Effectiveness of Self-administered Acupressure for Family Caregivers of Advanced Cancer Patients With Insomnia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbances are common among family caregivers (FCs) of patients with advanced cancer. Self-administered acupressure can combat insomnia, but no study has been conducted to evaluate its efficacy in caregivers of patients with advanced cancer. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate whether self-administered acupressure improves sleep quality for FCs of patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: Family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer who reported sleep disturbance (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores >5 in recent months) were recruited. The experimental group self-administered acupressure at the Baihui (GV20), Fengchi (GB20), Neiguan (PC6), and Shenmen (HT7) points over a 12-week period, whereas the comparison group received sleep hygiene education. Sleep quality was assessed subjectively at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the intervention using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and objectively using actigraphy measurements. Improvements in sleep quality were analyzed using a generalized estimating equation. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the experimental group demonstrated significantly lower sleep latency (Wald χ2 = 11.49, P = .001) and significantly better sleep efficiency (Wald χ2 = 5.24, P = .02) according to actigraphy measurements, but Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Self-administered acupressure did not demonstrate favorable effects on subjective sleep quality, but did reduce sleep latency and improve sleep efficiency, according to actigraphy measurements. Self-administered acupressure may help relaxation and sedation and promote sleep in FCs. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Healthcare providers may consider advising FCs to apply this self-administered acupressure to improve their sleep latency and sleep efficiency.

The Association Between Traditional Chinese Medicine Body Constitution Deviation and Essential Hypertension: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: The prevention and treatment of hypertension is valued globally. The World Health Organization advocates combining traditional medicines in the prevention and treatment of diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) assumes that diseases originate from the attenuation of one's body constitution. A few studies have found that hypertension is correlated with TCM body constitution. However, body constitution is also affected by living environment. Therefore, investigating the correlation between deviations in body constitution and essential hypertension in different living environments is necessary to provide the basis for using TCM in combination with conventional Western medicine to prevent and treat hypertension. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the association between TCM body constitution deviation and essential hypertension. METHODS: A case-control study was designed. Participants were selected from the outpatient clinics and neighboring communities of a regional teaching hospital in southern Taiwan. The study included 210 hypertension and 210 nonhypertension cases. Blood pressures were measured using an electronic sphygmomanometer to confirm the presence or absence of hypertension. The TCM Body Constitution Questionnaire, demographic datasheet, and hypertension-related factors questionnaire were used to collect data. RESULTS: A higher proportion of patients with body constitution deviation were found in the hypertension group than the nonhypertension group. The proportions of patients with Yin-Xu, Yang-Xu, and stasis constitution were 44.8%, 32.4%, and 30.6%, respectively, in the hypertension group and 28.6%, 25.2%, and 19.6%, respectively, in the nonhypertension group. After performing univariate analysis, the results showed significant differences between the two groups in terms of average body mass index; emotional traits of anger, worry, and fear; hyperlipidemia; hyperuricemia; Yin-Xu constitution; and stasis constitution. However, the multivariate analysis revealed having a Yin-Xu constitution to be a risk factor of essential hypertension after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, emotional traits, drinking habit, hyperlipidemia, and hyperuricemia. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results suggest that Yin-Xu and stasis constitutions are respectively associated with essential hypertension. The findings offer a valuable reference to governments and healthcare professionals to prevent the risk of essential hypertension. Screening and healthcare measures for TCM Yin-Xu or stasis constitution may be included in related prevention plans to minimize public exposure to the risk factors of essential hypertension.

Development and preliminary validation of a questionnaire on regular exercise beliefs among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To develop a Regular Exercise Belief Questionnaire and test its psychometric properties for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. BACKGROUND: Regular exercise has been shown to significantly improve physical capacity and the quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, their adherence to long-term exercise is low. To develop an effective strategy for promoting good exercise behaviours, it is important to have a validated instrument to evaluate factors related to engaging in exercise. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used for the study. Construction of the Regular Exercise Belief Questionnaire was based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour Reliability and validity were assessed using a sample of 136 male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The construct validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through exploratory factor analysis and known group technique. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis resulted in an eight-factor solution that explained 70·4% of the total variance. The internal consistency of the Regular Exercise Belief Questionnaire was 0·83-0·93. The Regular Exercise Belief Questionnaire was preliminarily found to be reliable and exhibited satisfactory validity for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. CONCLUSION: The Regular Exercise Belief Questionnaire is the first theory-based measure of exercise beliefs among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The questionnaire provides an effective method to examine behaviour beliefs, normative beliefs and control beliefs about regular exercise. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The measure can be used to periodically evaluate the exercise beliefs in clinics and to examine the effectiveness of exercise programmes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The result of the evaluation could also apply to identify strategies related to promoting exercise behaviours.

An exploration of beliefs regarding exercise among Taiwanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the beliefs regarding regular exercise among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). BACKGROUND: Low adherence to exercise has been observed in patients with COPD. It is important to identify factors regarding exercise from the patients' viewpoint. METHODS: Thirty-one patients were recruited from a medical center in Taiwan. Semi-structured, in-depth, one-on-one interviews were conducted to collect data. The narratives of the interviews were analyzed via content analysis. RESULTS: The majority of the participants affirmed the benefits of regular exercise; however, concerns about personal comfort and safety affected their actual exercise behavior. Five normative references were found to support exercise behavior, and several exercise promoters were identified. CONCLUSION: This study provides an understanding of exercise beliefs of Taiwanese patients with COPD stage II-IV and suggests several ideas for their exercise maintenance. There is a need to provide individualized exercise guides and reinforced programs for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.