Systematic Reviews and Synthesis without Meta-Analysis on Hydrotherapy for Pain Control in Labor.

BACKGROUND: Although there is scientific evidence regarding the use of water immersion during labor, this evidence is primarily focused on the first stage of labor. There is limited scientific evidence on water immersion during the second stage of labor. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and synthesis of contemporary evidence related to water birth, with a specific focus on the second stage of labor. METHODS: A systematic review of the scientific literature published between January 2018 and October 2023 was carried out. A synthesis of the results was conducted following the Synthesis without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were utilized as information sources. The search strategy was designed using the keywords "immersion" and "parturition", along with their relevant synonyms. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies employing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and quantitative and qualitative approaches focusing on pregnant women undergoing water immersion at any stage of the labor process. RESULTS: Eleven articles were selected: two systematic reviews (one quantitative and one qualitative), five cohort studies, one case-control study, one cross-sectional observational study, and two qualitative studies. A thorough assessment of the methodology was performed using several specific tools: the Cochrane RoB 2 (Risk of Bias 2) tool for systematic reviews, JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research for qualitative studies, STROBE for observational descriptive studies, and CASPe for qualitative studies. The results provided fundamental insights that will contribute to conceptual standardization regarding the effects of water birth on maternal and fetal health. Additionally, a synthesis of the results was performed concerning types of delivery, analgesia use, pain perception, and maternal satisfaction with the water birth experience. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we conclude that the results regarding delivery types, labor durations, and analgesia use found in the literature, along with statistically significant maternal/fetal effects, are crucial for making recommendations regarding the use of water during labor in any of its stages if the woman desires it safely.

Safety and Effect of the Use of Hydrotherapy during Labour: A Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Hydrotherapy is a technique used for pain management during labour, but its safety for both the mother and foetus remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study is to determine whether the use of hydrotherapy in the first stage of labour is safe for both the mother and newborn. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted to collect data from the partogram, maternal and neonatal history. RESULTS: A total of 377 women who gave birth at the Costa del Sol Hospital in Malaga between January 2010 and December 2020 were randomly selected. They were divided into a control group (253 women) and an intervention group (124 women) that used hydrotherapy in the first stage of labour. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, history of previous miscarriages, type of delivery, or newborn weight. The results showed that most women who opted for hydrotherapy were nulliparous, and the use of hydrotherapy during labour was safe for both the mother and foetus. There were no significant differences in the variables of maternal arterial hypotension, postpartum haemorrhage, postpartum maternal fever, foetal complications, neonatal admission, 1 and 5 min Apgar scores, umbilical arterial or venous pH, or foetal cardiotocographic recording. However, there was a significant difference (p = 0.005) in the rate of breastfeeding among mothers who opted for hydrotherapy (96% vs. 85.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of hydrotherapy during the first stage of labour is safe and is associated with increased breastfeeding rates compared to conventional delivery.

Nursing Care Plan for Patients with Tay-Sachs-A Rare Paediatric Disease.

Tay-Sachs disease is classified as a rare paediatric disease of metabolic origin. It is an autosomal recessive inherited disease. The gene responsible for the disease is known as HEXA, and it is located on chromosome 15(15q23). There is currently no effective treatment for Tay-Sachs disease; hence, it is an incurable disease in which patients do not live for more than five years, meaning that nursing care takes on greater importance to maintain quality of life. The main objective of this work is to develop a specific standard nursing care plan by applying an inductive research method supported by nursing methodology using the NANDA-NIC-NOC taxonomy and validated by the Delphi method. This care plan will improve the knowledge of health professionals on this topic and support future studies on the disease. Following its implementation, the care plan proposed in this study aims to increase the quality of life of patients diagnosed with this disease.

Evaluation of the Evolution of Digital Nursing Interventions in an Emergency Unit: An Observational Study.

