Emotional Aspects and Pranayama in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Emotional disturbances are commonly experienced by cancer patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of certain Pranayama techniques on the emotional aspects such as impatience, worry, anxiety, and frustration among breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy in India. METHODS: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial. Patients were recruited when they were seeking radiation therapy for breast cancer. They were allocated into two groups using block randomization technique. The experimental group performed Pranayama along with radiation therapy, whereas the control group received only routine care. RESULTS: Emotional aspects of the two groups were compared at the end of the treatment. Mann-Whitney U-test was used for comparison as the data were not following normality. It showed a significant difference between the two groups with the group who performed Pranayama showing a lesser mean score for these negative emotions. CONCLUSIONS: Pranayama might help in controlling the negative emotions likely to be faced by breast cancer patients, and it can be used as a supportive therapy for breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.

Perception of stigma toward mental illness in South India.

BACKGROUND: Stigma associated with mental illnesses is one of the principal causes for mentally ill people not receiving adequate mental health care and treatment. The study was conducted to assess the extent of stigma associated with mental illness and knowledge of mental illness among the community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 445 respondents from Udupi district; the community attitude toward the mentally ill (CAMI) scale was used to assess stigma. The probability proportional to sampling size technique was adopted to select the wards/blocks. Household from blocks/wards were selected using convenience sampling. Self- administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the information. Data was analyzed using the software SPSS version 15. RESULTS: Of the total 445 respondents, the prevalence of stigma toward mentally ill people was 74.61% (95% confidence interval, 0.7057, 0.7866). The prevalence of stigma was high under all the four domains of CAMI scale. High prevalence of stigma was seen among females and people with higher income. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of stigma toward PWMI was found to be high. The stigma toward PWMI was associated with gender with respect to AU, BE and CMHI. Hence, the study suggests that there is a strong need to eliminate stigma associated with mental illness to improve the mental health status of the region.

Effectiveness of pranayama on cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy: A randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Incidence of breast cancer is very high among women around the world. Breast cancer patients experience cancer-related fatigue at some points during the treatment for breast cancer. Since cancer-related fatigue is of multifactorial origin, there are no evidence-based treatment strategies for fatigue. This study tested the effectiveness of certain pranayama techniques in reducing cancer-related fatigue among breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. AIMS: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of pranayama on cancer-related fatigue among breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy as measured by cancer fatigue scale. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Shirdi Sai Baba Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Kasturba Hospital Manipal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study was a randomized controlled trial done among breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Demographic characteristics of the participants are presented as frequency and percentage. Comparison of means of cancer-related fatigue between the two groups is done by Mann-Whitney U-test and comparison of pre- and pos t-test means of cancer-related fatigue among the experimental group is done by Wilcoxon sign rank test. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the two groups with regard to the scores of cancer-related fatigue. The experimental group of patients who performed pranayama along with radiation therapy experienced less fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Pranayama can be used as a supportive therapy for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

Is HbA1c a risk factor for type 2 diabetic subjects without macro and micro vascular complications?

OBJECTIVE: Our study attempted to evaluate the diagnostic value of HbA1c in predicting diabetic dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). METHODS: Study comprised 229 subjects (156 males and 73 females) with diabetic dyslipidemia without any micro and macro vascular disorders. Fasting blood samples were taken to analyse biochemical parameters like HbA1c, sugar and lipid profile. RESULTS: The HbA1c levels did not differ much between males (6.96 ± 1.11) and females (7.01 ± 1.19). HbA1c demonstrated a positive significant correlation with cholesterol, LDL and a negative significant correlation with HDL. Patients with HbA1c >7.0% had significantly higher value of cholesterol, LDL when compared with <7.0%. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study clearly suggest that HbA1c endures the ability of predicting CVD risk in the diabetic patients without any micro and macro vascular disorder. Therefore study recommends using HbA1c as a marker for predicting the risk of developing CVD.

Neonatal sepsis, bacterial isolates and antibiotic susceptibility patterns among neonates.

Data from hospital records of 96 neonates hospitalised with sepsis were analysed using SPSS 11.5 version to identify sepsis--its signs and symptoms with which they were admitted, bacterial isolates and antibiotic susceptibility patterns among neonates admitted during 2007-2009. The retrospective data revealed that majority of the neonates 61 (63.5%) were males. Of the 96 neonates 52 (54.2%) were pre-term, and 44 (45.8%) were referred from various institutes after initial trial of management for the same. Majority ie. 66 (68.8%) had respiratory distress. Lethargy was noted in 56 (58.30%), fever among 10 (10.4%) and jaundice was reported among 6 (6.2%). Blood culture and sensitivity revealed that pseudomonas infection claimed to have triggered early signs and symptoms of sepsis among 11 (11.46%) neonates and Staphylococcus aureus was responsible for triggering late signs and symptoms ofsep is among 11 (11.46%) neonates.

The use of a working model for teaching functional and applied surgical anatomy of the subtalar joint.

BACKGROUND: Some aspects of functional and applied anatomy may be difficult to conceptualize if taught by conventional methods. In such situations, alternative methods of teaching may need to be adopted. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether a working model can facilitate understanding of the functional and applied surgical anatomy of the subtalar joint. METHODS: A working model of the articulated talus and calcaneus was constructed and used to explain the mechanics of motion of the subtalar joint, the rationale of release of structures to correct hindfoot deformity in clubfoot, principles of tendon transfers, and the rationale of extra-articular subtalar joint arthrodesis. Twenty-four orthopedic residents were divided into two groups (A and B). Group A was taught these specific concepts of functional and applied anatomy with the help of the model, while Group B was taught the same concepts with a written text and diagrams. The level of knowledge of both groups was evaluated by a test with multiple-choice questions. A week later, Group A was given the text while Group B was shown the model. Both groups then answered a questionnaire assessing the value of the model in enhancing their understanding of the subject. RESULTS: In the test, the performance of students in Group A was better than those in Group B. Students of both groups felt that the model gave them a much clearer understanding of the functional anatomy of the subtalar joint. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that this simple, inexpensive model is a valuable teaching aid that helps students to understand the surgical anatomy of the subtalar joint. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgeons can use this model to effectively teach trainees in this field about the mechanics and anatomy of the subtalar joint and other relevant applications.