The effect of acupressure on fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and stress in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of acupressure on stress, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1C) in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, sixty-six diabetic patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into intervention and sham groups. The intervention group applied self-acupressure to the desired points for a month. The sham group were asked to slightly touch the same points. The DASS-21 and FBG were measured before intervention, 24 h after the intervention for both groups. In addition, HBA1C was measured for both groups before intervention and three months after the beginning of the intervention. Data were analyzed with SPSS 15. RESULTS: Statistical data analysis of 60 patients showed that the mean FBG and the mean stress score of the intervention group reduced significantly after the intervention (p < 0.001) but the mean rate of HBA1C in the intervention group did not differ significantly after the intervention (p = 0.21). CONCLUSION: Acupressure should be considered for diabetic patients to reduce their stress and FBG.

Collaborative Mentoring: Perceptions of a sample of Iranian Nursing and Midwifery faculties.

INTRODUCTION: Mentoring programs have the potential to develop human interaction based on respect, perseverance, and trust. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of a sample of Iranian nursing and midwifery faculty members in Birjand University of Medical Sciences concerning collaborative mentoring. METHODS: Experiences from 17 members were collected using semi-structured interviews. Following the approach recommended by Graneheim and Lundman (2004), a qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the interviews. RESULTS: Two main themes emerged: 'reaching team satisfaction through an engaging mentorship' and 'group journey toward professional actualization'. CONCLUSIONS: As a feasible intervention, collaborative mentoring sessions can be used to improve personal life, professional interaction, and satisfaction of nursing and midwifery faculty members.

The reference value of blood lead level among the general adult population of eastern Iran.

The aim of this study to the estimate the lead concentrations in the blood of the adult population in South Khorasan Province, evaluate factors related to high lead blood concentrations and establish lead reference values (RVs) in our study population. In cross-sectional study, 400 people who lived in the province of South Khorasan in 2017 were selected. Demographic information was collected and clinical examinations were performed. As the geometric means, blood lead concentration (BLC) was expressed, 10th, 50th, 90th, and 95th percentiles, and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the 95th percentile. The upper limits rounded values of the 95% CI with the 95th percentile were applied to calculate RVs. Mean BLC was 6.02 ± 7.41 µg dL-1, median of BLC was 4.4 µg dL-1 (IQR: 2.9-6.5; range 0.9-54.7 µg dL-1). One hundred and twenty-five (31.2%) participants had BLCs between 5 and 10.0 µg dL-1, 40 (10.0%) between 10 and 20.0 µg dL-1, and 15 (3.8%%) over 20 µg dL-1. The RVs for BLC for men and women were 16 [95% CI: 10.13-15.96] µg dL-1 and 15 [95% CI: 9.81-14.45] µg dL-1, respectively. Higher BLCs were significantly associated with age, gender, hemoglobin, white blood cell count, and serum phosphorus concentration. This bio-monitoring study of BLCs in the general population of South Khorasan Province offers important demographic and lifestyle factors-stratified reference data. It is essential to continue efforts to reduce lead exposure.

Data on the attitudes of nurses and patient׳s family regarding the family presence in the intensive care unit in Birjand, Iran.

The presence of the patient׳s family on the patient׳s bedside in the intensive care units (ICU) has been a challenging issue among nurses. Therefore, the aim of the data is to evaluate the viewpoints of nurses and the family of patients on the family attendance at the patient bedside in the intensive care units at the educational hospitals in Birjand City. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 70 nurses working in the intensive care units of the hospitals and 100 members of the family of patients admitted to the intensive care units in 2017. Statistical analysis was carried out by SPSS 16. The findings showed that the average score obtained by nurses and families were 0.46 ± 1.75 and 2.61 ± 0.50, respectively. The data showed that nurses have a negative opinion about the presence of the patients' family regarding the family presence in the Intensive Care Unit ICU (P < 0.001).