The Effects of Thai Massage on Comfort and Symptoms among Female Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Background: Chemotherapy is the most common modality for cancer management, but it is associated with many side effects. Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of Thai massage on comfort and symptoms among female cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in 2017-2018 with a two-group pre-posttest design. Participants were sixty female patients with cancer selected from Bu-Ali Hospital in Tehran, Iran, and randomly allocated to a control and an intervention group. Participants in the control group received routine care, while their counterparts in the intervention group received both routine care and ten-session massage therapy. A demographic questionnaire, the Kolcaba's General Comfort Questionnaire, and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square, Fisher's exact, independent-samples t, and paired-samples t-tests. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups respecting the pretest mean scores of comfort and symptoms (P > 0.05). After the intervention, the mean score of comfort in the control group was statistically significantly greater than the intervention group (137.4 ± 6.8 vs. 131.53 ± 9.61; P = 0.008). Moreover, the posttest mean scores of pain, fatigue, nausea, depression, anxiety, and drowsiness in the intervention group were significantly less than the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Massage therapy is effective in significantly reducing symptoms among female cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

Effect of daily walking program on glucose level among overweight pregnant women

Background: Overweight and obese pregnant women are more than twice at the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus in comparison to nonobese women. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the effect of daily walking program on glucose level among overweight pregnant women. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2019 at Kasr El Aini, Cairo University Maternity Hospitals, at the antenatal outpatient clinic. A purposive sample of 100 primigravida, singleton, overweight, had an uncomplicated pregnancy, at 14 weeks of gestation were recruited in the study. A structured interview scheduled questionnaire, an anthropometric measurement scale, the pregnancy physical activity questionnaire, and a pedometer/step counter were used for data collection. The walking program was an 8-week program with six interviews and emphasized practice walking. The walking program started after the third interview and continued for 8 weeks. All women in the study group were instructed to practice daily walking for 8 weeks. They instructed to walk 30-min (brisk steps) on daily base, started by 15-min and gradually increase the timing of walking up to 30-min for at least 5 days weekly. The hypothesis was tested through students t-test and Chi-square test. Results: The intervention group had lower fasting plasma glucose mg/dl levels with mean of 110.80 ± 5.86 versus 114.80 ± 8.07 in the control group and HbA1c with mean of 6.38 ± 0.62 versus 6.60 ± 0.52 in the control group (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Prediabetic, overweight pregnant women who have completed an average of 6,000 steps walking or more per day early in the second trimester may have lower levels of insulin resistance and lower frequency of exposure to gestational diabetes

The relationship of nursing students personality traits with their perceived stress in clinical environment

Background: Clinical education is the most stressful part of education for nursing students. This study investigated the relationship of nursing students personality traits with their perceived stress in clinical environment. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the relationship of nursing students personality traits with their perceived stress in clinical environment. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2020 on 215 nursing students. Participants were selected through stratified random sampling from Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran. Data collection instruments were a demographic questionnaire, the NEO Personality Inventory short form, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Data analysis was done through the independent-samples t-test, Pearson,s correlation analysis, and one-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean score of perceived stress was 43.74±10.25 out of 56, implying high level of stress. Neuroticism personality trait had significant positive correlation with perceived stress (P < 0.001), whereas extraversion and agreeableness personality traits had significant negative correlations with perceived stress (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Healthcare authorities need to employ strategies to identify nursing students who are at risk for stress and improve their psychological readiness for attending clinical environment

Barriers to end-of-life care delivery to home-dwelling terminally-ill older patients: A qualitative content analysis

Background: In the last days of life, home-dwelling terminally-ill older patients have complex care needs. End-of-life (EOL) care for these patients is usually delivered at home. However, there is limited information about the barriers to EOL care delivery to home-dwelling terminally-ill older patients. Objectives: This study is aimed to explore the barriers to EOL care delivery to home-dwelling terminally-ill older patients. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2017-2018. Ten family caregivers and ten health-care providers were purposively selected. The main inclusion criterion was the experience of EOL care delivery to home-dwelling terminally-ill older patients. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analyzed through conventional content analysis. In total, 23 interviews were held with twenty participants. Results: The barriers to EOL care delivery to home-dwelling terminally-ill older patients were categorized into the following three main categories and ten subcategories: inappropriate community-based healthcare context (subcategories: lack of public home care services, lack of palliative/hospice care services, legal/ethical dilemmas, and wrong cultural beliefs leading to wrong EOL care), unsupportive healthcare providers (subcategories: limited preparation for EOL care delivery, negligence towards appropriate home care delivery, and indifference to patients' and their families' rights), and inappropriate family conditions (subcategories: families' lack of care-related knowledge and skills, families' poor financial status, and tension in families). Conclusion: There are different familial, financial, professional, organizational, and social barriers to EOL care delivery to home-dwelling terminally-ill older patients. Culturally-appropriate policies and strategies are needed for operationalizing EOL care, integrating it into the public health-care system, and preparing healthcare providers and family caregivers for its delivery

