Pilot evaluation of black cohosh for the treatment of hot flashes in women.

Background: Hot flashes cause significant morbidity in postmenopausal women, including women with breast cancer. We undertook a pilot study to estimate the effectiveness of black cohosh to reduce hot flashes.

Methods: Women who reported significant hot flashes (> or = 14 per week) were enrolled.

Compliance with CPAP in elderly patients with OSA.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in the general population and especially in the geriatric age group. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a highly effective treatment but can be difficult for some patients to use.Objective: We investigated the question if older patients were less compliant with CPAP therapy than younger patients and may not realize its benefits.

Assessing sleep in psychiatric inpatients: nurse and patient reports versus wrist actigraphy.

This study was designed to evaluate the conventional techniques of assessing sleep, nursing and patient report, of inpatients on a clinical psychiatric unit. Nurses assessed sleep/wake status at hourly checks and patients completed a sleep diary. For three nights patients wore a wrist actigraph, a portable instrument which provides objective data about sleep/wake activity.

Pergolide in the management of restless legs syndrome: an extended study.

Twenty patients with problematic restless legs syndrome (RLS) were treated with pergolide. Efficacy, dosage, side effects, and tolerance were analyzed. Fifteen patients continued treatment for a median study time of 2 years.

Effects of 24-hr nicotine replacement on sleep and daytime activity during smoking cessation.

Background: This study uses wrist actigrapy to assess the effects of 24-hr transdermal nicotine replacement on the sleep and daytime activity of smokers during smoking cessation.

Methods: Seventy-one subjects grouped as light (n = 23), moderate (n = 24), or heavy (n = 24) smokers were randomly assigned to placebo or 11, 22, or 44 mg/day doses of transdermal nicotine for 1 week of intensive inpatient treatment of nicotine dependence. Outpatient patch therapy continued for 7 weeks following the inpatient stay.