Journal of Hayat

The effect of lavender inhalation aromatherapy on pain, anxiety and sleep quality in patients following orthopedic surgery: A randomized clinical trial

Amir Musarezaie

Background & Aim: Postoperative pain, anxiety and sleep disturbances are common among patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, often leading to increased physical complications and substantial healthcare costs. Given the rising interest in non-pharmacological methods such as aromatherapy, this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of lavender inhalation aromatherapy in alleviating pain, anxiety and enhancing sleep quality in patients post-orthopedic surgery.
Methods & Materials: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in 2022 at a trauma center in Isfahan, involving 80 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Eligible patients were recruited through consecutive sampling and were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=40) or the control group (n=40). The intervention included inhalation of 100% pure lavender essential oil over a period of three days, while the control group received standard postoperative care. The study employed the Standard Spielberger anxiety questionnaires, the St. Marry’s Hospital Sleep Questionnaire (SMHSQ), and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for data collection. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and one-way repeated measures analysis of variance, utilizing SPSS software version 26.
Results: Post-intervention analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the average scores of anxiety and sleep quality between the intervention and control groups (P<0.001). Additionally, the average pain scores exhibited significant differences at all time points across both groups (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The findings show that lavender aromatherapy significantly reduces pain and anxiety while improving sleep quality in patients following orthopedic surgery. Given these positive effects, the integration of this cost-effective and easily accessible intervention is recommended as a complementary treatment, alongside conventional methods.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20111002007692N3

The effect of a family-centered empowerment model on mothers’ parenting self-efficacy regarding the growth and development of toddlers

Mahbobeh Sajadi

Background & Aim: Children are a particularly vulnerable group, and mothers' knowledge and awareness play a crucial role in fostering their developmental progress. Insufficient knowledge of the cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of child development may lead to a decrease in parental self-efficacy. This study aims to investigate the effect of a family-centered empowerment model on mothers' self-efficacy regarding the growth and development of toddlers.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2022 at Amir Kabir Hospital in Arak. A total of 72 mothers of hospitalized toddlers were selected and randomly assigned to either a control group (n=36) or an intervention group (n=36) through block randomization. The control group received standard hospital care, while the intervention group participated in a five-session, family-centered empowerment model program, with each session lasting 60 minutes. Data were collected using demographic questionnaires and parenting self-efficacy assessments, administered before the intervention, immediately after, and one month post-intervention. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, incorporating both descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: The results showed that the mean self-efficacy scores before the intervention had no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.416). However, post-intervention, the mean parenting self-efficacy scores demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the groups (P<0.001). Additionally, the mean parenting self-efficacy scores measured one month after the intervention also showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The family-centered empowerment model significantly improved mothers' self-efficacy. It is recommended as an effective approach for improving the management of children's growth and development.

The effectiveness of body percussion rhythmic exercises on the balance and cognitive flexibility in the elderly

Fatemeh Rezaee

Background & Aim: Aging is often accompanied by a decline in cognitive and motor performance. Various interventions have been proposed to improve cognitive function and balance, with recent approaches focusing on cognitive-motor training methods. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of body percussion rhythmic exercises on the balance and cognitive flexibility of the elderly.
Methods & Materials: This clinical trial utilized a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The study population comprised healthy male seniors from a neighborhood hall, a center for the elderly in Kashmir, during 2022-2023. A total of 60 elderly men, aged 60 to 75 years, were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group, with each consisting of 30 participants. Data were collected using the Sharpened-Romberg test, the Timed Up and Go test, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. The intervention group participated in 36 sessions of rhythmic body percussion exercises based on the BAPNE method, while the control group continued with their regular daily activities. Data were analyzed using multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA) in SPSS version 19.
Results: The results showed that rhythmic body percussion exercises significantly enhanced static balance (F=232.31, ƞ²=0.83, P=0.004), dynamic balance (F=359.68, ƞ²=0.86, P=0.002), cognitive flexibility (the number of categories achieved) (F=11.45, ƞ²=0.16, P=0.001) and preservatives errors (F=108.77, ƞ²=0.65, P=0.001) in the elderly.
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that rhythmic body percussion exercises improve both balance and cognitive flexibility in the elderly. Therefore, these cognitive-motor exercises are recommended for the elderly population.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20220704055369N1

