Effect of lavender inhalation on the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea and the amount of menstrual bleeding: A randomized clinical trial

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) inhalation on the symptoms of dysmenorrhea and the amount of menstrual bleeding in female students with primary dysmenorrhea. Design: This study is an experimental clinical trial. The subjects were 96 female students residing in dormitory at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2011 and suffering from level two or three dysmenorrhea according to the verbal multi-dimensional scoring system. The inclusion criteria were as: being single, suffering from primary dysmenorrhea, having no genital organs disorder, having no systemic disease, having regular menstrual cycles, using no contraceptives, etc. The follow-up time was 4 menstrual cycles. Interventions: The subjects were randomized into two groups: experimental (n = 48) who inhaled lavender based on sesame oil, and placebo (n = 48) who inhaled sesame oil only. Main outcome measures: The severity of dysmenorrhea symptoms was measured through a questionnaire, and the amount of menstrual bleeding was measured by sanitary towel usage. Methods: Ordinal logistic regression and generalized estimating equation (GEE) were used to analyze the data. Results: The symptoms of dysmenorrhea were significantly lowered in the lavender group compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001). The amount of menstrual bleeding in the lavender group was reduced in comparison to the placebo group but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.25). No significant difference was observed for blood clot among the students (p = 0.666). Conclusions: This study showed that lavender inhalation was effective in alleviating dysmenorrhea symptoms, suggesting that it could be applied by midwives in a safe manner because of no side effects, simplicity and cost-effectiveness for all patients. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The effect of infant massage on the frequency and duration of breast feeding- A randomized clinical trial

زمینه و هدف: شیر مادر بهترین تغذیه برای نوزاد است، زیرا فواید سلامتی بی شماری را برای مادر و نوزاد فراهم می کند. ماساژ به عنوان بخش روتینی از مراقبت شیرخواران در بسیاری از فرهنگ ها استفاده می گردد. هدف از این مطالعه بررسی تاثیر ماساژ توسط مادر بر دفعات و مدت زمان شیرخوردن شیرخوار بود. روش بررسی: این مطالعه کارآزمایی بالینی بر روی 80 شیرخوار از زنان نخست زای مراجعه کننده به مراکز بهداشتی درمانی منتخب دانشگاه علوم پزشکی شهرکرد در سال 1389 انجام یافته است. شیرخواران به طور تصادفی به دو گروه 40 نفره تقسیم شدند. درگروه آزمون ماساژ توسط مادر 2 نوبت در روز (صبح و عصر) و به مدت 8 هفته، هر بار به مدت 15 دقیقه انجام گرفت؛ در حالی که گروه کنترل تنها مراقبت های معمول را دریافت نمودند. ابزار جمع‌آوری اطلاعات فرم ثبت خاطرات روزانه والدین شیرخوار در خصوص دفعات و مدت زمان شیرخوردن شیرخوار بود که در ابتدای مطالعه و انتهای هفته-های چهارم و هشتم مطالعه توسط مادر تکمیل ‌گردید. یافته ها: یافته های مطالعه نشان داد که مدت و دفعات شیرخوردن در هفته های چهارم و هشتم پس از مداخله در گروه آزمون به طور معناداری بیشتر از گروه کنترل بود (05/0>P). نتیجه گیری: به طور کلی نتایج حاصل از این پژوهش نشان داد که ماساژ بر دفعات و مدت شیر خوردن شیر خواران موثر بوده و آن را ارتقاء بخشیده است. از آنجا که ماساژ یکی از عوامل مهم در موفقیت شیردهی با شیر مادر می باشد؛ لذا تأکید بر اهمیت ماساژ در هر زمان ممکن، با هر طول مدتی پس از تولد توصیه می گردد

Development of a Two-Fluid Drag Law for Clustered Particles Using Direct Numerical Simulation and Validation through Experiments