This study aimed to examine the influence of new ICTs on the recording of nursing interventions in the Emergency Unit of the High Resolution Hospital (HRH) of Loja (Granada), Spain. A descriptive observational study was conducted to analyze the evolution of the Nursing Interventions (NIC) records in the Emergency Unit of the Loja HRH (Granada) from 2017 to 2021. Results showed that 11,076 NIC registrations were exploited, which increased by 51.2% from 2017 to 2021. The linear correlation between the NIC and the years was analyzed with Spearman's coefficient, obtaining a low level of correlation (p = 0.166), but one that is statistically significant (p < 0.001). The introduction of tablet devices in the emergency room of the Loja HRH (Granada) led to a significant increase in the percentage of NIC recorded and collated during the study period without increasing the number of emergencies attended. However, usability barriers of ICTs were detected, highlighting the need to guide and train health professionals in their use and in the culture of patient safety.

Hajdu-Cheney Syndrome: A Novel NOTCH2 Mutation in a Spanish Child in Treatment with Vibrotherapy: A Case Report.

A case report of an 11-year-old boy with a de novo variant in NOTCH2 and clinical features characteristic of Hajdu-Cheney syndrome is reported, with acroosteolysis of the distal phalanges of the feet and hands, generalized osteoporosis, musculoskeletal and craniofacial alterations, short stature, bowing of long bones, vertebral anomalies, genu recurvatum, hypertrichosis, joint and skin hyperlaxity, atopic dermatitis, megalocorneas, micrognathia and frequent respiratory infections, among others. Treatment is with bisphosphonates in the framework of bone density improvement and with focal vibration therapy for rehabilitation of the musculoskeletal system and gait improvement. The three generalities of this pathology-phenotypic variability, degenerative character and the presence of generalized osteoporosis and acroosteolysis of the distal phalanges-are seen in this case, whose diagnostic confirmation was made by genetic study.

Deletion Syndrome 22q11.2: A Systematic Review.

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DS 22q11.2) is a rare disease of genetic origin, caused by the loss of the q11.2 region of chromosome 22. It affects one in 4000 live newborns, and among the clinical manifestations that can occur in this syndrome are abnormalities in the parathyroid glands (producing calcium deficits), the palate, the heart and the thymus. It is also known as DiGeorge syndrome or velocardiofacial syndrome, among other names, depending on the clinical presentation of each individual. The main objective of the review was to update information on DS 22q11.2 from publications in the scientific literature. The daily activities of these patients are seriously impaired, due to the impact of the clinical manifestations. Interventions can be performed to improve their social, cognitive and emotional skills, thus increasing their ability to perform different daily activities.

Effect of a 16-Session Qigong Program in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: The treatment associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients may cause adverse effects on their physical and psychological condition. The aim of this study is to detect the response to an eight-week, 16-session, 60-min presential Qigong program in anxiety, depression and vagal nerve activity alongside a control group. Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was managed. Randomization was carried out by generating a numerical sequence of three cycles through the software EPIDAT 4.1. Numbers were placed in sealed opaque envelopes for assignment to the different groups. Results: Anxiety levels were substantially decreased in the experimental group, with a large effect size (F = 30.38, p < 0.00). Depression levels had an improvement in the experimental group in contrast to the control group, reaching statistical significance (F = 19.19, p < 0.00). Heart Rate Variability unveiled significant results in terms of between-group differences, with a large effect size in the HRV Index (F = 15.80, p < 0.00), SDNN (F = 8.82, p < 0.00), and RMSSD (F = 6.72, p < 0.01) in the time domain, and a medium effect size in the HF (F = 9.78, p < 0.003), LF (F = 9.78, p < 0.00), and LF/HF Ratio (F = 18.44, p < 0.00) in the frequency domain, which were all bettered in the experimental group, after the Qigong program. Conclusions: Qigong therapy can be an effective therapeutic activity in consonance with traditional medicine to improve psychological health and autonomic nervous system balance in non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivors.

Nursing Care Plan for Patients with Hajdu-Cheney Syndrome.

