisível de Paul Auster, o autor tenta trabalhar o conceito de luto, sua relação com os aspectos transgeracionais, o processo do luto na criança e o valor da escrita e da criação nas tentativas de elaboração do mesmo. Além disso, coloca a atenção no peculiar funcionamento psíquico da figura do pai, que o autor denomina falso self motriz, no qual é observado o papel do movimento como forma de estruturação do self, de incapacidade de relaxamento, de retrair-se em si próprio (estar a sós), de concentrar-se e vincular-se profundamente com os objetos e os sujeitos. O verdadeiro self entendido como núcleo constituinte do sujeito, centro gravitacional e eixo vivencial da sensação de existir, fica obscurecido pelo peso do funcionamento desse falso self. Funcionamento que poderia ser resumido pela forma como Paul Auster descreve seu pai: “Visto que o âmbito do outro era irreal para ele, fazia suas incursões nele com a parte de si mesmo que ele considerava irreal, seu outro eu, a quem havia treinado como ator para representar a si mesmo na frívola comédia universal. Este eu substituto era, em essência, uma piada, uma criança hiperativa, um fabricante de histórias fantásticas, incapaz de levar algo a sério”

From the novel The portrait of an invisible man by Paul Auster, the author tries to work the concept of mourning, it’s relation with the transgenerational aspects, the child’s mourning process, and the value of the writing and the creation on the attempts of mourning elaboration. Furthermore, he puts the attention in the peculiar psychic functioning of the father figure, which the author calls false self driving in which the role of movement is observed as a form of organization of the self, as incapability of relaxation, as withdrawing in himself (to be alone) , as concentrating and as being profoundly connected with objects and individuals. The true self understood as the individual’s constituent nucleus, gravitational center and axis of the sensation of existing, becomes obscured by the functioning’s weight of the false self. Functioning which could be summarized by how Paul Auster describes his father: “Since the scope of the other was unreal to him, he would make his incursions with the part of himself that he would consider unreal, his other me, to whom he had trained as actor to represent himself in the frivolous universal comedy. This substitute me, was in essence, a joke, a hyperactive child, a maker of fantastic stories, incapable of taking anything serious”

A partir de la novela El retrato de un hombre invisible de Paul Auster, el autor intenta trabajar el concepto de duelo, su relación con los aspectos transgeneracionales, el proceso del duelo en el niño, y el valor de la escritura y la creación en los intentos de elaboración del mismo. Asimismo se presta atención al peculiar funcionamiento psíquico de la figura del padre, que el autor nomina como falso self motriz en el que se observa el papel del movimiento como forma de estructuración del self, incapacidad de relajamiento, de retraerse en sí mismo (estar a solas), concentrarse y vincularse en profundidad con los objetos y los sujetos. El verdadero self entendido como núcleo fundante del sujeto, centro gravitacional y eje vivencial de la sensación de existir, queda opacado por el peso del funcionamiento de ese falso self. Funcionamiento que podría ser resumido por la forma como Paul Auster describe a su padre: “Dado que el ámbito del otro era irreal para él, hacia sus incursiones en él con la parte de sí mismo que él consideraba irreal, su otro yo, al que había entrenado como actor para representarse a sí mismo en la frívola comedia universal. Este yo sustituto era en escencia una broma, un niño hiperactivo, un fabricante de historias fantásticas , incapaz de tomar nada en serio”

Efecto relajante de las hojas de Ocimum basilicum y Foeniculum vulgare colombianas en íleon aislado de rata / Relaxing effect of the leaves of Colombian Ocimum basilicum and Foeniculum vulgare in a rat's cut off ileum

El hinojo y la albahaca han sido usadas por largo tiempo en la medicina popular como antiespasmódicos para mejorar las dolencias gastrointestinales y el cólico intestinal. Se evaluó el efecto in vitro de la infusión al 10 por ciento de hojas secas de Ocimum basilicum (albahaca) y Foeniculum vulgare (hinojo) cundiboyacenses y la mezcla 1:1 de ambas infusiones, en el tono de íleon precontraído de rata. Se observó una disminución del tono al comparar con el agua destilada en cantidades iguales, la cual fue dependiente de la dosis, con una diferencia estadísticamente significativa, para cada una de las plantas y la mezcla. No se encontró un efecto aditivo con la mezcla de ambas plantas. El estudio demostró el efecto relajante de las infusiones de albahaca e hinojo al 10 por ciento, en el tono del íleon precontraído de rata.

Fennel and basil have been used for a long time in popular medicine as antispasmodic to alleviate gastrointestinal colics and complaints. The effect of 10% of dry leaves of basilinfusion (Ocimum basilicum) as well as fennel infusion (Foeniculum vulgare) was evaluated. The mixture of both infusions 1:1 in the tone of a rat contracted ileum were also evaluated in vitro. A decrease in the tone compared with the distilled water in equal quantities was seen. This one was a dependent dose with a statistical meaningful difference for each oneof the plants and the mixture. We did not find out an additive effect with the two plants mixture. The study showed the relaxing effect of the fennel and basil 10% infusion, in the tone of the pre-contracted rat’s ileum.

The smoking-room as psychiatric patients' sanctuary: a place for resistance.

This article investigates the significance of the smoking-room for psychiatric patients: for their everyday interactions, activities and perceptions of what is meaningful, also for their positioning as agents concerning their own and fellow patients' illnesses and problems. A social constructionist perspective is used as well as concepts anchored in a phenomenology of architecture and local place. This article is a part of ethnographic study of the daily life within a psychiatric ward using participant observation and conversations and interviews with psychiatric inpatient and staff in a psychiatric hospital. Important themes from our analysis were 'smoking-room as patients''panopticon', 'smoking-room as the patients' sanctuary' and 'patient-led treatment'. We discuss these themes within a framework of seeing the smoking-room as an arena for patient and staff resistance. Patients' resistance is analysed as attempts to maintain their civil status identity and feelings of dignity in an otherwise powerless situation.

Effectiveness of relaxation for postoperative pain and anxiety: randomized controlled trial.

AIM: This paper is a report of a study to determine the effectiveness of jaw and total body relaxation for postoperative pain, anxiety and level of relaxation, and to determine any patient expectancy effects. BACKGROUND: Relaxation is increasingly suggested as a pain control technique that can be used by nurses in daily practice. A systematic review of the effectiveness of relaxation for postoperative pain relief revealed many poorly designed studies and only some weak evidence supporting the use of relaxation for postoperative pain. METHOD: A randomized controlled trial (n = 118) was conducted between 2002 and 2003 to compare total body relaxation, jaw relaxation, attention control and usual care. Consenting patients admitted for elective orthopaedic surgery aged 18 or over, able to speak English and able to tense and relax more than two muscle groups were included. Pain at rest and on movement, anxiety and relaxation were assessed at pre-admission clinic, pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention and 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours later. However, the trial was under-powered. FINDINGS: There were statistically significant reductions in pain at rest from pre- to post-intervention for both the relaxation groups and the attention control group. The usual care group had a small increase in pain, whilst the other three groups had similar small decreases in pain. There was no statistically significant difference in anxiety or relaxation scores pre- to post-intervention between groups. CONCLUSION: Jaw relaxation could give these orthopaedic patients a small, very short-lasting additional amount of pain relief, and it may be that staff and patients feel this small benefit to be worthwhile.