The effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults: A quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental disorders associated with aging. Positive thinking training is a way to help older adults cope with anxiety and depression and increase their happiness. This study aimed to determine the effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with 48 older adults referred to two comprehensive health service facilities in the southeastern Iranian province of Kerman. The intervention (n = 24) and control (n = 24) groups were randomly assigned from a convenience sample of older adults. The intervention group attended eight two-hour training sessions on positive thinking. Data were collected before and one month after the positive thinking training using Beck Anxiety Inventory and Oxford Happiness Inventory. All statistical procedures were performed in SPSS software (version 22), with the significance level set to P = 0.05. RESULTS: Before the positive thinking program was delivered, the mean anxiety scores in the intervention and control groups were 13.98 ± 8.61 and 19.25 ± 11.67, respectively. After the intervention was completed, the mean scores for the intervention and control groups were 4.50 ± 4.07 and 15.54 ± 9.04, indicating a significant reduction in anxiety among intervention group participants (t = -5.45, P < 0.001). The mean baseline happiness scores in the intervention and control groups were 26.58 ± 12.40 and 37.91 ± 5.57, respectively, which changed to 62.91 ± 4.66 and 35.62 ± 10.62 at the post-test. Positive thinking training improved happiness in a significant manner (t = -4.08, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Results revealed that positive thinking training decreased anxiety and enhanced happiness among older adults. Given the growing elderly population, clinical managers, clinical specialists, nurses in health care centers, and those involved in elderly care facilities can benefit from this non-pharmacological treatment program for older adults suffering from anxiety and depression. It is suggested that preventive programs based on positive psychology be developed to aid in the prevention of people's declining happiness and increasing anxiety as they age.

Spiritual coping strategies: Relationship with physical, anxiety, and depression symptoms of patients with cancer.

Introduction: Spirituality is considered an important source against chronic diseases and can promote self-esteem, mental comfort, and hope in patients. Concerning its importance, the present study aims to investigate spiritual coping strategies and its relationship with physical, anxiety, and depression symptoms of patients with cancer who are referred to the oncologic ward. Method: This was a descriptive-correlative study that 159 patients with cancer participated in the study. Information was collected using a four-part questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, Spiritual Coping Strategies Scale, physical symptoms as well as anxiety and depression symptoms. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: Results of the study showed that the mean (±SD) of the application of methods of spiritual coping strategies was 35.69 ± 10.92 and for its subscales the mean (±SD) of the application of religious coping and nonreligious coping strategies were 16.92 ± 5.6 and 18.77 ± 6.24, respectively. Furthermore, physical symptoms perceived by patients were tiredness, drowsiness, and lack of appetite. There was no significant correlation between physical, anxiety, and depression symptoms and spiritual coping strategies (r = -0.12, P = 0.12; r = 0.07, P = 0.41; and r = -0.05, P = 0.5 respectively). Discussion: Regarding no significant relationship between physical, anxiety and depression symptoms and spiritual (religious and nonreligious) coping strategies in this study, belief towards cancer and cultural aspects of patients may be more essential to their sense of wellness and help them to cope with negative aspects of illness or treatment. Therefore, more study needs to be done in this area.

The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on rejection sensitivity and resilience in patients with thalassemia: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Thalassemia is a genetic and chronic congenital disorder composed of physical problems that severely impair patients' cognitive, psychological and social processes. The rehabilitation of patients is particularly important because they have a high rejection sensitivity and low resilience. The present study aimed to determine the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction counseling on rejection sensitivity and resilience in patients with thalassemia referring to a dedicated disease center in Kerman, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted this randomized controlled trial study on 66 patients with thalassemia referring to the Kerman Thalassemia Center in Kerman, Iran in 2022. Using convenience sampling and the stratified block randomization method, we divided the samples into two intervention (N = 33) and control (N = 33) groups. Patients in the intervention group received eight 60-min online mindfulness-based stress reduction counseling sessions (one session per week) and completed the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire, Adult Version (A-RSQ) and the Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale before and after the intervention. We collected data using the SPSS 25 trial and descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation), Chi-Square test, Independent-samples t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Analysis of covariance. A significance level of 0.05 was considered. RESULTS: We found no significant difference in the mean scores of rejection sensitivity between the intervention (8.75 ± 4.86) and control groups (9.87 ± 5.16) before the intervention. Mean scores for rejection sensitivity were 10.23 ± 4.94 in the control group and 7.11 ± 4.13 in the intervention group after the intervention, the results of analysis of covariance showed that, there was a significant difference between two groups after the intervention (F = 7.52, p = 0.008). The mean resilience score in the control group was 63.69 ± 19.43, while it was 67.72 ± 17.98 in the intervention group before the intervention and there is no significant difference between them, but the mean resilience scores in the control and intervention groups were 58.06 ± 22.81 and 74.18 ± 17.46 after the intervention, respectively. the results of analysis of covariance showed that, there was a significant difference between two groups after the intervention (F = 9.28, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that in addition to other physical treatments, mindfulness-based stress reduction counseling was effective in reducing the patient's rejection sensitivity and increasing the resilience of patients with thalassemia.

