pegah matourypour

Ventricular dysrhythmia is a major cause of heart-related death. Despite the life-saving advantages of Cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), patients with ICD experience adverse physical, psychological, and social consequences.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of continuous care program on short-term outcomes of patients with ICD.

The present study is a randomized clinical trial, which was conducted on 79 patients (37 control and 42 intervention group) referred to the Cardiac Educational Center of Tehran, Iran, for the first time to receive an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. The Continuous care program was provided for patients in the intervention group after receiving ICT along with routine care. Convenience sampling based on inclusion criteria was done, then random allocation was done by block randomization method. The allocation sequence was generated using a web-based system. Short-term consequences such as anxiety, mean number of shocks received, and the number of emergency outpatient visits to the medical center were measured by Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and checklist. The validity and reliability of STAI in Iran were checked and confirmed with the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.93, and its scoring system ranges from 20 to 80, with a higher score indicating a higher level of anxiety. Data were analyzed by SPSS-16 software. Inferential statistics (independent Student, Mann-Whitney, paired t -test, and Wilcoxon) were used to compare the data.

The results showed that there were no significant differences in the mean age, height, weight, BMI, and demographic variables between the two groups (P > 0.05). Comparisons between groups before and after the intervention, and also before and after within each group, were done for anxiety. The number of shocks and outpatient visits were compared between the two groups after the intervention. After the intervention, a significant decrease in the level of anxiety was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group and also compared to before the intervention (P < 0.001). The mean and standard deviation of the number of shocks in the control group was 1.2 ± 4.4 and in the intervention group was 5.1 ± 12.3, and the independent t -test showed a significant difference in this regard (P = 0.02). However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of the number of emergency outpatient visits to the medical center (P > 0.05).

The results of the present study revealed that the continuous care program can affect the short-term consequences of ICD insertion. It can also be used as an effective model in the care of cardiac patients with ICD.

Patients with heart failure experience poor sleep quality due to the nature of disease they suffer from. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of music on the sleep quality of patients with heart failure.

The present study is a randomized clinical trial, which was performed on 76 patients with heart failure, hospitalized in the cardiac ward of an educational hospital. These patients had obtained a score of 5 or higher on Pittsburgh’s sleep quality index. The block randomization method was used to generate the allocation sequence. Thus, the number of subjects in each block was determined to be 4 people in 18 blocks. Intervention was collection of nature music played through headphones for 30 minutes over three nights, and at the end of the third night, the Pittsburgh’s index was completed again by both groups. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

After the intervention, the mean scores of mental quality of sleep (p </em>= 0.007) and daily function disorders improved significantly in the intervention group (p </em>= 0.025). Significant differences were seen between the mean scores of mental quality of sleep (p </em>< 0.001), daily function disorders (p </em>= 0.002), delay in falling asleep (p </em>= 0.01), sleep disorders (p </em>< 0.001), and use of sleeping pills (p </em>< 0.001) before and after the intervention in the intervention group.

Playing relaxing music like nature sounds and spending time in nature after discharge can improve the sleep quality and sense of relaxation in patients with heart failure. The implementation of such affordable and amusing interventions can be proposed by nurses in heart failure patients.

Patients with chronic renal failure face many challenges in self-care after a kidney transplant. This treatment method affects their quality of life and leads to multiple complications.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an educational package on the quality of life (QoL) and complications of renal transplant recipients.

This clinical trial was conducted on 72 patients (control and intervention groups) who had undergone kidney transplantation for the first time. The intervention involved an educational package comprised of five sessions. Besides, an educational booklet, weekly telephone calls, and follow-up (8 weeks after the intervention) were protablevided. The data were collected by the Kidney Transplant Questionnaire (KTQ-25) completed before and after the intervention by the two groups, and the Renal Transplantation Complications Checklist completed after 8 weeks. Data analysis was performed in each group before and after the intervention and between the two groups after the intervention via chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, paired t-test, and independent t-test.

