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Background & Aim: Spiritual care along with other nursing interventions balance body and soul. This study aimed to determine the effect of spiritual care on death anxiety in hemodialysis patients with end-stage of renal disease.
Methods & Materials: A clinical trial (IRCT2016308226961N1) was performed in Hamadan’s Shahid Beheshti and Besat hospitals in 2016. A total of 60 hemodialysis patients with end-stage of renal disease were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention (30 patients) and control (30 patients). In the intervention group, the spiritual care program consisted of protective care, supporting the patient’s rituals and using the support systems, was performed in hemodialysis ward at the patient’s bedside. The control group only received routine nursing care. The Templar’s death anxiety questionnaire was completed by both groups before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics using the SPSS software version 16.
Results: The average score for death anxiety before the intervention between the intervention group (8.10±2.26) and control group (8.53±2.47) had not significant difference (P=0.482), while the average score for death anxiety after the intervention had statistically significant difference (P=0.004) between the intervention group with median value of 8.0 (6.00-8.25) and control group with median value of 9.0 (7.00-10.25), and the patients’ death anxiety reduced in the intervention group.
Conclusion: Spiritual care program reduced death anxiety in hemodialysis patients with end-stage of renal disease. Nurses can use spiritual care program to reduce patients’ death anxiety.
 

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Background & Aim: Anxiety is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in the family of patients with traumatic brain injury. This study aimed to determine the effect of providing information about the patient’s condition on the anxiety level of the family members of hospitalized patients with traumatic brain injury.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 90 family members of traumatic brain injury patients admitted to Shahid Bahonar hospital in Kerman in 2016. The participants were selected by the consecutive sampling method and were assigned to intervention and control groups. In the intervention, the participants were informed by the nurse about changes in the patient’s condition during the first three days of admission to intensive care unit. During this period, the control received routine care. Data collection tool was the Spielberger anxiety inventory. Independent and paired t-test were used to compare the mean scores of anxiety using the SPSS software version 16.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean scores of overt, covert and general anxiety between the two groups before the intervention (P>0.05). However, after the intervention in the experimental group, the mean scores of overt anxiety (45.51±7.26), covert anxiety (45.42±6.51) and general anxiety (90.93±12.72) decreased (P<0.05) compared to the mean scores of overt anxiety (49.22±9.42), covert anxiety (49.02±9.15) and general anxiety (98.24±17.67) in the control group.
Conclusion: Providing planned information on changes in the condition of hospitalized patients with traumatic brain injury can reduce the anxiety of family members of these patients.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20180206038642N2
 

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Background & Aim: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in women and is regarded as a chronic disease with various psychological complications including death anxiety. This study aimed to examine the effect of Benson’s relaxation technique on death anxiety among women with breast cancer.
Methods & Materials: In this randomized clinical trial, 100 patients with breast cancer referred to Velayat Hospital in Qazvin in 2017 were selected using the consecutive sampling and randomly assigned into groups of experimental and control. A questionnaire on demographic information and the Templer Death Anxiety Scale were used. Benson’s relaxation technique was taught to the patients in the experimental group. Afterward, they were asked to perform the technique for three months and were monthly followed up using checklists. The Templer Death Anxiety Scale was completed again by both groups. Data were analyzed via the SPSS software version 23 using descriptive and analytical statistics.
Results: There was no significant difference in demographic variables between the two groups (P>0.05). Before the intervention, no statistically significant difference was observed between the mean scores of death anxiety in the patients of the experimental group (46.4±10.3) and the control group (49.6±10.07) (P>0.05). However, after the intervention, a statistically significant difference was observed between the mean scores of death anxiety in the experimental group (44.5±10.2) and the control group (48.9±11.2) (P<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that Benson’s relaxation technique is effective in reducing death anxiety among patients with breast cancer.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20170610034435N8
 

