scholarly journals Effects of Reflexology on the Pain Intensity among Patients with Depression after Receiving Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-136
Author(s):  
Maryam Aliashraf Jodat ◽  
Leyla Alilu ◽  
Sohila Ahangarzadeh Rezayee ◽  
Rasool Gharaaghaji Asl

Introduction: High prevalence of psychiatric disorders and the high effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) have made this treatment a useful intervention. Memory impairment, headache, and muscle pain are the most important complications after ECT. This research aimed to determine the effect of reflexology on the headache and muscle pain intensity of patients after receiving ECT. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in Razi teaching hospital of Urmia, Iran. A total of 56 patients with depression receiving ECT were randomly assigned into two equal groups of control (n=28) and intervention (n=28). In the intervention group, reflexology was performed for 20 minutes at reflex points and, in the control group, only the conventional measures were taken. Pain intensity was measured with visual analogue scale (VAS) before and 1, 6, and 24 hours after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 13. Furthermore, chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, and repeated-measures tests were performed. Results: The mean difference in the severity of headache and muscle pain in the intervention group was significantly reduced compared to the control group. Moreover, the results demonstrated a significant difference between the mean headache and muscle pain in the two groups after the intervention. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the positive effect of reflexology on reducing the intensity of pain in patients receiving ECT. Thus, it is recommended that nurses, health care providers, and caregivers use reflexology to reduce pain in patients with depression receiving ECT.

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002618
Author(s):  
Azam Dehghani ◽  
Ali Hajibagheri ◽  
Ismail Azizi-Fini ◽  
Fatemeh Atoof ◽  
Noushin Mousavi

BackgroundPain is a common complication after laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to examine the effect of an early mobilisation programme on postoperative pain intensity after laparoscopic surgery.MethodsA randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted on 80 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran. The patients were randomly allocated to intervention (n=40) and a control (n=40) group. In the intervention group, an early mobilisation programme was implemented in two rounds. The patient’s perceived pain was assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale 15 min before and 30 min after each round of early mobilisation. Data were analysed through the independent samples t, χ2 and Fisher’s exact tests and the repeated measures analysis.ResultsThe repeated measures analysis showed that the mean pain scores have been decreased over time (F=98.88, p<0.001). Considering the observed interaction between time and the intervention, the t test was used for pairwise comparisons and showed that the mean pain score was not significantly different between the two groups in 15 min before the first round of early mobilisation (p=0.95). However, the mean pain in the intervention group was significantly less than the control group in all subsequent measurements (p<0.05).ConclusionEarly mobilisation programmes such as the one implemented in the current study are easy and inexpensive and can be implemented safely for the reduction of pain after laparoscopic surgeries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 600-604
Author(s):  
Ramin Parvizrad ◽  
Ghasem Mosayebi ◽  
Nader Zarinfar ◽  
Morteza Mousavi-Hasanzadeh ◽  
Seyedeh Zahra Razavi ◽  
...  

Background: Although there is a growing consensus that hydroxychloroquine may not be effective in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, there is still little high-quality evidence about the prophylactic effects of this medication. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of hydroxychloroquine in preventing COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers. Methods: In this clinical trial, 90 healthcare providers from two referral hospitals of COVID-19 were divided into the hydroxychloroquine group (400 mg/week for eight weeks) and the routine-care group. Serum CRP levels and the frequency of T-helper (CD4+ cells) and T-cytotoxic (CD8+ cells) were assessed at the beginning and end of the study. The groups were compared in terms of White Blood cells (WBCs), polymorph nuclear cells (PMNs), lymphocytes (LYM), hemoglobin (Hb), and platelets (Plt.). Results: The results revealed no significant differences between the two groups in terms of WBC, PMN, LYM, Hb, Plt., CD4, and CD8. The mean difference of the CD4:CD8 ratio showed a significantly higher decrease (P=0.05) in hydroxychloroquine group than in the control group (0.18 vs. 0.02). The incidence of COVID-19 was 15% (95%CI: 12-18%) in the control group and 10% (95%CI: 8-12%) in the intervention group; however, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in this regard (P=0.45). Conclusion: Our study findings boost an increasing level of evidence that hydroxychloroquine is not an effective prophylactic medication against COVID-19 and might even exacerbate the profile of pandemic containment efforts by adding more pain to patients’ life and healthcare services.