The Effect of Acupressure and Cryotherapy on the Pain of Patients on Hemodialysis During Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation: A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial.

Various pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures are used to reduce pain of patients on hemodialysis during an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation. In this randomized, crossover clinical trial, 39 patients randomly received acupressure and cryotherapy. In cryotherapy, an ice cube was used to massage the Hegu point in the hand without the fistula for 10 minutes before AVF cannulation. In acupressure, a moderate pressure with the thumb was applied. The pain score was mild after cryotherapy and acupressure, with no significant difference between the two methods. In addition, acupressure significantly reduced pain compared with routine care, but cryotherapy did not significantly reduce pain compared with routine care. Pain intensity was mild after acupressure and cryotherapy, and neither of these two methods was preferred over the other to reduce the pain during AVF cannulation.

Intensive care unit registered nurses' perceived barriers towards ventilated associated pneumonia prevention in southeast Iran: a cross-sectional descriptive - an analytical study.

OBJECTIVES: Ventilated associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most common nosocomial infection and complication occurring in intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide. This study aimed to assess the ICU registered nurses' perceived barriers towards VAP prevention in southeast Iran. SETTING: This was a cross-sectional descriptive-an analytical study to examine the registered nurses' perceived barriers towards VAP prevention in southeast Iran. PARTICIPANTS: The study population consisted of 242 nurses working in ICU and emergency departments. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The data was collected using demographic characteristics' questionnaire and a researcher-made ventilator-associated pneumonia barriers prevention questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean score of nurses' perceived barriers towards VAP prevention was 2.82±0.46. The highest mean score of perceived barriers were related to items of 'lack of staff', 'lack of a team-based approach to care and interventions', and 'lack of support from management'. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates most of the barriers are related to organisational factors and lack of teamwork. Further studies are needed to obtain more accurate results. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kerman University of Medical Sciences (IR.KMU.REC.1395.908).

Assessing virtual education on nurses' perception and knowledge of developmental care of preterm infants: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: To implement developmental care accurately, neonatal intensive care unit nurses should have a proper understanding and sufficient knowledge in this field. Applying new approaches in education such as offline and online education help nurses improve their skills and knowledge. This study aimed to investigate the effect of virtual education on the perception and knowledge of neonatal developmental care in nurses working in neonatal intensive care units. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest-posttest design with two groups. The participants were 60 nurses working in neonatal intensive care units who were selected using convenience sampling (30 persons in each group). The data were collected before and 1 month after the intervention. The participants in the intervention group received developmental care training using an electronic file uploaded to Navid Learning Management System, while the members of the control group received no intervention. The instruments used to collect the data were the Demographic Information Questionnaire, the Developmental Care Knowledge Scale, and the Developmental Care Perception Scale. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS V25 software. All statistical tests were performed at the significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The Developmental Care perception scores before the intervention in the control and intervention groups were 83.40 ± 11.36 and 84.53 ± 9.48, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference (P = 0.67). Also, Developmental Care perception scores after the intervention in the control and intervention groups were 83.16 ± 13.73, and 94.70 ± 6.89, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). The results of paired t-test showed that the mean knowledge score in the control group before and after the intervention was not statistically significant (P < 0.903), while in the intervention group there was a statistically significant difference between the mean knowledge score before and after the intervention (P < 0.001). The Developmental Care Knowledge scores before the intervention in the control and intervention groups were 52.66 ± 18.08 and 77.16 ± 17.20, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001). Also, Developmental Care Knowledge scores after the intervention in the control and intervention groups were 53.66 ± 26.55and 90.33 ± 13.82, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). The results of paired t-test showed that the mean knowledge score in the control group before and after the intervention was not statistically significant, while in the intervention group there was a statistically significant difference between the mean knowledge score before and after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that virtual education for the developmental care of premature infants plays an effective role in the perception and knowledge of nurses working in the neonatal intensive care unit. Therefore, the development of e-learning packages for developmental care and their availability for nurses can be a step to improve the quality of nursing care for infants admitted to the NICU.

