Caffeine and Sleep in Preventing Post-spinal Headache: Which One is More Effective?

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine the effects of caffeine consumption and sleep on post-spinal headache after spinal anesthesia. BACKGROUND: Post-spinal headache is among the most well-known and common complications of spinal anesthesia. Although caffeine consumption is recommended to prevent headache after spinal anesthesia, caffeine does not prevent headache and causes sleep-related problems. No study in the literature found a correlation between sleep and caffeine consumption after spinal anesthesia and post-spinal headache. METHODS: The research is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The study sample comprised 425 patients who underwent elective surgery in a research hospital. The research data were collected by face-to-face interviews between April 2021 and December 2023. The "Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics Form," "Richard-Campbell Sleep Scale," "Insomnia Severity Index," and "Visual Analog Scale" were used in data collection. Factors affecting post-spinal headache were determined using binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: According to the binary logistic regression, the insomnia severity score (OR = 1.234; p < .001), sleep quality score (OR = .992; p < .01), postoperative sleep duration (OR = .619; p < .05), and not consuming coffee (OR = .035; p < .001) are statistically significant predictors of post-spinal headache and explain 57.7% of the variance. A one-unit increase in patients' insomnia severity increased the probability of experiencing a post-spinal headache by 23.4%. With a one-unit increase in sleep quality, there was an 8% decrease in the probability of experiencing spinal headache, and a 3.81% decrease in the probability of experiencing post-spinal headache with an increase in sleep duration after surgery. The probability of experiencing post-spinal headache was 0.35 times higher in individuals who did not consume caffeine after surgery than in those who consumed it. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that insomnia severity and sleep quality were more effective than caffeine consumption in preventing post-spinal headache. Insomnia and decreased sleep quality may cause a significant burden in developing post-spinal headache in patients and may cause post-spinal headache to be observed more frequently. Therefore, the use of caffeine in preventing or reducing post-spinal headache may adversely affect the duration and quality of sleep and increase the severity of insomnia.

The Effect of Informing Patients Who Will Undergo a Colonoscopy via Short Messaging Service on the Procedure Quality and Satisfaction: An Endoscopist-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The present research was carried out to determine the impact of informing patients who would undergo a colonoscopy via short messaging service (SMS) on the procedure quality and satisfaction. DESIGN: The study was designed as a randomized controlled experimental and single-blind. METHODS: The study was completed with 170 patients (87 in the control group and 83 in the intervention group). Verbal and written information about bowel preparation was provided to all patients at the first appointment. Additionally, a total of nine informative SMS, including the time of colonoscopy, dietary restrictions to be followed, purgative drugs to be used, and the time of taking the drugs, were sent to the patients in the intervention group starting 2 days before the procedure. Data were collected using a patient questionnaire, Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS), and postcolonoscopy follow-up form. FINDINGS: The mean score of each colon segment and the total BBPS mean score of the patients in the intervention group were higher compared to the control group, and the difference between them was statistically significant. The percentage of patients with adequate bowel preparation was significantly higher in the intervention group (84.3%) in comparison with the control group (71.3%). The intervention group had high compliance with a clear diet, enema application, and oral medication intake (P < .05). The cecum was reached in 85.5% of the intervention group. The majority of the patients (89.2%) in the intervention group reported that the information provided via SMS was adequate, and 91.6% were satisfied with the information provided by SMS. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that, in addition to written and verbal information provided before colonoscopy, SMS information positively impacts the quality of patients' bowel preparation, increases their compliance with the preparation instructions, the rate of reaching the cecum, and their satisfaction. Patient education with this practice can help ensure adequate bowel preparation quality and increase patient comfort in the colonoscopy procedure.

Pain, Sleep Disturbance and Smoking Among Patients with Covid-19 Presenting to the Emergency Department.

