Publications by authors named "Vijayakumar Venugopal"

Background: Hot foot bath (HFB), a simple non-pharmacological intervention and a readily available hydrotherapy application, is often recommended in Naturopathy system of Medicine to improve sleep.

Primary Study Objectives: The current systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to update and provide a comprehensive overview of the effect of HFB on sleep quality.

Method: Electronic databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched from inception until May 2024 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of HFB as an intervention to improve sleep quality.

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 Insufficient sleep leads to several short- and long-term physical and mental consequences. Yoga is a popularly known complementary health approach that maintains physical and mental health through asanas, meditation, and breathing techniques. Cyclic meditation (CM), derived from one of the Upanishads, is practiced by combining physical postures (asanas) with relaxation techniques.

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Diabetes mellitus significantly affects survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma undergoing nephrectomy, requiring personalized care. This case involved a 64-year-old man with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who underwent radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. He consented to a 1-year intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI), including a vegan diet (to lower calorie intake, reduce uric acid, support renal health, and promote weight loss), intermittent fasting, regular exercise, psychological support, and medical management.

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Background: Numerous investigations indicate the presence of a reciprocal association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and a range of mental health conditions. However, research on the factors that contribute to depression and anxiety in T2D patients in India is scarce.

Purpose: The present study aims to identify the prevalence and predictors of depression and anxiety in patients with T2D in India.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The intervention involved dietary changes, exercise, and psychological support, and included a pre-post analysis of 1,061 patients over six months.
  • * Results showed significant reductions in the prevalence of depression (from 46% to 28.7%) and anxiety (from 44.3% to 29.2%), emphasizing the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach to managing T2D and improving mental well-being.
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Background: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogenic herb used to prevent and treat psychosomatic disorders. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects and safety of Ashwagandha on psychosomatic functions related to stress and anxiety among patients.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Library for articles published from January 2000 to January 2022.

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Objectives: Available literature highlights the effectiveness of Acupuncture or Acupressure on the Spleen 6 acupoint ( or SP-6) for pain management in primary dysmenorrhea (PD). The objective of the current systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide an updated assessment of available randomized and non-randomized controlled trials and to compare the effectiveness of acupressure and acupuncture stimulation of among patients with PD.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search on various electronic databases including Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library from January 1990 to March 2023 to identify the comparative studies (randomized and non-randomized controlled trials) that assessed the effects of acupressure or acupuncture on the acupoint in patients with PD.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study explores two methods for classifying type 2 diabetes (T2D) - clustering and subphenotyping - to identify subgroups in an Indian population and their remission rates.
  • Three clusters emerged: severe insulin-deficient diabetes (SIDD), severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD), and mild obesity-related diabetes (MOD), while four categories were identified in subphenotyping.
  • The findings suggest that clustering may be more effective for T2D classification, particularly for individuals with high insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function, which is linked to better remission rates after a one-year intervention.
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Background: The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been accompanied by a diverse array of neurologic complications attributed to Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. These complications vary widely, encompassing symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, concentration disturbances, and polyneuropathy-related complaints. Considering the multifaceted nature of these neurological manifestations, exploring alternative and complementary treatment modalities, such as integrated Yoga and Naturopathy interventions, is crucial for enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life.

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Purpose: Currently, available evidence suggests a positive impact of yoga on physical and psychological well-being in patients across different types of cancer, especially breast cancer survivors. However, there are no available systematic reviews on the effects of yoga on male prostate cancer survivors. The objective of the current systematic review is to specifically examine the quality of life, feasibility, and other effects of yoga on prostate cancer survivors.

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Mud therapy is a safe, cost-effective approach for Knee Osteoarthritis (OA), promoting healing through warmth and minerals, providing pain relief, and improving function. The main objective of the current review is to assess the effectiveness of local mud application for pain management in patients with Knee OA. The published papers were obtained from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrails.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on managing type 2 diabetes (T2D) in India, emphasizing the importance of meeting the American Diabetes Association's ABC targets (HbA1c, blood pressure, LDL-C) for effective diabetes control.
  • It involved a retrospective analysis of 681 T2D patients who participated in a lifestyle intervention program, examining their medical history and key health metrics related to diabetes management.
  • Results showed that only 22.3% of participants met all ABC targets, highlighting challenges in achieving optimal health outcomes, as many patients struggled with insulin resistance and impaired beta cell function.
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Elevated blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Available evidence on mind-body medicine (MBM) techniques on blood pressure is inconclusive and provides conflicting results. The objective of the current systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effect of MBM techniques on blood pressure in patients with cardiovascular disease.

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Article Synopsis
  • Achieving diabetes remission (defined as HbA1c<48mmol/mol without medication for 3 months) does not guarantee normal blood sugar levels, as shown in a study of 400 participants who followed a lifestyle modification program including a plant-based diet and exercise.* -
  • From the participants, 52% cleared the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), with a shorter duration of diabetes (less than 5 years) being significantly linked to successful OGTT clearance, while previous use of glucose-lowering drugs showed no significant impact.* -
  • Those who cleared the OGTT experienced significant improvements in weight loss, decreased HbA1c levels, and better insulin function compared to those with impaired glucose tolerance
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Background: Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly experience fatigue, discomfort, sleep problems, anxiety, and reduced quality of life. Studies have shown that foot reflexology can help relieve these symptoms. The objective of this current study is to systematically review the effects of foot reflexology on patients with MS.

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Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a chronic medical condition that affects 1.13 billion people globally. Successful management of HTN is accomplished through both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

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Type 2 diabetes (T2D) remission is being widely accepted and documented as feasible through calorie restriction and bariatric surgery. Recent studies with lifestyle changes have also shown T2D remission; however, long-term remission through lifestyle modifications is not yet established. Though glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a universally accepted indicator of glycemic status, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) would be a more robust marker in understanding whether the metabolic abnormalities in glucose metabolism have undergone complete remission as well.

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Yoga and naturopathy (Y&N) is a system of medicine primarily focusing on restoration of health and well-being. Objective of this study is to understand the knowledge, attitude, and perception about Y&N among the inpatients of a government Y&N institution in south India. Focus group discussion was conducted in eight adult patients aged between 30 and 60 years who took Y&N treatments for a period of 10 days or more.

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Background: Yoga during pregnancy was found to be beneficial in various aspects of pregnancy including pain management during the time of labour. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the effectiveness of antenatal yoga practices in reducing pain during the time of labour.

Methods: We searched electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, till January 2023.

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