Oral supplementation with crocin (a constituent of saffron) in subjects with cigarette smoking: a clinical trial.

Smoking is one of the main causes of death in the world. Cigarette use is related with various components of metabolic syndrome (e.g., insulin resistance, raised blood pressure, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, inflammation state) and psychiatric disorders. This study was conducted to determine the effect of crocin (Cro) supplementation on nicotine dependence, anxiety, depression, and metabolic indices in smokers. A total of 50 smokers were selected and randomly categorized into two groups (crocin and placebo). The intervention group received crocin (30 mg per day; n = 25) and placebo (containing Avicel; n = 25) once a day. The primary (nicotine dependence, depression, and anxiety inventory) and secondary (metabolic indices) outcomes were assessed at the start of the intervention and after the 3 months. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the treatment effects on the outcomes adjusting for confounding variables. The primary outcome results such as nicotine dependence, depression, and anxiety inventory did not have a significant difference among the intervention groups (P > 0.05). Also in the secondary outcomes, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels did indicate a significant difference by Cro intervention (ß - 3.27 mg/dL; 95% CI, - 5.23, - 1.31; P = 0.002; ß - 0.76 µIU/mL; 95% CI, - 1.38, - 0.15; P = 0.01; ß - 0.18; 95% CI, - 0.29, - 0.07; P = 0.002), respectively. There were also significant reductions in serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (ß - 0.72 mg/L; 95% CI, - 1.37, - 0.07; P = 0.03), compared with the placebo. Cro intake may have favorable effects on the level of FPG, insulin, HOMA-IR, and hs-CRP in smokers. However, due to the small sample size and limited scientific reports on smokers, further studies are necessary. ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: IRCT20170420033551N11.

A study on improving nursing clinical competencies in a surgical department: A participatory action research.

Aims: The purpose of the present study was to improve clinical competencies in nursing staff in a selected surgical department in Kashan/Iran during 2016-2018. Design: This was a participatory action research. Methods: This action research was implemented in four steps of problem identification, planning, action and reflection. Interviews, focus groups and observation were used for the qualitative part. Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II, job satisfaction and patients' satisfaction questionnaires were completed before and after the study. Qualitative content analysis, paired and independent t test were used for data analysis. Results: Three main problems could affect the clinical competencies including professional insufficiency, basic shortages and external influences. Three changes were implemented in the surgical department including improving education, involving nursing students in patients' education and increasing the motivations by peer evaluation and selecting the nurse of the week. The changes significantly increased patients' satisfaction, nurses' job satisfaction and work effectiveness.

Psychometric Testing of the Persian Version of the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II (CWEQ-II-PV).

BACKGROUND: Structural empowerment (SE) is an effective method of advancing work environments and has previously been widely discussed in Western countries. Due to the lack of culturally and academically accepted scales in Iran for measuring SE, localization of a foreign scale in this field is necessary. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at investigating the validity and reliability of the Persian Version of the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II (CWEQ-II-PV) among Iranian nurses. METHODS: The present cross-sectional methodological research was conducted during 2017-2018. Participants were 230 nurses working in four teaching hospitals affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences in Kashan, Iran, who were selected using quota sampling. A standard forward-backward translation procedure according to Wild et al. (2005) was used to translate the English Version of the CWEQ-II to Persian. The psychometric evaluation processes were achieved by face, content, and construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]). Reliability was examined using test-retest and Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency reliability. RESULTS: The CWEQ-II-PV showed good content validity (the mean content validity scores for relevancy, clarity, and simplicity were 94%, 96%, and 94%, respectively). In the CFA, the original six-factor version with 19 items was confirmed. The original model was presented and incorporated in the CFA, indicating an acceptable fit for the model (root mean square error of approximation = 0.06, comparative fit index = 0.92, goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.94, and adjusted GFI = 0.91). Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total scale was 0.84 and for each component ranged from 0.71 to 0.87, indicating good internal consistency, and the test-retest Spearman and intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.93 and 0.87, respectively, showing good test-retest reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence was found to support the reliability and validity of the CWEQ-II-PV scale that measures the quality of the work environment for nurses from a SE perspective.

