seyed afshin shorofi

The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between sleep quality and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in family caregivers of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

The current cross-sectional study was conducted on immediate family members of patients admitted to the ICU. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire and PCL-C questionnaire were the instruments for measuring post-traumatic stress disorder and sleep quality, respectively. The PTSD questionnaire was completed by the caregivers after the patient's admission. The sleep quality questionnaire was filled out by the caregivers after the admission and one month later. For statistical analysis, correlation analysis and paired t-tests were used with a significance level of 0.05.

The total number of participants in this study was 120 people (66 men and 54 women). The mean score of post-traumatic stress disorder was 67.8 ± 5, indicating a high level of stress among the participants. The score of sleep quality at the time of hospitalization in the participants was 3.9±1.8 (acceptable sleep quality) and after 1 month it was 9.3±2.5 (impaired sleep quality), which had significantly worsened (P<0.001). However, there was no significant relationship between sleep quality and post-traumatic stress disorder (P<0.05).

Post-traumatic stress disorder of family caregivers was recorded at a concerning level, which could have destructive effects on physical and mental health. Also, the sleep quality of the caregivers was strongly influenced by the admission of patients to the ICU, and psychiatric interventions are inevitable for family caregivers.

Anxiety is common among patients undergoing coronary angiography.

The aim of this study was to examine the comparative effects of eye masks and music on anxiety levels and hemodynamic indices of patients undergoing coronary angiography. Setting and Design: This is a single-blind randomized clinical trial conducted on 300 patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Patients were recruited using convenience sampling and then randomly allocated to one of the four groups. Ten minutes before the coronary angiography, baseline anxiety levels were measured using the state-trait anxiety inventory. Patients’ hemodynamic indices were also measured and recorded immediately before they entered the cath-lab operating room, as soon as, they were in bed in the cath-lab operating room, 5 min after the start of coronary angiography, and immediately and 20 min after the completion of coronary angiography. Anxiety levels were measured again 20 min after coronary angiography. Statistical Analysis Used: All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 22 Software. Mean and SD indices were used. The normality of both overt and covert anxiety variables was confirmed using Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The presence of intervening variables was examined using analysis of variance, the final analysis was performed using analysis of covariance. For all analyses, a P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

The mean scores on overt and covert anxiety decreased after intervention. A statistically significant difference was observed among the four groups on overt and covert anxiety (P < 0.001). Compared to before coronary angiography (P < 0.001) and routine care only group (P < 0.001), hemodynamic indices had a decreasing trend during coronary angiography in the intervention groups.

The results of the present study revealed that nonverbal, relaxing, and classical music significantly reduced anxiety and hemodynamic indices of patients undergoing coronary angiography. Future studies should examine the effectiveness of other music genres on anxiety and hemodynamic indices in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Hospitals have a significant role in crisis management in every society. This study intended to assess the awareness and prepardness of nursing staff during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in selected hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, 2020. The participants included 142 nurses selected via census sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire.

Nurses demonstrated a satisfactory level of knowledge about preventive measures and protective behaviors for disease transmission from patients with suspected COVID-19 (73%) as well as Coronavirus diagnostic tests (38.8%). Nurses were rated poorly in attending hospital training programs (66%), being prepared for the Coronavirus outbreak (44%), self-confidence in providing care to suspected patients (50%), and satisfaction with personal protective equipment and supplies (37%).

The study showed low levels of awareness and prepardness in some areas related to management of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for the cardiovascular diseases. One of the factors contributing to blood pressure is peripheral vascular resistance. Vascular stiffness plays a key role in developing the hypertension, leading to increased systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure. from Avicenna s perspective, the blood pressure caused by 1- Increased blood volume 2- Warm heart dystemperament which leads to the hyperactivity of heart pump and increased cardiac output 3- A vascular disorder called "Tasallob Sharaeen”  "atherosclerosis".  So, one of Avicennachr s recommendations for the prevention and treatment of hypertension is the consumption of Moisturizing foods and beverages and fruits. One of these moisturizing products which are very useful is “whey Protein”. It seems that by studying ancient Iranian medicine s general books, new and effective solutions can be provided in the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of teriparatide on the incidence of fractures and bone density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. A clinical trial was performed in all postmenopausal women aged 45-75 years old with osteoporosis attending a teaching hospital affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. The participants were divided into control and experimental groups (30 patients per group). The experimental group received daily subcutaneous injection of teriparatide (CinnoPar® pen 250 mg, eight units) for six months. Patients in the control group received alendronate 70 mg weekly for six months. Fractures and densitometry were measured at baseline and after six months in both groups. Bone densitometry values in spine and femoral neck at baseline and after six months were significantly different between the experimental and control groups. Bone densitometry values increased dramatically in both groups. Alendronate significantly improved bone densitometry values of femoral neck after six months compared to baseline (p>0.002). Teriparatide significantly improved bone densitometry values of the spine after six months compared to the baseline (p>0.001), but did not have a significant effect on bone densitometry of femoral neck compared to baseline (p>0.085). Alendronate, calcium and vitamin D supplements are the first choices in treatment of osteoporosis in menopausal women. As the second-line treatment for osteoporosis, teriparatide could be used alone to relieve pain and improve bone density (especially in the spine) in postmenopausal women.

