Impact of Relaxation Training and Exercise on Quality of Life in Post-myocardial Infarction Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Myocardial infarction (MI) decreases patients’ quality of life (QOL). The present study aimed to investigate the effect of relaxation training and exercise on QOL in post-MI patients. This single-blind, randomized, clinical trial was conducted on 64 post-MI patients at Fatemeh Zahra Hospital in Sari, Iran, in 2013. The study population was divided into two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group received training and was followed-up for 8 weeks at home. The data were collected using MacNew QOL Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS (version 16) using t-test. There were significant differences between the intervention and control groups regarding the mean scores of the three QOL domains. Total QOL showed a significant difference after relaxation program (P≤0.001). Relaxation exercises resulted in the improvement of QOL in post-MI patients. Therefore, nurses are recommended to train these exercises to patients to practice at home

A Cross-Sectional Study Examining the Correlation between Nocturnal Melatonin Level and Sleep Quality in Patients Admitted To the Cardiac Care Unit

BACKGROUND: Quality of sleep, as a basic need, is an important factor for surviving patients in hospitals. Many factors may contribute to disturbing patients sleep, such as continuous ambient light, is required for healthcare providers to monitor patients. Ambient light can influence patients' quality of sleep due to melatonin secretion. AIM: Study aimed to determine the correlation between nocturnal melatonin levels and sleep quality in patients admitted to the Cardiac Care Units (CCU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done on inpatients of CCUs at Amir-Almomenin Hospital in Kordkoy city, a cardiac referral hospital in the northeastern of Iran in 2015. Sixty-eight inpatients were selected through convenience sampling. Before data gathering light level of CCUs was measured every one hour in 2 days, the quality of nocturnal sleep was investigated through Verran and Snyder-Halpern (VSH) Sleep Scale at the second night of admission urinary melatonin level was measured at the same night in all urine excreted between 22:00 pm and 07:00 am. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation (SD) score of sleep quality in three dimensions of sleep disturbance, sleep effectiveness and sleep supplementation were 336.6 ± 149.9, 269.0 ± 82.2, and 175.2 ± 30.7, respectively. Also, the mean and SD of nocturnal urinary melatonin levels was 323.02 ± 136.21 pg/ml. There was not a significant correlation between level of nocturnal melatonin and three domains of sleep quality; sleep disturbance (r = 0.005, P = 0.968), sleep effectiveness (r = 0.090, P = 0.464), and sleep supplementation (r = -0.037, P = 0.763). CONCLUSION: According to the result, most CCUs patients suffer from sleep disturbance. However, there was no correlation between the level of melatonin and sleep quality. There is a need for recognising the reasons for sleep disturbances in Cardiac Care Units. It is imperative for care providers to be able to recognise the causes of sleep disturbances and to modify environmental factors such as ambient light to improve sleep quality in hospitalised patients

Comparison of Serum Zinc Levels between Patients with Schizophrenia and Healthy Individuals

Background and objectives: Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder characterized by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions. Zinc is a neuroactive element released in synapses during neuronal activity and is required for proper functioning of the nervous system, particularly the brain. Serum and tissue concentrations of zinc may reflect various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Evidence suggests a link between zinc level and development of schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to compare serum zinc levels between patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals. Methods: This case-control study was performed on 55 patients (37 men and 18 women) with schizophrenia who were hospitalized in 5 Azar Hospital in Gorgan (Iran) and 55 healthy individuals. The case subjects were selected based on convenience sampling method using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), while the control subjects were enrolled based on the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). The groups were matched in terms of age and gender. Serum concentration of zinc was measured using a commercial colorimetric assay kit (5-Br-PAPS method). Results: Serum zinc concentration did not differ significantly between the patients and the controls (P=0.93). In schizophrenic patients, there was a significant, negative correlation between age and serum zinc concentration (r=-0.298, P=0.027). In both patients and controls, serum zinc level was significantly higher in men than in women (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results, it is recommended to pay more attention to the diet of patients with schizophrenia

Postpartum Depression in Women with Normal Delivery and Cesarean Section Referring to Sayad Shirazi Hospital of Gorgan , Iran