Hajdu-Cheney syndrome is a rare genetic disease. Its main features include phenotypic variability, age-dependent progression and the presence of acroosteolysis of the distal phalanges and generalized osteoporosis, which have significant disabling potential. Currently, there is no effective curative treatment, so nursing care is essential to ensure the maintenance of the quality of life of these patients. The main objective of this study was to establish a specific standardized nursing care plan using the NANDA-NIC-NOC taxonomy. The application of a care plan as such would improve the quality of life of patients affected by this rare disease, will contribute to increasing healthcare professionals' knowledge on this matter and will support future studies on this disease.

Using "Diraya" System as a Complementary Tool in Nursing Process Education: A Controlled Clinical Study.

Background: Healthcare has been revolutionized by the application of information and communication technologies. The implementation of electronic health record systems improves the quality and safety of patient healthcare. Nursing students who start learning the nursing process without contact with real patients experience difficulties in its correct application. Purpose: To compare the acquisition of skills and competencies in the nursing process by undergraduate nursing students between conventional learning with books and learning with an academic electronic health record system (Diraya). Methods: A controlled experimental study was conducted and included 379 students with a mean age of 20.54 ± 5.09 years, enrolled in the "Nursing Process and Basic Care" degree course at the School of Health Sciences in Granada. All participants gave their informed consent and were allocated by convenience sampling to a control group (n = 187; 21.20 ± 5.77 years) or an experimental group (n = 192, 19.91 ± 4.24 years). Findings: The experimental and control groups did not differ in sex distribution (p = 0.20), mean age (p = 0.01), or previous knowledge of the nursing process (p = 0.96). The groups did not significantly differ in multi-choice test results on the acquisition of theoretical knowledge (p = 0.13). However, the experimental group scored higher on clinical case planning (9.47 ± 0.80 vs. 8.95 ± 1.17; p < 0.001), took less time to complete it (46.9 ± 8.76 min vs. 82.66 ± 13.14 min; p < 0.001), and needed fewer autonomous learning hours to prepare for the final examination (2.26 ± 2.41 vs. 9.58 ± 3.83; p < 0.001). Satisfaction with the program and the rating of its quality were generally higher in the experimental group, while greater difficulty with most phases of the nursing process was reported by the control group. Conclusions: The academic electronic health record system "Diraya" is a useful tool to improve the learning and implementation of the nursing process by undergraduate nursing students.

Hajdu-Cheney Syndrome: Report of a Case in Spain.

This paper describes the case of a 54-year-old woman diagnosed with Hajdu-Cheney syndrome, who presents with characteristic craniofacial dysmorphia, short stature, premature loss of teeth, developmental skeletal disorders, fibrocystic mastopathy, bilateral hearing loss and an intermittent mild neutropenia. The patient received treatment with bisphosphonates and was awaiting evaluation for surgical arthroplasty of both hips when she suffered a motor vehicle accident, which led to a rapid progression in her disease by increasing her degree of dependence for most activities of daily living. The clinical presentation and radiologic findings seen in this case confirm the three main features of the syndrome: phenotypic variability, an age-dependent progression and the presence of generalized osteoporosis and acroosteolysis of distal phalanges. The main objective of the manuscript is to describe a new case of a patient diagnosed with Hajdu-Cheney syndrome. Due to the low prevalence of the syndrome and the small number of cases reported in the scientific literature, obtaining a complete description and a global perspective of the disease is complex.

Coping Strategies in Elderly Colorectal Cancer Patients.

