[Assessment the synergism effect of acupoints on preoperative anxiety]

To assess the effectiveness of acupressure [acupuncture without needle] and synergism of acupoints in reducing and maintaining patient's anxiety before abdominal surgeries. Participants in this randomized controlled trial were 70 patients who were scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery. Patients were randomized to an acupressure group or a placebo group, received acupressure either at the right points or at sham points for 10 mins. Anxiety [recorded on a Visual Analog Scale [0-10]] measured before, following pressure application and 30 minutes after intervention in both groups. The anxiety decreased in both group following pressure application for 10 min [P<0.001], but these effect sustained 30 mins after intervention only in acupressure group [P<0.001] not in placebo group. Comparison anxiety in following pressure application and 30 mins after intervention between groups was significant. Acupressure at the Yintang and Shen men points can decrease the anxiety level in patients before abdominal surgeries and sustained lower for 30 mins

effect of relaxation techniques on anxiety of patients with myocardial infarction

The myocardial infarction [MI] is the result of the present world situation and the patients suffering from this clinical condition are among those who are in need of the relaxation techniques. To determine the effect of relaxation therapy on the anxiety of patients with MI. This clinical trial was conducted on 45 patients who had MI and were admitted to CCU wards in hospitals affiliated to Ministry of Health [Tehran] during the period of 2000- 2001. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of Suggestion, Imagination and Talking. Prior to employment of the said techniques, the patients' anxiety was recorded through the Spielberger Standard Questionnaire and the demographic and vital signs of each patient was also registered. The said techniques were applied to different groups for three consecutive days and the vital signs were checked and recorded at the end of each session. On the day 3, each patient was also requested to fill in the anxiety questionnaire [Standard] again. The data was indicative of a statically significant difference [P<0.01] between vital signs [systolic/diastolic blood pressure, pulse and breathing] and also between the states of anxiety preand post application of the techniques [P<0.01]. All three techniques were shown to be effective on reduction of patients' anxiety. Nevertheless, the application of talking technique produced more prominent response compared to other techniques