Effects of virtual reality and acupressure interventions on pain, anxiety, vital signs and comfort in catheter extraction processes for patients undergoing coronary angiography: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pain and anxiety management in patients undergoing medical and surgical procedures is an important competence area for nurses. AIM: This study aimed to determine and compare the effects of virtual reality and acupressure interventions on pain, anxiety, vital signs and comfort levels in the process of femoral catheter extraction for patients undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS: The study was a single-blind, three-group, randomized controlled trial conducted in the cardiology clinics of a university hospital in 2021. A total of 153 patients (51 virtual reality, 51 acupressure, 51 control) participated in the study. Data were collected using a Visual Analogue Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, a vital signs follow-up form and the Perianesthesia Comfort Scale. RESULTS: Both intervention groups had significantly lower pain and anxiety scores, as well as higher comfort scores, compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The virtual reality group had lower systolic blood pressure, respiratory rate and pulse rate than the control group (p < 0.05). The acupressure group had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and respiratory rate than the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: While neither intervention group was found to be superior to the other, both interventions improved vital signs and comfort levels by reducing pain and anxiety.

Correlation of plasma metabolites and comorbid illnesses with poor sleep quality in patients with coronary heart disease.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the relationship between plasma metabolites (biochemical parameters) and comorbid illnesses with sleep quality in individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between 2020 and 2021 at a university hospital. Hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of CHD were analyzed. The Personal Information Form' and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to collect data. Laboratory findings including plasma metabolites were examined. RESULTS: Of 60 hospitalized patients with CHD, 50 (83%) had poor sleep quality. A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between the plasma metabolite blood urea nitrogen and poor sleep quality (r = 0.399; p = 0.002). The presence of CHD and additional chronic diseases (especially diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease) are important parameters associated with the risk of poor sleep quality (p = 0.040 < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increases in blood urea nitrogen level in individuals with CHD are associated with worse sleep quality. Additional chronic diseases coexisting with CHD correlate with increased risk of poor sleep quality.

Investigation of Postoperative Risks of Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: To examine the risks of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in breast cancer patients. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study was conducted in the surgical oncology department of a tertiary hospital between June 2020 and December 2020. A total of 83 female patients who were scheduled for surgical treatment for breast cancer were included in the study. The patients were evaluated using the Patient Evaluation Form created by the researcher by scanning the literature, the VAS Pain Rating Scale, and the Apfel Risk Scoring System. FINDINGS: A significant relationship was found between age and PONV at the 2nd, 4th, 8th, 24th and 48th hours after surgery (respectively: P = .00, P = .00, P = .00, P = .00, P = .00). There was a significant correlation between the duration of surgery and PONV at 0 hour, PONV at first oral intake and PONV at 4 hours (respectively; P ˂ .01, P ˂ .01). The highest rate of PONV of all time (50.6%) at the 0th hour when the VAS scores of the patients was the highest. The PONV rate at the 48th hour was the lowest of all time periods (1.2%) (respectively; P ˂ .01, P ˂ .01). CONCLUSIONS: While women with breast cancer who have undergone mastectomy have the highest risk of postoperative and nausea vomiting in terms of age and pain severity, the duration of the operation and the first oral intake time also pose a risk. Nurses play a key role in the quality of care, patient safety, and patient satisfaction. It is recommended that institutions create evidence-based strategies and take necessary precautions in the preoperative evaluation of patients in terms of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Possible Effect of Video and Written Education on Anxiety of Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate possible effects of video and written education on anxiety of patients undergoing coronary angiography. DESIGN: The study design was quasi-experimental. METHODS: This randomized controlled semitrial model included patients who underwent coronary angiography between October 2015 and May 2016 at the Department of Cardiology of a university hospital. The number of subjects determined by power analysis was 90 patients in three groups. Written education, video education, and control groups were included. Data were collected using personal information forms, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and physiological variables. FINDINGS: There was a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of state anxiety, satisfaction, and physiological variables after education, compared with baseline, in both patient and control groups (P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: Our study results suggest that education given by the nurse before the procedure reduces level of anxiety and affects physiological variables positively.