Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
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BACKGROUND Physical changes due to aging lead to weakening of respiratory muscles and decreased lung functions that result in increasing risk of chronic respiratory disease. A complex respiratory rehabilitation program is needed to prevent respiratory diseases and improve lung functions and quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of respiratory training programs on pulmonary functions, cardiovascular endurance, and quality of life in elderly women. ⋯ MVV, MBS, and LSS were not significantly different between the 2 groups (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that the long-term respiration training program has positive effects on pulmonary functions, cardiopulmonary endurance, and quality of life. Various respiratory training programs and long-term implementations are needed to prevent respiratory illness and to improve lung functions and quality of life of respiratory patients.
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BACKGROUND Refractory abdominal pain during menstruation severely affects patients' quality of life and simultaneously places enormous psychological burdens on patients and their families. Several treatments for secondary dysmenorrhea are available; however, none can permanently treat all types of secondary dysmenorrhea. Since pain is transmitted by the nerves, we hypothesized that a neurolytic block could be used as a treatment for refractory abdominal pain during menstruation. ⋯ RESULTS The degrees of pain were significantly (p<0.05) decreased after neurolytic block (from 7.74±1.14 to 2.96±1.55). The patients showed significantly (p<0.05) less anxiety and improved bodily pain with mental health status. CONCLUSIONS Secondary dysmenorrhea can be effectively and safely treated with a neurolytic block of the superior hypogastric plexus.
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BACKGROUND Integrated pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may prevent acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness, before and 12 months after, the use of an integrated PR program in patients discharged from hospital for AECOPD. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective observational clinical study included patients diagnosed with COPD who participated in a domiciliary integrated PR program that included a weekly phone interview supervised by a respiratory team. ⋯ RESULTS Of the 303 eligible patients, 267 patients (88.1%), with a mean age of 64.9±8.7 years, a mean FEV1 percentage predicted of 48.8±12.9%, successfully completed the 12-month study program and achieved a significant improvement in their clinical performance with a significantly reduced frequency of episodes of EACOPD (3.1±1.7 vs. 2.0±1.4) (p<0.001), a significant reduction in emergency department visits (2.5±1.5 vs. 1.2±1.1) (p<0.001), and significantly reduced episodes of hospitalization (2.0±1.2 vs. 1.4±1.2) (p<0.001). Significant patient benefits were found during the 12-month study, on CAT, mMRC, and patient well-being when compared with the end of the study after 12 months (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS A multidisciplinary integrated PR program maintained a significant clinical improvement, in patients with COPD by reducing episodes of AECOPD, CAT, mMRC, emergency hospital admissions, and improved patient well-being, for the duration of the program.