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Background & Aim: Many patients with cardiovascular disease suffer from some degree of anxiety after admission to the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU). Anxiety adversely affects patients’ recovery. High levels of anxiety increases mortality risk up to three times. This study aimed to determine the effect of pre-operative supportive care plan on anxiety of patients with acute coronary syndrome after admission to CCU.
Methods & Materials: In this clinical trial, 74 patients with acute coronary syndrome, admitted to the Cardiac Care Unit of Vasei hospital of Sabzevar in 2016. Participants were selected via convenience sampling and randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. The control group only received routine nursing care. For the intervention group, besides routine care, the supportive nursing care was delivered on the intellectual, emotional and physical domains. The Beck Anxiety Inventory questionnaire was completed by both groups before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test and independent t-test using the SPSS software version 16.
Results: Before the intervention, no significant difference was observed in the anxiety score between the intervention and control groups (P=0.162). After the intervention, the anxiety score in the intervention group was lower than in the control group (P=0.023).
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, supportive care plan reduced anxiety in the intervention group compared to the control group. Therefore, supportive care plan is recommended for reducing anxiety in these patients.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT2015123025767N1
 

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Background & Aim: Diagnosis of cancer can cause emotional problems such as stress, anxiety, depression and incompatibility with the disease in the patient and his/her family, leading to adverse consequences in the improvement process and an increase in the complications of the disease. Considering the importance of this topic, the study was conducted to investigate the effect of Roy’s adaptation model-based care plan on the severity of depression, anxiety and stress in patients with colorectal cancer hospitalized in the treatment and educational centers of Urmia.
Methods & Materials: In this randomized clinical trial study, 36 patients with colorectal cancer (at the third or fourth stage of disease) hospitalized in the treatment and educational centers of Urmia were selected by a convenience sampling and were assigned to the intervention group or control group in 2016. Data collection tools were a form for assessing the Roy’s adaptation model and the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21). The Roy’s adaptation model-based care plan was administered to the intervention group. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 18 and t test and Chi-square test.
Results: The study results showed before the intervention, the mean scores of depression, anxiety and stress were 12.7±4.5, 13.9±4.8, 16.4±4.7 for the control group and were 15.7±4.5, 13.0±4.6, 12.6±4.2 for the intervention group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). However, after the intervention, the mean scores of the studied variables increased in the control group (13.7±4.8, 13.93±4.9, 17.16±4.4) and decreased in the intervention group (10.46±3.1, 11.00±3.4, 13.8±5.2). There was a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Due to the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress among cancer patients, more cost-effective and non-pharmacological methods such as the Roy’s adaptation model, can be useful to control these complications and create a less stressful environment for these patients.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20160220026662N5
 

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Background & Aim: Postpartum depression disorder is a common psychosocial disorder with negative consequences for the mother and child. On the other hand, attention training technique can be more effective than other techniques for intervention in the cognitive-attention syndrome. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of attention training technique on the symptoms of depression, anxiety and metacognitive beliefs in patients with postpartum depression.
Methods & Materials: This study was conducted in a single-case experimental design using a multiple baseline design in eight sessions during one-, three- and six-month follow-ups on two patients, referred to the psychology and psychiatry unit of Tabriz Red Crescent in 2018. The Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and Metacognitive Beliefs Questionnaire were used to collect the data. Data analysis was performed using the Excel software as a graphical analysis and then based on the percentage of improvement, effect size and clinical significance.
Results: At the end of treatment, a significant reduction was observed in the symptoms of depression (61% remission), anxiety (48% remission) and metacognitive beliefs (83% remission) in patients with postpartum depression.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that attention training technique can be effective in the treatment of patients with postpartum depression. However, further studies are needed in this area.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20171227038096N1
 

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Background & Aim: The experience of approaching death is one of the undeniable facts of aging that can cause fear and anxiety in the elderly. Given that spirituality as a solid base can be a powerful factor in controlling tense situations, this study was conducted to examine the effect of spiritual group therapy on death anxiety in the elderly.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 50 elderly people attending the elderly daily center in Aliabad Katoul (Golestan Province) in 2018. Sampling was done using the convenience method and participants were randomly assigned into either experimental- or control group. The experimental group received spiritual group therapy in 8 sessions within eight weeks. The data were collected using a demographic characteristics questionnaire and the Templer death anxiety scale. Using the SPSS software version 16, data were analyzed through independent t-test, paired t-test and covariance test at a significance level of less than 0.05.
Results: The rate of death anxiety before the intervention in the experimental- and control group were 7.36±3.67 and 7.32±1.65 respectively, which did not show a statistically significant difference (P=0.961). After the intervention, the average score of death anxiety for the experimental group was 5.24±3.28 and for the control group was 7.84±1.92 which showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results, it is recommended to provide the necessary conditions to the elderly to participate in spiritual activities, which can be effective in improving the psychological state of the elderly.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20181207041877N1
 

