RECENT RESEARCH
Intervention : Patient-tailored exercise programs according to the principles of medical exercise therapy . Global ( aerobic ), semiglobal ( multisegmental ), and local ( joint-specific ) exercises were performed 3 times a week for 12 weeks under supervision of a physiotherapist .
Measurements : The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score ( KOOS ) was measured biweekly during the 3-month intervention period and at 6 and 12 months after the intervention . The primary end point was the mean difference in KOOS scores between groups at the end of the intervention ( 3 months ). Secondary outcomes included pain intensity and QoL . The proportion of patients with minimal clinically important changes in primary and secondary outcomes was compared between groups .
Results : Both groups improved over time , but there were no benefits of high-dose therapy in most comparisons . One exception was the KOOS score for function in sports and recreation , where high-dose therapy was superior at the end of treatment and at 6-month followup . A small benefit in QoL at 6 and 12 months was also observed .
Limitation : There was no control group that did not exercise .
Conclusion : The results do not support the superiority of high-dose exercise over low-dose exercise for most outcomes . However , small benefits with high-dose exercise were found for knee function in sports and recreation and for QoL .
Naturopathy
Chakrovorty A , Bhattacharjee B , Saxena A , Samadder A , Nandi S . Current Naturopathy to Combat Alzheimer ' s Disease . Curr Neuropharmacol . 2023 ; 21 ( 4 ): 808-841 . doi : 10.2 174 / 1570159X20666220927121022 .
Neurodegeneration is the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons , which may ultimately involve cell death . The most common neurodegenerative disorder in the brain happens with Alzheimer ' s disease ( AD ), the most common cause of dementia . It ultimately leads to neuronal death , thereby impairing the normal functionality of the central or peripheral nervous system . The onset and prevalence of AD involve heterogeneous etiology , either in terms of genetic predisposition , neurometabolomic malfunctioning , or lifestyle . The worldwide relevancies are estimated to be over 45 million people . The rapid increase in AD has led to a concomitant increase in the research work directed towards discovering a lucrative cure for AD . The neuropathology of AD comprises the deficiency in the availability of neurotransmitters and important neurotrophic factors in the brain , extracellular betaamyloid plaque depositions , and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein . Current pharmaceutical interventions utilizing synthetic drugs have manifested resistance and toxicity problems . This has led to the quest for new pharmacotherapeutic candidates naturally prevalent in phytochemicals . This review aims to provide an elaborative description of promising Phyto component entities having activities against various potential AD targets . Therefore , naturopathy may combine with synthetic chemotherapeutics to longer the survival of the patients .
Taye I , Grace S , Bradbury J . Empowerment in naturopathy : A qualitative analysis of practitioner perspectives . Complement Ther Clin Pract . 2022 ; 49:101652 . doi : 10.1016 / j . ctcp . 2022.101652
Objective : This research aims to explore the role of empowerment in naturopathic consultations with patients with chronic pain .
Methods : Seven naturopaths were interviewed for up to 60 min online . A reflexive thematic analysis approach was used to code initial concepts . Through repeated immersion in the data , codes were clustered , refined and iteratively developed into overarching themes .
Results : Four major themes emerged from the data analysis : ( i ) establishing a therapeutic relationship , ( ii ) the therapeutic relationship as a mechanism for transformation , ( iii ) facilitating shared decision-making , and ( iv ) practitioner critical reflection . Participants identified that initial consultations were important for establishing rapport , identifying the causes of chronic pain , triggers of acute flare-ups and making sure the patient felt understood . Subsequent consultations focused on empowering patients through education , promotion of self-care and increasing self-awareness . Empowerment was manifest through all consultations by using active listening , education , and engagement with patients in a respectful manner that prioritised their treatment preferences in management plans .
Conclusions : The findings highlight the central role of empowerment in naturopathic consultations with patients with chronic pain . Patients were supported to become active agents in decisions about their health care , consistent with person-centred models of care . This in turn promoted patient empowerment . Critical self-reflection on the part of practitioners was integral to their empowering approach . The combination of patient empowerment and critical self-reflection suggest that a framework of empowerment may be useful for advancing our understanding of naturopathy practice in Australia .
Nutrition
Abdollahpour D , Homayouni-Rad A , Nourizadeh R , Hakimi S , Mehrabi E . The effect of probiotic supplementation on episiotomy wound healing among primiparous women : a triple-blind randomized clinical trial . BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies . 2023 ; 23 , Article number : 149 .
Background : Probiotics increase the defense power of immune system and accelerate the wound healing process by anti-inflammatory mechanisms at the wound site . The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of Lactobacillus casei oral supplementation on episiotomy wound healing among primiparous women .
104 | vol29 | no2 | JATMS