Fatigue, stigma, and mood in patients with multiple sclerosis: effectiveness of guided imagery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of guided imagery on fatigue, stigma, and mood in patients with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: This clinical trial is a double-blind study that was conducted on 60 patients with multiple sclerosis referred to the largest center for special diseases in the southeast of Iran in 2020. The convenience sampling method was used to select the participants who were later divided into two groups of intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30) using block randomization method. The intervention group listened to the guided imagery audio file at home for 25 min. The control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected by demographic information questionnaires, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Reece Stigma Scale for Multiple Sclerosis (RSS-MS), and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) before and one month after the intervention. RESULTS: According to the results, there was no significant difference between the two groups before the intervention in terms of the score of fatigue (P < 0.0 = 67), stigma (P < 0.64), and mood (P < 0.17). However, after the intervention, a significant differences was observed in this regard (P < 0.0001). In the intervention group, the mean score of fatigue decreased from 59.72 ± 18.32 to 35.8 ± 16.15, and the mean score of stigma decreased from 17.31 ± 15.62 to 5.09 ± 8.06, showing a significant reduction in the levels of fatigue (P < 0.0001) and stigma (P < 0.0001) compared to before intervention. Also, the mean score of mood decreased from 36.90 ± 12.21 to 28.55 ± 11.87, indicating an improvement in the mood of samples in the intervention group (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that guided imagery, as a cost-effective method, can decrease the fatigue and stigma, and enhance the mood of patients with MS. Therefore, nursing staff can use this method to improve MS patients' mood and decrease their fatigue and stigma.

Effect of Aromatherapy Massage on Depression and Anxiety of Elderly Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: This study investigated the effect of aromatherapy massage with lavender, chamomile, and rosemary oils on the depression and anxiety of elderly adults living in nursing homes. Methods: This randomized controlled trail was conducted on elderly adults living in nursing homes in Kerman, Iran. Through convenience sampling, 38 elderly adults were recruited and assessed using demographic questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), respectively. Then, elderly adults were randomly allocated to either a control (19) or an intervention (19) group through block randomization. Elderly adults in the intervention group received aromatherapy massage using lavender, chamomile, and rosemary. Each massage session lasted 20 min and was performed three times per week for two three-week periods with an intervening one-week break, while their counterparts in the control group solely received routine nursing homes care services. HADS Scale completed with repeated measurements before the intervention, at the end of the third week, at the beginning of the fifth week and at the end of the seventh week. Results: According to the results, mean anxiety in the intervention group went from 11.9 ± 4 to 6.26 ± 3.38 (p <.0001), and the mean depression went from 9.94 ± 3.2 to 4.15 ± 2.14, indicating that anxiety and depression were significantly reduced compared with before intervention (p <.0001). Conclusion: Aromatherapy massage with lavender, chamomile, and rosemary oils is effective in significantly reducing anxiety and depression of elderly adults living in the nursing homes.

Quality of life and symptom severity in premenstrual syndrome: a quasi-experimental study

OBJECTIVE: The current study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of group counseling on quality of life and symptom severity among university students with Premenstrual Syndrome. METHOD: After filling in PSST and participating in SCID-CV, 120 students answered the demographic and WHOQOL questionnaires. Using classified random sampling, they were divided into control and intervention groups. The Intervention Group participants attended six group counseling ses-sions. They post-tested at two moments (immediate post-test and after one month). RESULTS: The results of the immediate post-test indicated improvements in overall quality and in some domains (p<0.005) in the Intervention Group, and the second post-test showed an improvement in two of the domains (p<0.005). One month later, some symptoms were clearly improved in the Intervention Group (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: Group counseling improved the students' quality of life and severity of the Premenstrual Syndrome symptoms.

Mothers and nurses' perceptions of the family-centered care barriers in pediatric departments of an educational hospital in Iran.

PROBLEM: Family-centered care (FCC) is a concept used to describe an approach to caring for children and their families within health services. This study compared mothers and nurses' perceptions of barriers to FCC. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in an educational hospital affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences at the southeast of Iran in 2019. Using a researcher-designed questionnaire, we assessed mothers' and nurses' perceptions of barriers to FCC with a census method (60 nurses and 82 mothers). FINDINGS: Mothers (49.8 ± 21.1) and nurses' (49.2 ± 16.4) mean scores of the perception of FCC barriers were at a moderate level. No significant difference was found between mothers' and nurses' perceptions of barriers to FCC. A significant relationship was observed between age, child's admission history, and the perception of FCC barriers in the mothers' group. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that national and regional policies of educational hospitals should assess factors contributing to the FCC barriers, focus on how to reduce these barriers, and provide appropriate collaborative care by nurses and the family of patients.

