[ effect of honey mouthwash on the prevention mucositis due to head and neck radiotherapy]

Mouthwash helps prevent and treat mucositis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of honey mouthwash in the prevention mucositis due to head and neck radiotherapy. In this clinical trial, single blind study, 80 patients with head and neck radiotherapy who attended in radiotherapy ward in Shafa Hospital, Kerman, 1389, was investigated. Applying simple sampling technique, the cases were selected and randomly divided into two groups of control and experiment. The experiment group [N=40] would gurgle 5 spoons of honey mouthwash after tooth brushing, and control group [40] used water as mouthwash. In this 14-day study, subjects' mouths were examined regarding mucositis, based on WHO grading scale on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days. Data were then analyzed applying SPSS, v.16 and employing Fisher exact test, and Mann-Whitney test. In the experiment group, in the units under study the severity of mucositis was mild in the first day [42.94] and lacking mucositis in both the 7th [62.84] and 14th [68.6%] days. In the control group, the severity was mild in the 1st day [29.5%] in the most units under study, and was mild and moderate in the 7th [29.4%] and 14th [32.4%] days, respectively. There was a significant difference between 2 groups regarding mucositis intensity in the first, seventh and fourteenth days [P<0.000]. Since mucositis can be easily prevented by using mouthwash, honey mouthwash can be applied to prevent mucositis and reduce its intensity in head and neck-radiotherapy units.

Effect of acupressure on patients' anxiety and vital sign before abdominal surgeries

Anxiety is one of the emotional conditions among patients scheduled for surgery that can result in increasing postoperative pain, increasing analgesic and anesthetic requirements and prolonging hospital stay. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of acupressure [acupuncture without needle] in reducing patients' anxiety before abdominal surgeries. In this randomized, blinded, sham controlled trial, 70 patients who were scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery in Tehran University of Medical Sciences' hospitals were selected using convenience sampling method. The patients were randomized to an acupressure group [n=35] or a placebo group [n=35], receiving acupressure either at the right points [Yintang and Shen men] in acupressure group or at sham points in the placebo group for 10 min. Anxiety was recorded on a Visual Analog Scale [0-10]. Vital signs were measured before and after pressure application in both groups. The anxiety was decreased in both groups following pressure application for 10 min [P<0.001]. The amount of anxiety was significantly different between the groups [P<0.001]. The heart rate, respiratory rate, and diastole/systole pressure [P<0.001] were decreased in the case group. Only heart rate [P=0.016] and respiratory rate [P=0.007] were decreased in the placebo group. Changes in respiratory rate and systole pressure following pressure application were statistically significant between two groups. Acupressure at the right points can decrease anxiety before abdominal surgeries but it has no clinical effect on vital signs

Relationship between preventive behaviors and knowledge regarding cardiovascular diseases

Modification of unhealthy life style is a preventive method in cardiovascular diseases. It seems that education which results in enhancing knowledge would improve the life style. For developing effective educational plans, it is required to evaluate the knowledge and performance of the patients. So, this study aimed to determine the relationship between the teachers' preventive behaviors and their knowledge on cardiovascular risk factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted in five zones of Ministry of Education in Tehran. Seven hundred and three teachers participated in the study. Multi-stage sampling was used to gather data using a self-report questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, risk factors of CAD, and related modifiable behaviors. Data were analyzed using Pearson coefficient test to determine correlations. The results showed that the majority of participants [67%] had good knowledge on cardiovascular risk factors with the mean scores of 15.20+2.63 out of 20. Stress was found to be the most recognized risk factor [95.3%]. Knowledge about diabetes [61.2%] and gender [17.6%] were in the lowest level. Regarding prevention, just 27.7% of the participants reported healthy nutrition. Some of the patients [35.6%] exercised regularly and majority of them [77.7%] were not active or passive smokers. Pearson coefficient did not find any significant relationship between knowledge level and preventive behaviors among teachers. According to our findings, teachers' knowledge level on cardiovascular risk factors was good; but it did not result in healthy practice. Therefore, providing effective educational programs about healthy life style can improve their daily life practices, as well as it can affect the knowledge and practice of their students about prevention of CAD

Effect of nurse-led telephone follow ups [Tele-Nursing] on diet adherence among type 2 diabetic patients

Diabetes education does not assure adherence to diabetic regimen. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nurse-led telephone follow ups [Tele-Nursing] program on adherence to diabetic diet among type 2 diabetic patients. This was a quasi experimental study. Sixty patients who were registered at Iranian Diabetes Society were selected using convenience sampling method. Data gathering instruments included a data sheet to record glycosylated hemoglobin and a questionnaire. Data were gathered at baseline and 12 weeks after the intervention. First, all participants attended in a three-day self-care education and dietary consultation program at Iranian Diabetes Society. Then, they were randomly assigned to the experiment and control groups. Telephone follow ups were applied in experiment group for 3 months, twice a week for the first month and then weekly for the second and third months. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13. Results showed that there were significant statistical differences between control and experiment groups in adherence to diabetic diet [P=0.035]. There were significant differences in glycosylated hemoglobin between control and experiment groups after the intervention [P<0.000]. According to the results of the study, it is concluded that the nurse-led telephone follow ups can improve HbA[1c] and diet adherence in type 2 diabetic patients

Correletes of age, sex and postoperative homodynamic status with extubation time after coronary artery bipass graft

Mechanical ventilation after open-heart surgery is one of the essential practices in patients. Awareness about some variables which are associated with extubation time; is necessary for decision making about the appropriate time for this procedure. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sex, age and postoperative homodynamic status are associated with extubation time after Coronary Artery Bipass Graft [CABG]. The research was conducted in a university-affiliated hospital in Tehran. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected by reviewing of 93 records of eligible patients by convenience sampling method. Data collecting tool was a checklist and data analyzed by chi-square and regression analysis. Fourty three percent of patients were extubated in 6 hours or less and 57% of them were extubated in more than 6 hours after surgery. The mean of intubation time was 7.19 +/- 3.00 hours, with a range of 3.00-18.25 hours. Age was the only variable that was found to be statistically significant to extubation time [P<0.05]. According to the findings, age is associated with intubation time after CABG. Therefore, nurses should take into the account this factor to make decision regarding the time of extubation in older patients

[Preoperative variables associated with extubation time in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery]

Decreasing mechanical ventilation and early extubation after cardiac surgery are the important scientific subjects that their clinical and financial benefits had been demonstrated. There are some variables that are associated with extubation time so, determination of them will help nurses to plan appropriate care aimed at doing an early and safe extubation. The purpose of this descriptive-analytic study was to determine whether any preoperative variable had a significant effect on extubation time after CABG. The research was conducted in one of hospitals in Tehran city. In this retrospective study, data were collected by reviewing of files of eligible patients who were undergoing CABG from December 2003 to March 2005. 93 files reviewed by convenience sampling method. Collecting data tool was a checklist consists of three parts: 1] demographic characteristics 2] health and disease history 3] physiologic status. Samples divided into two groups: early and delayed extubation [>6h]. Data analysis was performed by descriptive methods, chi square, fisher exact test and regression analysis. Mean and standard deviation of duration time of intubation was 7.19 +/- 3.00 with range of 3-18.25 hours in all samples. Totally 43% of subjects extubated in 6h. Age was the only preoperative variable that was found to be statistically significant to extubation time [p=0.01]. According to our findings age is associated with postoperative intubation time after CABG. It means older patients need to be under long mechanical ventilation. So, nurses should make a decision on extubation in older patients, carefully