AIM: The study aimed to determine the pain, sleep disturbance, and smoking among patients with Covid-19 who were presented to emergency departments. METHOD: This descriptive research was conducted between November 2020 and December 2021. The study population comprised 400 patients with COVID-19 who were presented to emergency departments at Ataturk University Research Hospital and Erzurum City Hospital and who agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected by the researcher via face-to-face interviews. Personal Information Form, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, Insomnia Severity Index, and McGill Pain Scale Short Form were used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics were presented as number, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Parametric and nonparametric methods (t-test, Kruskal-Wallis Variance, Mann-Whitney U test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to compare variables between the groups. Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant authority prior to data collection and oral consent was obtained from all patients. RESULTS: It was determined that 52.5% of the patients were smokers; 24% of the smokers reported a decrease in smoking after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Nicotine addiction was found to be higher in men, tradesmen, and patients aged 55-64 years. McGill pain scale emotional sub-dimension scores were higher in women, whereas the sensory sub-dimension scores were higher in married patients. McGill pain scale total scores were higher in women, unemployed patients, and those with chronic diseases. Insomnia severity index was higher in women, smokers, and patients in the age group of 65-75 years. CONCLUSION: According to the results of the present study, pain, smoking, and sleep disorders in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were affected by socio-demographic characteristics.

The effect of virtual reality on pain, anxiety, and fear during burn dressing in children: A randomized controlled study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: Virtual Reality (VR) can be used during painful procedures in children. This research was conducted to determine the effect of VR on the pain, anxiety, and fear levels experienced by patients during burn dressing. METHODS: A randomized between groups study design was used to test whether VR reduced pain, fear, and anxiety during burn wound cleaning. The experimental (VR group) (n = 33) and the control group (n = 32) were determined using the simple randomization method for the children participating in the study (n = 65). The data were collected using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, Children's Fear Scale, and State- Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children. In addition, oxygen saturation and heart rate measurements were recorded before and after the procedure. RESULTS: Using a between groups t-test, burn injured children in the group that received virtual reality (M = 2.6, SD = 1.9, SE= 0.21) showed significantly less pain intensity during burn wound care than the No VR control group (M = 4.2, SD =1.0, SE= 0.19, t = -5.89, p < 0.005). Similarly, the VR group reported significantly lower fear during wound care (M= 2.24, SD = 1.1, SE=0.19) than the No VR control group (M=3.72, SD = 0.6, SE=0.10, t = 6.70, p < 0.005), and on a scale from 0 to 100, patients in the VR group showed significantly less anxiety (36.46, SD = 8.1, SE=1.40) than patients in the No VR group (M= 53.16, SD = 7.4, SE=1.35, t = 8.52, p < 0.005). Heart rate during wound care was significantly lower in the VR group (M=119.60, SD = 8.1, SE=1.40) than in the No VR control group (M=129.56, SD = 10.64, SE=1.88, t = -4.25, p < 0.005). However, no significant difference in Oxygen saturation was found, (VR = 97.03, SD = 0.90, SE= 0.17, vs. No VR = 96.94, SD = 0.29, SE=0.23, t = 0.326, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: VR is an effective method in reducing pain, fear, and anxiety caused by burn dressing in children aged 7-12. The use of VR during burn dressing was determined to have positive results on some physical and psychological parameters.

Effect of acupressure application on patients' nausea, vomiting, pain, and sleep quality after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nausea, vomiting, pain and insomnia in the postoperative period may cause discomfort, and this may adversely affect the patient's compliance with the treatment. This study was conducted to determine the effect of acupressure on nausea, vomiting, pain, and sleep quality after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled experimental study with a placebo group. The sample comprised 188 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (control:64;experimental:64;and placebo:60). Acupressure was performed on the experimental and placebo groups with a wristband for 24 hours. The data were collected at the 0th, 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th postoperative hours. Data were collected using the patient introduction form, numeric nausea scale, visual analog scale(VAS), verbal category scale(VCS), and Richards-campbell sleep questionnaire(RCSQ). RESULT: The difference between the mean scores of nausea severity and the presence of nausea at the postoperative 0-2, 2-6, and 12-24 hours was statistically significant between the groups and the presence and the severity of nausea was lower in the experimental group (p<0.05). Although not statistically significant, less vomiting was observed in the experimental group patients compared to the control group patients at postoperative 0-2, 2-6, and 12-24 hours. There was no significant difference between the mean VAS and VCS scores of the groups at postoperative 2nd, 6th, and 24th hours (p >0.05). The mean RCSQ total scores of the patients in the experimental group were significantly higher (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Acupressure applied to the PC6 point after laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting and positively affected sleep quality.

