The Effect of Hot and Cold Water Applications on Restless Legs Syndrome Complaints and Sleep Quality of Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Pregnant women experience restless legs syndrome and intervention studies are needed to prevent this. This study evaluated the effect of hot and cold water applications on the severity of restless leg syndrome and sleep quality in pregnant women. Methods: It is a randomized controlled trial. The subjects comprised 80 (hot water group = 26, cold water group = 27, control group = 27) pregnant women. Pregnant women in intervention groups applied hot or cold water to their legs before going to bed for seven days. The control group did not do any application other than routine care. The data were collected with the Restless Legs Syndrome Diagnostic Form, Personal Information Form, Restless Leg Syndrome Severity Grading Scale, The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Application Satisfaction Form, and Post-Application Follow-up Chart. Results: While the Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Grading Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index pre-test scores of the groups were similar (P > .05), the post-test scores were lower in the intervention groups than in the control group (P < .001). The effect of the applications started on the second day and the level of satisfaction with the application was similarly high in both groups (P < .05). During the follow-up, the syndrome severity scores of both the intervention groups were similar (P > .05), while the sleep quality of the cold group was better (P < .05) and most of the pregnant women did not need reapplication and they were satisfied with the application (P < .05). Conclusion: These safe interventions reduced the severity of restless legs syndrome in pregnant women and improved the quality of their sleep. Nurses can use these applications in pregnancy care, which begin to show effect in as little as two days.

The Effect of Aromatherapy on Sleep and Quality of Life in Menopausal Women with Sleeping Problems: A Non-Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Menopause is the termination of menstruation and fertility. Women commonly experience sleeping problems during the menopausal period. Aromatherapy is among the complementary therapies used to remedy sleeping problems. METHODS: This study aims to investigate the effects of lavender oil on sleep and quality of life of menopausal women through steam inhalation. This study was quasi-experimental with pre-test/post-test placebo control groups. It was conducted with 57 women, 27 of whom were subject to aromatherapy and 30 to a placebo. Data were collected using the Questionnaire Form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL). RESULTS: For the intervention group, the PSQI median scores after the administration of aromatherapy were found to be significantly lower than those before the administration (p < 0.001) and those of the placebo group (p < 0.001). Similarly, for the intervention group, the total median MENQOL scores after the administration of the aromatherapy were found to be significantly lower than the scores prior to the administration (p < 0.001) as well as the scores of the placebo group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was found that aromatherapy involving lavender-scented steam inhalation increased sleep quality and quality of life in women with sleep deprivation problems during menopause.

Is Prolotherapy Effective in the Treatment of Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head?

INTRODUCTION: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) is one of the most common diseases, accompanied by varying degrees of functional limitation and reduced quality of life, especially in younger individuals. Various conservative and operative options are available for the treatment of this disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report a case with ANFH that occurred from long-time and uncontrolled glucocorticoid use. In the treatment of the case, we used prolotherapy injections, whose efficacy and reliability were proved in the treatment of other chronic musculoskeletal problems. After the sixth session of prolotherapy injections, the patient was able to do daily activities as the same as the previous physical and effort capacity. The WOMAC osteoarthritis index was decreased from 92 preinjections to 12; the Likert pain scale was decreased from 5 preinjections to 1 after the injections. CONCLUSIONS: We obtained successful outcomes in terms of patient satisfaction and clinical and radiological parameters with prolotherapy injections. Prolotherapy may be useful as an easily applicable and satisfying auxiliary method for the treatment of ANFH.

Vaginal Candidiasis Infection Treated Using Apple Cider Vinegar: A Case Report.

A 32-y-old married woman was admitted with intense vaginal discharge with foul odor, itching, groin pain, and infertility for the past 5 y. Candida albicans was isolated from the culture of vaginal swab. The patient was diagnosed with chronic vaginal candida infection. She failed to respond to integrative medicine methods prescribed. Recovery was achieved with the application of apple cider vinegar. Alternative treatment methods can be employed in patients unresponsive to medical therapies. As being one of these methods, application of apple cider vinegar can cure vaginal candida infection.

The effect of foot reflexology applied to women aged between 40 and 60 on vasomotor complaints and quality of life.

PURPOSE: This study aims to identify the effects of foot reflexology applied to women on their vasomotor complaints and quality of life. METHODS: A randomised controlled study was conducted with 120 women. The experimental group received foot reflexology treatment, while the control group received nonspecific foot massage. RESULTS: The mean scores for hot flashes, sweats, and night sweats, were lower in the reflexology group than the control group after the practice; and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The mean scores for the sub-groups of the MENQOL demonstrated improvements in both groups after the application (p < 0.001). As for the sexual domain, there was a significant improvement in the reflexology group (p < 0.05), but no improvements were found in the control group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results showed that reflexology might be effective in decreasing vasomotor problems and increasing quality of life in women in the menopausal period.

Effects of noninvasive electroacupuncture on labour pain and duration.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of noninvasive electroacupuncture at LI4 or SP6 acupuncture points on labour pain and duration. BACKGROUND: The management of labour pain is one of the main goals of obstetrical care. Acupuncture has been reported to be useful for reducing labour length and for pain relief during labour. DESIGN: This was an experimental study with a control group. METHODS: The study was conducted at the Kayseri Maternity Hospital in Turkey. The participants were in the active phase of labour and were divided into three groups. In the LI4 group (n = 40), bilateral LI4 acupuncture points were stimulated using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation-acupuncture pen. In the SP6 group (n = 40), the acupuncture points of both legs were stimulated. The same procedure that was performed for the LI4 group was used for the SP6 group. The control group (n = 40) did not receive any stimulation. Visual Analog Scale was used for the assessment of pain. RESULTS: Duration of labour from initiation of the intervention was 6·2 ± 6·0 hours in the LI4 group, 7·2 ± 6·1 hours in the SP6 group and 8·2 ± 9·9 hours in the control group. Pain scores in the LI4 group were found as 8·0 (4-10) in the 30th minute after the intervention, while they were 9·0 (4-10) in the SP6 group and 10·0 (2-10) in the control group. There was not a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of labour duration and pain scores measured during contraction and between contractions. CONCLUSION: Although they were not statistically significant, labour pain scores and labour duration were lower in the acupuncture groups, especially in the LI4 group. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Noninvasive electroacupuncture on the LI4 acupuncture point could be used easily during labour for labour pain relief.

Effects of noninvasive electroacupuncture on labor pain, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol.

CONTEXT: Labor pain is the most painful experience in a mother's life. Acupuncture has been reported to be useful for pain relief during labor. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to assess the effects of noninvasive electroacupuncture at Hegu (LI4) on labor pain and on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels. DESIGN: The study was randomized, with an experimental acupuncture group (AG) and a control group (CG). SETTING: The study was conducted at the Kayseri Maternity Hospital in Turkey, over a period of 6 months in 2010. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were women in the active phase of labor. INTERVENTION: For the acupuncture group (AG), bilateral, Hegu acupuncture points were stimulated using a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) acupuncture pen for 20 min in total. The control group did not receive acupuncture. All women received routine and standard nursing care and treatments. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood ACTH and cortisol levels and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were compared between the AG and CG to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture treatment. RESULTS: Blood ACTH and cortisol levels and VAS scores were lower in the AG than in the CG; however, these differences did not reach a statistically significant level. CONCLUSION: In this study, blood ACTH and cortisol levels and VAS scores were affected by electroacupuncture intervention on Hegu (LI4), although the result was not statistically significant.