Hemodialysis patients experience debilitation in spite of the improvement of dialysis techniques. Impaired functioning, well-being and quality of life in these patients are of a great concern. The current study is intended to examine the effects of lavender essential oil on well-being in hemodialysis patients.
This randomized clinical trial was conducted on thirty hemodialysis patients. In experimental group a cotton ball soaked in two drops of lavender essence, diluted with sweet almond oil, at concentrations of 10% ( week 1), 20% ( week 2), 30% ( week 3), 40% ( week 4) and 50% ( week 5) was to be pinned on the patients' collar for five consecutive weeks. Patients were asked to breathe normally for 20 minutes. The control group received only routine nursing care. The perceived sense of well-being was measured in both groups at the end of each week using a visual analog scale.
The mean age of patients was 58.9±14.31 years for the experimental group and 53.03±15.84 years for the control group. Hypertension was reported to be the most common underlying disease in both groups. The results showed that the mean of well-being differed significantly between before the intervention and four and five weeks after the intervention in the experimental group.
Inhalation aromatherapy with lavender essence 40% and 50% seems to have a positive effect on the perceived sense of well-being in hemodialysis patients while lower concentrations of 10%, 20% and 30% do not appear to have the same effect.

Research studies indicate that almost 80% of the present day drugs are derived directly or indirectly from medicinal plants. The estimation of a safe starting dose is a concern when a new substance is to be investigated including medicinal plants, in clinical and laboratory studies. This study was intended to explore a simple and reliable method of calculating the starting dose for animal studies. Actually, the method helps to calculate the accurate animal dose based on Persian medicine.

After the botanical names were identified, the dosages of the plants recommended in Persian medicine (PM) were converted to gram unit. Then the body surface area normalization method (BSA) was used for an allometric dose translation.

Ninety eight plants were identified and their effective parts and dosages were determined based Persian medicine.

Dosing calculations for drugs could be performed based both on BSA method and experiences of ancient Persian scholars.

This study was intended to examine the effects of lavender essential oil aromatherapy on anxiety and depression in haemodialysis patients. This randomised clinical trial was conducted on 72 haemodialysis patients divided into control and experimental groups. The control group only received the routine care. The experimental group received aromatherapy with 3 drops of lavender essential oil 5% for 10 minutes every time they underwent haemodialysis for a period of one month. Anxiety and depression were measured in both groups at baseline and by the end of the second and fourth weeks during the first hour of a dialysis session. The rANOVA showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the severity of anxiety before the intervention and by the end of the second and fourth weeks (p = 0.783). However, the rANOVA revealed a significant difference with respect to the severity of depression between the two groups (p = 0.005). Current research suggests that we need various concentrations of lavender essential oil to relieve anxiety compared to depression. In sum, future studies are required to investigate different concentrations of lavender essential oil at different times during haemodialysis sessions to obtain specific doses for lavender essential oil to be used on haemodialysis patients suffering from anxiety and depression.

Futile medical care is considered as the care or treatment that does not benefit the patient. Thus, perception of the clinical team regarding futile care is of great importance and it has an important role in the quality of nursing care and health of clinical team. This study aimed to determine the relationship between perception of nurses regarding futile medical care and their caring behaviors toward patients in the final stages of life admitted to intensive care units. This correlational, analytical study was performed on 181 nursing staff of the intensive care units (ICUs) of health centers affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Iran. The data collection tool included a two-part questionnaire containing demographic characteristics form, perception of futile care questionnaire, and caring behaviors inventory. To analyze the data, statistical tests and central indices of tendency and dispersion were used. Pearson’s correlation coefficient, partial correlation, t-test, and ANOVA tests were performed to assess the relationship between the variables. Findings illustrated that the majority of nurses (65.7%) had a moderate perception of futile care. In addition, it was only the mean working hours per week among the demographic variables that had a statistically significant relationship with perception of futile care (P

Pentavalent antimonials are still the first drug of choice for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Like other treatments, they can cause adverse reactions including musculoskeletal pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, and mild to moderate headaches. In this paper, we report the first case of an infant who developed acute urticaria after her mother’s parenteral use of meglumine antimoniate (glucantime).

