Current medical research and opinion
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Studies demonstrate that people who have been infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, have experienced cognitive dysfunction, including working memory impairment, executive dysfunction, and decreased concentration. This review aimed to explore the incidence of working memory impairment and possible concomitant symptoms in the acute phase (< 3 months) and chronic phase (> 6 months) of COVID-19. ⋯ COVID-19 can cause a decline in working memory ability, accompanied by neurological symptoms. However, there is a lack of studies to identify the structural and functional changes in specific brain regions that relate to the impaired working memory.
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The value of patient involvement to the design, conduct, and outcomes of healthcare research is increasingly being recognized. Patient involvement also provides greater patient accessibility and contribution to research. However, the use of inaccessible and technical language when communicating with patients is a barrier to effective patient involvement. ⋯ The use of inclusive, empathetic, and clear language can encourage patients to be involved in research and, once they are involved, make them feel like equal, empowered, and valued partners. Working toward developing processes and guidelines for the use of language that enables an equal partnership between researchers and patients is critical.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Analgesic onset and efficacy of a fast-acting formulation of acetaminophen in a postoperative dental impaction pain model.
Speed of onset can be critical to an analgesic's efficacy treating acute pain. To enhance onset, a new oral acetaminophen formulation intended to be fast acting was developed. Two studies evaluated the analgesic onset, efficacy, and safety of this fast-acting acetaminophen (FA-acetaminophen) tablet relative to commercial acetaminophen caplets (ES-acetaminophen) and commercial ibuprofen liquid-filled gelatin capsules (LG-ibuprofen). ⋯ Study 1: NCT02735122; Study 2: NCT03224403.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Kalium phosphoricum comp. in patients with neurasthenia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
This Phase IV placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the product Neurodoron (Kalium phosporicum comp., KPC) in patients with neurasthenia. ⋯ Trial treatment was well tolerated with only a few and minor AEs reported, confirming the markedly good safety of KPC. A significant improvement of neurasthenia was seen for the total study population at the end of the treatment period. Superiority of KPC vs. placebo could not be demonstrated with the pre-specified analysis with regards to a sum score of 12 typical symptoms, perceived stress, or general health status. However, the explorative post-hoc analysis revealed that KPC is superior to placebo in the characteristic symptoms irritability and nervousness. KPC could therefore be a beneficial treatment option for symptomatic relief of neurasthenia.