Effects of aromatherapy on quality of life and pain in patients with cancer: A meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: . Cancer has become a chronic disease to which new therapeutic approaches are being applied and many patients are interested in the long-term consequences of these approaches. Aromatherapy is one approach that has been used as a safe and comfortable method to alleviate symptoms in patients with cancer, and its effects on various aspects of life have been reported. OBJECTIVES: . A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to examine the effects of aromatherapy on quality of life (QoL) and pain in patients with cancer. METHODS: . Using a comprehensive search strategy, 11 databases were searched from their inception to July 2023 for randomized controlled trials. In the meta-analysis, the standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval were calculated as effect measures by applying a random effects model. RESULTS: . Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Aromatherapy was found to have favorable effects in improving QoL (Hedges' g = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.00), but no statistically significant effect of aromatherapy on pain was found (Hedges' g = -0.46, 95% CI: -0.99 to 0.07). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate statistically significant improvements in QoL when combining aromatherapy and massage, but it was not possible to disentangle the individual effects of each. Considering the characteristics of cancer patients, aromatherapy has beneficial effects as a non-pharmacological method. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of aromatherapy on symptom management, considering factors such as the duration of cancer development and type of cancer.

Development of a greenhouse gas - air pollution interactions and synergies model for Korea (GAINS-Korea).

This study aimed to create Greenhouse Gas - Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS)-Korea, an integrated model for evaluating climate and air quality policies in Korea, modeled after the international GAINS model. GAINS-Korea incorporates specific Korean data and enhances granularity for enabling local government-level analysis. The model includes source-receptor matrices used to simulate pollutant dispersion in Korea, generated through CAMx air quality modeling. GAINS-Korea's performance was evaluated by examining different scenarios for South Korea. The business as usual scenario projected emissions from 2010 to 2030, while the air quality scenario included policies to reduce air pollutants in line with air quality and greenhouse gas control plans. The maximum feasible reduction scenario incorporated more aggressive reduction technologies along with air quality measures. The developed model enabled the assessment of emission reduction effects by both greenhouse gas and air pollutant emission reduction policies across 17 local governments in Korea, including changes in PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 µm) concentration and associated benefits, such as reduced premature deaths. The model also provides a range of visualization tools for comparative analysis among different scenarios, making it a valuable resource for policy planning and evaluation, and supporting decision-making processes.

Effects of Exercise on Positive Symptoms, Negative Symptoms, and Depression in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of exercise on positive and negative symptoms and depression in patients with schizophrenia through a systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched from their inception to 31 October 2022. We also conducted a manual search using Google Scholar. This meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. To identify the cause of heterogeneity, subgroup analysis, meta-ANOVA, and meta-regression analyses were performed as moderator analyses. Fifteen studies were included. The meta-analysis (random-effects model) for overall exercise showed a medium significant effect (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.72 to -0.31) on negative symptoms, a small significant effect (SMD = -0.24, 95% CI: -0.43 to -0.04) on positive symptoms, and a nonsignificant effect (SMD = -0.87, 95% CI: -1.84 to 0.10) on depression. Our findings demonstrate that exercise can relieve the negative and positive symptoms of schizophrenia. However, the quality of some included studies was low, limiting our results for clear recommendations.

Effects of Communication Skills and Organisational Communication Satisfaction on Self-Efficacy for Handoffs among Nurses in South Korea.

(1) Background: Although numerous studies related to communication in a nursing context have been conducted, there is a lack of research considering the effects of personal and organisational communication factors on the self-efficacy for handoffs. This study aimed to identify the impact of communication competence and intra-organisational communication satisfaction on self-efficacy for handoffs among nurses. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted between September and October 2018. In total, 203 registered nurses were invited to participate in the study by convenience sampling from five general hospitals in South Korea. Data were analysed using SPSS for t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. (3) Results: In the final regression model, the adjusted R square was significant, explaining 24.2% of the variance in self-efficacy for handoffs (F = 22.43, p = 0.001) when the variable horizontal communication (ß = 0.282, p < 0.001) was included in intra-organisational communication satisfaction. In addition, the longer the nurse's experience in the current unit and the higher the communication competence, the more statistically significant the self-efficacy for handoffs was found to be (ß = 0.215, p = 0.001 and ß = 0.180, p = 0.008). (4) Conclusions: To enhance the self-efficacy for handoffs, nurse managers should foster an atmosphere that allows their staff nurses to interact freely and establish specific guidelines for handoffs through mutual communication.

Geosensor data representation using layered slope grids.

Environmental monitoring applications are designed for supplying derived and often integrated information by tracking and analyzing phenomena. To determine the condition of a target place, they employ a geosensor network to get the heterogeneous sensor data. To effectively handle a large volume of sensor data, applications need a data abstraction model, which supports the summarized data representation by encapsulating raw data. For faster data processing to answer a user's queries with representative attributes of an abstracted model, we propose such a data abstraction model, the Layered Slopes in Grid for Sensor Data Abstraction (LSGSA), which is based on the SGSA. In a single grid-based layer for each sensor type, collected data is represented by slope directional vectors in two layered slopes, such as height and surface. To answer a user query in a central monitoring server, LSGSA is used to reduce the time needed to extract event features from raw sensor data as a preprocessing step for interpreting the observed data. The extracted features are used to understand the current data trends and the progress of a detected phenomenon without accessing raw sensor data.