Hospitalization and surgery are crucial adverse life events that lead to considerable anxiety in patients..
The present study aimed to investigate stressors after coronary artery bypass graft surgery and identify stressors that predict anxiety..
Patients and This is a descriptive-analytical study that uses a non-random convenience sampling method on patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery at the cardiac surgery intensive care unit of Fatemeh Zahra Cardiac center in Sari, Iran. A total of 186 patients completed the post-surgical stressors questionnaire and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory on postoperative days 2 or 3 in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequencies, means, and standard deviations. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to determine the relationship between the observed variables, and the logistic regression model was used to identify the relationship between stressors and anxiety after-surgery..
Post-surgical anxiety predictors included insufficient sleep during hospitalization (Odds ratio [OR]: 5.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.46 - 20.00; P = 0.010), treatment not explained to the patient by the nurse (OR: 4.83; 95% CI: 1.82 - 12.84; P = 0.002), being away from family members (OR: 3.88; 95% CI: 1.46 - 10.26; P = 0.006), presence of a chest tube (OR: 3.27; 95% CI: 1.83 - 5.84; P = 0.000), and pain in any part of the body (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.06 - 3.58; P = 0.031)..
Physical or physiological and psychological stressors impose greater stress and are predictors of anxiety. When preparing their nursing care plan, nurses should consider these stressors that affect anxiety levels in patients undergoing CABG surgery and those hospitalized in intensive care units..

An interesting feature of the olfactory system is its relationship with the respiratory system. The research studies have shown that olfactory imagery increases respiratory tidal volume, resulting in an improvement in respiratory function. This paper systematically reviews the effectiveness of mental imagery on respiratory function. Twelve electronic databases were searched from their inception through the end of January 2015. Our literature search was limited to English and Persian databases, using the predetermined keywords to find the existing evidence on the effectiveness of mental imagery on respiratory function. The selection of articles, data extraction and validations were performed by two independent reviewers. The search yielded 69 articles, 7 of which met the inclusion criteria. No additional article was identified from the bibliographies of retrieved papers. Despite very little research on olfactory imagery, the evidence indicates that this imagery approach can improve respiratory function by stimulating sniffing and subsequent increase in respiratory volume and depth. However, further research is required to provide evidence of the effectiveness of mental imagery in cases such as respiratory muscle weakness or decreased respiratory function.

Nurses are frequently exposed to death، dying patients and patients with incurable diseases، which are regarded as the major causes of occupational stress for nurses. As the main characteristic of job stress، burnout is a delayed reaction to chronic workplace stressors. This paper reports a literature review examining factors associated with job burnout of nurses. Electronic literature searches were carried out to identify the relevant published studies. Our literature search was limited to English and Persian databases. We searched ISI Web of Science، ScienceDirect، Scopus، Magiran، SID and IranMedex from their inception to the end of October 2014. In addition، the references of articles retrieved were searched for additional citations. The search yielded 548 articles، 37 of which met the inclusion criteria. An additional 8 articles were identified from the bibliographies of retrieved papers. The results showed different rates of burnout in nurses in various countries. According to the findings، the most common workplace stressors for nurses include nurses'' limited control over their own career، lack of autonomy، exposure to workplace interpersonal conflicts، lack of adequate support، exposure to death and dying patients، displacement in different hospital wards with patients who are in need of different levels of care، lack of essential resources and heavy nursing workloads. Given that the prevalence of job burnout in nurses varies between different hospital wards، further studies are required to comprehensively evaluate the factors associated with burnout in nurses.