The relationship between individuals' use of complementary and alternative medicine during the pandemic in Turkey and their attitudes towards perceived COVID-19 risk.

Introduction: The perceived COVID-19 risk may lead to the use of various complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities to reduce the potential risks of this disease. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between individuals' use of complementary and alternative medicine during the pandemic in Turkey and their attitudes towards perceived COVID-19 risk. Methods: The study was conducted in Turkey between November 2021 and March 2022 and 1003 individuals voluntarily participated. The Personal Information Form, Attitude Towards Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Scale (HCAMS), and Perceived COVID-19 Risk Scale (PCRS) were used for data collection. To evaluate the data descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and Cronbach's alpha reliability analysis were used. Results: In the study, 54.2% of the individuals were found to use CAM during the pandemic, and 56.2% believed that CAM practices were useful in preventing or recovering from COVID-19. It was revealed that 53.8% of the individuals drank herbal tea, 55.2% used religious and spiritual healing to manage, 6.6% used massage, and 10.1% applied aromatherapy. The mean total score of the HCAMS was 28.29 ± 4.99, and the mean total score of the perceived COVID-19 risk scale was 27.78 ± 6.35. A statistically significant positive correlation was identified between the CAM subscale and the emotional risk subscale (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Individuals had a positive attitude towards using CAM during the pandemic period, the risk perception of COVID-19 was high and CAM methods were widely used.The literature should be supported by increasing the current and scientific studies in which CAM methods are questioned and their benefits are investigated during epidemic periods.

Nausea and Vomiting After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Analysis of Predictive Factors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors predictive of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. DESIGN: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. METHODS: In total, 172 patients completed the study. "The Questionnaire Form," "Visual Analog Scale," "Nausea Scale," and "Anxiety Specific to Surgery Questionnaire" created by the researchers were used for data collection. FINDINGS: At the second postoperative hour, 55.8% of the patients had nausea, 20.3% had vomiting and 75% had severe pain. The severity of nausea, vomiting, and pain decreased with time. Age, gender, smoking, motion sickness, postoperative pain, opioid use, preoperative fasting time, time of first postoperative fluid intake and preoperative anxiety score were found to be among the factors predictive of PONV (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: High rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting were recorded.  The factors predictive of PONV can be evaluated in the preoperative period, and PONV can be controlled with early interventions and treatment of patients in the risk group.

Development of the Perioperative Privacy Scale: A Validity and Reliability Study.

PURPOSE: This study aims to develop the Perioperative Privacy Scale and test its validity and reliability. DESIGN: This is a methodological study. METHODS: This study was conducted with 298 patients who were hospitalized in surgical clinics in a university hospital, met the inclusion criteria, and agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected using a personal information form and the Perioperative Privacy Scale developed by the researchers. This methodological study was conducted between August 2019 and March 2020. The items of the scale were determined after a literature review and qualitative interviews with the patients. The draft version created to test the scale's content and face validity was reviewed by 11 experts (faculty members). Six items were omitted from the 37-item pool and revisions were made based on the experts' opinions and recommendations. Data analysis was conducted using the content validity index specially for content validity, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses for construct validity. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha, Spearman Brown, and Guttman's coefficients. FINDINGS: The content validity index of the 16-item scale was 0.87. The scale explained 63.37% of the total variance and consists of 3 subscales. The scale's Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was 0.89, Bartlett's test was χ2 = 3834.2 (P < .05), and Anti-Image Correlation was between 0.74 and 0.97. The goodness of fit values showed that the scale was acceptable. Items and subscales were related with the scale and a three-factor structure was confirmed. Spearman-Brown was 0.87, Guttman Split-Half was 0.87, and Cronbach Alpha was 0.92 for the entire scale. CONCLUSIONS: The Perioperative Privacy Scale is a short scale consisting of 16 items. It can be used in descriptive and experimental studies to assess the thoughts of inpatients in surgical clinics regarding privacy.