Background and objectives: During the postpartum period, mothers may experience physical and emotional changes. Postpartum Depression (PPD) may affect 10-15% of all women after delivery. In some studies, the type of delivery has been considered as a risk factor for postpartum depression. The present study was designed to investigate and compare the frequency of postpartum depression in women with normal and cesarean delivery. Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 300 women referring to the Sayad Shirazi Hospital. First the Women who had Beck depression inventory score>12 were excluded and then the participants were divided into two equal groups of normal (150) and cesarean (150) delivery. Two weeks after delivery, Beck depression inventory was filled out and data analysis was performed by SPSS software V.16 using, chi-square and Mann-Whitney test. Results: Results showed that 13% of all participants 12.7% of the cases in normal and 13.3% in cesarean groups had postpartum depression. The severity of depression was higher in women with cesarean delivery compared to normal delivery and this difference was significant (mean rank 172.29 vs. 128.71, p<0.0001). There was no significant difference in the level of depression between two groups according to their age, job, parity, baby’s sex, marital satisfaction and wanted/unwanted pregnancy. Conclusion: The prevalence of postpartum depression was higher in women with caesarian delivery compared to women with normal deliver

Effect of essential oil jasmine inhalation on physiological index of laparotomy patients in general surgery department.

Background & Objective: Surgical treatment is one of the most widely used therapies. One of the most important tasks of the medical and nursing team is to reduce the anxiety of patients and subsequently to reduce the vital signs alterations. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Jasmine essential oil inhalation on physiological parameters of patients before laparotomy. Method: This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial that was performed on 84 patients undergoing laparotomy in two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group inhaled two drops of Jasmine essential oil and the control group inhaled two drops of aquapura (sterile water) for one hour which was poured on their collar. Physiological variables including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate of the patients were measured and recorded before and after intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16. Results: The mean age of the intervention group was 35.52 ± 12.73 and it was 36.26 ± 13.39 in the control group. In the pre-intervention stage there were no significant differences in physiological parameters between two groups but after the Jasmine essential oil inhalation, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiration rate variables were significantly different compared to pre-intervention stage (P<0/0001) and this difference was also significant comparing the intervention and control groups (P<0/0001). Conclusion: The physiologic parameters were markedly improved in intervention group after Jasmine essential oil inhalation compared to the control group, which prevented sudden and severe changes in patients waiting for surgery. Therefore, Jasmine essential oil inhalation may be an effective factor in reducing the anxiety and avoiding extreme changes in physiological parameters in patients which could be recommended in clinical situations

Comparing the effects of fluoxetine and imipramine on total cholesterol, triglyceride, and weight in patients with major depression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are some reports on the effects of antidepressants on metabolic syndrome. However, our search in the previously published literature showed a lack of information on the comparison of the effects of different classes of antidepressants on lipid profile. Therefore, this study was aimed to compare the effects of fluoxetine and imipramine on serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) as well as body weight (BW) in patients with major depressive disorder.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifty one patients, 18 to 70 years of age, with major depressive disorder complied with the criteria of this preliminary, open-label clinical trial. Subjects received either imipramine (75–200 mg/day) or fluoxetine (20–40 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Total cholesterol and TG levels, as well as BW were compared at baseline with those at weeks 4 and 8. Data was analyzed by SPSS software version 16.0.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the fluoxetine group, TC levels decreased from 165.71 mg/dL to 156.71 mg/dL at week 4 (P = 0.07), and to 143.94 mg/dL at week 8 (P = 0.16); TG levels decreased from 129.35 mg/dL to 115.88 mg/dL at week 4 (P <0.001), and to 110.41 mg/dL at week 8 (P = 0.56). In the imipramine group, TC levels increased from 169.10 mg/dL to 178.69 mg/dL at week 4 (P = 0.07), and to 208.69 mg/dL at week 8 (P < 0.001) while TG levels increased from 111.73 mg/dL to 128.83 mg/dL at week 4 (P = 0.005), and to 160.90 mg/dL at week 8 (P < 0.001). BW was significantly increased in the imipramine group at weeks 4 and 8. In the fluoxetine group, BW was non-significantly decreased from 75.69 ± 7.97 Kg (baseline) to 75.67 ± 8.01 Kg at week 4 (P = 0.88), and to 75.22 ± 8.67 Kg at week 8 (P = 0.20), while in the imipramine group, BW had significant increases from 72.53 ± 8.55 Kg (baseline) to 73.95 ± 8.61 mg/dL at week 4 (P < 0.001), and to 75.13 ± 8.34 mg/dL at week 8 (P < 0.001).</p> <p>Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant effects on both TC and TG levels as well as on BW in all patients receiving imipramine. However, in patients on fluoxetine, repeated measures ANOVA showed significant effects of this medication only on TC levels in males.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Monitoring TC and TG and BW is recommended before starting imipramine in depressed patients with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Fluoxetine may be the preferred agent in those with high or borderline high lipid levels.</p