Do Bach flower remedies have a role to play in pain control?: A critical analysis investigating therapeutic value beyond the placebo effect,and the potential of Bach flower remedies as a psychological method of pain relief

This paper explores the potentiality of Bach flower remedies as a means of pain relief through a retrospective case-study analysis to establish how clients suffering with painful conditions responded to the therapy. RESULTS: Of 384 subjects, 41 suffered pain. Of these, 46% felt treatment had relieved their pain; in 49% the physical outcome was unknown. About 88% of all subjects reported an improvement in their emotional outlook. DISCUSSION: The role of placebo and its influence on the study's key features: focus shift from physical pain to emotional outlook, and the importance of the client-practitioner relationship and belief in the therapy. CONCLUSION: The use of Bach flower remedies has brought about positive emotional changes in the majority of clients in this study. Whilst it is difficult to draw a definitive conclusion as to significance of the therapeutic value of these remedies in relation to pain above that of a placebo, the results are encouraging. In particular, relief of negative emotions and promotion of positive thought including how clients opened up about, and dealt with, emotional issues. The indication is that potential for Bach flower remedies as a therapeutic agent in the relief of pain does exist and is worthy of further qualitative and quantitative investigation through robust, purpose-designed studies to replicate and progress the results shown here.     

Acute neurocognitive response to methylphenidate among survivors of childhood cancer: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acute efficacy and adverse side effects of methylphenidate (MPH) among survivors of childhood cancer [acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or brain tumor (BT)] with learning impairments. METHODS: Participants (N = 122) completed a two-day, in-clinic, double-blind, cross-over trial during which they received MPH (0.60 mg/kg of body weight) and placebo that were randomized in administration order across participants. Performance was evaluated using measures of attention, memory, and academic achievement. RESULTS: A significant MPH versus placebo effect was revealed on a measure of attention, cognitive flexibility, and processing speed (Stroop Word-Color Association Test). Male gender, older age at treatment, and higher intelligence were predictive of better medication response. No significant differences were found for number or severity of adverse side effects as a function of active medication. CONCLUSIONS: MPH shows some neurocognitive benefit and is well tolerated by the majority of children surviving ALL and BT.     

Acetaminophen and Diphenhydramine Premedication for Allergic and Febrile Nonhemolytic Transfusion Reactions: Good Prophylaxis or Bad Practice?

Febrile nonhemolytic and allergic reactions are the most common transfusion reactions, but usually do not cause significant morbidity. In an attempt to prevent these reactions, US physicians prescribe acetaminophen or diphenhydramine premedication before more than 50% of blood component transfusions. Acetaminophen and diphenhydramine are effective therapies for fever and allergy, respectively, so their use in transfusion has some biologic rationale. However, these medications also have potential toxicity, particularly in ill patients, and in the studies performed to date, they have failed to prevent transfusion reactions. Whether the benefits of routine prophylaxis with acetaminophen and diphenhydramine outweigh their risks and cost requires reexamination, particularly in light of the low reaction rates reported at many institutions even when premedication is not prescribed.     

Remedies and life changes among invasive cervical cancer survivors

This study addresses health practices and perceived disease impact among long-term survivors of invasive cervical cancer. Little is now known about how these women adapt and how often positive changes may result from their experience. Interviews were conducted with 208 individuals 6 to 29 years post-invasive cervical cancer diagnosis identified through the Connecticut Tumor Registry. Questioning focused on alternative remedies used, health practices, life priorities, and health status. Despite the challenges associated with a history of cervical cancer, women interviewed in this study found opportunities for adaptation and growth. Health professionals should inform cervical cancer patients about remedies that women have found valuable in promoting recovery, as well as share information about how survivors have grown personally through the disease experience.     

Interpreting studies of cognitive function following cardiac surgery: a guide for surgical teams

Patients with coronary disease and related health care providers are faced with confusing and often conflicting information with regards to the neurocognitive impact of different strategies for coronary revascularization. Studies involving the measurement of postoperative cognitive deficit (POCD) have significant limitations that may ultimately impact on their interpretation and clinical relevance. In this review, we have described the origin of these tests and delineated the rationale for the design of testing that is commonly used in cardiac surgery patients. In general, neurocognitive tests assess domains of memory/new learning, psychomotor speed/dexterity and attentional capacity/mental control. Pre- and post-intervention tests in each domain can be evaluated either by the measurement of mean change scores (Group Comparison Model) for the entire group as continuous data, or by using categorical or continuous data to examine patterns of individual decline (Individual Comparison Model). This latter approach requires a specific definition of what constitutes a decline, which can be criticized as being arbitrary. There are limitations to each of these approaches that necessitate that critical information in trial design is available to the reviewer to facilitate interpretation. For example, the impact of factors such as test/re-test reliability and practice effect can be mitigated by the use of an appropriately chosen control population. Liberal parlance of neurocognitive outcome as a rationale for therapeutic choice must be tempered by wise interpretation of these tests. It is only through the understanding of their limitations and the implications of trial design that we can translate these results to provide the best therapeutic options for our patients in unbiased manner.     

New onset diabetes with ketoacidosis attributed to quetiapine

A 45-year-old man with paranoid schizophrenia with delusions was transferred from a group home for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Six months before this episode, he had been hospitalized in an inpatient psychiatric institution and treated with valproic acid and quetiapine 400 mg with normal blood sugars recorded. The patient was treated for diabetic ketoacidosis, and all outpatient medications were discontinued. Insulin resistance is commonly cited as the mechanism for hyperglycemia, a theory supported by the efficacy of insulin- sensitizing medications in reported cases. Although antipsychotic- associated DKA is uncommon, hyperglycemia associated with these medications is commonplace. Analysis of case series have not identified risk factors for hyperglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis within this population. Considering the incidence and unpredictability of hyperglycemia associated with quetiapine and atypical antipsychotics, clinicians should initiate intensive monitoring in patients, including weight, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia.