Bmc Med
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Evidencing general acceptability of open-label placebo use for tackling overtreatment in primary care: a mixed methods study.
Overtreatment poses a challenge to healthcare systems due to harmful consequences of avoidable side-effects and costs. This study presents the first account for examining the feasibility of placebo use for reducing overtreatment in primary care, including whether public attitudes support the use of different placebo types in place of inappropriate prescriptions of antibiotics, antidepressants, or analgesics. ⋯ Findings from PPI and three studies indicate general support for combatting overprescribing in primary care through clinical placebo use. This is an indicator for wider UK public support for a novel, behavioural strategy to target a long-standing healthcare challenge. General acceptability appears to be highest for the use of open-label + impure placebos in the context of antibiotic overprescribing.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Chronic remote ischemic conditioning treatment in patients with chronic stable angina (EARLY-MYO-CSA): a randomized, controlled proof-of-concept trial.
Chronic remote ischemic conditioning (CRIC) has been shown to improve myocardial ischemia in experimental animal studies; however, its effectiveness in patients with chronic stable angina (CSA) has not been investigated. We conducted a proof-of-concept study to investigate the efficacy and safety of a six-month CRIC treatment in patients with CSA. ⋯ CSA patients benefit from 6-month CRIC treatment with improvements in MFR, angina symptoms, and exercise performance. This treatment is well-tolerated and can be recommended for symptom relief in this clinical population.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of home-based online training and activity feedback on oxygen uptake in patients after surgical cancer therapy: a randomized controlled trial.
Exercise training is beneficial in enhancing physical function and quality of life in cancer patients. Its comprehensive implementation remains challenging, and underlying cardiopulmonary adaptations are poorly investigated. This randomized controlled trial examines the implementation and effects of home-based online training on cardiopulmonary variables and physical activity. ⋯ Home-based online training among post-surgery cancer patients revealed an increase of oxygen uptake and a decrease of myocardial workload during exercise. The implementation of area-wide home-based training and activity feedback as an integral component in cancer care and studies investigating long-term effects are needed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A culturally adapted manual-assisted problem-solving intervention (CMAP) for adults with a history of self-harm: a multi-centre randomised controlled trial.
Self-harm is an important predictor of a suicide death. Culturally appropriate strategies for the prevention of self-harm and suicide are needed but the evidence is very limited from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a culturally adapted manual-assisted problem-solving intervention (CMAP) for patients presenting after self-harm. ⋯ Suicidal ideation is considered an important target for the prevention of suicide, therefore, CMAP intervention should be considered for inclusion in the self-harm and suicide prevention guidelines. Given the improvement in the E-TAU arm, the potential use of brief interventions such as regular contact requires further exploration.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Expanding hepatitis C virus test uptake using self-testing among men who have sex with men in China: two parallel randomized controlled trials.
HCV self-testing (HCVST) may be an effective strategy to address low rates of HCV test uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM). We evaluated the effectiveness and cost of providing HCVST to increase HCV test uptake among MSM in China. ⋯ Compared to the standard of care, providing HCVST significantly increased the proportion of MSM testing for HCV in China, and was cheaper per person tested.