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BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries with complications such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acupressure at PC6 and REN 12 points on vomiting of patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a double-blind, randomised clinical trial performed on 60 patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Using permutation blocks, patients were allocated in two groups (acupressure at PC6 and REN12 points). After the surgery and full patient consciousness, acupressure was applied on PC6 and REN 12 points separately in each group for 5 minutes; 2, 4 and 6 hours later, acupressure was repeated on those points. Two hours after each acupressure, frequency and severity of vomiting were determined. RESULTS: The results showed that there was no significant difference between the frequency of vomiting before the intervention and 2 hours after the intervention in the two intervention groups (P ≥ 0.05). Additionally, none of the two intervention groups experienced vomiting at 4, 6, and 8 hours after the intervention. CONCLUSION: It seems that acupressure at PC6 and REN 12 points are not effective in reducing the frequency and severity of vomiting in patients after inguinal hernia surgery.
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OBJECTIVE: Constipation is one of the most common digestive problems in patients undergoing hemodialysis. It has a negative effect on quality of life in these patients. As routine treatments are not effective in this regard, complementary therapies may help to overcome this condition. This study aimed to investigate the effect of acupressure on constipation in patients undergoing hemodialysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized double- blind placebo- controlled clinical trial conducted in 2014. A convenience sample of 70 patients undergoing hemodialysis was selected from hemodialysis units of three hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Iran. Patients were randomly assigned to intervention or control group. Intervention group received acupressure in acupressure points three times a week for four weeks during hemodialysis. In control group, acupressure was delivered in false points. We assessed the frequency of defecation in the two groups before and after the study. The study instruments consisted of a demographic questionnaire, and a data sheet for documenting constipation frequency. RESULTS: The results indicated a significant difference between intervention group (13.73±3.63) and control group (10.06±3.77) in frequency of defecation during the fourth week of intervention (p<0.001). Regarding quality of stool, there was a meaningful difference between the groups in the fourth week in a way that the stool in the intervention group was more natural and in the control group, it was thicker and more adhesive. CONCLUSION: Acupressure seems to be an effective complementary treatment for constipation in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
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BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death around the world. The coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common diseases in this category, which can be the trigger to various psychosocial complications. We believe that inadequate attention has been paid to this issue. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to explore the psychosocial complications of CAD from the Iranian patients' perspective. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A qualitative design based on the content analysis approach was used to collect the data and analyze the perspective of 18 Iranian patients suffered from CAD, chosen by a purposeful sampling strategy. Semi-structured interviews were held in order to collect the data. Sampling was continued until the data saturation. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis approach by MAXQUDA 2010 software. RESULTS: This study revealed the theme of the patients' challenges with CAD. This theme consisted of: "primary challenges," including doubting early diagnosis and treatment, and feeling being different from others; "psychological issues," including preoccupation, fear of death and surgical intervention, recurrence stress , anxiety and depression; "problems of life," including financial problems, work-related problems, and family-related problems; and "sociocultural issues," including change in perspective of people towards the patient, and cultural issues. CONCLUSIONS: Although the management of physical problems in patients with CAD is important, psychosocial effects of this disease is more important. Thus, health care personnel should pay ample attention to identify and resolve psychosocial problems of these patients. Results of this study can be used to empower these patients.
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BACKGROUND: The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is rising in industrial and developing countries. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common cardiovascular disease. Thus, understanding the signs and risk factors of CAD from the patients' perspective and their ways of dealing with this disease is of vital importance. OBJECTIVES: This qualitative study aimed to explore the Iranian patients' viewpoints about CAD and how they dealt with it in their first encounter. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a qualitative content analysis conducted on 18 patients with CAD. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Initially, purposeful sampling was performed followed by maximum variety. Sampling continued until data saturation. Then, all the interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. After all, the data were analyzed by constant comparative analysis using MAXQUDA2010 software. RESULTS: The themes manifested in this study included "invasion of disease" with subthemes of "warning signs" and "risk factors" and "confrontation strategies" with subthemes of "seeking for information", "follow-up", and "control measures". CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study described the patients' perceptions of CAD and how they dealt with this disorder in early encountering. Based on the results, physicians and nurses should focus on empowerment of patients by facilitating this process as well as by educating them with regards to dealing with CAD.