Sexual dysfunction in patients after double-J catheterisation: A cross-sectional, prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to examine sexual dysfunction in patients after double-J catheterisation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted in a research and training hospital from June 2020 to February 2021. The data were collected from patients who visited the emergency clinic and were hospitalised in the urology clinic because of renal calculi. The study was completed with 192 patients. The data were collected using a patient introductory form, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) and the 5-item Turkish version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Then data were collected before double-J catheterisation, 1 month after catheterisation and a month after the catheter was removed. The data were evaluated using means, numbers, percentile distributions and the paired samples t test. RESULTS: The patients' sexual function was negatively affected by double-J catheterisation, and this negative effect persisted for a month after removal of the double-J catheter. The differences in the patients' mean IIEF scores and sub-dimension scores before and after double-J catheterisation were statistically significant (P Ë‚ 0.001). A month after the double-J catheter was removed, the difference between their mean IIEF-5 scores was statistically significant (P Ë‚ 0.001). No erectile dysfunction was found in 50.0% of the patients before double-J catheterisation. A month after the catheter was removed, erectile dysfunction was found at different levels in 88% of the patients, and severe erectile dysfunction was found in 60.9% of the patients. CONCLUSION: This study found that double-J catheterisation negatively affects patients' sexual function. Patients experience sexual dysfunction while the double-J catheter is in place and for a month after it is removed.

The compliance of emergency healthcare personnel with isolation precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional questionnaire study.

OBJECTIVES: Isolation precautions are very important for emergency personnel faced with this high risk. This is cross-sectional study carried out to determine the compliance of emergency healthcare personnel with isolation precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The study was carried out in the Emergency Services department of Erzurum Atatürk University and Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital from May 2020 to June 2020. The study population comprised 184 healthcare professionals working in emergency services, and the sample comprised 138 healthcare professionals who agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using the "Healthcare Professionals Sociodemographic Form" and the "Compliance with Isolation Precautions Scale". Percentage distribution, t test, variance analysis (ANOVA), Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to analyse the data. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the ethics committee and the Ministry of Health. RESULTS: Of the participants, 58.7% were male, 37.7% had worked for 1-5 years, 31.2% were nurses and the mean age was 30.78 ± 7.17. Of the participants, 86.2% wanted to receive training on isolation precautions, 87% knew the type of isolation practiced, 81.2% were able to identify suspected patients and 84.1% knew suspected patients were put into isolation. The emergency healthcare personnel's mean score on the isolation precautions compliance scale was determined as 67.63 ± 4.64. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the emergency healthcare personnel had high levels of knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic; however, they had an average level of compliance with isolation precautions.

The effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on the anxiety and sleep quality of patients with COVID-19: A randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on the anxiety and sleep quality of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an experimental study. Its data were collected in the infectious diseases clinic of a research hospital from May to August, 2020. This study was carried out with 67 COVID-19 patients (33 in the experimental group and 34 in the control group). The data were collected using a personal information form, the state-trait anxiety inventory, and the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire. The progressive muscle relaxation exercises were performed twice a day for 5 days with the researcher's supervision. The data were analyzed using means, numbers, percentage distributions, the χ 2 test, the dependent t test, and the independent t test. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups' mean posttest scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (p < 0.05). The in-group comparison of the experimental group found a statistically significant difference between their mean pretest and posttest scores on the State Anxiety Scale (p < 0.05). The in-group comparison of the control group found no statistically significant changes in their mean pretest and posttest scores on the State Anxiety Scale (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The progressive muscle relaxation exercises effectively reduced the anxiety and improved the sleep quality of patients with COVID-19.

The Effect of the Fear of COVID-19 on Healthcare Professionals' Psychological Adjustment Skills: Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance and Psychological Resilience.