Phlebitis is the most common complication associated with peripheral intravenous infusion of amiodarone. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of sesame oil on the prevention of amiodarone‑induced phlebitis. This is a double‑blind randomized controlled trial. Thirty‑six patients hospitalized in a coronary care unit were randomly allocated into two groups using a convenience sampling method. Following peripheral intravenous cannulation, five drops of pure sesame oil were applied to the skin within a 10 cm radius of the infusion site prior to the administration of amiodarone in the intervention group. Sesame oil was rubbed on the skin at the infusion site every 6 h in the 24‑h period of amiodarone infusion. In the control group, liquid paraffin, used as a placebo, was rubbed on the skin at the infusion site of amiodarone. Both groups were monitored for the development of phlebitis and its degree within the 24‑h period of amiodarone infusion as well as 6 h after its administration. The incidence of phlebitis was confirmed and recorded by an assessor who was blind to the two groups. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 18, and descriptive and inferential statistics such as Chi‑square test, Kaplan–Meier, Hazard ratio, independent t‑test, and Fisher’s exact test. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in their catheter survival after 30 h and 10 min (P < 0.001). Over 60% of the patients (61.1%) in the intervention group did not show any sign of phlebitis, while 16.7% and 22.2% of the patients manifested signs of grade 2 and 3 phlebitis, respectively. In the control group, 22.2% of the patients showed no signs of phlebitis, while 5.6%, 27.8%, and 44.4% of the patients exhibited signs of grade 2, 3, and 4 phlebitis, respectively. The statistical analysis showed significant differences in the degree of phlebitis (P = 0.006) and the onset of phlebitis development (P < 0.001) between the two groups. It is recommended to apply sesame oil topically to the infusion site of amiodarone so as to reduce the rate of the development of amiodarone‑related phlebitis.

This study aimed to explore the role of social capital within the context of the nursing profession in Iran, based on the experience and perspectives of senior nursing managers. The study was conducted using the Graneheim and Lundman content analysis method. Using purposive sampling, 26 senior nursing managers from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, the College of Nursing and Midwifery, the Iranian Nursing Organization, nursing associations and hospitals were selected, who participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. Content analysis revealed three main themes (social capital deficit, applying multiple strategies, and cultivating social capital) as well as eight categories which included professional remoteness, deficiency in professional potency, deficiency in professional exchanges, accumulation of personal social capital, accumulation of professional social capital, socio-political strategies, psychological–cognitive strategies, and ethical/spiritual strategies. The results show the perceived level of social capital in nursing in Iran, the application of some key strategies, and the principal rewards accrued from active participation in improving the social capital in nursing environment and profession. Efforts should be made to strengthen the social capital and apply key strategies with the aim of achieving personal and professional benefits for nurses, their patients, and co-workers, and for the delivery of healthcare in general. In this respect, the role of senior managers is vital in stimulating collective action within the profession, planning for the development of a culture of participation in healthcare services, helping to develop all fields of the profession, and developing and strengthening intra- and inter-professional exchanges and networking.

Since families are responsible for supporting their patients in most cases، paying attention to them is considered as a significant element in the treatment process. Families who are not able to adapt to the hospitalization of their beloved patients in the intensive care units may suffer an emotional crisis. That is، they may show some reactions such as shock، anger، frustration، anxiety، and depression، particularly within 72 hours after the hospitalization. Even in some cases، they may experience more stress than the patients. A review of the related studies shows that the most important needs of the families include being assured that the patient is receiving appropriate treatment and sufficient care، and being informed of the patient’s status، proper prognosis about the treatment process، and the possible consequences. Moreover، the least significant need of the families has been reprted to be their physical comfort. It can be concluded that family-centered care increases the satisfaction of the treatment process and decreases the psychological problems in the families. Therefore، each of the treatment team members in intensive care unit (ICU) should support the family members in dealing with the stressful situations. Evaluating the family needs and performing some essential interventions to fulfill their needs will be effective in declining their anxiety level during the crisis.

The traditional roles of managers are insufficient in today’s evolving healthcare market. Therefore, they need to improve management practices through playing new roles. So the present study aimed to explore the roles of nurse managers in the context of Iranian health care system. A qualitative content analysis with semi-structured interviews was used in this study. The study settings included the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Nursing and Midwifery Schools, public hospitals, and Nursing Associations in Tehran, Iran. A purposive sample of twenty six nurse managers was recruited in this study. The main theme found was “socio-political roles”, with the five subcategories as roles: “managing boundaries”, “integrator”, “convincing agent of change”, “governance of the profession”, and “promotion of the profession”. The study indicated by playing socio-political roles nurse mangers gained many advantages for the profession.While studies have focused on the traditional roles of nursing managers, the concept of socio-political roles opens a new field of work. Hence, should be made to pay close attention to the significant roles of nursing managers in the current context of health care. In keeping pace with changes and by enacting their socio-political roles, nursing managers can facilitate the achievement of major professional and healthcare goals.