RESUMO
Background: In clinical practice, antibiotics and/or inhaled or oral hormone preparations are the first line of treatment for chronic pharyngitis. However, this therapeutic regimen is not satisfactory enough. At present, medicinal plants as dietary supplements or functional foods are widely recognized for the treatment and prevention of different diseases. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the botanical lozenge made from several medicinal plant extracts in the treatment of chronic pharyngitis and its effects on patients' illness perception and adherence to treatment. Methods: Patients with chronic pharyngitis were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 52) or the control group (n = 51). Patients were given botanical lozenges prepared from the extracts of medicinal plants such as Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey ex A.M.Lu and Zhi Y. Zhang [Cucurbitaceae; Siraitiae fructus], Lonicera japonica Thunb [Caprifoliaceae; Lonicerae japonicae flos], Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC [Campanulaceae; Platycodon radix], and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC [Fabaceae; Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma] or placebos made of starch for 15 days. The improvement of pharyngeal symptoms and signs, illness perception, and adherence to treatment were evaluated at the end of the intervention. Results: The total score of pharyngeal symptoms of patients in the experimental group (3.33 ± 2.33) was significantly lower than that in the control group (5.20 ± 2.93) (p < 0.01). In comparison to the control group (3.43 ± 1.43), the total pharyngeal signs score of patients in the experimental group (2.69 ± 1.59) was considerably lower (p < 0.01). The improvement rates of pharyngeal itching, dry throat, pharyngeal foreign body sensation, aggravation due to excessive speaking, and congestion of pharyngeal mucosa in the experimental group were 73.81%, 67.50%, 67.57%, 65.22% and 44%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, patients taking botanical lozenges had better illness perception and adherence to treatment than those taking placebos (p < 0.05). Patients with low adherence to treatment showed less personal control, concerns, and understanding of chronic pharyngitis (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Botanical lozenges not only aided patients in recovering from chronic pharyngitis but also improved their positive perceptions of the disease, which helped them adhere to their treatment regimen. Clinical Trial Registration: [https://www.chictr.org.cn/], identifier [ChiCTR2200062139].
RESUMO
Objective: To explore the efficiency of continuity of care plus whole process psychological intervention for lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 130 patients who have lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy admitted to our hospital from 2019 to 2021 were recruited and assigned via different intervention methods (1 : 1) to receive either continuity of care plus whole process psychological intervention (observation group) or routine nursing (control group). Outcome measures included psychological state, treatment compliance, quality of life, and nursing satisfaction. Results: Continuity of care plus whole process psychological intervention was associated with significantly lower Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores versus routine care. The patients given combined nursing showed higher self-esteem scores versus those given routine care. Continuity of care plus whole process psychological intervention also resulted in significantly lower cancer-related fatigue scores and higher treatment compliance versus routine care. Patients given continuity of care plus whole process psychological intervention had a better quality of life and higher nursing satisfaction versus those given routine care (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Continuity of care plus whole process psychological intervention can effectively mitigate the negative emotions of lung cancer patients, alleviate cancer-related fatigue, improve treatment compliance, and boost the life quality of patients.