Author(s):  
Nahid Kiyarosta ◽  
Tahereh Najafi Ghezeljeh ◽  
Farah Naghashzadeh ◽  
Mahshid Feizi ◽  
Shima Haghani

Background & Aim: Due to the chronic nature of heart failure, it is necessary to observe and maintain self-care behaviors accordingly. Tele-monitoring using smartphone applications can be effective in this regard. This study aimed to determine the effect of using smartphone applications on self-care behaviors in patients with heart failure. Methods & Materials: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted between August and March in 2018. Using consecutive sampling, 120 patients were selected and were allocated to the two groups by a random quadruple block approach. The participants in both groups completed the European heart failure self-care questionnaire before and after the intervention. Patients in both groups received routine hospital care; however, patients in the intervention group used an Android smartphone application for three months daily as well. Via the application, there were ongoing interactions between patients and researchers, depending on the needs of patients and their conditions. The data were analyzed using SPSS V.16 software. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between groups in terms of the mean score of self-care after the intervention where the mean score in the intervention group was lower (p<0.001), which indicates better self-care. Based on the results, the intervention effect was reported at 0.787. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that using a smartphone application can improve self-care in patients with heart failure. Therefore, it is recommended to health care providers to use this mobile application to care and monitor remote patients with HF.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Batakeh Ba Agoons ◽  
Mesmin Dehayem ◽  
Martine Claude Etoa Etoga ◽  
Dayawa Da Agoons ◽  
Faustin Yepnjio ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Painful peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes and its management is difficult. Neurotropic drugs, which are the drugs of choice, have moderate efficacy due to high first pass metabolism. Topical Capsaicin, derived from the capsicum plant, is effective in relieving the pain of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in Caucasians. Due to an intercultural bias in pain treatment response, we evaluated the efficacy of Capsaicin on painful diabetic neuropathy in sub-Saharan subjectsMethods: 22 subjects with type 2 diabetes having painful diabetic polyneuropathy were randomly assigned using a 1:1 blocking pattern, with parallel design, to an intervention group of capsaicin cream, or to a control group of Miconazole cream. Participants and investigators were blinded to the randomization. Both groups applied the supplied drug topically three times daily for 08 weeks. Pain intensity was noted in both groups, using a visual analogue scale, at intervals of 2 weeks. The trial took place at the national obesity center in Cameroon. The primary analysis was intention-to-treat, and compared the reduction in the mean pain score from baseline, per 2 week period.Results: Twenty-two patients, aged 55 ± 7 years, with an average pain intensity of 6.3 units in the Capsaicin group and 5.8 units in the placebo group were included; at inclusion, there was no significant difference in the 2 groups (p=0.52). After 02 weeks, the mean value of pain intensity was 3.3±0.9 vs 5.4±1.7 (p=0.004), at week 4, 3.2±0.9 vs 4.7±1.2 (p=0,015), at week 6, 3.5±1.3 vs 4.8±1.3 (p=0.018) and at week 8, 6.6±1.1 vs 5.4±1.0 (p=0.55) for capsaicin and placebo respectively. The main side effect in the capsaicin group was burning sensations in the application zonesConclusion: Capsaicin significantly reduced neuropathic pain in the intervention group; however the pain worsened at week 8. It therefore has a transient positive effect on neuropathic pain in sub-Saharan subjects


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyedeh Zahra Masoumi ◽  
Khodayar Oshvandi ◽  
Masoumeh Rostami-Moez ◽  
Arezoo Shayan ◽  
Farideh Kazemi

