Effects of a Self-Management Short Course Instruction on Glycemic Control in Adults with Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Education is an integral part of the treatment in diabetes mellitus. Attendance at long courses might not be convenient for many patients. Objectives: The current study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of self-management, short course instruction on glycemic control in adults with diabetes mellitus. Patients and Methods: A total of 60 patients with diabetes mellitus were randomly allocated into intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and blood sugar (BS) (5pm) tests were conducted. The intervention group received instructionabout self-management in diabetes mellitus for two hours, during two sessions. They were followed-up for three months with telephone calls. Patients asked any questions they had during these calls. After three months the patients’ FBS and BS were recorded again. The same process took place in the control group without training. Independent sample t-test and chi-square tests were used to analyze data using SPSS version 16.0. Results: The sample included 60 patients with a mean age of 46 ± 2.14 years. The FBS dropped from 151 mg/dL to 110 mg/dL in the intervention group (P = 0.02). While it increased from 146 mg/dL to 150 mg/dL in the control group. The BS also decreased from231 mg/dL to 196 in the intervention group. (P = 0.05), but it increased from 240 to 247 in the control group (P = 0.09). There was a significant difference in FBS and BS tests in the two groups after three months. (P = 0.002, P = 0.05), respectively. Conclusions: The results showed that a short course of instruction is effective in glycemic control. It is suggested that further research is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of self-management long course instruction on glycemic control in adults with diabetes mellitus

Effect of Music on Postoperative Pain in Patients Under Open Heart Surgery

Background: Music, as a non-pharmacological and inexpensive nursing intervention, can be used easily as a complementary technique in reducing pain along with other methods. While some studies have demonstrated pain to decrease after music, others found music to be ineffective on pain. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of music on postoperative pain in patients under open heart surgery. Patients and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was performed on 60 patients under open heart surgery referred to ICU of Shahid Beheshti hospital in Kashan city. Patients were randomly divided into two groups including experimental and control groups. Patients in music group listened to nonverbal music for 30 minutes after surgery by headphones. The control group did not receive any intervention other than routine care. Before and after intervention, pain intensity was measured and recorded by visual analog scale in two groups. Data was analyzed using Chi-Square and t-tests. Results: Before intervention, the mean of pain intensity was 6.32 ± 0.21 and 6.10 ± 0.21 for experimental and control groups, respectively; and the difference was not significant (P = 0.21). After intervention, the mean of pain intensity was 3.11 ± 0.12 and 5.81 ± 0.38 for experimental and control groups, respectively; and the difference was significant (P = 0.04). Conclusions: Listening to the relaxant music can reduce postoperative pain. It is suggested that relaxant music be used as a complementary method in patients in order to reduce prospective pain

Effects of glycerin oil and lavender oil massages on hemodialysis patients� restless legs syndrome

Objectives: To determine the effects of glycerin oil and lavender oil massages on hemodialysis patients� restless legs syndrome (RLS). Methods: Ninety hemodialysis patients with RLS were randomly allocated into two intervention groups and one control group, each consisting of 35 participants. The control group received routine care, and the intervention groups received effleurage massage with lavender and glycerin oil in addition to routine care for one month. RLS intensity was measured among the three groups using the Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale. Results: At the beginning of the study, the results showed no significant difference among the three groups� scores. At the end of the study, the mean RLS scores were significantly lower in the intervention groups compared to the control group (F = 63.4, p � 0.001). This difference was not significant between the two intervention groups; nonetheless, the differences between the control and lavender oil groups, as well as the control and glycerin oil groups, were significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings showed the effectiveness of the oils through the effleurage massage for reducing RLS in a sample of hemodialysis patients. © 2019 Elsevier Lt

Pilates exercises and quality of life of patients with chronic kidney disease

ABSTRACT Background and purpose: There is a need to investigate the effects of pilates exercises on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of pilates exercises on the QOL of CKD patients. Materials and methods: For this randomized controlled clinical trial, we enrolled 50 CKD patients. The participants were randomly assigned to experimental ( n = 25) and control ( n = 25) groups. Modified classical pilates exercises were performed by the experimental group three times a week over a 12-week period. The Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF) questionnaire was completed by all participants at the beginning of the trial and two months after completion of the intervention. Data analysis was conducted using Chi-square, independent t-test, and paired t-test. Results: There were significant increases in the scores of QOL dimensions in the experimental group after the intervention (p ≤ 0.05). Comparison of the mean differences at the beginning and two months after the study in the two groups showed that the scores related to QOL dimensions in the experimental group were significantly greater than the control group ( p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicated the pilates exercises can be valuable for improvement of CKD patients ’ QOL. Keywords: Chronic kidney diseases Pilates exercises Quality of lif

Effects of glycerin oil and lavender oil massages on hemodialysis patients’ restless legs syndrome

Objectives: To determine the effects of glycerin oil and lavender oil massages on hemodialysis patients’ restless legs syndrome (RLS). Methods: Ninety hemodialysis patients with RLS were randomly allocated into two intervention groups and one control group, each consisting of 35 participants. The control group received routine care, and the intervention groups received effleurage massage with lavender and glycerin oil in addition to routine care for one month. RLS intensity was measured among the three groups using the Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale. Results: At the beginning of the study, the results showed no significant difference among the three groups’ scores. At the end of the study, the mean RLS scores were significantly lower in the intervention groups compared to the control group (F = 63.4, p ≤ 0.001). This difference was not significant between the two intervention groups; nonetheless, the differences between the control and lavender oil groups, as well as the control and glycerin oil groups, were significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings showed the effectiveness of the oils through the effleurage massage for reducing RLS in a sample of hemodialysis patients. © 2019 Elsevier Lt

