RECENT RESEARCH
Conclusion: The protocol of drinking warm water and Swedish abdominal massage immediately after waking up effectively reduced constipation scores on postoperative lower extremity fracture patients and can be use to adjuvant therapy. Further studies are needed to investigate postoperative constipation patients with immobility and the use of strong analgetics.
Rajabi R, Akhlaghi F, Asadi N, Zamani Babgohari F, Arabpoor F. The Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage on Fatigue and Sleep Quality in Hemodialysis Patients. SAGE Open Nurs. 2025; 11:23779608251364099. doi: 10.1177 / 23779608251364099. PMID: 40786836; PMCID: PMC12332255.
Background and aim: Hemodialysis patients experience fatigue due to factors such as toxic compounds in the bloodstream, fluid, and electrolyte disorders. Despite resting, they still feel tired and report poor sleep quality. This study aimed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology massage on reducing fatigue and improving sleep quality in hemodialysis patients.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on hemodialysis patients in southeastern Iran. Eligible patients were selected through purposive sampling and allocated to either the intervention group( n = 25) or the control group( n = 25). The intervention group received foot reflexology massage three times weekly for three weeks, while the control group received routine care. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index( PSQI) and Piper Fatigue Scale at three time points: pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and two weeks after intervention.
Results: The findings showed that the mean score of sleep quality in the intervention group decreased from 16.23 before the intervention to 3.31 two weeks after the intervention( p <. 001). Furthermore, the mean fatigue score in the intervention group decreased from 8.63 before the intervention to 3.11 two weeks after the intervention( p <. 001).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that foot reflexology can reduce fatigue and increase sleep quality in hemodialysis patients. As a simple, feasible, and non-invasive method without complications, reflexology can be used by nurses to reduce fatigue and increase sleep quality in HD patients.
Naturopathy
Malhotra V, Harnett JE, Wong K, Saini B. Australian Naturopaths Approach to the Clinical Management of Patients Presenting with Sleep Disorders. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. 2025; 31( 5). https:// doi. org / 10.1089 / jicm. 2024.0422
Objective: Naturopathic practitioners consult an estimated 6.2 % of Australian adults, equating to 1,550,000 people receiving their care each year. Sleep is now recognized as a key pillar of health; however, nearly half of all Australian adults report inadequate sleep. Evidence suggests that many Australians consult naturopaths( NPs) for sleep-related problems and use complementary medicines( CMs) to manage these. However, NPs’ clinical approach to caring for people living with sleep disorders has not been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe and understand the clinical assessment and treatment approaches used by NPs in their care of people living with sleep disorders.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey with a purposively sought sample. NPs were recruited via the practitioner research-based network. The participants received an email invitation containing a link to the survey along with a Participant Information Sheet. The online survey( Research Electronic Data Capture— see Supplementary Data S1) comprised multiple-choice, binary( yes / no) questions, or 5-point Likert scaletype questions structured across four sections related to: clinical assessment of patients, treatments used, interprofessional communication with conventional doctors, and demographics.
Results: Sixty-seven complete data sets were analyzed. Most survey participants treated— one to three patients with sleep disorders weekly, being consulted primarily for insomnia( 82 %) and its treatment( 98.5 %). Comprehensive sleep health histories were commonly assessed. Additionally, 69 % of participants reported that patients sought their services to complement conventional care. The most frequently used complementary medicine( CM) approaches included sleep hygiene counseling( 75 %) and meditation( 64.7 %). Vitamins, minerals, herbal medicines, and nutritional supplements were the most recommended CM medicines( 92.6 %). Referrals to conventional medicine professionals were minimal.
Conclusion: Australian NPs are frequently consulted by people living with sleep disorders who are also using conventional medicines. Our study highlights the need for integrated models of health care tailored to patient needs that maximize potential benefits and reduce any harms associated with drug – CMs interactions. The provision of training to the Australian health care workforce of NPs that focuses on evidence-based behavioral treatments can improve access to these treatments for patients.
Nutrition
Hosseini Roknabadi SM, Abolhassani A, Davoodi E, Moghaddam Rad FZ, Jafarnejad S. The protective effects of coenzyme Q10 on blood pressure: a narrative review of antiinflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms. Inflammopharmacology. 2025. doi: 10.1007 / s10787-025-01897-6. PMID: 40820066.
The consequences of uncontrolled hypertension, often referred to as the“ silent killer,” encompass end-organ damage, leading to conditions, such as heart failure, myocardial infarction( heart attack), renal failure, and stroke. The recommended approach for managing high blood pressure involves both pharmacological and behavioral therapies. Existing evidence suggests that individuals with cardio-metabolic diseases may exhibit a deficiency in Coenzyme CoQ10( CoQ10), potentially contributing to oxidative stress and inflammation associated with hypertension. Various
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