[ effect of inhalation of matricaria chamomile essential oil on patients' anxiety before esophagogastroduodenoscopy]

Background: One of the most stressful situations in clinical environments is exposure to invasive diagnostic methods, one of which is the endoscopy of the digestive tract. Endoscopy related anxiety can prevent achieving optimal results. Aromatherapy is one of complementary treatments that can reduce anxiety. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of inhalation of matricaria chamomile essential oil on the anxiety before Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Materials and Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial that was carried out in May 2014 among patients referred to the Endoscopy Department of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad. The population of the study included 152 participants who were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Anxiety was measured by using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI] questionnaire. Then for 20 minutes, the intervention group inhaled matricaria chamomile essential oil and the control group inhaled placebo [sesame oil]. 10 minutes after inhalation, anxiety was again measured and compared between the groups. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 21

Results: The mean age of the participants was 42.05 +/- 4.5 years and 41.33% of them were male. Mean level of anxiety after inhalation in the intervention group was 35.89 +/- 8.40 and in the control group was 39.88 +/- 8.40, which decreased in both groups but in the intervention group the decrease was significant

Conclusion: The findings showed that matricaria chamomile essential oil inhalation was effective in decreasing the anxiety of patients who were candidate for endoscopy. It is recommended to reduce anxiety in stressful situations

[Effect of vibration training and creatine supplementation on neuromuscular]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of creatine supplementation in combination with vibration exercise on physical fitness and neuromuscular performance of elderly women.

Materials and Methods: The study population included women aged over 60 years. For this purpose, 22 healthy elderly females were selected and randomly divided into three groups: vibration exercise with creatine supplementation [n=8], vibration exercise with placebo [n=7], and control [n=7] groups. Vibration exercise with creatine supplementation group, performed exercises which included six posture exercises, based on the principle of overload, for 10 days, with a frequency of 30-35 Hz and amplitude of 5 mm; and at the same time, received 20 grams creatine, for the first 5-day, and 5 grams creatine, for the later 5-day, daily. Vibration exercise with placebo group, instead of creatine, received dextrose. Evaluation factors were the static strength of hands and feet [dynamometer], the dynamic power of leg [knee open device], the static balance [standing on one leg], and dynamic balance [lifted and walking], the lower body performance [30 meters walk, tandem gate and get up and sit on a chair], and flexibility [sit and delivery]. ANOVA and analysis of covariance statistical tests were used to examine the main effects; and post hoc Tukey and Sidak tests, were used to compare pairs of groups [P

Results: The results of ANOVA showed that there was no significant difference between the groups in the static power [P=0.89], lower body function in tandem gate test [P=0.25], and flexibility [P=0.59]; but the static power and performance of leg in 30-meter walk test, was better in vibration exercise with creatine supplementation group than the control group [P<0.016 and 0.02, respectively]. In addition, the results of covariance test showed that there was no significant difference between the groups in the static balance variables [P=0.11] and the getting up and sitting on performances [P=0.68]; but both groups of vibration exercise with creatine supplementation, and vibration exercise and placebo, had better performance in the dynamic balance [P=0.001and P=0.009, respectively], and the dynamic power of leg [P=0.001and P=0.001, respectively], than the control group.

Conclusion: Regarding to the results of the present study, it seems that vibration exercise with creatine supplementation in the short term, can lead to a significant improvement in the static and dynamic power of feet, dynamic balance and 30-meter walk performance in elderly women. Furthermore, it appears that creatine supplementation along with whole-body vibration exercise may have further impact on the static power of leg, and 30-meter walk performance.