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Background & Aim: Hysterectomy is one of the most common surgeries in women, which causes many physical and psychological complications including anxiety. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of diaphragmatic breathing and pursed lip breathing on anxiety in women undergoing hysterectomy.
Methods & Materials: In this double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, 126 patients referred to Taleghani hospital of Arak during 2017-2019 were selected by convenience sampling, and then assigned into three groups of diaphragmatic breathing, pursed lip breathing and control using the random number table. Anxiety was measured the evening before the operation (before the intervention), one hour before entering the operating room (after the intervention) and two hours after the operation, using the Spielberger Anxiety Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytic statistics using the SPSS software version 16.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of anxiety scores for the diaphragmatic breathing, pursed lip breathing, and control groups were 55.33±10.49, 55.4±9.84, and 55.07±11.31 respectively, and there was no significant difference between the groups (P=0.983). One hour before going to the operating room (after the intervention), the mean and standard deviation of the anxiety score was 41.98±8.5, 42.43±7.88, and 52.86±11.5, respectively, and after the operation, the scores decreased to 37.79±8.13, 38.07±8.33 and 50.62±11.35 respectively. There was a significant difference between the three groups (P<0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference in the anxiety scores between the diaphragmatic breathing group and the pursed-lip breathing group after the intervention (P=0.999).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed the diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing techniques are effective in reducing hysterectomy anxiety in women. Therefore, using this non-pharmacological approach is recommended to reduce anxiety before and after hysterectomy surgery.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20180103038211N4
 

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Background & Aim: Addiction as a crisis and a chronic long-term disorder can lead to mental health symptoms in the users and their family members, the most common of which are stress, anxiety and depression. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a quality of life intervention on the psychological reactions in family caregivers of addicts.
Methods & Materials: This study is a clinical trial. The research population included the family caregivers of addicts admitted to Baharan psychiatric hospital in 2018. The sample consisted of 80 subjects who were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The caregivers in the intervention group received eight sessions of group counseling based on quality of life therapy and based on specified content, every other day. Eight weeks after the intervention, the data were collected using the DASS-21, and were analyzed by the SPSS software version 21 using paired t test, independent t test, Chi-square and Covariance.
Results: After the quality of life intervention, the mean scores of stress, anxiety and depression in family caregivers in the intervention group (11.50±4.36, 11.05±3.49, 10.57±4.67) were significantly lower than those of in the control group (14.67±4.93, 14.02±4.33, 13.40±4.77) (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in these variables between the two groups before the intervention.
Conclusion: Counseling based on quality of life therapy in this study had a positive and significant effect on reducing the severity of psychological reactions in family caregivers of addicts. Therefore, health care providers are recommended to use this counseling approach along with addiction treatment programs to increase the welfare and psychological well-being of family caregivers.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20160924029954N11
 
 

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Background & Aim: Anxiety is one of the most important mental problems in patients who are candidate for coronary angiography, which can have negative physiological and psychological consequences and ultimately lead to the increased hospital stay, increased patient need for analgesics, increased costs and increased incidence of angiographic complications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of aromatherapy on anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography.
Methods & Materials: In this randomized clinical trial, 80 patients undergoing coronary angiography referred to the post-cath. ward of Shahid Mohammadi hospital in Bandar Abbas in 2018 were selected and allocated into two groups of intervention and control through the random numbers table. In the intervention group, the eye pads impregnated with 0.2 ml of peppermint oil were used, and in the control group, the pads impregnated with 0.2 ml of placebo were placed on their chest for 20 minutes. Patient’s anxiety levels were recorded before and after the intervention. A demographic characteristics questionnaire and the Spielberger standard questionnaire were used for the data collection. The   data were analyzed by the SPSS software version 24 using the descriptive and inferential statistical methods in accordance with the objectives of the study.
Results: The results of data analysis showed that aromatherapy reduced the anxiety of patients in the intervention group, which was significantly different from the control group (P=0.006). Paired t-test also showed that in the intervention group, the mean score of anxiety after the intervention was significantly lower than that of before the intervention (P<0.001), however this difference was not significant in the control group (P=0.90).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, we can conclude that aromatherapy with the inhalation of peppermint aroma has been effective in reducing anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography. It is recommended that nurses use aromatherapy as a non-pharmacological approach to reduce the patients' anxiety.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20190225042844N1
 