This dissertation focused on development and utilization of numerical and experimental approaches to improve the CFD modeling of fluidization flow of cohesive micron size particles. The specific objectives of this research were: (1) Developing a cluster prediction mechanism applicable to Two-Fluid Modeling (TFM) of gas-solid systems (2) Developing more accurate drag models for Two-Fluid Modeling (TFM) of gas-solid fluidization flow with the presence of cohesive interparticle forces (3) using the developed model to explore the improvement of accuracy of TFM in simulation of fluidization flow of cohesive powders (4) Understanding the causes and influential factor which led to improvements and quantification of improvements (5) Gathering data from a fast fluidization flow and use these data for benchmark validations. Simulation results with two developed cluster-aware drag models showed that cluster prediction could effectively influence the results in both the first and second cluster-aware models. It was proven that improvement of accuracy of TFM modeling using three versions of the first hybrid model was significant and the best improvements were obtained by using the smallest values of the switch parameter which led to capturing the smallest chances of cluster prediction. In the case of the second hybrid model, dependence of critical model parameter on only Reynolds number led to the fact that improvement of accuracy was significant only in dense section of the fluidized bed. This finding may suggest that a more sophisticated particle resolved DNS model, which can span wide range of solid volume fraction, can be used in the formulation of the cluster-aware drag model. The results of experiment suing high speed imaging indicated the presence of particle clusters in the fluidization flow of FCC inside the riser of FIU-CFB facility. In addition, pressure data was successfully captured along the fluidization column of the facility and used as benchmark validation data for the second hybrid model developed in the present dissertation. It was shown the second hybrid model could predict the pressure data in the dense section of the fluidization column with better accuracy

The effect of massage with oils on the growth of term infants: a randomized controlled trial

Background and Aims: Infant massage could potentially benefit both physiological and psychological health. This study aims to determine the effect of massage with oils on the growth of full-term infants, which is given by their mothers. Study Design: This is a double-blind randomized controlled trial which was conducted on full term infants visited in the nine Public Health Centers of Shahrekord, Iran in 2010. Material and Methods: This study included 217 infants. Inclusion criteria for the infants were age scale between 10 to 15 days, full term gestation, birth weight of 2500 grams at least, Apgar score of 7 or above, no resuscitation after the birth, exclusive breastfeeding during the study, medically stable condition without any need for drugs, nulliparous. The infants were randomized into four groups: massage with sunflower oil, massage with sesame oil, massage without oil, and no massage (control group). Massage was given by mothers twice a day for 4 weeks, starting from the 10 - 15th day of life. Weight and height were measured weekly. At last, Repeated Measures Analysis of Covariance was employed to analyze the data. Birth weight (height) as well as mean frequency of breastfeeding during the study was deemed as covariates. Results: The findings showed that the mean of weight and height was significantly different between groups over time, respectively (P = 0.005, P < 0.001). The infants’ mean weight in sunflower oil massage group increased significantly compared with other three groups (P = 0.005). In addition, infants’ height gain in sunflower and sesame oil massage group were significantly higher than message-only and control groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Massage with oil, especially sunflower oil is an inexpensive, simple, and effective intervention which improved weight and height gain in selected samples. Further studies are needed to evaluate the serious adverse effects, if any, to notify midwives and health care staff

The effect of massage with sunflower oil on infants’ weight and height

Background and aims: Infants are very sensitive group of society, so special attention is needed to take care of their physical and mental health. Some studies showed that massage therapy by parents can improve life quality for infants. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of massage with sunflower oil on infants' growth. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 120 infants who were 10-15 days old, full-term, single, exclusively breastfed infants and with no history of hospitalization. The infants were assigned randomly into three groups of sunflower oil massage, only massage and control. Mothers administered 15 minutes of massage to their infants twice per day for 28 days. Data collection was recorded. Weight and height of infants were measured at baseline, and at the end of the first, second, third, and fourth weeks of the study. Data were analyzed using the repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The study showed that, the mean of weight and height in all groups had assembling trend in. All groups showed a significant assembling trend in weight and height (p>0.001). There was no significant difference in all groups at the end of second week (p>0.05). At the end of third and fourth week, sunflower oil massage group had significant difference with control group weight 4393.3± 714.8, 4114.9± 657.6 and height 52.96±1.14, 52.05± 1.15. The mean of weight and height had no significant difference in other groups. Conclusion: Infant massage with sunflower oil could be used as an easy, effective way to enhance infants’ growt