Background: Infertility can cause low marital satisfaction. Marital satisfaction has an important effect on infertile couples’ health. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of relationship enrichment training on improving the marital satisfaction of infertile couples. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 50 infertile couples in the infertility center of Fatemieh Hospital in Hamadan, Iran in 2018. Participants were matched for demographic characteristics and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups (each group had 25 couples). Informed consent was obtained from all participants. The Enrich Marital Satisfaction questionnaire and demographic information were used to collect data before the study and two months after the intervention. Two trained midwifery students taught only the intervention group the relationship enrichment topics in seven sessions (each session = 90 minutes). The data were analyzed by SPSS Statistics version 21 using analysis of covariance, independent t-test, chi-square, and Mann–Whitney. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: There was no significant difference in demographic and obstetric information between the two groups (p >0.05). The mean of marital satisfaction in the intervention group significantly increased among women and men from 151.00 ±28.61 to 154.88 ±22.62 and from 152.56 ±27.33 to 159.24 ±22.14, respectively, (p <0.001). Conversely, the mean of marital satisfaction decreased among women and men from 158.13 ±13.86 to 146.25 ±19.53 and from 164.25 ±17.00 to 153.17 ±27.50 in the control group (p=0.02). Conclusion: Relationship enrichment training can be effective in promoting the marital satisfaction of infertile couples. Registration number: The National Center for Strategic Research in medical education, No. 960185.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Budi Darmawan ◽  
Diyah Fatmasari ◽  
Rr. Sri Endang Pujiast

Background: Wet cupping, furthermore mentioned cupping, decreases blood pressures through the level of negative air pressures added by hydrostatics filtration pressure to reinforce the power of fluids filtration in capillaries. However, an appropriate negative air pressure to decrease blood pressure remains an uncertainty.Purpose: This study aimed to analyze negative air pressure differences on cupping in decreasing blood pressures in hypertensive patients.Methods: This is a quasi-experimental design conducted in three Community Health Centers in Langsa City, Aceh, Indonesia. The samples were 36 hypertensive males with age from 45 to 55, who were randomly stratified into two groups with cupping pressures 400 mbar (n=18) as the control group; and 540 mbar (n=18) as the intervention group. The cupping session was performed to each group on T1 (alkahil) point and in the middle line of both shoulders blade points. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) were measured by validated automatic sphygmomanometer. The follow-up periods were one week and two weeks. The data were then analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA.Results: Cupping pressure of 400 mbar decreased the mean of SBP and DPB with a p-value of 0.450 and 0.026, respectively after two weeks of intervention. Meanwhile, cupping pressure of 540 mbar decreased the mean of SBP and DBP with a p-value of 0.006 and 0.057, respectively. Tests of within-subjects resulted in the p-value of 0.250 (SBP) and 0.176 (DBP) after two weeks of intervention. There were no significant differences in SBP and DBP between the intervention group and the control group.Conclusion: The cupping pressure between 400 mbar and 540 mbar could reduce blood pressure; however, the cupping pressure of 540 mbar yielded greater effect in decreasing blood pressure than the 400 mbar. Negative air vacuum pressure loads on cupping to decrease blood pressure should be considered between 400 to 540 mbar, and further studies are needed.


2020 ◽  
pp. 147-150

Introduction: Thyroidectomy is a common surgery in the neck area, in which the application of platysma muscle suture after thyroidectomy is still being discussed. This study was conducted to compare the application (currently common) or non-application of suture for platysma muscle. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 117 patients underwent thyroidectomy, among which 63 cases without suturing platysma (control group) and 54 subjects with suturing platysma (Intervention group ) were examined in terms of postoperative pain based on visual analogue scale score measured 24 h post-operation. The samples were also investigated regarding hematoma and seroma, wound infection, length of hospitalization, scarring (1 year after surgery), duration of surgery, and the number of cases using opioids during the hospitalization. Patients with diabetes, previous neck surgery, coagulopathy, and radiation history were excluded from the study. The gathered data were analyzed statistically in SPSS software (version 18) using the Chi-square test and the Mann–Whitney U test. A p-value of less than (0.05) was considered significant. Results: Based on the findings, the mean age of the patients in the Intervention group was calculated at 51 years, of which 41 and 13 cases were females and males, respectively. In the Intervention group, 34 patients underwent complete thyroidectomy and 20 patients had hemithyroidectomy. The mean age score of subjects in the control group was calculated at 50 years, of which 44 and 19 patients were respectively female and male. No significant difference was revealed considering wound infection, length of hospitalization, created scarring, the amount of opioid use (opioids), and postoperative pain. However, only the length of surgery was different between the groups (P-value<0.05). Conclusions: There was no difference between wound and surgical complications and cosmetic results between both groups; nevertheless, due to the duration of the surgery and other benefits, such as consuming less thread, not suturing the platysma is recommended.


