An Interactive E-learning Platform-Based Training to Improve Intensive Care Professionals' Knowledge Regarding Central Venous Catheter-Related Infections.

Introduction The presence of a central venous catheter (CVC) leads to a high risk for blood infections, which are associated with increases in morbidity, mortality, and costs. This study aims to assess intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' and physicians' knowledge regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for preventing CVC-related infections before and after an interactive distance education delivered through the e-learning platform Teleprometheus. Materials and methods The study was conducted among 85 nurses and physicians in Nicosia's General Hospital Intensive Care Unit (NGH-ICU) and high dependency unit (HDU).

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Vs Guided Imagery on mood changes in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy treatment: A crossover trial.

Purpose: To test whether Virtual Reality (VR) can benefit cancer patients from their interaction with an immersive environment, on their mood and their biophysical parameters, compared to those who will experience a Guided Imagery (GI) intervention.

Methods: This was a randomized crossover trial with 50 cancer patients on active chemotherapy treatment, who were randomized to one of two treatment sequences VR-GI or GI-VR. Patients were assessed for Mood Changes, using POMS questionnaire, for three symptoms (Nausea, Pain and Feeling Sick), using three questions from FACT-G questionnaire, and Bio-physical parameters (Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Oxygen Saturation).

A randomised controlled feasibility trial to evaluate Lawsonia inermis (henna)'s effect on palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia induced by capecitabine or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.

Purpose: To test the effectiveness of henna in the management of palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) in patients receiving treatment with capecitabine or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD).

Method: This was a randomized controlled feasibility study in three specialized tertiary cancer centers with 56 patients with a PPE grade 1 or above and various cancer diagnoses. The intervention included the local application of henna to the affected areas.

A pilot randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of the topical application of pyridoxine on palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) induced by capecitabine or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD).

Purpose: Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE) is a dose-limiting adverse event that commonly occurs with capecitabine and Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin-PLD treatment. The study aimed to test the effectiveness of a Pyridoxine (B6) treatment protocol in the management of PPE in patients receiving treatment with capecitabine or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.

Methods: This was a pilot randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

The Greek versions of the TeamSTEPPS teamwork perceptions questionnaire and Minnesota satisfaction questionnaire "short form".

Background: Teamwork and job satisfaction are important among the multidisciplinary team who care patients with chronic illnesses such as heart failure (HF) patients. TeamSTEPPS teamwork perceptions questionnaire (T-TPQ) and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire "short form" (MSQ-short) are both self-report questionnaires which examine multiple dimensions of perceptions of teamwork and job satisfaction within healthcare settings, respectively. The aim of the study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Greek versions of the TeamSTEPPS Teamwork perceptions questionnaire (Gr-T-TPQ) and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire "short form" (Gr-MSQ-short).

The effectiveness of systematic pain assessment on critically ill patient outcomes: A randomised controlled trial.

Background: Evidence suggests that critically ill patients' pain may still be underestimated. Systematic approaches to pain assessment are of paramount importance for improving patients' outcomes.

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of a systematic approach to pain assessment on the incidence and intensity of pain and related clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.

Parallel and serial mediation analysis between pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue and nausea, vomiting and retching within a randomised controlled trial in patients with breast and prostate cancer.

Objective: Cancer treatment is a particularly stressful period for the patient. The reasons vary and include fear of treatment outcome as well as treatment induced side effects. The patient frequently experiences simultaneously various side effects resulting in a diminishing of the patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Determination of acrylamide in food using a UPLC-MS/MS method: results of the official control and dietary exposure assessment in Cyprus.

The determination of acrylamide in potato products, bakery products and coffee, and the human dietary exposure is reported. The method reported is based on a single extraction step with water, followed by the clean-up of the extract using solid phase extraction columns and finally, the determination of acrylamide using UPLC-MS/MS. The MS/MS detection was carried out using an ESI interface in positive ion mode.

The effect of the use of thyme honey in minimizing radiation - induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Radiation-induced oral mucositis is one of the main side effects during and after the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. The study was designed to provide evidence on the effectiveness of thyme honey on oral mucositis management.

Methods: This was a randomised controlled trial (RCT) with 72 head and neck cancer patients who were divided either to the intervention group (thyme honey rinses) or to the control group (saline rinses).

Effects of an Integrative Nursing Intervention on Pain in Critically Ill Patients: A Pilot Clinical Trial.

Background: Pain, a persistent problem in critically ill patients, adversely affects outcomes. Despite recommendations, no evidence-based nonpharmacological approaches for pain treatment in critically ill patients have been developed.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of a multimodal integrative intervention on the incidence of pain and on secondary outcomes: intensity of pain, hemodynamic indices (systolic and mean arterial pressure, heart rate), anxiety, fear, relaxation, optimism, and sleep quality.

The effectiveness of thyme honey for the management of treatment-induced xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients: A feasibility randomized control trial.

Purpose: Radiation-induced xerostomia is one of the most common side effects that head and neck cancer patients experience during and after treatment. Despite the various methods for the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia, it remains highly prevalent among patients treated for head and neck cancers negatively influencing their lives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thyme honey as a means for managing radiation-induced xerostomia.

Mental Health in Cypriot Citizens of the Rural Health Centre Kofinou.

: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the mental health of Cypriot citizens living in the current difficult period of economic recession. The specific objective was to investigate the different factors (gender, age, socio-economic factors, etc.) that may affect the levels of emotional distress, anxiety, and depression in patients attending the Rural Health Centre of Kofinou.

A Randomized Controlled Trial for the Effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Guided Imagery as Anxiety Reducing Interventions in Breast and Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.

Objective. To test the effectiveness of guided imagery (GI) and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) as stress reducing interventions in patients with prostate and breast cancer who undergo chemotherapy. Methods.