Journal of clinical nursing
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The impact of a nurse-led support and education programme for spouses of stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial.
The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of a nurse-led support and education programme for improving the spouses' perceived general quality of life, life situation, general well-being and health state. ⋯ To facilitate the spouses' role as informal caregivers to the stroke patients, further development of the support and education programme used in the present study is needed, including empowerment approach and implementation of coping strategies.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Chemotherapy: the effect of oral cryotherapy on the development of mucositis.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of oral cryotherapy on the development of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in patients administered combined chemotherapy. ⋯ Aggressive cancer therapy places patients at greater risk for oral complications and treatment-related consequences. Unfortunately, prevention and/or treatment of such oral sequelae have often become overlooked as priorities of the treatment team. Effective approaches for the prevention or treatment of oral mucositis have not been standardized, and vary considerably among institutions. Prophylactic measures begin with an increased emphasis on improved oral status. Oral cryotherapy, the therapeutic administration of cold, is a prophylactic measure for oral inflammation. The relevance for clinical practice will be to understand the content of mucositis; comprehensive care should focus on the prevention of this complication in the clinical practice.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of plain ice and flavoured ice for preventing oral mucositis associated with the use of 5 fluorouracil.
The study aimed to compare the use of plain ice, flavoured ice and standard care, to evaluate the effect on mucositis and to determine patients' perceptions of the two forms of oral cryotherapy. ⋯ The benefits of cryotherapy appear to outweigh the problems in this sample of patients. The intervention should be tailored to individual patients, based on preferences for plain versus flavoured ice and small chips vs. larger blocks. Unsweetened frozen fruit juices should be evaluated. Time constraints could be addressed by providing transportable containers of ice.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Music and its effect on the physiological responses and anxiety levels of patients receiving mechanical ventilation: a pilot study.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of music on the anxiety of patients on mechanical ventilation, as assessed by objective parameters and a subjective validated anxiety scale. ⋯ As indicated by the results of this study, music therapy can act as a simple and safe nursing intervention to allay anxiety and promote patient comfort. Interest and comments on music therapy provided as a relaxation technique should be elicited from both nurses and patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Pressure-relieving equipment: promoting its correct use amongst nurses via differing modes of educational delivery.
To examine the impact of written and verbal education on bed-making practices, in an attempt to reduce the prevalence of pressure ulcers. ⋯ Nurses are receptive to clear, concise written evidence regarding pressure ulcer prevention and incorporate this into clinical practice.