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Background & Aim: Anxiety is one of the most important psychological problems during the menopausal period. Anxiety can affect the health and quality of life of postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of viola odorata syrup on anxiety among postmenopausal women.
Methods & Materials: This study is a triple blind clinical trial that was performed on 84 postmenopausal women referred to health centers in Mashhad in 2019. In both groups, postmenopausal women received 5 ml of viola odorata or placebo syrup twice a day for one month. Before and after the intervention, anxiety was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale-21. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 25 and Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.
Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in women’s anxiety levels between viola odorata group and placebo group, and the two groups were homogeneous (P=0.084). After the intervention, there was a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.004). The corrected average was 3.61±3.02 (2.9-4.2, CI95%) for the violet group and 7.63±3.60 (6.9-8.3, CI95%) for the placebo group. Also, after the intervention the anxiety score decreased in the viola odorata group, and increased in the placebo group. The Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference (P<0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, viola odorata syrup decreased anxiety in postmenopausal women. Therefore, it can be used as a complementary treatment along with chemical therapies to reduce anxiety in postmenopausal women.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20180514039660N1
 

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Background & Aim: Stress and anxiety are one of the major problems in patients undergoing semi-invasive and invasive procedures such as endoscopy. Different methods to reduce anxiety do not have the same effects. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of thought distraction by music therapy and the presence of caregiver on anxiety level of patients undergoing endoscopy.
Methods & Materials: In this randomized clinical trial, 105 patients referred to endoscopy ward of Shahid Mohammadi hospital and Persian Gulf Bandar Abbas hospital in 2018 were selected by the convenience sampling method and assigned into three groups of music therapy, presence of caregiver and control using the random allocation (35 in each group). The demographic information form and the Spielberger anxiety questionnaire (STAL) were completed before and after the intervention. In the music therapy group, patients received natural sounds through headphones. In the caregiver’s presence group, endoscopy was performed with the presence of caregiver, and the control group only received routine pre-endoscopic care. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through the SPSS software version 24 at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The result of analysis of variance showed that there was no significant difference in the anxiety mean score between the three groups before the intervention (P=0.77), but a significant difference was observed after the intervention (P<0.005). The decrease in scores in the music therapy group was significant (P=0.044), but in the caregiver’s presence group (P=0.571) and the control group (P=0.663), no significant change was observed before and after endoscopy.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that distraction with music therapy is an effective way to help patients undergoing endoscopy, and the use of this method can help the procedure to be performed better and enhance patient satisfaction.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20190715044215N1
 

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Background & Aim: Anxiety is one of the most common complications in cancer patients that can affect the physical and mental health of patients and disrupt the treatment process. For this reason, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy need education about the disease and ways to cope with its complications and problems. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of video and written training methods on anxiety in patients with gastric and esophageal cancer undergoing outpatient chemotherapy.
Methods & Materials: This study is a randomized clinical trial that was conducted on 58 patients with gastric and esophageal cancer who underwent outpatient chemotherapy in Shariati and Imam Khomeini hospitals in Tehran. Participants were randomly assigned to either the video training group (n=28) or the written training group (n=30). Data was collected using the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), at the beginning of the study and then weekly for 12 weeks. The SPSS software version 20 was used to analyze the data.
Results: The results showed that the level of anxiety in both groups was significantly lower compared to before the intervention (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the anxiety mean score between the video group (56.07±9.85) and the written group (56.40±8.13) after the intervention (P=0.89).
Conclusion: In general, the results of this study showed that self-care education using video and written methods reduces the anxiety of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and both methods can be effective in reducing patients' anxiety.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20181115041669N1
 

