Effects of Auriculotherapy on Gestational Hypertension: Randomized Controlled Trial Study.

Background: This study aims to observe how auriculotherapy acts as a nonpharmacological treatment for pregnant women's gestational hypertension. Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial. Eighty patients were with gestational hypertension recruited and divided into control (n = 40) and intervention (n = 40) groups. The control group just received the usual perinatal care. The intervention group received one month of auriculotherapy in addition to the usual care. Blood pressure was measured before and 15 minutes after rest in both groups twice a week. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests. Results: The mean systolic blood pressure, based on the Mann-Whitney test, was not statistically significant between the two groups before the intervention and in the first two weeks after the intervention (p >0.05); however, after the third week of intervention, the mean systolic blood pressure in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p <0.001). As per the Mann-Whitney test, the mean diastolic blood pressure was not statistically significant between the two groups before the intervention and the first week after the intervention (p <0.05). However, after the second week of intervention, the mean diastolic blood pressure in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and this decrease was highest in the fourth week of the intervention (p <0.001). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that auriculotherapy would reduce blood pressure in pregnant women suffering from hypertension.

Effect of acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on labor pain in nulliparous women: a randomized controlled trial / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To examine the effect of acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ACUTENS) on labor pain in nulliparous women. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted at Razi Hospital in Qazvin, Iran between January and July 2018. After the screening process, 144 out of 184 pregnant women were selected by convenience sampling and assigned to an intervention group or a control group by the block randomization method. The intervention group received ACUTENS at Hegu (LI4), Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Neimadian (Extra) during various stages of delivery in addition to routine labor care at the delivery room. For the control group, the same routine labor care was performed alone. The severity of pain was assessed in the two groups using the visual analog scale (VAS). The data were analyzed using R software (ver. 4.0.2) and repeated measurement analysis of variance. Results: ACUTENS reduced the mean score of pain intensity in the first stage of labor in the intervention group more than that in the control group (P<0.001). Also, the mean scores of pain intensity in the second stage of labor, episiotomy, and one hour after delivery in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: ACUTENS at Hegu (LI4), Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Neimadian (Extra) can decrease the intensity of labor pain in nulliparous women. It can be used as a non-pharmacological method for reducing pain in and after labor.

Effects of Benson's relaxation technique on occupational stress in midwives.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of Benson's relaxation technique on occupational stress in midwives working in a Labor and Delivery (L&D) unit. METHODS: This pre- and post-quasi-experimental study involved 65 midwives with a minimum 1 year of experience using convenience sampling. After training, the participants performed Benson's relaxation technique twice a day for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Occupational stress was measured using standard questionnaires of occupational stress. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov goodness-of-fit test, Student's t-test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that Benson's relaxation technique may be effective in reducing occupational stress among midwives in L&D units.

Effect of Acupressure on Dynamic Balance in Elderly Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Balance disorders are common in the elderly and are a major cause of falls. This study aimed to determine the effect of acupressure on dynamic balance in elderly women. METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 72 elderly women in Qazvin, Iran. The intervention group received rotary massage using the thumb at the pressure points for 4 weeks, 3 times a week for 20 minutes each session. Dynamic balance in both groups was measured before, 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention using timed up and go test and the step test. Data were analyzed using two way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 67.34 ± 6.30 with a range of 60 to 80 years old. The results showed statistically significant improvement in the dynamic balance quantified by timed up and go test (%Δ = 26.53) and step test for the right (%Δ = 35.22) and left (Δ% = 32.62) legs (p < .001). However, in the control group, no significant change was observed in the dynamic balance after completion of the program. CONCLUSION: The results support that acupressure therapy can be an effective, safe, and inexpensive method to improve the dynamic balance and maintain maximum autonomy of the elderly.

Effect of Perineal Massage with Ostrich Oil on the Episiotomy and Lacerations in Nulliparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Perineal lacerations resulting from vaginal delivery may cause short and long complications, which lead to some problems in women after the delivery. Ostrich oil is safe for use in skincare and beauty products. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of perineal massage with Ostrich oil on the episiotomy and lacerations in nulliparous women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 77 nulliparous women referred to Razi Hospital in Qazvin (Iran) from May to December 2018. After screening of potential participants, 80 out of 105 pregnant women were selected by convenience sampling and were assigned into the intervention and control groups by block randomization technique. In the intervention group, participants received a perineal massage with Ostrich oil in the active phase and the second stage of labor. The rates of episiotomy and perineal laceration were compared between the two groups. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, t-test and Mann-Whitney. RESULTS: Perineal massage with Ostrich oil in the intervention group significantly decreased the rate of episiotomy compared to the control group (χ2 = 18.32, df = 1, p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in perineal lacerations between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that perineal massage with Ostrich oil could be recommended as an effective, safe, and inexpensive method to improve the rate of episiotomy in vaginal delivery. Perineal massage can be performed by midwives in the first and second stages of labor.

Comparison of the effect of vitamin E, vitamin D and ginger on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea: a single-blind clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common problems for women, especially during their reproductive age. Various studies have examined the effects of vitamins D and E and ginger supplements. This study aimed to investigate the individual effects of each of these supplements on dysmenorrhea. METHODS: This single-blind clinical trial was conducted in 2016 on students aged 18 to 25 years who complained of mild to severe dysmenorrhea. The participants were randomly assigned into 4 groups: vitamin D, vitamin E, ginger, and placebo. The effects of the supplements on the severity of dysmenorrhea were evaluated in 2 successive cycles using the visual analog scale (VAS) and a questionnaire. RESULTS: Initially, 240 female students were enrolled in the study; thereafter, 40 students were excluded from the study owing to follow-up loss. The average VAS score for dysmenorrhea in the entire study population was 7.13±0.80 before the intervention; the mean VAS score after the first and second months of supplement use was 5.37±1.51 and 4.93±1.48, respectively. The highest reduction in pain severity was observed in the ginger group (F=74.54, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D, vitamin E, and ginger significantly reduced the severity of dysmenorrhea, with ginger having the most significant effect followed by vitamin D and vitamin E. Given the low risk of these supplements, more studies must be conducted on their use as opposed to analgesics.

Meconium Amniotic Fluid is Associated with Endomyometritis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether MSAF is associated with endometritis after delivery. METHODS: This cohort study was conducted from 2012 to 2013 in Kosar Hospital of Qazvin, Iran. All women with cesarean delivery (1239 women) beyond 37 weeks of gestational age participated in the study. Data were collected on rates of endomyometritis, quality of amniotic fluid and were analyzed with bivariate and multivariate statistics. Probability values of <.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: We found that among 1239 women with cesarean delivery at term 2.34 % were diagnosed with endometritis. Compared with deliveries with clear amniotic fluid, those with MSAF had higher rates of endomyometritis (1.5 vs 3.2 %, P < .04). CONCLUSION: We found that the presence of MSAF is associated with puerperal infection even when being controlled for confounders.

Monitoring the copper content of serum and urine in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is an important cause of maternal and perinatal mortality worldwide. The etiology of this relatively common medical complication of pregnancy, however, remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the copper concentrations in serum and urine samples of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women to establish the possible contribution of this parameter to the etiology of this condition. Ninety-five preeclamptic and 92 normotensive pregnant women were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. The Cu content of serum and 24-h urine was compared among the women. The individual samples were analyzed for copper by atomic absorption spectrometry. The obtained data were recorded and analyzed statistically using t test, X2. Comparing the Cu concentrations in serum and urine samples of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women, significant differences between the two groups were observed. Obtained results of this study revealed that Cu content of serum and urine is increased in preeclamptic pregnancy.