The results showed a significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the physical dimension (P = 0.002). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in the remaining dimensions and the overall QoL. A significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of infection (P = 0.04), but no difference was observed between the two groups in terms of re-admission and transplant rejection (P > 0.05).

The educational package affected all dimensions of QoL, especially the physical dimension and infection (as an acute complication of renal transplant); it improved QoL and reduced infection in the intervention group. Therefore, this package can be considered in the management plans of renal transplant recipients. Administration of this package can help understand the patients’ needs and requests and improve their health-related behaviors.

The majority of cardiac disorders resulting from ventricular dysrhythmias are fatal. The Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) is one of the most common treatments of ventricular dysrhythmias. Despite the benefits of ICD in preserving life, patients with ICD experience adverse physical, psychological, and social consequences. This study investigated the effects of the continuous care program on self‑efficacy in patients with ICD.

The present study was a randomized clinical trial. Based on the inclusion criteria, 80 patients attending an educational cardiovascular center in Tehran during 2017–2018, were randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups (40 in each). The intervention included the continuous care program, an educational session, and a follow‑up program undertaken for the patients receiving the ICD. The control group received routine care. Self‑efficacy was then measured by ICD (SE‑ICD and OE‑ICD) questionnaires and compared between the two groups. 

The results showed no difference between the two groups before the intervention (p </em>> 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in the mean self‑efficacy score between the two groups after the intervention, being significantly higher in the intervention group (t77 = 4.9, p </em>< 0.001).

The results of the present study indicated that providing a continuous care program can increase self‑efficacy in patients with ICD and can be used as an effective model in the nursing care of patients with ICD.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) complications cause patients to experience a great deal of concerns and challenges that have adverse effects on their mental health. This study aimed to assess the effect of an empowerment program on life orientation and optimism in CAD patients.

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 84 CAD patients admitted to post‑CCU wards of Tehran Heart Center during 2018–2019 Patients were allocated to intervention and control groups by block randomization method based on inclusion criteria. Demographic and disease characteristics, and optimism and Life Orientation Test‑Revised (LOT‑R) questionnaires were completed before and eight weeks after intervention. In the intervention group, an empowerment program was implemented. Data were analyzed by independent t‑test, paired t‑test, and Chi‑square test.

The results showed that the mean of patients’ age in the intervention and control group was Mean [Standard Deviation (SD)] 54.59 (7.93) and 55.92 (7.81) years, respectively. Most patients in both intervention (61.90%) and control (66.70%) groups were male. The majority of patients in the intervention group (92.90%) and the control group (95.20%) were married. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics and disease history before the intervention (p > 0.05). After the intervention, a significant difference was observed in the life orientation and optimism scores between the intervention and control groups (p < 0.001).

By stimulating self‑awareness, providing knowledge and encouraging patients to control, and manage their disease, the empowerment program changes patients’ view of their disease, and increases their optimism and positive life orientation. 

Blinding is one of the critical criteria of clinical trials that prevents probable bias. Judgment regarding results of an intervention significantly depends on the quality of such studies, one of which is blinding. This study aimed to investigate blinding and its quality in clinical trials in patients with breast cancer.

A systematic review was conducted on the online databases of PubMed, ScienceDirect and ProQuest using keywords, MeSH terms and grey literature. Articles were screened by predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were evaluated based on the checklists introduced by Cochrane database.

From 22519 articles obtained at the initial stage, 20 articles remained after screening for the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fifteen articles had used single, five: double and none had used triple or quadruple blinding. Seventeen studies had described the details of blinding. Of the 15 single blind articles, the blinded subjects were patients in five, patients and research assistants in three, research assistants in five studies, and two had not given any details.

The majority of researchers had used the single blind method, though using double, triple or quadruple blinding increases the trustworthiness of results and increases the quality of clinical trials. The details of blinding should be explained to other researchers and for a better understanding of the method if it is to be repeated. Thereafter, nurses can apply new interventions and earn their patients’ trust and help those with breast cancer by relieving them of their disease symptoms and its treatment complications.