Improving the health-related quality of life of children with congenital heart disease undergoing corrective surgery: The impact of a family-based care transition program

Parvaneh Vasli

Background & Aim: Postoperative care presents diverse needs that affect the quality of life in children with congenital heart disease. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of a family-based care transition program on the health-related quality of life of children with congenital heart disease undergoing corrective surgery.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study involved 78 mother-child dyads diagnosed with congenital heart disease and undergoing corrective surgery at the Shaheed Rajaie Cardiovascular Hospital in Tehran. The samples were divided to one of two groups: an intervention group (n=40) and a control group (n=38). Convenience sampling was employed to select participants during the 2023-2024 period. Data were collected using the TNO-AZL Preschool Quality of Life Scale across four assessment stages. The intervention group participated in 11 sessions of the family-based care transition program, while the control group followed routine discharge protocols. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22, employing independent t-tests, the Bonferroni test, and both one-way and two-way repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results: Within-group comparisons showed a significant increase in quality of life scores for both the intervention and control groups (P<0.001), with the intervention group indicating a more pronounced improvement. However, between-group comparisons showed no significant differences in quality of life scores at baseline, immediately post-intervention, or one month post-discharge. Notably, a significant difference was observed three months post-discharge (P=0.003).
Conclusion: The implementation of a family-based care program may improve the health-related quality of life of children with congenital heart disease undergoing surgery. These findings suggest that pediatric nurses can utilize family-centered interventions to improve the health-related quality of life of these children.

The relationship among distress tolerance, spiritual well-being, mother-child interaction and health-related quality of life, mediated by parenting stress and family functioning in mothers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Hadiseh Bayat

Background & Aim: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most debilitating challenges faced by families and children affected by this disorder. It reduces the functioning of both affected individuals and their families, especially mothers. This study aims to explore the relationships among distress tolerance, spiritual well-being, and mother-child interaction, and their effects on health-related quality of life, mediated by parenting stress and family functioning in mothers of children with ADHD.
Methods & Materials: This is a descriptive-correlational study conducted with mothers of children diagnosed with ADHD in Tehran in 2022. Participants were selected through convenience sampling, resulting in a sample of 250 mothers. Research tools included a demographic information questionnaire, the Simons Distress Tolerance Index, the Paloutzian and Ellison Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire, the Pianta Mother-Child Interaction Questionnaire, the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Abidin Parental Stress Questionnaire, and the McMaster Family Functioning Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24 and AMOS software version 24.
Results: The results showed an inverse relationship between distress tolerance and quality of life (r=-0.67), spiritual well-being and quality of life (r=-0.65), mother-child interaction and quality of life (r=-0.51), and parenting stress and quality of life (r=-0.62). Conversely, a direct relationship was identified between distress tolerance and parenting stress (r=0.73). Additionally, parenting stress and family functioning served as mediators in the relationship between distress tolerance and quality of life.
Conclusion: The results indicate that increased distress tolerance in mothers of children with ADHD correlates with a decrease in quality of life and an increase in parenting stress. Moreover, enhanced family functioning appears to facilitate greater distress tolerance.