Priorities of palliative care: comparison of perspectives of patients and nurses in a haemodialysis ward in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care is an important branch of nursing care. Patients with end-stage renal disease, owing to the chronic nature of the disease, will require palliative care, with nursing staff being responsible for delivering these services. Understanding the priorities of this type of care from the perspective of patients and nursing staff can be helpful in delivering it effectively and efficiently. This study was conducted to determine and compare palliative care priorities from the perspectives of patients and nursing staff in a haemodialysis ward in Iran. METHOD: This research is a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic study with a sample size equal to the research population (322 patients and 45 nursing staff) in a haemodialysis ward in Kerman, Iran. Data were collected using two self-administered questionnaires that included demographic information and palliative care priorities. Data were analysed using SPSS19 with central tendency and dispersion indicators (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis, independent t, ANOVA and one-way ANOVA). The significance level was P<0.05. RESULTS: The mean total score (± standard deviation) of palliative care priorities from the patients' and nurses' perspective was 268.83±3.90 and 271.11±29.76, respectively, which was categorised for both groups as 'high priority'. From the patients' perspective, the highest mean score was obtained from 'supporting patient with insurance concerns', while the lowest mean score was derived from 'managing diarrhoea'. The nurses also believed that 'managing and relief of pain' had the highest priority and 'bloating' had the lowest priority in palliative care. From the perspective of both groups, holistic support and relief of physical disorders had the highest and lowest mean scores, respectively. Further, the mean scores of palliative care priorities did not differ significantly from the perspective of patients and nursing staff in the haemodialysis ward (P=0.68). CONCLUSION: Palliative care is a high priority for both haemodialysis patients and nursing staff and both groups prioritised it similarly. As palliative care has not yet been initiated formally across all treatment centres in Iran, it is necessary to prioritise its inclusion within the renal and haemodialysis wards in Iran and provide further training or education for nurses to ensure they are equipped to deliver effective and informed palliative care.

Spiritual Needs and Quality of Life of Patients with Cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Information about spiritual needs and quality of life (QoL) is limited in Iranian cancer patients. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between spiritual needs and QoL among cancer patients in Iran. METHODS: This correlational study included a convenience sample of 150 eligible cancer patients who were hospitalized in the oncology wards and outpatient clinics. Using two questionnaires; the spiritual needs survey and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire-C30 data were collected. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 19. RESULTS: Our findings showed that the total mean score of spiritual needs was (64.32 ± 22.22). Among the categories, the lowest score belonged to "morality and ethics" component (2.18 ± 1.64), and the highest score belonged to "positivity/gratitude/hope/peace" component (15.95 ± 5.47). The mean score of QoL was (79.28 ± 19.20). Among the categories, the lowest score belonged to "global health status" component (8.44 ± 3.64), and the highest score belonged to "functional" component (36.57 ± 10.28). Pearson correlation coefficient showed that spiritual needs score positively correlated with QoL (r = 0.22; P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that information about the relationship between spiritual needs and QoL in patients with cancer. It should be improve QoL to meet spiritual need of these patients. In addition, the continuous and in-service education of cancer patients and nurses who work with them can be helpful in this area.

Guided imagery effects on chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in Iranian breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of guided imagery on chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients. DESIGN: This was a quasi-experimental study in which a group of sample was evaluated pre and post intervention. A convenience sample of 55 eligible breast cancer patients enrolled to participate in this study after giving informed consent. They completed the Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Vomiting, before and after the intervention. The intervention consisted of listening to the two guided imagery tracks. FINDINGS: After the intervention, patients at the third session of chemotherapy had significantly lower mean scores in the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting pre and post chemotherapy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Guided imagery, as an inexpensive and noninvasive method, is particularly appealing option to alleviate chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. It can be used in addition to pharmacological strategies and can be implemented by patients independently with sufficient training. Therefore, this therapy will considerably improve severity and frequency of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting.

Spiritual wellbeing and perceived uncertainty in patients with multiple sclerosis in south-east Iran.

BACKGROUND: The increasing incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) over the previous decade in Iran has been examined in the literature. This chronic and unpredictable disease creates psychological impairment, including uncertainty, among patients. It is important to examine the extent of uncertainty experienced by patients with MS and their spiritual wellbeing. It could also be useful to assess the relationship between these two variables. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between spiritual wellbeing and uncertainty among MS patients in south-east Iran. METHOD: The sample in this cross-sectional, descriptive study comprised 200 non-hospitalised patients with MS referred to a disease centre in Kerman (south-east Iran). Using the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS-C) and spiritual wellbeing scale (SWB), data were collected and analysed. RESULTS: The study results showed that the total mean score of SWB was 93.81 (SD=15.25). The mean score of the sub-scale of religious wellbeing was greater than the sub-scale of existential wellbeing (50.80 vs 43.01). The mean score of uncertainty scale was 67.20 (12/35). The highest mean score belonged to the sub-category of ambiguity (32.24±7.90). Pearson correlation test showed that perceived uncertainty score negatively correlated with spiritual wellbeing (r=-0.345; p=0.000), existential wellbeing (r=-0.421; p=0/00) and religious wellbeing (r=-0.172; p=0.015). CONCLUSION: MS patients should be offered opportunities to reflect on their experiences, feelings, actions and reactions to spirituality to enhance the possibility of using their personal experiences as part of positive and constructive learning. The study results suggest that information about spirituality and spiritual care should be included in the continuous and in-service education of MS patients and nurses working with them.