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Fusco SDFB, Pancieri AP, Amancio SCP, Fusco DR, Padovani CR, Minicucci MF, Spiri WC, Braga EM. Efficacy of Flower Therapy for Anxiety in Overweight or Obese Adults: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Altern Complement Med 2021; 27:416-422. [PMID: 33902293 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2020.0305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of flower therapy for the treatment of anxiety in overweight or obese adults with that of a placebo. The authors examined improvement in sleep patterns, reduction in binge eating, and change in resting heart rate (RHR). Design: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with a parallel-group design and two arms. Setting/Location: Clinical Research Unit, Medical School, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Subjects: The study included 40 participants in the placebo group and 41 in the intervention group. Participants were of both genders, from 20 to 59 years of age, overweight or obese, with moderate to high anxiety. Interventions: The participants were divided into two random groups: one group was treated with Bach flower remedies (BFR) (bottles containing 30 mL of 30% hydro-brandy solution with two drops each of Impatiens, White Chestnut, Cherry Plum, Chicory, Crab Apple, and Pine), and the other group was given a placebo (same solution without BFR). The patients were instructed to orally ingest the solution by placing four drops directly in the mouth four times a day for 4 weeks. Outcome measures: The primary outcome was anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]). Secondary outcomes were sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]), binge eating (Binge Eating Scale [BES]), and RHR (electrocardiogram). Results: Multivariate analysis showed significant reductions in scores for the following variables in the intervention group when compared with the placebo group: STAI (β = -0.190; p < 0.001), PSQI (β = -0.160; p = 0.027), BES (β = -0.226; p = 0.001), and RHR (β = -0.07; p = 0.003). Conclusions: The anxiety symptoms, binge eating, and RHRs of the individuals treated with flower therapy decreased, and their sleep patterns improved when compared with those treated with the placebo. Registered at the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (no. RBR-47-kfxh).
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzimar de Fátima Benato Fusco
- Nursing Department, Medical School, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu, Brazil.,School of Nursing, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Pancieri
- Nursing Department, Medical School, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu, Brazil
| | | | - Daniéliso Renato Fusco
- Medical Clinic Department, Medical School, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Carlos Roberto Padovani
- Biostatistics Department, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu, Brazil
| | | | - Wilza Carla Spiri
- Nursing Department, Medical School, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Eliana Mara Braga
- Nursing Department, Medical School, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu, Brazil
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Predictors of positive opinion about Bach Flower Remedies in adults from three Latin-American countries: An exploratory study. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2017; 27:52-56. [PMID: 28438281 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The current study aimed to determine if positive opinions about BFR interacts with spirituality in adults from three Latin-American countries using a CHAID algorithm. Participants were 703 adults from Cuba (n = 319), Costa Rica (n = 252) and Chile (n = 132). PREDICTORS demographic data, received information, received treatment, spirituality, dispositional optimism and willingness to use a placebo intervention were measured and analyzed. A supervised classification which included a training phase (n = 423) and a test phase (n = 280) was employed. Received information about BFR, spirituality and education were selected as significant predictors of the positive opinion about BFR (>90% of correct classifications).
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Rivas-Suárez SR, Águila-Vázquez J, Suárez-Rodríguez B, Vázquez-León L, Casanova-Giral M, Morales-Morales R, Rodríguez-Martín BC. Exploring the Effectiveness of External Use of Bach Flower Remedies on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Pilot Study. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med 2017; 22:18-24. [PMID: 26456628 PMCID: PMC5871196 DOI: 10.1177/2156587215610705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Revised: 09/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A randomized, pilot, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of a cream based on Bach flower remedies (BFR) on symptoms and signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS Forty-three patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome during their "waiting" time for surgical option were randomized into 3 parallel groups: Placebo (n = 14), blinded BFR (n = 16), and nonblinded BFR (n = 13). These groups were treated during 21 days with topical placebo or a cream based on BFR. RESULTS Significant improvements were observed on self-reported symptom severity and pain intensity favorable to BFR groups with large effect sizes (η2partial > 0.40). In addition, all signs observed during the clinical exam showed significant improvements among the groups as well as symptoms of pain, night pain, and tingling, also with large effect sizes (φ > 0.5). Finally, there were significant differences between the blinded and nonblinded BFR groups for signs and pain registered in clinical exam but not in self-reports. CONCLUSION The proposed BFR cream could be an effective intervention in the management of mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, reducing the severity symptoms and providing pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saira R Rivas-Suárez
- Medical University "Serafín Ruíz de Zárate Ruíz" of Villa Clara, Santa Clara, Cuba
- University Hospital "Arnaldo Milián Castro," Santa Clara, Cuba
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