The effect of progressive relaxation exercises and transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation administered to women delivering via cesarean delivery on pain, breastfeeding success, and comfort levels: A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of progressive relaxation exercises (PRE) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation administered to women delivering via cesarean delivery on acute pain, breastfeeding success, and comfort levels. METHODS: This is a single-blind, randomized controlled study. This study was carried out in the obstetrics and gynecology clinic of a university hospital affiliated with the Ministry of Health in Turkey between August 20, 2018 and April 15, 2019. A total of 120 participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups, which included a transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation (TENS) group, a PRE group, a combined intervention group, and a control group. Data were collected with a Data Collection Form, The Visual Analogue Scale, The LATCH Breastfeeding Diagnostic Tool, and The Postpartum Comfort Scale. RESULTS: According to the findings of the study, it was determined that pain significantly decreased and comfort increased after having a cesarean delivery in all three intervention groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Regarding the breastfeeding success, while there was no statistically significant change in this behavior in the TENS group, it was significantly better in the PRE group and the combined intervention group, where TENS and PRE were administered together (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to our study results, we recommend that TENS and PRE should be employed together after a cesarean delivery as safe non-pharmacological methods in pain management, eliminating breastfeeding problems, and increasing comfort.

Determining the Effect of Reflexology on Nausea, Vomiting and Anxiety in Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Study.

AIM: This study was conducted in a randomized controlled manner to evaluate the effect of reflexology on nausea, vomiting, and anxiety due to taxane group chemotherapeutics in patients with breast cancer. METHOD: The study was conducted in the Daytime Chemotherapy Unit of Gülhane Training and Research Hospital and Ankara Training and Research Hospital from June 28 to December 20, 2019, with intervention (n = 29) and control (n = 29) groups. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, the Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching, and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Patients in the intervention group received reflexology for a total of 6 weeks, once a week. The patients in the control group did not receive any treatment other than the routine maintenance of the chemotherapy unit. RESULT: As a result, it was determined that 40% of all patients were 55 years or older. While nausea was observed in all patients in the intervention and control groups, vomiting was not noted in the vast majority of patients. Regarding the effect of reflexology on nausea and vomiting, although the mean scores of nausea, vomiting and retching experience, occurrence and distress in both groups were lower than the initial measurement, there was no difference between the groups. Based on the research findings, the State and Trait Anxiety mean scores in the intervention group decreased significantly, while they increased in the control group. CONCLUSION: The research showed that while reflexology did not affect nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, it was helpful in reducing anxiety.

Effect of Dextrose Prolotherapy on Pain Intensity, Disability, and Plantar Fascia Thickness in Unilateral Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of dextrose prolotherapy in the treatment of chronic resistant plantar fasciitis through comparison with a control group. DESIGN: In this double-blind, randomized, controlled study, the patients were divided into two groups. The prolotherapy group (n = 30) was administered 5 ml of 30% dextrose, 4 ml of saline, and 1 ml of 2% lidocaine mixture (15% dextrose solution) and the control group was given 9 ml of saline and 1 ml of 2% lidocaine mixture twice at a 3-wk interval. During the 15-wk follow-up period, pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale during activity and at rest. The foot function index was used to measure pain and disability. The plantar fascia thickness was measured by ultrasonography. The measurements were undertaken before treatment and at posttreatment weeks 7 and 15. RESULTS: Improvements in visual analog scale during activity, at rest, foot function index (all subgroups), and plantar fascia thickness measured at the 7th and 15th weeks were significantly higher in the prolotherapy group compared with the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Dextrose prolotherapy has efficacy up to 15 wks and can be used as an alternative method in the treatment of chronic resistant plantar fasciitis.