The Effects of Role Play Simulation and Demonstration on Pediatric Peripheral Venous Catheter Insertion Skill among Nursing Students: A Three Group Experimental Study

Background: The short course of baccalaureate nursing program and overcrowding of clinical settings restrict the development of pediatric peripheral venous catheter (PVC) insertion skill among nursing students. Therefore, better teaching strategies are needed. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of role play simulation and demonstration on pediatric PVC insertion skill among nursing students. Methods: In this three-group experimental study, 46 nursing students were selected from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran, randomly allocated to a control, a role play simulation, or a demonstration group. Initially, all students received information about pediatric PVC insertion through lecture. Then, their skill was assessed using a child mannequin in a skill lab by a thirty-item rating scale. Then, participants in the simulation and the demonstration groups received training about this skill through simulation or demonstration teaching methods. After 3 weeks, their skill was reassessed. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The baseline total scores of PVC insertion skill were 17.66 ± 7.46, 14.93 ± 6.64, and 16.92 ± 10.38 and after intervention changed to 20.66 ± 5.65, 33.81 ± 6.86, and 41.14 ± 7.67 in the control, role play simulation, and demonstration groups, respectively. There was a statistically significant increase of skill in simulation and demonstration groups (P 0.05). Conclusion: Both role play simulation and demonstration significantly improve pediatric PVC insertion skill among nursing students. These teaching methods are recommended for developing nursing skills

Emergency nurses attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration and teamwork and their affecting factors: A cross-sectional study

Background: The emergency department (ED) is a multidisciplinary department and seriously needs interprofessional collaboration (IPC). Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the emergency nurses attitudes toward IPC and teamwork and their affecting factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 138 emergency nurses working in teaching hospitals affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran, from January to April 2019. Data were collected using a three-part questionnaire including a demographic data sheet, the Jefferson Scale of Attitudes toward Physician-Nurse Collaboration, and the Testing Team Attitude Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearsons correlation coefficient, analysis of variance, and multivariate regression analysis. Results: The majority of the study participants were female (68.1), in the age range of 30-40 years old (44.2), and had a working experience of 1-5 years in the ED (63.8). The mean scores of nurses attitudes toward IPC and teamwork were 48.68 ± 5.14 and 96.15 ± 8.97, respectively. A direct and strong correlation was found between nurses attitudes toward IPC and teamwork (r = 0.594, P = 0.001). Regression analysis showed that, among all variables, only the participants employment status (compulsory governmental services, P < 0.031 and B = 2.356), overall work experience between 1 and 5 years (P < 0.001 and B = -3.769), and the attitude toward teamwork (P< 0.001 and B = 0.350) could significantly predict nurses attitude toward IPC. Conclusion:The attitudes of emergency nurses toward IPC and teamwork were at an optimal level. Nurses belief in IPC and especially belief in nurse physician collaboration plays an important role in providing quality care and keeping patient safety in ED. Joint in-service workshops on the philosophy and principles of IPC and teamwork for nurses and physicians working in EDs can further strengthen the IPC

The effect of curcumin ointment on the quality of life of older adults with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized placebo clinical trial

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KO) is one of the most common health problems affecting the quality of life (QOL) in older adults. Objective: Because improving the QOL is one of the important therapeutic goals, this study aimed to investigate the effect of curcumin ointment on the QOL in older adults with KO. Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was performed from February 20, to June 22, 2019, on 72 older adults with KO referring to the office of a physician in Kashan, Iran. The individuals with eligibility criteria were recruited sequentially and were randomly assigned to two groups of 36 to apply either curcumin 5 ointment or Vaseline ointment twice daily for 6 weeks around the knee. The Osteoarthritis Knee and Hip Quality of Life questionnaire was used to measure the patients' QOL at the beginning of the study, and at the end of the 4th and 6th weeks. The Fisher's exact test, independent samples t-test, Friedman test, and repeated-measures analysis were used for data analysis. Results: The mean baseline QOL scores in the intervention and the placebo groups were 55.98 ± 8.12 and 58.75 ± 7.86 (P = 0.160) which then changed to 59.21 ± 7.98 and 60.01 ± 8.23 at the end of the 4th week and to 65.83 ± 8.81 and 60.26 ± 7.25 at the end of the 6th week, respectively. Repeated-measures analysis showed that over time, the use of curcumin ointment could significantly increase the mean QOL score in the intervention group (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Topical administration of 5 curcumin ointment can significantly improve the QOL in older adults with KO. Therefore, this ointment might be considered a complementary therapy to improve the QOL of patients with KO