Design of sensor data processing steps in an air pollution monitoring system.

Environmental monitoring is required to understand the effects of various kinds of phenomena such as a flood, a typhoon, or a forest fire. To detect the environmental conditions in remote places, monitoring applications employ the sensor networks to detect conditions, context models to understand phenomena, and computing technology to process the large volumes of data. In this paper, we present an air pollution monitoring system to provide alarm messages about potentially dangerous areas with sensor data analysis. We design the data analysis steps to understand the detected air pollution regions and levels. The analyzed data is used to track the pollution and to give an alarm. This implemented monitoring system is used to mitigate the damages caused by air pollution.

Effects of Lavender on Anxiety, Depression, and Physiological Parameters: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: The recent evidence suggested substantial anxiolytic efficacy of lavender. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of lavender for anxiety, depression, and physiological parameters and to elucidate the differential effects of lavender on anxiety and depression by study characteristics. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases for randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of lavender on anxiety, depression, or physiological parameters in humans. We assessed the risk of bias within studies with the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials. We used random effect model to estimate the average effect and computed bias-corrected standardized mean difference as effect size metric, Hedges' g for all outcomes. RESULTS: Lavender was superior to placebo or no treatment in reducing anxiety (Hedges' g = -0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.90 to -0.55, p value <.001), depression (Hedges' g = -0.43, 95% CI, -0.59 to -0.27, p value <.001), and systolic blood pressure (Hedges' g = -0.23, 95% CI, -0.41to -0.05, p value = .01). The moderator analysis by meta-regression indicated that route of administration accounted 6.5% (p value = .187) for the heterogeneity in anxiolytic effects, sessions of treatment accounted 13.2% (p value = .055), and participants' health state accounted 8.9% (p value = .131) for the variance in anxiolytic effects. CONCLUSION: Lavender aromatherapy showed substantial effect in reducing anxiety and depression, and sessions of administration increased the anxiolytic effects. The effects on physiological parameters showed small with inconsistent significances and randomized controlled trials on the effect of lavender on depression were scarce. Future trials on depression and physiological parameters are recommended, and increasing the sessions of administration is recommended.

Levels, antecedents, and consequences of critical thinking among clinical nurses: a quantitative literature review

The purpose of this study was to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of critical thinking within the clinical nursing context. In this review, we addressed the following specific research questions: what are the levels of critical thinking among clinical nurses?; what are the antecedents of critical thinking?; and what are the consequences of critical thinking? A narrative literature review was applied in this study. Thirteen articles published from July 2013 to December 2019 were appraised since the most recent scoping review on critical thinking among nurses was conducted from January 1999 to June 2013. The levels of critical thinking among clinical nurses were moderate or high. Regarding the antecedents of critical thinking, the influence of sociodemographic variables on critical thinking was inconsistent, with the exception that levels of critical thinking differed according to years of work experience. Finally, little research has been conducted on the consequences of critical thinking and related factors. The above findings highlight the levels, antecedents, and consequences of critical thinking among clinical nurses in various settings. Considering the significant association between years of work experience and critical thinking capability, it may be effective for organizations to deliver tailored education programs on critical thinking for nurses according to their years of work experience.

[A Qualitative Study on Interpersonal Relationships of Patients with Facial Burn Injuries: Phenomenological Study].

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore the experience of patients with facial burn injuries regarding their interpersonal relationships. METHODS: The phenomenological research method was used. Participants of the study consisted of five males and three females. Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews from November, 2014 to February, 2015 and analyzed using Colaizzi's method. RESULTS: Five theme clusters were extracted that described patients' experiences. They are "being a lonely foreigner," "closing my mind toward the world," "hiding hurt feelings," "companion of my face," and "communicating with the world". CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide a deep understanding and insight into the experience of interpersonal relationships among facial burn patients. The development of a comprehensive program including physical, psychological, and social aspects is recommended to address the problems facial burn patients encounter in interpersonal relationships and to facilitate interaction.

How Strong is the Evidence for the Anxiolytic Efficacy of Lavender?: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: Although lavender is purported to possess anxiolytic and sedative properties and is often recommended for relieving anxiety, the efficacy of lavender has not been well established. Thus, this review aimed to evaluate the anxiolytic effects of lavender aromatherapy. METHODS: Ten data bases were searched for studies published between 2000 and 2018. Randomized controlled trials investigating the anxiolytic effects of lavender aromatherapy with any type of application for persons with or without clinical anxiety were included. The outcome variables included self-rated anxiety, vital signs, and salivary cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA) levels. In the meta-analysis, standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval were calculated as effect measures by applying the random effect model and inverse variance method. RESULTS: Twenty-two trials met our inclusion criteria. Lavender aromatherapy was found to have favorable effects in relieving anxiety (Hedges' g = -0.65; 95% CI, -0.84 to -0.46) and decreasing systolic blood pressure (g = -0.22; 95% CI, -0.43 to -0.02), heart rate (g = -0.53; 95% CI, -0.74 to -0.32), and salivary cortisol (g = -1.29; 95% CI, -2.23 to -0.35) and CgA (g = -2.29; 95% CI, -3.24 to -1.34) levels. However, the meta-analysis did not reveal any significant effects of lavender on diastolic blood pressure (effect size: -0.17; 95% CI, -0.37-0.04). CONCLUSION: Aromatherapy using lavender oil might have favorable effects on anxiety and its physiological manifestations. Future studies are recommended with an emphasis on methodological quality. In nursing practice, it is suggested that lavender aromatherapy be included in programs intended to manage anxiety in patients across diverse healthcare settings.