As the COVID-19 outbreak is rapidly spreading all over the world, it's secondary consequences will negatively affect both societies and individuals. The target group, expected to be exposed to the secondary negative consequences most intensely during the pandemic process and afterward, is undoubtedly the healthcare professionals. In this research, the impact of the fear that healthcare professionals in Turkey developed against the outbreak of COVID-19 on their psychological adjustment skills is examined, and in this context, the mediating role of experiential avoidance and psychological resilience is examined. In this context, an answer was sought for the question "Does experiential avoidance and psychological resilience have a mediating role in the impact of COVID-19 fear on psychological adjustment skills of healthcare professionals?" The research was carried out with a total of 370 healthcare professionals reached via online data collection method. Structural equation modeling was used in the data analysis process, and as a result, it was determined that the fear of COVID-19 had a negative effect on the psychological adjustment in healthcare professionals; however, psychological resilience was found to have a protective function that limits this effect, and experiential avoidance has a risk factor that aggravates this effect. Findings obtained from the research are discussed in the context of the literature.

Determining the Use of Nonpharmacologic Methods by Surgical Nurses for Postoperative Pain Management and the Influencing Professional Factors: A Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the use of nonpharmacologic methods by surgical nurses for postoperative pain management and to identify the influencing professional factors. DESIGN: A regional survey model. METHODS: The sample of the study consisted of 443 surgical nurses working in regions of Turkey. The data were collected using a personal information form and questionnaire. FINDINGS: Hot-cold application (53.3%), exercise (50.8%), positioning (68.8%), movement restriction (35.7%), resting (55.5%), and distraction (42.2%) were among the methods usually used by nurses. The nurses who were working in the Black Sea region chose the nursing profession willingly, received the training on pain management, and used nonpharmacologic methods at higher rates (P < .030, P < .004, P < .033, and P < .000, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Gender, geographic region of work, choosing the profession willingly, and receiving training on pain management affected the nurses' rate of using nonpharmacologic methods.

Examination of the Relationship Between Elective Surgical Patients' Methods for Coping With Stress and Sleeping Status the Night Before an Operation.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between elective surgical patients' methods for coping with stress and sleeping status the night before an operation. DESIGN: This research was a descriptive and correlational study. METHODS: The study was conducted between November 2016 and February 2017 with 132 patients who were waiting to undergo elective surgery in the surgery clinics of a university hospital. The data were collected using a personal information form, the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ), and the Ways of Coping Inventory (WOC). FINDINGS: This study indicated that the mean RCSQ score of the male patients and patients who were hospitalized at a cardiology clinic and experienced no situation that interrupted sleep the night before the operation was higher, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). Patients obtained a mean score of 46.31 ± 32.21 on the RCSQ. A positive significant relationship was found between the mean scores of the self-confident approach, optimistic approach, and receiving social support, which are subscales of the WOC, and the total mean score on the RCSQ (P < .01). A negative significant relationship was found between the mean scores of the helpless approach and the submissive approach subscales of the WOC, and the total mean score on the RCSQ (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the approaches that the patients waiting for elective surgery used to cope with stress affected their nocturnal sleep status.

Validation of the Turkish Version of the Surgical Fear Questionnaire.

PURPOSE: Preoperative surgical fear is an emotional reaction that can be observed in many patients who are waiting to undergo a surgical procedure. The Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ) was originally developed to determine the level of fear in patients who are to undergo surgery; this study aims to translate the questionnaire into the Turkish language and to test the validity and reliability of this Turkish version. DESIGN: Methodological research model. METHODS: The population of this methodological study included the patients who presented to surgical clinics at a university hospital in Turkey between January and August 2016 and were scheduled to undergo elective surgery; the sample involved 405 patients who met the inclusion criteria. FINDINGS: Results of the analyses showed that the SFQ can be used with two subscales-the S subscale, which shows the short-term consequences, and the L subscale, which shows the long-term consequences of surgery. The mean score of the patients was 18.03 ± 11.44 on the former, 19.52 ± 11.87 on the latter, and 37.55 ± 21.11 for the entire questionnaire. The Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.96 for the SFQ-S subscale, 0.90 for the SFQ-L subscale, and 0.93 for the entire questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the translated SFQ was found to have a similar structure to the original questionnaire and a high level of validity and reliability and therefore can be used in Turkey.

