[Comparing the effect of two methods of distraction and touch on intensity of pain related to venipuncture in 5-10 years old children]

The pain related to invasive procedures such as venipuncture, causes physical and psychological stress in children and therefore should be given relief. Methods that reduce the pain related to invasive procedures in children are among the major priorities in nursing profession. This study compared the effect of two methods of distraction and touch on pain in 5-10 years old children. It was a randomized clinical trial. One hundred and twenty children, hospitalized in educational hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences were randomly assigned to three groups of bubble blowing, touch and control. The first group was encouraged to play with bubbles before and during venipuncture, the second group received touch peripheral to injection area before and during venipuncture and the third group received routine care. Immediately after injection, pain intensity was assessed by Wong-Baker faces scale. The data were analyzed by Chi-square, ANOVA, and Shefeh tests using SPSS-PC [v.11]. The findings showed that the mean score of pain intensity in bubble making group, touch group, and control group was 5.77, 5.95 and 8.12 respectively. ANOVA test results showed that there is a significant difference between the mean score of pain intensity in control group and touch and bubble making groups [P=0.00]. No significant differences was found between the pain intensity of bubble making and touch groups [p=0.89]. Distraction and touch are effective methods for reducing injection pain in children. These procedures are among easy to use and practical nursing interventions that help children to cope with this common painful experience

Relation between prayer activity and spiritual well being in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Cancer as one of the most common chronic illnesses is a stressful factor affecting physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. Prayer is a source of resistance against these crises, especially in spiritual domain, promoting spiritual well-being. The aim of the current study is to examine the relationship between prayer activity and spiritual well-being in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Three handred and sixty patients who were more than 20 years old, alert to their disease, and able to read and write participated in this study. Data collection was done by Meraviglia's prayer [2002] and Paloutzian and Ellison's spiritual well-being [1982] questionnaires. Data analysis was done by SPSS program. Findings showed that the mean scores of prayer practice and spiritual well being were respectively [94.5 +/- 12.98] and [98.35 +/- 14.36]. Direct and significant relationship was found between prayer practice and spiritual well-being. [p = 0.001, r = 0.61]. Regarding the results that show the relationship between prayer practice and spiritual well being of the patients, nurses should consider prayer as a health promoting strategy in caring programs and choose a comprehensive and holistic approach toward their patients