Background & Aim: Adverse childbirth experiences as a trauma can evoke fear and post-traumatic stress disorder in some women. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of counseling on post traumatic stress disorder after a traumatic childbirth.

Methods & Materials: This research was a clinical trial which was conducted at Kamaly hospital in Karaj. Samples (300 women) who had experienced a traumatic childbirth were selected by a convenient sampling method and were randomized into an intervention (n=150) and a control (n=150) group. The intervention group received face-to-face counseling within 72 hours of birth for forty to sixty minutes in a session. The control group just received usual care after childbirth. The data collection tool was questionnaire, which was completed via interview. The measuring variables were demographic characteristic, reproductive history, maternity social support, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests (Chi-square, Fisher&aposs exact test, and generalized Fisher&aposs exact test) by SPSS v.13 software.

Results: After 4-6 weeks of follow-up there was no significant difference regarding post-traumatic stress disorder between two groups (P=0.295). At 3-month of follow-up, the intervention group reported less post-traumatic stress disorder comparing with the control group (P=0.001).

Conclusion: A midwife-led counseling plan is effective in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder during a long term.

Background & Aim: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common psychosomatic disorder that affects 30-50% of women in reproductive ages. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a counseling program on premenstrual syndrome related symptoms.
Methods & Materials: This study was a randomized clinical trial in which the effect of a 3-sessioned counseling program on the PMS symptoms were assessed in 123 adolescent with PMS. The program included information providing, life style alteration, and providing stress management skills on symptoms of PMS. The participants were randomly allocated to intervention (n=67) and control (n=61) groups. Participants completed the demographic questionnaire, the PMS symptoms&apos daily record scale, and the symptom checklist 90-revised (SCL-90-R). Data were analyzed using the SPSS-11.5.
Results: The comparison of baseline data showed no significant difference between two groups regarding demographic characteristic and the PMS related symptoms. There were significant differences in the mean of total PMS severity, somatic symptoms (P<0.001), anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, and hostility (P<0.05) between two intervention and control groups. There was not any significant difference in depression between intervention and control groups (P=0.11).
Conclusion: Group counseling resulted in a significant reduction in severity of total PMS, somatic symptoms, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity and hostility in intervention group compared to the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in depression between two groups.

 

Background & Aim: Delirium is a common problem among patients with open heart surgery admitted to intensive care units. This study aimed to assess effectiveness of a multifactor intervention on delirium prevention and length of stay in patients with open heart surgery.

Methods & Materials: In this semi-experimental study, we first recruited 195 patients. Among them, 15 patients were excluded during the study due to different reasons. The participants were divided into to study groups. The implemented intervention included staff education, environment changes, and installation of guideline reminding on ward. Patients were assessed for delirium twice a day using the CAM-ICU scale. Demographic characteristics as well as disease and sleep items were completed by the researchers a day before surgery. Moreover, length of stay was recorded by the researchers. Data were analyzed using Pearson Chi-Square, Independent Samples, and the Fisher&aposs Exact Test.

Results: A significant decrease was found in the incidence of delirium in the intervention group: 11.1% Vs 35.6% (P<0.05). Average length of stay in the control and intervention groups was 6.23 Vs 6.30 days, respectively. Length of stay among patients with delirium and patients without delirium was 7.5 Vs 5.8 days, respectively. Patients with delirium were aged 55 and more in both groups.

Conclusion: Multifactor intervention was effective in decreasing the prevalence of delirium. Educational interventions are recommended to improve staffs&apos knowledge and environment changes.