Comparison of Nurses in Two Different Cultures: Who Experiences More Burnout.

PURPOSE: Although burnout occurs in almost all occupational groups, it is mostly observed in professions requiring face-to-face relationships with people, especially among health care workers who deal constantly with problems and expectations of people. DESIGN: The objective of this study was to determine the burnout levels of nurses working in surgical clinics in two countries. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted between June and September 2013. The study's population consisted of 179 nurses working in the surgical clinics of Ataturk University Research Hospital and Iran Urmiyili Shahidmotahari University Hospital. A questionnaire involving descriptive characteristics of nurses and the Maslach Burnout Inventory were used to collect the data. FINDINGS: Nurses working in Turkey had higher mean scores of "emotional exhaustion" and "depersonalization," and a higher mean composite score. Nurses working in Iran had higher mean scores of the subscale "personal accomplishment." Although there was a statistically significant difference between both countries in terms of emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment (P < .05), there was no statistically significant difference between them in terms of mean score of depersonalization and total mean composite score of the inventory (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Nurses working in Turkey experienced more emotional exhaustion and less personal accomplishment compared with nurses working in Iran. In line with this result, improvements in their work environment and conditions are recommended to provide organizational support by fostering job satisfaction, preventing exhaustion by arranging shifts based on workload, and offering psychological counseling services to employees.

Inevitable problems of older people: presurgery information effect on anxiety levels in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was to determine the effect of preoperative patient training on the concern level of patients who would be undergoing cataract surgery. BACKGROUND: Cataract is one of the main causes of blindness in the world. Cataract surgery is located among the quite frequently performed surgeries today. DESIGN: This study was an experimental study. METHODS: The subject pool for this research consisted of patients admitted to the Eskisehir Osmangazi University Medical Faculty Hospital Ophthalmology Department for cataract surgery. The sampling consisted of volunteers who were able to communicate and were deemed suitable patients within the limitations of this study (a total of 100 patients; control group = 50, experimental group = 50). Patient identification forms and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory I-II scale were used as data collection tools. RESULTS: The mean State Trait Anxiety Inventory pretest score for the experimental group was significantly higher than the mean final test score (53·30 ± 7·02 and 27·54 ± 3·25, respectively, p < 0·05). The mean State Trait Anxiety Inventory pretest score of the control group was 53·82 ± 7·42 and the mean final test score was 49·22 ± 13·17; there was no significant difference between these average scores (p > 0·05). However, the mean final test scores of the experimental and control groups were significantly different (p < 0·05). CONCLUSIONS: In the experimental group in this study, informative, educational and planned nursing care had a significant impact on anxiety levels in patients who had cataract surgery. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Although it is not implemented in most hospitals, and implementation in some hospitals is unplanned, systematically planned preoperative education should take place as part of standard nursing practices.

Effect of music on postoperative pain and physiologic parameters of patients after open heart surgery.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of listening to personal choice of music on self-report of pain intensity and the physiologic parameters in patients who have undergone open heart surgery. The study design was quasiexperimental. Patients were selected through convenience sampling in the Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care Unit at a university hospital. The study was conducted with a total of 87 patients who underwent open heart surgery: 44 in the music group, 43 in the control group, ages between 18 and 78 years. Through pretest-posttest design, postoperative first-day data were collected. First, physiologic parameters (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate) were recorded and a unidimensional verbal pain intensity scale applied to all participants. Later, the control group had a rest in their beds while the music group listened to their choice of music for 30 minutes. Physiologic data were then collected and the pain intensity scale applied once more. In the music group, there was a statistically significant increase in oxygen saturation (p = .001) and a lower pain score (p = .001) than in the control group. There was no difference between the groups in the other physiologic parameters. Results of this research provide evidence to support the use of music. Music might be a simple, safe, and effective method of reducing potentially harmful physiologic responses arising from pain in patients after open heart surgery.