Effect of Orlando’s theory-based nursing care on the level of situational anxiety in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

Abbas Shamsalinia

Background & Aim: Anxiety is a significant psychological concern for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Orlando's nursing theory offers a framework for nursing interventions to mitigate this anxiety. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a nursing intervention based on Orlando's theory on the level of situational anxiety in patients undergoing CABG.
Methods & Materials: This clinical trial was conducted in 2023 at Fatemeh-Zahra Hospital in Sari. A convenience sample of 70 patients scheduled for CABG was recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n=35) or a control group (n=35). The intervention group received nursing care based on Orlando's theory the evening before surgery, in addition to standard care. The control group received only standard care. Situational anxiety was measured using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) (assessing situational anxiety) before the intervention and again on the morning of the surgery. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test, Chi-square test, independent t-tests, and paired t-tests in SPSS version 21.
Results: Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in mean situational anxiety scores between the intervention and control groups (t=1.31, P=0.196). However, following the intervention, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (49.29±5.29 vs 59.08±6.52; P<0.001). Specifically, the intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in situational anxiety compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The results suggest that a nursing intervention based on Orlando's theory can effectively reduce situational anxiety in patients undergoing CABG. Therefore, it is suggested that nursing managers consider implementing educational programs based on this model to address situational anxiety in CABG patients.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20230528058319N1

The effect of individually designed energy conservation training on empowerment in self-care and quality of life among patients with heart failure

Marziyeh Asadizaker

Background & Aim: Patients with heart failure often experience inadequate self-care and diminished quality of life, leading to significant constraints in their daily personal and social activities. This study aims to evaluate the effect of individually designed energy conservation training on enhancing self-care capabilities and improving the quality of life for patients with heart failure.
Methods & Materials: This randomized clinical trial was conducted from June 2022 to May 2023 and involved 60 heart failure patients in the CCU and cardiology ward, as well as cardiovascular clinic at Shahid Madani and Shohadai Ashayer Hospital in Khorramabad, Lorestan. Based on established inclusion criteria, participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=30) or the control group (n=30). The intervention group received individually designed training in four sessions, each lasting 30 minutes, spaced over three weeks (total duration of nine weeks). In contrast, the control group received standard nursing education upon discharge. Participants completed the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire both prior to the intervention and at the tenth week post-intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24, employing the Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon test, independent t-test, and chi-square tests.
Results: After the intervention, the intervention group demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in mean scores for self-care and quality of life compared to the control group (P<0.001). These findings indicate an enhancement in self-care practices and an improvement in the quality of life.
Conclusion: Individually designed energy conservation training effectively improves self-care and quality of life in patients with heart failure. Therefore, using this complication-free, non-pharmacological approach can be beneficial for this patient population.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20220612055150N1

The effect of a family-centered empowerment model on the hopefulness of parents with mentally retarded children

Golbahar Akhoundzadeh

Background & Aim: Raising a mentally retarded child imposes significant psychological and economic burdens on families, which can adversely affect their sense of hope. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a family-centered empowerment model on the hopefulness of parents with mentally retarded children.
Methods & Materials: This clinical trial was conducted in 2023 in Aliabad Katol, focusing on parents with mentally retarded children. A total of 48 participants were selected through simple random sampling from a list of these parents and were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Pre-test and post-test evaluations were conducted before and after the intervention. The intervention group participated in six family empowerment sessions, while the control group received routine care training. Data were collected using the Schneider's Hope Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23, employing univariate analysis of covariance, paired t-tests, and independent t-tests, with a significance level set at 0.05.
Results: In the intervention group, the average age of mothers was 36.27±8.07 years, compared to 34.83±5.12 years in the control group. The average age of children was 11.88±2.88 years in the intervention group and 10.16±1.94 years in the control group. No significant difference was observed in the mean hope scores between the intervention and control groups prior to the intervention (P=0.582). However, post-intervention, the mean hope score significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (P=0.021). After controlling for pre-test scores, a significant difference emerged between the groups (P<0.001, Eta=0.48), indicating that 48% of the variance in parents' hopefulness scores could be attributed to the effects of the family-centered empowerment model.
Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of the family-centered empowerment model in enhancing parents' hopefulness, as well as the crucial role that parents play in caring for mentally retarded children, this low-cost and effective intervention should be incorporated into programs aimed at supporting and empowering these parents.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20191229045934N1