In Spain, 34,331 new cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in 2018 and 15,923 individuals died from this disease in the same year. The highest incidence of colorectal cancer is among individuals aged 65-75 years and the physiological consequences of aging, alongside the effects of the disease and its treatment, can exacerbate their physical deterioration and cognitive impairment and reduce their social relationships. The learning of coping strategies may help to improve the quality of life of patients after cancer diagnosis. To test the hypothesis that the utilization of coping strategies can improve the quality of life of elderly patients with colorectal cancer, PubMed and EBSCO databases were searched, up to 2021, using the following terms: "coping strategies and colorectal cancer" with "anxiety", "quality of life", "depression", "unmet needs", "optimism", "intimacy", "distress", "self-efficacy" and "self-esteem" with Boolean operators "AND", "OR". The literature search retrieved 641 titles/abstracts written in English. After an exhaustive analysis, only 7 studies met the inclusion criteria. Randomized evidence was scant and was reported only in 3/7 of the studies analyzed. Data from available randomized evidence support that patients improved on their depression and quality of life and felt more prepared to deal with their cancer. Coping strategies in patients with colorectal cancer were effective in improving patient adaptation to their new situation. Healthcare professionals working with these patients should receive training in this complementary treatment, to be able to conduct comprehensive care in order to improve the quality of life of these patients.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type Arthrochalasia: A Systematic Review.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type arthrochalasia (aEDS) is a rare genetic disease characterized by severe generalized joint hypermobility, bilateral congenital hip dislocation, skin hyperextensibility, muscle hypotonia, and mild dysmorphic features. It is an autosomal dominant connective tissue disease causing defects in collagen, associated with two genes, COL1A1 or COL1A2. Only about 42 cases have been published worldwide. Treatment is currently symptomatic and focuses on increasing the quality of life of these patients, as there is no curative treatment. The main objective of the review was to update information on Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type arthrochalasia from scientific publications. The review report was carried out in accordance with the criteria of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and MetaAnalyses (PRISMA) review protocol, by searching Orphanet, OMIM, PubMed, and Scopus, as well as free sources. A total of 20 articles were analyzed, which, after analysis, provide an updated report that aims to establish a solid starting point for future lines of research.

Autonomic Imbalance in Lymphoma Survivors.

Among the types of blood cancers, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common. The usual treatments for this type of cancer can cause heart failure. A descriptive observational study was conducted that included 16 non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivors and 16 healthy controls matched by age and sex. Vagal tone was evaluated in the short term with a three-channel Holter device, and the time and frequency domains were analyzed following a previously accepted methodology to evaluate cardiac autonomic balance. The results of the analysis revealed that the standard deviation of the NN interval (F = 6.25, p = 0.021) and the square root of the mean of the sum of the differences between NN intervals (F = 9.74, p = 0.004) were significantly higher in healthy subjects than in lymphoma survivors. In the heart rate variability (HRV) index, there were no significant differences between the groups (F = 0.03, p = 0.85), nor in the parameters of the frequency domains LF (F = 1.94, p = 0.17), HF (F = 0.35, p = 0.55), and the ratio LF/HF (F = 3.07, p = 0.09). HRV values were lower in non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivors in the first year after treatment, resulting in autonomic imbalance compared to healthy paired subjects.

Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Rare Diseases during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Scientific knowledge on depression and anxiety in patients with rare diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic is scarce; however, it is essential to perform comprehensive management of these patients. The aim of this study was to research how the situation caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has influenced the lives of patients with rare diseases regarding depression and anxiety. This Spanish study considered a heterogeneous population sample of 86 patients with confirmed diagnosis of different rare diseases. Participants took part in a cross-sectional online study by completing specific questionnaires on the study topic. Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was used for evaluating anxiety. Data collection through an online questionnaire allowed for a greater population scope and therefore the inclusion patients of other nationalities in the study sample. Finally, as a general result, this study found that, in the face of the pandemic, anxiety and depression remained at a higher level in this group than in the general population, making these patients a vulnerable population group.

Effects of Meditation on Mental Health and Cardiovascular Balance in Caregivers.

