Efficacy of an aloe vera, chamomile, and thyme cosmetic cream for the prophylaxis and treatment of mild dermatitis induced by radiation therapy in breast cancer patients (the Alantel study).

Objectives: Radiation-induced dermatitis (RD) is one of the most common toxicities in radiation therapy (RT) patients. Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and natural products (NPs) have been used as treatment. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a NPs-based cream (Alantel®) to reduce the incidence of RD in women with breast cancer undergoing RT treatment. Design: We conducted a controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Setting: Radiation Oncology Unit of the Reina Sofía Hospital and 5 Primary Care centers of the Cordoba and Guadalquivir Health District (Spain). Interventions: Patients assigned to the experimental group (GTA) were treated with Alantel, while those in the control group (GTE) were treated with a moisturizer and emollient cream. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome variable was the incidence of RD. RD-free time, duration of RD, quality of life, and product safety were also assessed. Results: Seventy patients were included in the study, 35 in the GTA and 35 in the GTE. The incidence of RD was lower in the GTA (71.4%) than in the GTE (91.4%) after 4 weeks of follow-up (RR = 0.78; NNT = 5; p < 0.031). The Skindex-29 questionnaire showed differences in the statement: "My skin condition makes it hard to work or do hobbies" (17.1% in the GTE vs. 2.9% in GTA; p = 0.024). Conclusions: The higher efficacy of Alantel® compared to the control cream in reducing the incidence of RD in women with breast cancer has been demonstrated.

Nivel funcional y capacidad de marcha en ancianos con fractura de cadera a los seis meses de un programa de rehabilitación domiciliaria / Effects of a six months' home rehabilitation program on the functional level and walking ability of old people with hip fracture

Objetivo: Conocer el nivel funcional para las actividades básicas de la vida diaria y la capacidad de marcha en ancianos con fractura de cadera (FC) a los seis meses de un programa de rehabilitación domiciliaria (PRD). Pacientes y método: Estudio prospectivo antes-después con 136 pacientes de 70 años o mayores, residentes en la comunidad, intervenidos de FC y derivados a un PRD. Se compararon el índice de Barthel (IB) y la capacidad de marcha al inicio y a los seis meses. Se aplicaron análisis de regresión lineal y logística múltiples. Resultados: El IB a los seis meses aumentó 26,32 puntos respecto al inicial (desviación estándar: 20,60; intervalo de confianza del 95%: 22,83–29,82; p<0,001). El 59,1% de pacientes tenía capacidad de marcha a los seis meses frente al 19,9% inicial (p<0,001). Los análisis de regresión relacionaron con un mejor nivel funcional y tener capacidad de marcha a los seis meses a la ausencia de comorbilidad y de complicaciones, a tener capacidad de marcha al inicio del tratamiento y al incremento del IB al alta. Conclusiones: La rehabilitación domiciliaria mejora el nivel funcional, manteniéndose a los seis meses de finalizado el tratamiento. La mejora en la capacidad de marcha disminuye a lo largo de este tiempo (AU)

Objective: To know the functional level for the basic activities of daily living and the walking ability in old men with hip fracture to the six months a home rehabilitation program. Patients and method: A before-after prospective study on 136 patients, who were ≥ 70 years old, lived in the community, had a hip fracture operation and was later referred to a home rehabilitation program. Both their Barthel index rate and ability to walk were contrasted at the beginning, on being discharged and after six months. Logistic, multiple and lineal regression analyses were made to identify variables associated with the functional level and ability to walk. Results: After six months the values of the Barthel index increased an average of 26.32 points (SD: 20.6; 95% CI: 22.82–29.82; p <0.001). Patients walking ability after 6 months were 40% higher then just after the discharge (p <0.001). A good functional level and the ability to walk after 6 months were related (regression analysis) with the following factors: not having comorbidity and side health problems, ability to walk from the beginning of the treatment and an increasing in the values of the Barthel index at the moment of the Hospital discharge. Conclusions: Home rehabilitation improve the functional level staying to the six months the treatment it is concluded. The improvement in the walking ability it diminishes along this time (AU)

Comparison of morning and afternoon exercise training for asthmatic children

Fitness improvement was used to compare morning with afternoon exercise periods for asthmatic children. Children with persistent moderate asthma (according to GINA criteria), 8 to 11 years old, were divided into 3 groups: morning training group (N = 23), afternoon training group (N = 23), and non-training group (N = 23). The program was based on twice a week 90-min sessions for 4 months. We measured the 9-min running distance, resting heart rate and abdominal muscle strength (sit-up number) before and after the training. All children took budesonide, 400 æg/day, and an on demand inhaled ß-agonist. The distance covered in 9 min increased (mean ± SEM) from 1344 ± 30 m by 248 ± 30 m for the morning group, from 1327 ± 30 m by 162 ± 20 m for the afternoon group, and from 1310 ± 20 m by 2 ± 20 m for the control group (P < 0.05 for the comparison of morning and afternoon groups with the control group by ANOVA and P > 0.05 for morning with afternoon comparison). The reduction of resting heart rate from 83 ± 1, 85 ± 2 and 86 ± 1 bpm was 5.1 ± 0.8 bpm in the morning group, 4.4 ± 0.8 bpm in the afternoon group, and -0.2 ± 0.7 bpm in the control group (P > 0.05 for morning with afternoon comparison and P < 0.05 versus control). The number of sit-ups in the morning, afternoon and control groups increased from 22.0 ± 1.7, 24.3 ± 1.4 and 23 ± 1.1 sit-ups by 9.8 ± 0.9, 7.7 ± 1.4, and 1.9 ± 0.7 sit-ups, respectively (P > 0.05 for morning with afternoon comparison and P < 0.05 versus control). No statistically significant differences were detected between the morning and afternoon groups in terms of physical training of asthmatic children.