The effects of guided imagery on state and trait anxiety and sleep quality among patients receiving hemodialysis: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects ofguided imagery on state and trait anxiety and sleep quality among hemodial ysis patients. DESIGN: This was a randomized controlled trial. A total of seventy hemodialysis patients were assigned through block randomization to either an intervention group to receive guided imagery or a control group to receive routine care services. SETTING: The study was performed in the hemodialysis unit of Akhavan teaching hospital, Kashan, Iran. INTERVENTION: In addition to routine care services, patients in the intervention group received guided imagery six times a week for four successive weeks via listening to a guided imagery instructional compact disk and following the instructions. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: Before and four weeks after the intervention, state and trait anxiety and sleep quality were measured via Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: The results of analysis of covariance showed that the intervention and the control groups significantly differed from each other respecting the posttest mean scores of state anxiety (adjusted mean difference: -9.11; 95% CI = -10.26 to_-7.96; P < 0.001), trait anxiety (adjusted mean difference: -8.94; 95% CI = -10.31_to -7.57; P < 0.001), and sleep quality (adjusted mean difference: -0.877; 95% CI = -1.51_to -0.24; P < 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Guided imagery can significantly alleviate anxiety and improve sleep quality among hemodialysis patients. Nurses are recommended to use guided imagery to alleviate hemodialysis patients' anxiety and improve their sleep quality.

Predictors of Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care in an Orthopedic and Urologic Population.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is a multi-dimensional concept that can be influenced by social, cultural, and economic factors. This study was designed to evaluate the determinants that could predict patient satisfaction with nursing care in an orthopedic and urologic Population at a selected surgical ward in Kashan, Iran during 2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 250 male patients with orthopedic and urologic diagnosis that were hospitalized in men surgical ward of Shahid Beheshti hospital affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Patients satisfaction was assessed by a researcher-made questionnaire. The data was analyzed by the independent t-test, analysis of variance, correlation, and multiple regression analysis statistical tests. RESULT: The mean score of patient satisfaction was 136.05±48.10 (possible range 45-225). The age, marital status, education, diagnosis, the length of stay in the hospital, and the verbal communication of nurses with patients showed a significant correlation with patient satisfaction (P<0.001). Regression analysis revealed that age (P=0.013), marital status (P<0.001), education level (P=0.038), the length of stay in hospital (P=0.002), and verbal communication (P<0.001) could make a meaningful model with patient satisfaction in surgical wards. CONCLUSION: Many personal and professional factors can determine patient satisfaction in orthopedic and urologic population. Verbal communication between nurses and patients is an important factor for patient satisfaction.

Comparing the Effect of Concept Mapping and Conventional Methods on Nursing Students' Practical Skill Score.

BACKGROUND: Development of practical skills in the field of nursing education has remained a serious and considerable challenge in nursing education. Moreover, newly graduated nurses may have weak practical skills, which can be a threat to patients' safety. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to compare the effect of concept mapping and conventional methods on nursing students' practical skills. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 70 nursing students randomly assigned into two groups of 35 people. The intervention group was taught through concept mapping method, while the control group was taught using conventional method. A two-part instrument was used including a demographic information form and a checklist for direct observation of procedural skills. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, independent samples t-tests and paired t-test were used to analyze data. RESULTS: Before education, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the three skills of cleaning (P = 0.251), injection (P = 0.185) and sterilizing (P = 0.568). The students mean scores were significantly increased after the education and the difference between pre and post intervention of students mean scores were significant in the both groups (P < 0.001). However, after education, in all three skills the mean scores of the intervention group were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Concept mapping was superior to conventional skill teaching methods. It is suggested to use concept mapping in teaching practical courses such as fundamentals of nursing.