It is necessary to apply appropriate coping methods to reduce destructive physical and psychological effects of stress during Covid-19 pandemics. This study was conducted to explore nurses' experiences of stress coping techniques during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The present study used a qualitative methodology with interpretive phenomenology method. Purposive sampling was used. The participants, including nurses working in hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, shared their experiences through in-depth, individual and semi-structured interviews. The transcripts of interviews were analyzed based on the Dickelmann's approach using the MAXQDA 12 software.

The participants included nine nurses (six females and three males) with a mean age of 45 ± 5.3 years. The results of data analysis showed four main categories and fifteen subcategories conceptually named based on their nature. The main categories were self-support, family shelter, hospital support umbrella, and community support on both extremes.

The participants practiced different coping strategies to deal with stress and anxiety. In addition to individual mechanisms, nurses sought help from other sources of support, such as family, workplace, and community. Based on the experiences of nurses participating in the study, it is recommended to teach nursing staffs coping methods with stress, especially in times of crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

Understanding adaptation is strongly influenced by the culture and beliefs of every society. By increasing knowledge about the different dimensions which require the adaptation in different aspects requiring the nurse adaptation in oncology, a clear definition of the problem can be stated. Because of the lack of a standard and appropriate tool for the culture of the Iranian society, this aimed at developing and validating the nurse adaptation tool in the oncology departments.

This research is a methodological study and an exploratory mixed method being conducted in three main steps of conceptualization, production of items, and field test. Inductive conceptualization was performed through qualitative methodology and conventional content analysis approach; in the second step, developed instrument was evaluated in terms of face validity, content validity, and construct validity. In the third step, sampling of oncology nurses was done and exploratory factor analysis was performed for evaluating the construct validity, adequacy of sampling, and dimensioning. Cronbach's alpha was calculated for checking the reliability of the instrument.

The oncology nurse adaptation questionnaire was formed with twenty items in four main dimensions, including “emotional factors,” “supportive factors,” “work-related factors in the ward,” and “factors related to job conditions.” The reliability of the tool was confirmed by evaluating the internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha, which was above 0.7 for each dimension and 0.82 for the whole instrument.

This instrument can be used as a practical tool for determining the adaptation of oncology nurses for providing evidence to improve the work conditions of nurses by improving the working conditions in the workplace and providing facilities with individual intervention, and the outcome will be care of patients with high quality.

Nausea is the worst and most prevalent chemotherapy-induced complication experienced by 70-80% of patients despite mediation therapy. Reduction of nausea is one of the most important roles of oncologist nurses. Today, complementary therapies in addition to classic medicine, because of their lower costs, receive much attention. Nonetheless, their safety and effectiveness are not yet proven. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of therapeutic touch plan as a complementary therapy on acute nausea in women with breast cancer in 2012-2013 in Isfahan, Iran.

A quasi-experimental, single-blind, randomized control trial with three groups (control, placebo and intervention) was performed at the Isfahan Seyedolshohada (AS) Teaching Hospital, Isfahan, in 2012-2013. The intervention was therapeutic touch plan on women with breast cancer, with the three groups receiving the same medicine regimen. Information was recorded by a checklist after infusion of chemotherapy drugs. Data analysis was performed by SPSS, ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

The ANOVA test showed that the therapeutic touch plan was significantly effective in reducing the duration of nausea compared with the control and placebo groups (P < 0.001). The Kruskal-Wallis test showed that the frequency of occurrence of nausea was also reduced in the intervention and placebo groups compared with the control group (P < 0.001). The therapeutic touch plan was significantly effective in delaying the onset of nausea compared with the control and placebo groups (P < 0.001).

This research showed that the therapeutic touch plan is effective in reducing acute chemotherapy-induced nausea; thus, education and implementation of the therapeutic touch plan is proposed for clinical nurses.