Author(s):  
Tahereh Hajian ◽  
Maryam Razavi ◽  
Ali Dashipour

Background: This study was designed to investigate the effect of tranexamic acid and its side effects in preventing postpartum hemorrhage in patients referred to Ali ibn Abitaleb Hospital in Zahedan during 2020-2021. Methods: Patients were divided into two groups of 85 patients. Vital signs as well as drug side effects related to tranexamicity are monitored and recorded every15 minutes in the first hour and every 30 minutes in the second hour. Also, blood samples are taken from patients to measure hemoglobin and hematocrit within6 hours after delivery. The number and weight difference of droschitis used during 2 hours after delivery are also measured. In addition, PPH (Postpartum hemorrhage) cases in both groups were checked by repeated examination of the uterine fundus during the first 2 hours and after 6 weeks. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the number of deliveries and further decrease in hemoglobin levels in the control group compared to the intervention group. Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness were observed in the intervention group and thrombosis was not observed in any group. According to the independent samples t-test, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean blood volume lost between the two groups. The mean hematocrit drop was statistically significant between the two groups. No blood transfusion was observed in any of the patients. Conclusion: Tranxamic acid injections can effectively reduce postpartum hemorrhage and reduce maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit following this complication.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 1774-1779
Author(s):  
Sanaz Nehbandani ◽  
Hajar Salehi ◽  
Khadije Rezaie Keikhaie ◽  
Hossein Rashki Ghalenow ◽  
Fatemeh Mirzaie ◽  
...  

Introduction & Objective: Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders that more than 85% of pregnant women experience. However, controlling and treating this complication is still one of the most important issues in antenatal care. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ear acupressure at Shen Men point on relieving nausea, vomiting and retching during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 100 pregnant women with a gestational age of less than 16 weeks attending the health clinics of Zabol city during 2019-2020 were studied in two control and intervention groups (n = 50 in each group). The samples in the intervention group were trained to apply pressure on their ears’ Shen Men point with the thumb for three minutes three times a day (morning, noon, and night), for a duration of one month. At the end of second and fourth weeks, the data were collected using the Rhodes index form and then, were analyzed by SPSS software version 22. Results: According to the results, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, gestational age, occupation and education. The difference in the mean scores of nausea, vomiting and retching was not statistically significant between the control and intervention groups before the study. But four weeks after the study, a significant difference was observed in the mean scores of vomiting, nausea and retching between the two groups, so that the mean scores of vomiting, nausea and retching were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group. Conclusion: The ear acupressure medicine at the Shen men point can be used as a non-invasive, safe and inexpensive method to relieve nausea, vomiting and retching during pregnancy. Keywords: Acupressure medicine, Shen Men, Vomiting, Pregnancy, Nausea, Retching, Rhodosis


Author(s):  
Nezhat Javid ◽  
Atefeh Ahmadi ◽  
Moghadameh Mirzaei ◽  
Monavvareh Atghaei

Objective The present study was conducted with the objective of investigating the effectiveness of solution-focused group counseling (SFGC) on promoting the mental health of midwifery students. Methods The present study is an intervention-based study with a pretest, a post-test, and a control group. The statistical population included all of the midwifery students studying in the midwifery department of the Bam University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, who filled out the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) in the screening phase. In the second phase, 40 individuals, having a low level of mental health based on the cutoff score of 23, were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups (intervention and control), each group with 20 participants. The intervention group participated in 5 sessions of 75 minutes for SFGC. Then, the post-test was held in both groups and the data analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney and the Kruskal-Wallis test with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). The significance level was considered as p < 0.05. Results The findings showed that the mean of the post-test mental health scores of the intervention group (14.5 ± 50.35) and of the control group (23.6 ± 35.83) showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the comparison between the mean scores of the mental health subscales (physical symptoms, stress, social performance, and depression) showed a statistically significant difference in these groups, and SFGC improved physical symptoms, stress, social performance, and depression in the members of the intervention group. Conclusion Solution-focused group counseling may improve all levels of mental health. This type of counseling is recommended to be used to solve the psychological problems and to improve the mental health of students, as well as of the staff of the health system.


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