ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to record and analyze the experiences of infertile women who underwent acupuncture treatment. METHODS: This is a qualitative study in which in-depth interviews were conducted with women who underwent acupuncture as a treatment for infertility from the viewpoint of phenomenology, a method of understanding human behavior in the general human and social context, and grasping the nature of the experience in depth. The study participants were 12 women who had been receiving acupuncture treatment for infertility for more than 3 months. RESULTS: After analyzing the statements of the participants' experiences, the main concerns regarding infertility were "embarrassed by unexpected infertility," "overwhelmed with negative feelings," "blocking and defense," "sex as a duty," and "repeatition of expectations and failures." Significant statements regarding acupuncture treatments were "body warmth," "becoming a body," "care of the mind," "last trust and hope," and "difficulties of waiting." The experience with supporter was love-hate relationships, and the experience of the children's meaning was expressed as "precious beings in life." CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that acupuncture treatment for infertility in women results in positive thinking through changes in the body as well as through increased hope. Participants experienced a feeling of warmth in their bodies, regular menstrual cycle, and reduced fatigue through acupuncture treatment, indicating a state of psychological stability.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aromatherapy on the anxiety, sleep, and blood pressure (BP) of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). Fifty-six patients with PCI in ICU were evenly allocated to either the aromatherapy or conventional nursing care. Aromatherapy essential oils were blended with lavender, roman chamomile, and neroli with a 6 : 2 : 0.5 ratio. Participants received 10 times treatment before PCI, and the same essential oils were inhaled another 10 times after PCI. Outcome measures patients' state anxiety, sleeping quality, and BP. An aromatherapy group showed significantly low anxiety (t = 5.99, P < .001) and improving sleep quality (t = -3.65, P = .001) compared with conventional nursing intervention. The systolic BP of both groups did not show a significant difference by time or in a group-by-time interaction; however, a significant difference was observed between groups (F = 4.63, P = .036). The diastolic BP did not show any significant difference by time or by a group-by-time interaction; however, a significant difference was observed between groups (F = 6.93, P = .011). In conclusion, the aromatherapy effectively reduced the anxiety levels and increased the sleep quality of PCI patients admitted to the ICU. Aromatherapy may be used as an independent nursing intervention for reducing the anxiety levels and improving the sleep quality of PCI patients.