Femtomolar detection of cardiac troponin I using a novel label-free and reagent-free dendrimer enhanced impedimetric immunosensor.

A novel highly sensitive dendrimer coupled impedimetric immunosensor was developed for the label-free and reagent-free detection of cardiac troponin I (TnI) in serum samples. The immunosensor probe was fabricated by covalently attaching carboxylic acid-functionalized third generation (G3) poly (amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer (Den) on the 3, 3', 5, 5'-tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) modified 6-mercaptohexanoic acid (MHA) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on a gold (Au) electrode. Monoclonal anti-TnI antibody was then covalently immobilized on the Den and TMB attached MHA SAM modified surface. TMB was used as an internal surface redox couple for generating signal which also allowed to avoid the use of an external one (i.e. ferricyanide couple) in solution during the impedance measurement for monitoring the antibody-antigen binding. On the other hand, Den was used as a signal enhancer by immobilizing more anti-body on the immunosensor probe. The immunosensor probe was characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The TnI detection in diluted serum was based on the measurement of charge transfer resistance (Rct) of the electron transfer process of the surface-attached TMB before and after immunobinding. Under the optimized condition, the proposed immunosensor could detect human TnI in diluted serum samples as low as 11.7 fM with a wide linear dynamic range, good stability, and excellent specificity. The validity of the proposed method was tested in various TnI spiked human undiluted serum samples and was compared with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results suggested that the proposed immunosensor could be a useful tool for practical applications in clinical diagnosis.

[The relationship of stress, social support and depression in the elderly].

PURPOSE: This study was to identify the relationship between stress, social support and depression in the elderly. METHOD: The subjects were 283 elderly adults over 60 in Seoul. Data was collected by questionnaire surveys using convenience sampling. The instruments used in this study are the ELSI developed by Aldwin(1990), the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List developed by Cohen & Hoberman (1983), and the Geriatric Depression Scale by Yesavage & Brink(1982). Data was analyzed by the SAS program, using descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, t-test, ANOVA and progressed Multiple Regression. RESULT: The relationship between stress and depression had a positive correlation (r= 0.33), but the relationship between stress and social support had no significant correlations. The relationship between social support and depression had a negative correlation (r= -0.38). The most powerful predictor of depression was the economic status and then a combination of stress, and social support account for 39% of the variance in depression in the elderly. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that stress and social support deficits can be potential risk factors in old age depression. Therefore, these findings give useful information for constructing an intervention program focused on depression in the elderly.

[Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy program on mental health problems in children dealing with trauma: focused on community district victimized by oil spill].

PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy in a victimized community district and to determine if the program is an effective nursing intervention to reduce posttraumatic stress disorder symptom, depression and state anxiety. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group design was used for the study. The participants, 32 elementary school students, were selected from grades 4, 5, 6 and each student was assigned to either the experimental (16) or control (16) group. Cognitive behavioral therapy was used as the experimental treatment from April 9 to May 28, 2009. The experimental group received cognitive behavior therapy intervention 8 times. Data analysis was done using ANCOVA with SPSS 17.0. RESULTS: After the intervention, the experimental group showed significantly lower levels of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms than the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective nursing intervention to decrease the level of mental health problems of children in victimized district. Further research is required in order to identify the continuous effects of cognitive behavioral therapy.

[An analysis of the meaning of respite for family caregivers of elderly with dementia].

PURPOSE: This study was a qualitative research study in which focus group interviews were used to collect data on the meaning of respite for family caregivers who are taking care of elders with dementia. METHODS: The focus group interviews and participants consisted of 2 family caregiver groups, for a total of 8 people taking care of their elders and 5 professional caregivers working in a geriatrics hospital or social welfare institutions. Content analysis was used and debriefing notes were referred in order to analyze the data. RESULTS: The meaning of respite in this research was measured using 4 main categories: 'Temporary break from routine', 'direct help', 'psychological comfort', 'valuables which cannot be taken easily' and 9 subcategories: 'Temporary diversion of attention', 'temporarily free from my duty', 'taking care of oneself', 'receiving economic help', 'empathize with others', 'comfort based on trust', 'resting together with the elder', 'no time to rest', 'cannot get out of one's obligatory duty'. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study show that rest means not only a temporary relief from caretaking, but also a real respite based on the patients' stable state and comfort. These results indicate a new meaning for respite, that the first step of respite program has to begin even when the caregivers do not recognize the need for respite.