The Effect of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Persian shallot(Allium Hirtifolium boiss) on Albumin Glycation

زمینه و هدف: هیپرگلیسمی دیابتی باعث قندی شدن پروتئین&zwnj;های بدن و به نوبه خود موجب تغییر در ساختمان و عملکرد آن ها می&zwnj;گردد. برخی از عوارض بیماری دیابت از جمله نفروپاتی و رتینوپاتی به دلیل واکنش قندی شدن غیر آنزیمی پروتئین&zwnj;ها است. یکی از راه&zwnj;های درمانی برای مهار این واکنش، شکستن پیوند قند-پروتئین با استفاده از ترکیبات موجود در گیاهان دارویی می باشد. بنابراین مطالعه حاضر با هدف بررسی اثر عصاره هیدروالکلی موسیر ایرانی (Allium hirtifolium) بر مهار واکنش قند دار شدن آلبومین و توانایی شکستن پیوند آلبومین و گلوکز انجام شده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه آزمایشگاهی تأثیر غلظت&zwnj;های 1/0، 2/0، 5/0، 1 گرم بر دسی لیتر از عصاره موسیر ایرانی در دو حالت مختلف:الف) مهار واکنش قندی شدن آلبومین ب) تاثیر آن بر شکستن پیوند آلبومین و گلوکز در زمان&zwnj;های 72،48،24 و 144 ساعت بررسی گردید. میزان قندی شدن با روش تیوباربیتوریک اسید سنجیده شد. جهت تجزیه و تحلیل داده&zwnj;ها از آزمون آنالیز واریانس یک طرفه و سپس آزمون توکی استفاده گردید. 05/0P &lt; نمایان گر اختلاف معنی دار بود. یافته&zwnj;ها: عصاره هیدروالکلی موسیر ایرانی در غلظت&zwnj;های 1/0 و 2/0 باعث مهار واکنش قندی شدن آلبومین شد. به عبارت دیگر تمامی غلظت&zwnj;های مورد استفاده، پیوند آلبومین و گلوکز را شکستند که بیش&zwnj;ترین تأثیر، در زمان&zwnj;های 72 و 144 ساعت پس ازتیمار با عصاره موسیر در غلظت 5/0 گرم بر دسی لیتر مشاهده شد .میزان شکستن پیوند، ارتباط مستقیم با زمان تیمار داشت. نتیجه&zwnj;گیری: نتایج نشان داد که موسیر ایرانی مانع از قندی شدن آلبومین شده و پیوند بین آلبومین و گلوکز را می&zwnj;شکند.بنابراین پیشنهاد می شود که تحقیقات بالینی بیشتر جهت ارزیابی اثر موسیر ایرانی بر کاهش قندی شدن آلبومین انجام شود

The clinical efficacy of lavender oil inhalation on intensity of menstrual pain from primary dysmenorrhea

Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as painful menses with cramping sensation in the lower abdomen with normal ovulatory cycles which has no pelvic pathology. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of inhalation of Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) essential oil on alleviating primary dysmenorrhea.Methods: This randomized double-blinded clinical trial included 96 students (48 in lavender and 48 in placebo groups) from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Single students with regular menstrual cycles suffering from primary dysmenorrhea regarding the verbal multi-dimensional scoring system were included. The intervention group was administered to inhale lavender essential oil (diluted in sesame oil in 2:1 ratio). The control group only inhaled sesame essential oil. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the pain score at the baseline and 1, 2, 4, and 48 hours after intervention. Generalized estimation equations method was used for data analysis.Results: The students’ mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 20.32±1.38 years. No significant difference was found in demographic and menstrual characteristics between groups. The mean VAS was not significantly different between groups at the baseline. Lavender inhalation reduced the mean±SD primary dysmenorrhea score of 2.92±0.2 according to VAS significantly during 48 first hours adjusted for baseline VAS (P < 0.001).Conclusion: It could be concluded that lavender inhalation can decrease primary dysmenorrhea. The observed effectiveness of lavender inhalation as an inexpensive therapy without evidence of adverse event supports the interest for potential application of this therapy. Keywords: Lavandula, Inhalation, Essential oil, Dysmenorrhe

