The efficacy of medicinal plant preparations in the alleviation of radiodermatitis in patients with breast cancer: A systematic review of clinical trials.

Radiodermatitis in breast cancer patients varies from mild irritation to life-threatening lesions. Several studies suggest a role for topical corticosteroid ointments in the treatment of radiodermatitis. Yet, to avoid the adverse effects of corticosteroids, many authors recommend the use of topical herbal products instead. The therapeutic role of herbal treatments has yet to be fully understood. This systematic review evaluates the role of topical or oral herbal medicines in radiodermatitis prevention and treatment. A systematic search of four databases (Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) was performed without language and time restrictions from their inception until April 2023. The bibliographies of potential articles were also searched manually. Studies evaluated and compared the effects of herbal preparations with the control group, on dermatitis induced by radiotherapy for breast cancer. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the included studies. Thirty-five studies were included in the systematic review. Studies which used herbal drugs including topical and oral formulations were evaluated. Herbal monotherapy and combination therapy were reported, and their effects on radiodermatitis were explained in the systematic review. In conclusion, henna ointments, silymarin gel, and Juango cream were reported to reduce the severity of radiodermatitis. These agents should be considered for radiodermatitis prophylaxis and treatment. The data on aloe gel and calendula ointment were conflicting. Further randomized controlled trials of herbal medications and new herbal formulations are required to determine their effects on breast cancer radiodermatitis.

The Effect of Self-Care Nurturance Based on Erickson's Modeling and Role-Modeling Theory on Quality of Life of Patients With Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer undergo a diverse variety of needs that influence their quality of life (QoL). The present study aimed to investigate the effect of self-care nurturance on the QoL of patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers. This randomized, 2-group clinical trial was conducted at Qaem Hospital during 2019-2020, in Mashhad, Iran. A total of 46 patients were allocated into 2 groups randomly. At the time of hospitalization, the intervention group received care based on the modeling and role-modeling theory for at least 3 sessions individually. Participants were given 3 telephone counseling sessions each week for up to 2 months. In the control group, patients received educational pamphlets. The demographic and general QoL (EORTC QLQ-C30) questionnaires were utilized to collect data. Data were analyzed with SPSS 25. The results showed that the intervention and control groups were homogenous in all demographic characteristics (P > .05). The data revealed the total QoL significantly improved 1 month (P = .002) and 2 months (P < .001) after the intervention in the intervention compared with the control group. Self-care nurturance would empower patients to achieve new living experiences by enhancing their QoL.

The Effect of Self-Care Nurturance Using the Theory of Modeling and Role-Modeling on Self-Efficacy in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The disability after a stroke results in reduced self-care capacity and lower levels of self-efficacy in survivors. Exploiting a holistic self-care plan to strengthen internal resources in clients can be thus deemed as an effective solution. This study aimed to determine the effect of self-care nurturance using the Theory of Modeling/Role-Modeling (TMRM) on self-efficacy in stroke clients. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Qaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, in 2020. For this purpose, 70 clients were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Then, the experimental group received self-care nurturance based on the TMRM, all through 4 to 6 individual sessions of 30 to 45 minutes in the hospital, and subsequently 2 sessions of telephone counseling up to 8 weeks after the discharge. With reference to patient evaluation in terms of self-care resources, knowledge, and actions, the researcher also tried to strengthen such factors based on the individual needs of each client. The control group received routine care. The data were collected through completing a demographic/disease information form at the onset and the Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ) before the intervention, 4 and 8 weeks after it. The results revealed that the self-efficacy mean scores of the experimental group, in the course of 3 measurement stages, had significantly improved, compared with that in the control group (P = .018). It was concluded that applying the TMRM could strengthen internal and external resources and self-care knowledge in stroke patients, develop their self-care actions, and improve their levels of self-efficacy.

Effect of Guided Imagery Along With Breathing Relaxation on Sleep Quality of the Elderly Patients Under Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Elderly patients undergoing surgery often suffer from sleep disorder. Holistic therapies might help them sleep better. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of guided imagery along with breathing relaxation on sleep quality in elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery. A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 90 elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery in 2 educational hospitals in 2018, Mashhad, Iran. The elderly patients with different abdominal surgical procedures were distributed to the wardrooms and then the rooms were randomly assigned into 2 groups. In the intervention group, the patients learned breathing relaxation the day before surgery and then an audiotape was provided to perform the guided imagery from the day before surgery for 5 days (twice) along with breathing relaxation. St Mary's Hospital Sleep Inventory was completed the night before, 48 hours and 96 hours after the surgery. Data analysis was done using SPSS 21 through analytical tests. Results of the test indicated that the score of sleep quality was significantly higher in the intervention group the night before surgery (P = .001). The total scores of sleep quality in the intervention group 48 and 96 hours after the surgery were significantly higher (P < .001). Based on results of generalized estimating equation model, the score of sleep quality for patients was 8.76 units higher in the intervention group than in the control group by controlling for the effects of time. Guided imagery along with breathing relaxation improved the sleep quality of the elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery.Trial registration: IRCT20180731040652N1.