A. Reißhauer

Massage therapy reduces physical discomfort and improves mood disturbances in women with breast cancer.

Background. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the efficacy of classical massage treatment in reducing breast cancer‐related symptoms and in improving mood disturbances.

Qigong and Exercise Therapy for Elderly Patients With Chronic Neck Pain (QIBANE): A Randomized Controlled Study

UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of qigong compared with exercise therapy and no treatment. Elderly patients with chronic neck pain (>6 months) were randomly assigned to qigong or exercise therapy (each 24 sessions over a period of 3 months) or to a waiting list control. Patients completed standardized questionnaires at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. The main outcome measure was average neck pain on the visual analogue scale after 3 months. Secondary outcomes were neck pain and disability (NPAD) and quality of life (SF-36). One hundred seventeen patients (age, 76 +/- 8 years, 95% women) were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The average duration of neck pain was 19.0 +/- 14.9 years. After 3 months, no significant differences were observed between the qigong group and the waiting list control group (visual analogue scale mean difference, -11 mm [CI, -24.0; 2.1], P = .099) or between the qigong group and the exercise therapy group (-2.5 mm [ - 15.4; 10.3], P = .699). Results for the NPAD were similar (qigong vs waiting list -6.7 (-15.4; 2.1), P = .135; qigong vs exercise therapy 2.3 (-6.2; 10.8); P = .600). We found no significant effect after 3 months of qigong or exercise therapy compared with no treatment. Further studies should include outcomes more suitable to elderly patients, longer treatment, and patients with less chronic pain. PERSPECTIVE In a randomized controlled study, we evaluated whether a treatment of 24 qigong sessions over a period of 3 months is (1) superior to no treatment and (2) superior to the same amount of exercise therapy in elderly patients (age, 76 +/- 8 years, 95% women) with long-term chronic neck pain (19.0 +/- 14.9 years). After 3 and 6 months, we found no significant differences for pain, neck pain, disability, and quality of life among the 3 groups.

Effect of baby swimming and baby lotion on the skin barrier of infants aged 3–6 months

Background: Skin care is important especially in infancy as the skin barrier matures during the first year of life. We studied the effects of baby swimming and baby lotion on the skin barrier function of infants.

Developing a Qigong Intervention and an Exercise Therapy for Elderly Patients with Chronic Neck Pain and the Study Protocol

Background: In the so far published trials on qigong and exercise therapies, the methods and especially the interventions applied are rarely described in detail. Therefore, we report on the development of the interventions, the study design and protocols of a randomised controlled multi-centre trial. Objective: The aim of the study was to develop a qigong intervention and an exercise therapy for elderly patients and to evaluate whether qigong is more effective than (1) no treatment or (2) the exercise therapy. Development of the Interventions: In a consensus process with qigong experts and physiotherapists special interventions for elderly patients were developed allowing most exercises to be performed in a sitting position. Both interventions will be held by qualified therapists for a period of 3 months twice per week for 45 min. In addition, patients will be encouraged to exercise on their own. Study Protocol: In a randomised controlled multi-centre study with 3 groups and a total follow-up time of 6 months, 120 patients from 4 residences for elderly people in Berlin (age ≧ 55 years) with chronic neck pain should be included. Main Outcome Measure: Average pain intensity of the past 7 days measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary parameters are neck pain and disability (Neck Pain and Disability Scale, NPAD), depression (General Depression Scale, ADS) and health-related quality of life (SF-36). Implications: The results of this study may help clarify, if qigong is a feasible, safe and effective intervention for elderly people with neck pain.

Einfluss von Babyschwimmen und Babypflegelotion auf die Hautbarriere von 3–6 Monate alten Säuglingen

Schlüsselwörter • Hautbarriere-Reifung • Säugling • Babyschwimmen • TEWL • pH • Sebum • Gender Zusammenfassung Hintergrund: Hautpflege ist besonders wichtig bei Säuglingen, denn ihre Hautbarrierefunktion reift im ersten Lebensjahr. In dieser Studie sollte die Wirkung einer Babypflegelotion auf die Hautbarriere von Säuglingen während des Babyschwimmens untersucht werden. Probanden und Methodik: 44 Säuglinge im Alter von 3–6 Monaten nahmen in dieser monozentrischen, prospektiven Studie insgesamt viermal am Babyschwimmen teil und wurden in zwei Gruppen randomisiert: GruppeL erhielt Babypflegelotion am gesamten Körper, GruppeKL wendete keine Babylotion an. Transepidermaler Wasserverlust, Stratum Corneum Hydratation, Haut-pH und Hautoberflächenlipide wurden an vier Körperregionen nicht-invasiv gemessen. Ergebnisse: Hautoberflächenlipide und pH-Wert blieben in GruppeL stabil. In GruppeKL sanken die Hautoberflächenlipide auf Stirn und Oberschenkel und der pH-Wert auf Oberschenkel und Gesäß ab. In GruppeL gab es weniger Säuglinge mit mindestens einem unerwünschten Ereignis als in GruppeKL. Die Körperregionen zeigten bei Mädchen und Jungen eine unterschiedliche Hautbarrierefunktion. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Hautbarrierefunktion reagierte je nach Körperregion unterschiedlich auf das jeweilige Pflegeregime während des Babyschwimmens. Erstmalig wurde bei Säuglingen der Einfluss von Babylotion auf die Hautbarriere sowie geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede der Hautfunktionsparameter während des Babyschwimmens nachgewiesen.