BackgroundAnxiety and depression are highly prevalent in people with cancer. Medical therapies are usually prescribed to alleviate anxiety and depression, but they are associated with a variety of adverse effects. Recently, aromatherapy showed potential as a complementary medicine to improve psychological health and wellbeing. However, its effectiveness on relieving anxiety and depression has not been established.ObjectiveThis study explored the beneficial effects of aromatherapy on psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression in people with cancer.MethodsWe searched international databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, Ebscohost, ProQuest and Scopus from inception to 31 May 2021. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias. The systematic review and meta-analysis were performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Quantitative analysis was performed on the studies that met our inclusion criteria, and Meta-analysis was performed on the studies with available data by RevMan software.ResultsThe quality of the literatures were assessed carefully by two researchers, a total of 17 studies were included in the systematic review and 10 articles were conducted in meta-analysis. The aromatherapy was effective in relieving anxiety (SMD = −0.49, p < 0.05) in people with cancer. Subgroup analysis suggested that most effective methods were aromatic massage (SMD = −0.70, p < 0.005), aromatherapy with lavender essential oils (SMD = −1.12, p < 0.01), short-time interventions (duration < 4weeks) (SMD = −0.87, p < 0.05) and studies in Asia (SMD = −0.83, p < 0.05). Regarding depression and psychological wellbeing, there were no difference between aromatherapy and control groups.ConclusionIn cancer patients, the aromatherapy was effective for relieving anxiety. However, there was no beneficial effect on depression and psychological wellbeing.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO, identifier: CRD42021272465.

Background Chronic diseases are important risk factors of falls. However, most studies explored the effect of a single chronic disease on falls and few studies explored the combined effect of multiple chronic diseases on falls. In this study, we examined the associations between falls and multimorbidity and multimorbidity patterns. Methods Data collected between 2011 and 2018 were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Multimorbidity was defined as the coexistence of ≥ 2 chronic diseases in the same person. The multimorbidity patterns were identified with exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The longitudinal associations of multimorbidity and multimorbidity patterns with falls were examined with generalized estimating equations methodology. Results Compared with patients without chronic conditions, patients with one, two, and ≥ 3 chronic diseases had 37%, 85%, and 175% increased risk of falls, respectively. The EFA identified four multimorbidity patterns and the factor scores in the cardiac-metabolic pattern [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.16, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.12–1.20)], visceral-arthritic pattern (aOR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.28–1.35), respiratory pattern (aOR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.10–1.16), and mental-sensory pattern (aOR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.28–1.35) were all associated with a higher risk of falls. Conclusion Multimorbidity and multimorbidity patterns are related to falls. Older adults with multiple chronic diseases require early interventions to prevent falls.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of standing balance with cognitive functions and the rate of cognitive decline among middle-aged and older Chinese adults.MethodsParticipants were selected from China’s Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. A total of 8,499 subjects aged ≥45 years who participated in wave 1 to wave 3 surveys were included in the final analysis. Standing balance was measured using the tandem test, and participants were categorized into two groups according to their ability to maintain standing balance. Cognitive functions were assessed in three domains: episodic memory, mental status, and global cognition. The associations between standing balance scores, cognitive scores, and the rate of cognitive decline were evaluated using linear regression and linear mixed models.ResultsCompared with participants who successfully completed the standing balance test, those who were unable to complete the test had lower scores on episodic memory [β = −0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.24, −0.11], mental status (β = −0.28; 95% CI: −0.37, −0.19), and global cognition (β = −0.51; 95% CI: −0.65, −0.38) after 4 years of follow-up. In addition, the rate of decline in mental status and global cognition increased by 0.10 (β = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.13) and 0.08 (β = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.12) units, respectively, in participants who were unable to complete the test compared with their counterparts.ConclusionGood standing balance was significantly associated with higher cognitive function and a lower decline in mental status and global cognition in middle-aged and older Chinese adults.

ObjectiveWe aimed at summarizing the perceptions and responses to cognitive decline, assessing the disease management, identifying deficiencies and proposing new strategies for improvement in people with diabetes (PWDs).MethodsA comprehensive search was performed in the following nine databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, WanFang, CNKI, and VIP. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative research was utilized to evaluate the quality of included studies. Descriptive texts and quotations relating to patient experience were extracted from the included studies and thematically analyzed.ResultsEight qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria and 2 overarching themes were identified: (1) self-perception of cognitive decline referred to perceived cognitive symptoms, lack of knowledge and, impaired self-management and coping in multiple methods; (2) reported benefits of cognitive interventions referred to how cognitive interventions improved disease management, attitudes and needs of PWDs.ConclusionPWDs described misconceptions about their cognitive decline and suffered from them during disease management. This study provides a patient-specific reference for cognitive screening and intervention in PWDs, supporting disease management with cognitive decline in clinical practice.