BACKGROUND: Caring for a loved one can be rewarding but is also associated with substantial caregiver burden, developing mental outcomes and affecting happiness. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a four-week, 16-h presential meditation program on physiological and psychological parameters and vagal nerve activity in high-burden caregivers, as compared to a control group. METHODS: A non-randomized repeated-measures controlled clinical trial was conducted. RESULTS: According to the ANCOVA results, the global happiness score (F = 297.42, p < 0.001) and the scores for all subscales were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group at 5 weeks. Anxiety levels were also significantly reduced in the experimental group (F = 24.92, p < 0.001), systolic (F = 16.23, p < 0.001) and diastolic blood (F = 34.39, p < 0.001) pressures, and the resting heart rate (F = 17.90, p < 0.05). HRV results revealed significant between-group differences in the HRV Index (F = 8.40, p < 0.05), SDNN (F = 13.59, p < 0.05), and RMSSD (F = 10.72, p < 0.05) in the time domain, and HF (F = 4.82 p < 0.05)) in the frequency domain, which were all improved in the experimental group after the meditation program. CONCLUSIONS: Meditation can be a useful therapy to enhance the mental health and autonomic nervous system balance of informal caregivers, improving symptoms of physical and mental overload.

Hajdu-Cheney Syndrome: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Hajdu-Cheney syndrome (HCS) is a rare genetic disease that causes acroosteolysis and generalized osteoporosis, accompanied by a series of developmental skeletal disorders and multiple clinical and radiological manifestations. It has an autosomal dominant inheritance, although there are several sporadic non-hereditary cases. The gene that has been associated with Hajdu-Cheney syndrome is NOTCH2. The described phenotype and clinical signs and symptoms are many, varied, and evolve over time. As few as 50 cases of this disease, for which there is currently no curative treatment, have been reported to date. The main objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the results obtained in research regarding Hajdu-Cheney Syndrome. The findings are reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and were registered on the web PROSPERO under the registration number CRD42020164377. A bibliographic search was carried out using the online databases Orphanet, PubMed, and Scielo; articles from other open access sources were also considered. Finally, 76 articles were included, and after their analysis, we have obtained a series of hypotheses as results that will support further studies on this matter.

The effectiveness of a mobile application for the development of palpation and ultrasound imaging skills to supplement the traditional learning of physiotherapy students.

BACKGROUND: Mobile learning (m-learning) has becoming very popular in education due to the rapidly advancing technology in our society. The potentials of the mobile applications should be used to enhance the education process. Few mobile applications have been designed to complement the study of physical therapy skills for physiotherapy students. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a mobile application, as a supplement to traditional learning, is useful for physiotherapy students in the acquisition of palpation and ultrasound skills in the shoulder area. METHODS: Forty-nine students participated in this single-blinded, randomized controlled study. They were randomly distributed into two groups: experimental, with free access to the mobile application; and control, with access to traditional learning materials on the topic. Objective structured clinical evaluation (OSCE) and multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ) were used to assess the educational intervention. Then, we also assessed the time taken to get a reliable ultrasound image and to localize a specific shoulder structure by palpation. RESULTS: There was no significant intergroup difference in the acquisition of theoretical knowledge (p = .089). Scores were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group for the majority items in the ultrasound assessment; positioning of patient (p < .001), positioning of ultrasound probe (p = 0.007), handling of ultrasound probe (p = .013) and global OSCE (p < .001) and skills in palpation of the shoulder; position of patient (p = .009), direction of palpation contact (p = .021) and global OSCE (p = .034). There were no significant differences in the time required to perform the examination between groups in ultrasound (p = .944) and palpation (p = .393). The results from the post-program survey assessing the global satisfaction with the mobile application were high (8.200 ± .767), on an 11 numeric point rating scale. CONCLUSION: These results suggest the effectiveness of an m-learning program as a complement to traditional education for developing skills in ultrasound and palpation of the shoulder region in undergraduate physiotherapy students.