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Background & Aim: COVID-19 as an emerging disease has many psychological effects, including anxiety. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of face-to-face awareness training on anxiety of patients with COVID-19.
Methods & Materials: In this study, 90 hospitalized patients in the hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2020 were selected using the convenience sampling method and randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control (45 people in each group). The DASS-21 anxiety and demographic information questionnaire were completed by both groups before the intervention. The face to face awareness sessions were provided during two 30-minute sessions at 24-hour intervals for the intervention group and the DASS-21 questionnaire was completed again by the patients one day after the second session. The control group received the routine information of the ward and completed the questionnaire again. The SPSS software version 21 was used for the data analysis by descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: The results showed that before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean anxiety scores between the intervention (12.71±9.20) and control (14.71±7.08) groups. But after the intervention, a significant difference was observed in the mean scores between the intervention (5.68±5.64) and control (12.75±6.19) groups (P˂0.05).
Conclusion: This study revealed that face-to-face awareness training can reduce anxiety in patients with COVID-19 and can be used in medical centers.

 

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Background & Aim: Anxiety and hemodynamic changes are common complications of surgeries. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of foot reflexology massage on overt anxiety and physiological parameters of patients undergoing tibia plaque surgery.
Methods & Materials: In this clinical trial study, 96 eligible patients who were candidates for Tibia plaque surgery, referred to Imam Ali (AS) Teaching Hospital in Bojnourd in the spring of 2016, were selected by the convenience sampling method. Then, they were randomly divided into two groups of 48 people: experiment and control. For the experiment group, one hour before the operation, the foot reflexology massage was performed for 10 minutes. For the control group, the foot was touched for 2 minutes. Patients’ anxiety was measured using the Spielberger Manifest Anxiety Questionnaire before and one hour after the intervention, and patients’ physiological parameters were measured before and after the intervention and at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours after the surgery. To compare and analyze the data, chi-square tests for qualitative variables and t-test, Mann-Whitney test and Repeated Measure ANOVA for quantitative variables were used on the SPSS software version 21.
Results: This study showed that the average score of anxiety after the intervention was significantly different in both the control and experiment groups (P=0.038). Also, Foot reflexology massage significantly reduced systolic blood pressure after the intervention (P=0.039) and 4 hours after the surgery (P=0.007), and also reduced diastolic blood pressure immediately after the intervention (P=0.001). Heart rate decreased significantly at all measured times after the intervention (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Foot reflexology massage can reduce overt anxiety and improve physiological parameters of patients undergoing tibia plaque surgery. Therefore, this method can be used for reducing anxiety in the patients candidate for orthopedic surgery.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20200502047265N1

 

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Background & Aim: Tonsillectomy is one of the most common pediatric surgeries. Preoperative anxiety in children is one of the concerns of caregivers, and its management is an important part of nursing care. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of guided imagery on anxiety in children candidate for tonsillectomy.
Methods & Materials: In this clinical trial, 70 children aged 7 to 12 years, candidates for tonsillectomy in the ENT ward of Amirkabir hospital in Arak in 2021 were divided into experimental or control groups. A demographic information form and the face anxiety scale were used to collect the data. In the control group, anxiety was assessed one hour before and 15 minutes before the surgery. In the experimental group, one hour before the operation and after completing the questionnaire, the child was asked to listen to an audio file with the hands-free for 15 minutes and visualize it in his mind. Then, the anxiety scale was completed again.
Results: The mean score of anxiety before the intervention was 4.31±0.79 in the experimental group and 4.06±0.87 in the control group, which had no statistically significant difference. The mean score of anxiety after the intervention was 3.83±0.89 in the experimental group and 4.89 ± 0.90 in the control group, which showed the mean score of anxiety of children after the intervention had a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The preoperative intervention reduced preoperative anxiety in the children candidate for tonsillectomy. This intervention is an easy and safe process and can be used as an effective method.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20211008052701N1

 

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Background & Aim: Pregnancy is a very important period that is sometimes associated with various complications such as diabetes and poor sleep quality. Therefore, early identification of possible risk factors can play an important role in the health of pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of gestational anxiety with sleep quality and gestational diabetes in pregnant women.
Methods & Materials: The present study was a descriptive-analytical study. In this study, 359 pregnant women referred to health centers in Baneh during 24-28 weeks of pregnancy were included through the convenience sampling method. Data collection tools were the demographic information questionnaire, the Petersburg sleep quality questionnaire, the short form of pregnancy-related anxiety questionnaire (PRAQ-17), and gestational diabetes screening result recorded in each patient's health record.
Results: The results revealed that 12.3% of pregnant women were anxious, of which 78.8% suffered from poor sleep quality and 10% had gestational diabetes. Statistical analysis showed that there was no statistically significant relationship between gestational anxiety and poor sleep quality, and gestational diabetes (P>0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that gestational anxiety is not related to sleep disorders and gestational diabetes. However, further research and prospective cohort studies are needed in this regard.

