Is oral consumption of dates (Phoenix dactylifera L. fruit) in the peripartum period effective and safe integrative care to facilitate childbirth and improve perinatal outcomes: a comprehensive revised systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

Effects of Nursing Interventions During Delivery on Pain Relief and Labor Progression in Vaginal Deliveries

Background The beneficial influence of nursing interventions upon the mother during natural childbirth is profound, though it has, as yet, not been tangibly identified. This is particularly important and of clinical relevance in the regulation of pain levels experienced by the mother in such an important life event. Aims This study aims to evaluate the effects of nursing intervention during delivery on pain relief and labor progression in vaginal delivery women. Methods A total of 86 vaginal delivery women from July 2023 to August 2024 were included and divided into two groups through a table of random numbers: Intervention group (n=43, receiving enhanced nursing intervention during delivery) and a Control group (n=43, receiving routine nursing intervention). The pain during delivery, duration of labor, childbirth attitudes questionnaire (CAQ), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and delivery outcomes were evaluated between the groups. Results Compared with the Control group, the visual analog scale (VAS) scores of the Intervention group at different time points (latent phase, acceleration phase, and deceleration phase) were lower, and the average time spent on the first, second, and third stages of labor was shorter. The scores of CAQ, SAS, and the usage rate of oxytocin were lower. In addition, there was less bleeding after two hours postpartum in the Intervention group (P<0.05). There was no difference in Apgar scores at five minutes of birth for newborns between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Strengthening nursing interventions during vaginal delivery for vaginal delivery women can alleviate delivery pain, promote labor progression, alleviate childbirth fear and anxiety, and improve delivery outcomes.

Is the topical application of sesame oil (Sesamum indicum L.) combined with standard care valuable and safe for managing infusion-related phlebitis: Evidence from a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have studied the potential effect of the topical use of sesame oil (SO), obtained from the sesame plant seeds (Sesamum indicum L., Pedaliaceae family), in preventing or alleviating the symptoms of infusion-related phlebitis (IRP); nevertheless, their data are inconsistent. Thus, this review sought to qualitatively and quantitatively synthesize data from all available RCTs concerning the effect of the topical administration of SO on managing IRP.

METHODS

The online databases were searched up to July 13, 2024. Studies were eligible if they compared administering standard care plus topical SO to applying an alternative modality and/or standard care. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and GRADE framework were employed to appraise the quality of the evidence.

RESULTS

Eight studies of 755 records in the initial search met the inclusion criteria, which investigated inpatients and/or outpatients with chemotherapy-induced phlebitis (n = 6) and amiodarone-induced phlebitis (n = 2). According to the quantitative analysis, adults who had received coadministration of standard care and topical SO on the infusion site were significantly less affected by IRP than those who had received a control condition (effect sizes= 5, risk ratio= 0.54; 95 % confidence interval[0.32, 0.92]; P = 0.025). Also, based on the qualitative syntheses, SO can potentially prevent the formation of advanced stages of IRP, delay the appearance of IRP symptoms, and reduce IRP-induced pain severity.

CONCLUSION

Topical SO had a favorable effect on caring for adults with IRP. However, uncertainty remains because the evidence quality was moderate, some RCTs needed better methodological rigor, and most required to address the safety of the intervention or independent verification of SO used in terms of purity and potency. Thus, to build a valid conclusion about the efficacy and safety of SO in managing IRP, more high-quality RCTs must be conducted considering an active placebo control intervention along with a well-designed randomization and blinding approach, as well as a better description of safety parameters and the quality control information of the SO used.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42024542497.