Telehealth system: A randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of an internet-based exercise intervention on quality of life, pain, muscle strength, and fatigue in breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: The chronicity status of breast cancer survivors suggests a growing need for cancer rehabilitation. Currently, the use of technology is a promising strategy for providing support, as reflected in the emergence of research interest in Web-based interventions in cancer survivorship. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted that included a total of 81 participants who had completed adjuvant therapy (except hormone treatment) for stage I to IIIA breast cancer. Participants were randomly assigned to an 8-week Internet-based, tailored exercise program (n = 40) or to a control group (n = 41).The instruments used at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6-month follow-up were the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core 30 and its breast cancer module, the Brief Pain Inventory, the handgrip dynamometer, the isometric abdominal test, the back dynamometer, the multiple sit-to-stand test, and the Piper Fatigue Scale. RESULTS: After the intervention, the telerehabilitation group had significantly improved scores for global health status, physical, role, cognitive functioning, and arm symptoms (all P < .01) as well as pain severity (P = .001) and pain interference (P = .045) compared with the control group. Significant improvements also were observed favoring the telerehabilitation group for affected and nonaffected side handgrip (both P = .006), abdominal, back and lower body strength (all P < .01), and total fatigue (P < .001). These findings were maintained after 6 months of follow-up, except for role functioning, pain severity, and nonaffected side handgrip. Analysis was based on an intention-to-treat principle. CONCLUSIONS: This program may improve adverse effects and maintain benefits in breast cancer survivors. The results of this study have encouraging implications for cancer care. Cancer 2016;122:3166-74. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Do Patient Profiles Influence the Effects of Massage? A Controlled Clinical Trial.

Considerable scientific evidence has been published on the effectiveness of massage in different conditions, but it remains unclear whether this effectiveness is modulated by the profile of patients. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a 21-min myofascial therapy protocol on stress responders and nonresponders stressed in the laboratory with a cold pressor test. Dependent variables included heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, and salivary markers such as flow rate, cortisol, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and α-amylase activity. A controlled, repeated measures, single-blind trial was conducted in 30 Caucasian students with a mean (SD) age of 20.70 (4.50) years. We found no significant between-group differences in descriptive characteristics or in any preintervention outcome measure. Analysis of covariance revealed significant increases in HRV index (F = 0.18, p = .01), salivary flow rate (F = 0.16, p = .02), and salivary IgA concentration (F = 4.36, p = .04) and significant decreases in the low-frequency domain (F = 0.18, p = .04) and LF-high-frequency ratio (F = 0.18, p = .01) in the stress responder group in comparison to the nonresponder group. In conclusion, a better response to massage was observed in stress responders than in nonresponders across various HRV parameters and salivary measures.

Pressure Pain Sensitivity Maps of the Neck-Shoulder Region in Breast Cancer Survivors.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to report pressure pain sensitivity topographical maps of the frontal and dorsal parts of the shoulder region, and locate the pressure pain sensitive areas in breast cancer survivors compared with matched healthy control subjects. METHODS: Twenty-two breast cancer survivors (BCS) and 22 matched control subjects participated. A numeric pain rating scale of the neck-shoulder area and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) was assessed bilaterally over 28 points in the frontal and dorsal neck-shoulder area. Topographical pain sensitivity maps of the upper trapezius, pectoral, and anterior deltoid areas were computed. RESULTS: A three-way analysis of variance was carried out to evaluate the differences in PPTs. The BCS reported spontaneous neck pain (mean ± SD 3.6 ± 2.8), pain in the affected shoulder (4.3 ± 2.7), and pain in the non-affected shoulder (0.9 ± 1.8). Additionally, the BCS exhibited bilaterally lower PPTs in all the measurement points as compared with the control subjects (P < 0.05). The PPTs were lower at the superior part of the trapezius muscle (P < 0.001), the musculotendinous insertion, the anterior part of the deltoid muscle (P < 0.001), and the tendon of the pectoral muscle (P < 0.001) as compared with the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the sensitization processes in the BCS and give preliminary evidence to most sensitive areas in the superior part of the upper trapezius and musculotendinous insertion of the pectoral muscle.