 

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Background & Aim: Mothers with premature babies are more likely to experience anxiety than mothers with full-term babies. The separation of the mother from the baby disrupts physical contact with the baby, which is the most important component affecting attachment. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a group positive thinking program on anxiety and attachment in mothers with premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Methods & Materials: This study is a randomized clinical trial conducted in Kermanshah in 2020. A total of 72 mothers with premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Imam Reza and Mohammad Kermanshahi hospitals were randomly assigned into two groups of control and intervention. The Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory and Postpartum Attachment Scale were used to collect the data. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 16 using statistical tests (ANOVA and Chi-Square).
Results: There was no significant difference in the state anxiety levels before (p =0.791) and after the intervention (p =0.373) between the control and intervention groups. Likewise, no statistically significant difference was observed in the latent anxiety levels before (p =0.831) and after the intervention (p =0.093) between the two groups but comparing the amount of changes showed a significant difference (p =0.025). Regarding attachment, none of the attachment subscales had a statistically significant difference between the two groups before the intervention (p>0.05). After the intervention, a significant difference was observed in the scores of the subscales “lack of hostility" and "satisfaction with the interaction" (p<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, the group positive thinking training is recommended to the nurses and managers of neonatal intensive care units as a complementary program, along with the routine care for mothers of premature infants.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20210108049965N1

 

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Background & Aim: Eating disorders manifest numerous psychological and social consequences for both individuals and society. The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in alleviating COVID-19-related anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, and depression among women diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa.
Methods & Materials: This study employed a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The research population consisted of women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in Tehran in 2022. Thirty participants were selected through convenience sampling from psychological clinics in the 6th and 8th districts of Tehran, and were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=15) or the control group (n=15). Questionnaires assessing eating attitudes, COVID-19-related anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, and depression were administered to both groups. The intervention group received a total of eight 90-minute sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy, while the control group did not receive any intervention. The collected data were subsequently analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance through the SPSS software version 24.
Results: The results of the study showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy led to a significant reduction in mental anxiety related to COVID-19 (P<0.001, F=36.41), physical anxiety related to COVID-19 (P<0.001, F=39.15), fear of negative evaluation (P<0.001, F=41.92), and depression (P<0.001, F=47.48) in women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral therapy demonstrated efficacy in alleviating psychological disorders among women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Given the potentially severe impairment of mental health experienced by numerous individuals with anorexia nervosa, it is imperative to implement measures for identifying and providing psychological interventions to vulnerable groups.

 

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Background & Aim: Preoperative anxiety can lead to various challenges. Aromatherapy using lemon essence may alleviate certain complications. This study aimed to determine the effect of lemon essence aromatherapy on anxiety levels and physiological indices (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, and SPO₂) in patients who are candidates for lower extremity fracture surgery.
Methods & Materials: This randomized clinical trial employed convenience sampling to recruit 90 patients referred to SUMS, who were subsequently randomized into control (n=45) and intervention (n=45) groups in 2021. The aromatherapy intervention commenced on the morning of the surgical procedure and extended through the operating and recovery rooms, continuing for 16 hours post-surgery. Almond essential oil was administered to the control group. Data collection involved the Spielberger Inventory for anxiety assessment and a checklist of physiological indices. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA.
Results: The study findings showed a significantly greater reduction in state anxiety levels in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Moreover, the physiological indices of the intervention group exhibited greater stability in comparison to the control group (P<0.05). However, the intervention did not have a significant impact on the diastolic blood pressure and respiratory rate of the patients (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The utilization of aromatherapy with lemon essential oil resulted in a decrease in the state anxiety and an improvement in some physiological indices of the patients who underwent surgery for lower extremity fractures. Therefore, this complementary approach is recommended in conjunction with routine treatments.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20130616013690N10