The effect of tactile-kinesthetic stimulation on growth indices of healthy neonates

Abstract Therapeutic touch is emphasized by healthcare professionals for improvement of neonates' growth and development. However, inconsistencies exist regarding effects and methods of massage in neonates. The purpose of this clinical trial is to assess and comprise intervention and control groups regarding the effects of tactile-kinesthetic stimulation (TKS) by mothers on growth indices of healthy term neonates. Sixty healthy term neonates were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. Mothers of neonates in the experimental group were trained to perform TKS for their newborns at home before feeding for at least 28 consecutive days, two times a day, and 15 min each time. Neonates in the control group were not required to receive this intervention. The neonates’ growth indices were measured within 24 h after birth, and then at days 14 and 28. During the study and the three consecutive measurements, no significant difference was found between the mean weights, heights, and head circumferences of the neonates in the two groups (p > 0.05). Keywords: Tactile-kinesthetic stimulation Growth indices Neonates Mother's touc

Comparing the effect of pure and impure honey on severity of pain, amount of bleeding, and duration and interval of menstrual cycles in female students with primary dysmenorrheal

Dysmenorrhea is a common problem especially in young women that can have adverse effects on quality of life. Aim: to investigated the effect of pure and impure honey on severity of pain, amount of bleeding, and duration and interval of menstrual cycles in female students with primary dysmenorrhea. Method: The current study was a single-blind crossover design which was carried out on 60 female students with primary dysmenorrhea. After menstrual initiation, one group took pure honey until next menstrual period and after a 10 day wash-out period started to take impure honey till the initiation of the subsequent menstrual cycle Then dysmenorrhea was assessed using Visual Analgesic Scale (VAS). The similar process was performed by impure honey in the second group. The effects of pure and impure honey were measured on severity of pain, amount of bleeding, duration and interval of menstrual periods in two groups. Data were analyzed Using SPSS software (v. 14) by AONAVA test. Results: A significant difference was observed in the severity of pain following taking pure honey in group one (p=0.002). However, this difference was not significant in this group following taking impure honey (p=0.4). In the second group, similarly, significant difference was found in severity of pain after taking pure honey (p=0.004). Conclusion: Pure honey consumption in women, who suffer from primary dysmenorrhea, reduces significantly the severity of pain and amount of bleeding. It can be considered as an alternative treatment approach in affected women

Effects of Pilates exercise on general health of hemodialysis patients

Pilates is a type of exercise which has recently drawn exercise and health experts' attention. They have noticed that it can improve hemodialysis patients' general health. A clinical trial study was performed. Fifty hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. A demographic information questionnaire and a general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) were completed by the two groups at the beginning of the study. Then, modified Pilates exercises were carried out in the intervention group three times a week over a period of eight weeks. At the end of the study, the GHQ-28 questionnaire was completed by the two groups. In the intervention group, the difference between the mean scores of general health before (45.24 ± 9.9) and after (31.2 ± 6.9) the intervention was significant (p � 0.002). After the intervention, the difference between the mean scores of the control (1.6 ± 1.3) and intervention (14 ± 0.78) groups was also significant (p � 0.001). © 2016 Elsevier Ltd

The effects of acupressure on primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of acupressure on primary dysmenorrhea in Iranian medical sciences students. Design: A randomized controlled pre and post-test design was employed to verify the effects of SP6 acupressure on dysmenorrhea. Setting: A total of 30 young college female students with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Intervention: The intervention group received SP6 acupressure during menstruation cycle and the control group received light touch on the SP6 acupoint. Using a Visual Analog Scale, the severity of dysmenorrhea was assessed prior to and immediately, 30 min, 1, 2, and 3 h following treatment. Main outcome measures: Data were analyzed using X2, t-test and ANOVA statistical tests. Results: Significant differences were observed in the scores of dysmenorrhea between the two groups immediately after (3.50 ± 1.42 vs. 5.06 ± 1.43, p = 0.004) and also 3 h after treatment (1.66 ± 1.98 vs. 4.80 ± 1.37, p = 0.000). Conclusions: Acupressure on the SP6 meridian can be an effective non-invasive nursing intervention for alleviating primary dysmenorrhea and its effects last for 3 h post-treatment. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd

The effect of Pilates exercises on general health in women with type 2 diabetes

There is a lot of evidence that proves exercise therapy as an effective method to improve general health in patients with type 2 diabetes. One of these methods that has recently drawn exercise experts and physiotherapists' attention toward itself and extensively been expanding is Pilates exercise. The present study was aimed at determining the effect of Pilates exercises on general health in woman patients with type 2 diabetes.Materials and Method: In this clinical trial study, 70 women suffering from type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into an experimental group (35 patients) and a control group (35 patients). A demographic information questionnaire and a general health one (GHQ28) were utilized to collect the required data. First, general health in both groups was measured before the intervention. Then, modified Pilates exercises were carried out in the experimental group twice a week over a period of 8 weeks. During the same period, the control group received conventional medications. Afterwards, general health in both groups was measured again. Finally, the collected data were analyzed through SPSS 17.0 software. Data analysis was carried out through Independent and Paired samples t-tests and chi-square test. Results: Mean health score in the experimental and the control groups were respectively 43.07±11.72 and 29.6±12.43. In this regard, Independent samples t-test proved a significant difference (p=0.003). There was also a significant mean difference between both groups' health aspects including physical symptoms (p=0.01), anxiety (p=0.003), social dysfunction (p=0.001), and depression (p=0.04) before and after the intervention. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, it is concluded that Pilates exercises can be utilized as an effective and safe method to improve general health in patients with type 2 diabetes. The results introduced Pilates exercises as an effective method for patients with type 2 diabetes