RECENT RESEARCH bias and the other a serious risk of bias . The one Qigong RCT found improved psychological outcomes . It had a low risk of bias and a moderate level of certainty . Only one trial reported on adverse events and found that none were experienced by either the exercise or control group .
Conclusion : Based on the consistent finding of benefit in the four Tai Chi trials , including one RCT that had a high level of certainty , there is a sufficient signal to merit conducting a large , high quality multi-centre trial on Tai Chi for TBI and test it against current trends in TBI management . Based on the one RCT on TBI and Qigong , an additional confirmatory RCT is indicated . Further research is indicated that reflects current management strategies and includes adverse event documentation in both the intervention and control groups . However , these findings suggest that , in addition to Tai Chi ’ s known health promotion and chronic disease mitigation benefits , its use for the treatment of injury , such as TBI , is potentially a new frontier .
Nissim M , Rottenberg Y , Karniel N . et al . Effects of aquatic exercise program versus on-land exercise program on cancer-related fatigue , neuropathy , activity and participation , quality of life , and return to work for cancer patients : study protocol for a randomized controlled trial . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2024 : 24 , 74 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-024-04367-8
Background : Exercise has shown positive effects on fatigue , exhaustion , neuropathy , and quality of life in cancer patients . While on-land exercises have been studied , the aquatic environment offers unique advantages . Water ' s density and viscosity provide resistance , enhancing muscle strength , while hydrostatic pressure improves venous return . This trial aims to investigate the effect of aquatic exercises on time to return to work , work hours , workrelated difficulties , daily life activity and participation , quality of life , exhaustion , fatigue , and neuropathy among cancer patients , compared to on-land exercise intervention group and a non-exercise group .
Methods : This randomized controlled trial will include 150 cancer patients aged 18 – 65 years with stage III colon cancer or breast cancer patients with lymph node involvement . Participants in the aquatic exercise intervention group will undergo an 8-week , twice-weekly group-based Ai- Chi program , while the on-land exercise group will perform identical exercise . The control group will not engage in any exercise .
The primary outcome will be assessed using an employment barriers questionnaire , capturing return to work date and working hours and daily life participation and activity and quality of life . Secondary outcomes include exhaustion , fatigue , and neuropathy . Data will be collected at baseline , post-intervention ( 8 weeks ), and at 3,12 , and 24 months . Mixed variance analyses will explore relationships among groups and over time for independent variables , with separate analyses for each dependent variable .
Discussion : The potential benefits include an earlier return to work for patients , reducing their need for social and economic support . The study ' s implications on socio-economic policies are noteworthy , as a successful intervention could offer a cost-effective and non-invasive solution , improving patients ' quality of life and increasing their participation in daily activities . This , in turn , could lead to a faster return to work , contributing to both personal well-being and broader societal interests by reducing reliance on social services .
Foale S , Botma Y . & Heyns , T . Mindfulness-based interventions to support wellbeing of adults in low socio-economic settings : a realist review . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2024 ; 24 , 52 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-023-04263-7
Background : Mindfulness as a modality involves training the innate human capacity for present-moment awareness with a view to cultivating a more harmonious and integrated life experience , especially in the face of hardship . Over the past four decades , the field of mindfulness has grown rapidly . Despite a substantial body of literature outlining the many benefits of mindfulness practice within a range of contexts and populations , the authors noticed that studies addressing the adaptation , application and value of mindfulness-based interventions ( MBIs ) for adults within socio-economically challenged setting were scant . To address this gap , we conducted a realist review of studies pertaining to MBIs within low socio-economic settings , to determine the extend and nature of research in this sector and culminating in a program theory which may be useful for the design of interventions going forward .
Methods : We selected realist review as the methodology as it is well suited to investigating the complex nature of social interventions . The value of realist review is that the exploration of the causal relationships between the mechanisms ( M ) within a specific context ( C ) towards particular outcomes ( O ) offers a deeper understanding of the intervention which may assist in more effective delivery going forward . The review follows the guidelines presented by the Realist and Metanarrative Evidence Synthesis – Evolving Standards project .
Results : Of the 112 documents identified , 12 articles met the inclusion criteria . Of these 12 studies , 10 were conducted in the United States , with little representation across the rest of the globe . The interventions described in these articles were varied . We identified mechanisms that offered beneficial outcomes for participants across a range of contexts , with indications of how interventions might be adapted towards greater accessibility , acceptability , and feasibility within communities .
Conclusion : By reviewing the various programs in their respective contexts , we developed a program theory for implementing socio-culturally adapted MBIs in low socio-economic settings . In the future , this program theory could be tested as a means to create a sense of wellbeing for people living in low socioeconomic settings .
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