Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Pain is a global public health problem affecting the lives of large numbers of patients and their families. Touch therapies (Healing Touch (HT), Therapeutic Touch (TT) and Reiki) have been found to relieve pain, but some reviews have suggested there is insufficient evidence to support their use. ⋯ Touch therapies may have a modest effect in pain relief. More studies on HT and Reiki in relieving pain are needed. More studies including children are also required to evaluate the effect of touch on children.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2008
Review Meta AnalysisCorticosteroids for the prevention and treatment of post-extubation stridor in neonates, children and adults.
Post-extubation stridor may prolong length of stay in the intensive care unit, particularly if airway obstruction is severe and re-intubation proves necessary. Corticosteroids, however, may be associated with adverse effects ranging from hypertension to hyperglycemia, and a more systematic assessment of the efficacy of this therapy is indicated prior to widespread adoption of this practice. ⋯ Using corticosteroids to prevent (or treat) stridor after extubation has not proven effective for neonates, children or adults. However, given the consistent trends towards benefit, this intervention does merit further study.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2008
Review Meta AnalysisAllopurinol for preventing mortality and morbidity in newborn infants with suspected hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.
Delayed neuronal death following a perinatal hypoxic insult is due partly to xanthine oxidase-mediated production of cytotoxic free radicals. Evidence exists that allopurinol, a xanthine-oxidase inhibitor, reduces delayed cell death in animal models of perinatal asphyxia and in human patients with other forms of organ reperfusion injury. ⋯ The available data are not sufficient to determine whether allopurinol has clinically important benefits for newborn infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and, therefore, larger trials are needed. Such trials could assess allopurinol as an adjunct to therapeutic hypothermia in infants with moderate and severe encephalopathy and should be designed to exclude clinically important effects on mortality and adverse long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2008
Review Meta AnalysisInterventions for preventing injuries in the agricultural industry.
Agriculture is more hazardous than most other industries. Many strategies have been introduced to reduce injuries in the field, yet the effectiveness of different interventions on occupational injuries still remains unclear. ⋯ The selected studies provided no evidence that educational interventions are effective in decreasing injury rates among agricultural workers. Financial incentives could reduce injury rates. Legislation to ban pesticides could be effective. Legislation expanding the use of safety devices (ROPS) on new tractors was associated with a decrease in fatal injuries.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2008
Review Meta AnalysisAbdominal lift for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the main method of treatment of symptomatic gallstones. Several cardiopulmonary changes (decreased cardiac output, pulmonary compliance, and increased peak airway pressure) occur during pneumoperitoneum. These changes may not be tolerated in individuals with poor cardiopulmonary reserve. ⋯ (1) Abdominal wall lift seems safe and decreases the cardiopulmonary changes associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy.(2) Abdominal wall lift does not seem to offer advantage over pneumoperitoneum in any of the patient-oriented outcomes for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with low anaesthetic risk and may increase costs by increasing the operating time. Hence it cannot be recommended routinely. More research on the topic is needed.