Improvement of Selective Attention Using rTMS in Healthy Individuals

Previous research have shown that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) enhances individuals’ cognitive performance. Executive function, particularly selective attention, is one of the fundamental parts of cognitive performances. Neuro-imaging studies indicated proved the role of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in selective attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rTMS on healthy individuals’ performance executing stroop task. Thirty healthy subjects received one session of high-frequency rTMS on their left DLPFC. They were instructed to perform stroop task before and after stimulation. The results showed that response time to congruent stimuli decreased significantly in active group. No significant change was observed in incongruent trials. The findings verified the role of left DLPFC on top-down attentional control. It could be concluded that administering rTMS on individuals’ left DLPFC can result in positive effect on selective attention

Early postoperative pain as a risk factor of shoulder stiffness after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Background: The role of postoperative pain in incidence of shoulder stiffness (SS) after shoulder arthroscopy has not been thoroughly investigated. The present study was conducted to assess the effects of early postoperative pain (EPOP) on onset of SS after arthroscopic rotator cuff (RC) repair. Materials and methods: In a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database, 335 patients who underwent arthroscopic RC repair were evaluated. RC tendons were sutured to the bone using the double-row technique. EPOP was evaluated 1 week after surgery using the visual analog scale (VAS). SS was assessed 3 months after surgery and was categorized into moderate or severe based on shoulder range of motion (ROM). Each type of complication including SS was identified and recorded. Results: Postoperative shoulder stiffness (POSS) was identified in 121 patients (36.2) that was moderate in 86 patients (70.1) and severe in 35 patients (28.9). After 1 week, VAS pain score was equal to 7.7 ± 3.1 and 4.5 ± 2.1 in the patients with and without stiffness, respectively (p < 0.001). Diabetes and traumatic tear were found to be associated with postoperative stiffness (p = 0.046 and p < 0.001, respectively). Similar associations were found on multivariate analysis of data. VAS pain score was higher in the patients with severe stiffness compared with those with moderate stiffness (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings revealed that EPOP is associated with shoulder stiffness after arthroscopic RC repair. Therefore, strategies to ameliorate EPOP could be opted to decrease rate of POSS. Level of evidence: Level IV © 2021, The Author(s)

A comparative study of the effect of massage with sunflower oil or sesame oil on infants' crying and sleep times: A randomized clinical trial

Background & Aim: Infants are very sensitive and special attention is needed to take care of their physical and mental health. Some studies showed that massage by parents can improve infants' sleep quality. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of massage with sunflower oil or sesame oil on infants' crying and sleep times. Methods & Materials: This triple-blinded clinical trial was conducted on 120 infants who were 10-15 days old, full-term, single, exclusively breastfed and with no history of hospitalization. The infants were assigned randomly into three groups of sunflower oil massage, sesame oil massage and massage with no oils. Mothers administered 15 minutes of massage to their infants twice per day (morning and afternoon) for 28 days. Times of crying and sleep were measured by a parents' information form at baseline, and at the end of the first, second, third, and fourth weeks of the study. Data were analyzed using the repeated measures ANOVA. Result: Within four weeks of following, decreasing pattern of infants crying time was not significant (P=0.18); however, the mean of crying time between the three groups was significant (P=0.007). The interaction effect of crying time and groups was not significant (P=0.18). Increasing pattern of infant sleep time was statistically significant in the fourth weeks of the following (P<0.001); however, the mean of sleep time between three groups was not significant (P<0.56). The interaction effect of sleeping time and groups was not significant (P<0.10). Conclusion: Since there were not statistical significant differences between the infants' crying and sleep times between the three groups, and despite the fact that increasing pattern of infants sleep time is a normal pattern, it is not possible to have a proper conclusion