Coronavirus: Nursing students' knowledge and risk perception of clinical practice during the pandemic

Background: The attendance of nursing students in clinical settings is an inherent element of the nursing education, and it is the same even with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Globally, more than 260 nurses have been killed by the COVID-19 disease and the number is still increasing. Objective: The study assessed nursing students' perception of clinical practice amidst coronavirus pandemic in southwest Nigeria. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that utilized a multistage sampling method to select 300 respondents from the selected nursing institution in southwest Nigeria. The questionnaire is made up of three sections namely, sociodemographic variables, knowledge of COVID-19, and students' perception of clinical practice. Data were collected with Google Form and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: The mean age of the respondents was 22.16 ± 3.11 years and the mean year exposed to clinical practice was 2.73 ± 0.91 years. Majority (71) had good knowledge of coronavirus, with mean ± standard deviation (SD) 16.16 ± 1.84, while 57.7 had a positive perception of clinical practice during coronavirus pandemic, with a mean ± SD of 3.62 ± 1.22. There was no significant difference between knowledge and perception of clinical practice post coronavirus pandemic, P = 0.088. There is a significant relationship between nursing students' perception of clinical practice with coronavirus and nursing institution (P = 0.001) and level of study (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The study showed that nursing students were willing to continue with their clinical practice even with coronavirus patients in the wards

The correlation between family function and health-promoting lifestyle among female adolescents in Iran

Background: Health-promoting lifestyle (HPL) is a major health concern among adolescents. Family function (FF) has potential effects on adolescents lifestyle and health. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between FF and HPL among female adolescents. Methods: This correlational study was conducted from January to February 2020 on 356 female adolescent students randomly recruited through multistage cluster sampling from four public junior high schools in the south of Tehran, Iran in 2020. Data were collected using a personal characteristics questionnaire, the Adolescent Health Promotion Short Form, and the McMaster Family Assessment Device. Data analysis was performed through Pearson correlation coefficient, the one-way analysis of variance, the independent-samples t test, and the linear regression analysis. Results:The average age of adolescents was 14.16 ± 0.76 years. The total mean scores of participants HPL and FF were 75.36 ± 12.43 (in the possible range of 21-105) and 3.02 ± 0.37 (in the possible range of 1-4), respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between FF and HPL (r = 0.399, P < 0.001). Among demographic characteristics, adequacy of family income, and among dimensions, the problem-solving, behavioral control, roles, and affective involvement dimensions of FF were significant predictors of HPL, explaining 24.5 of its total variance. Conclusion: The mean HPL and FF were greater than the possible median scores. Also, adequacy of family income and FF were significant predictors of HPL among female adolescents. Healthcare authorities and policymakers are recommended to pay greater attention to FF in developing health-promoting programs for adolescents

Excruciating Care: Experiences of Care Transition from Hospital to Home among the Family Caregivers of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

Background: Transition of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) from hospital to home often involves a shift in caregiving responsibility from health-care providers to family caregivers. Poor care transition may lead to poor care-related outcomes. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore experiences of care transition from hospital to home among the family caregivers of patients with SCI. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2018-2019. Participants were 17 family caregivers of patients with SCI who were purposively recruited from two specialty SCI care centers in Iran. In-depth semi-structured interviews were held for data collection. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: The following four main categories were developed during data analysis: lack of knowledge (with two subcategories), excruciating care (with two subcategories), emotional burden of caregiving (with three subcategories), and need for support (with two subcategories). The nine subcategories of these main categories were lack of medical and care-related information, seeking for information, heavy burden of daily caregiving, need for providing professional care at home, feelings of sadness and sorrow, feeling of insufficiency, restriction of life, limited support by family members and relatives, and limited financial support by the government. Conclusion: Family caregivers of patients with SCI experience many challenges and problems during care transition from hospital to home, which can affect the quality of their care services for their patients. Therefore, they need ongoing support throughout the process of care