Showing 44 results for Anxiety
Zahra Fotokian, Sobhan Rahimi Esbo, Zahra Jannat Alipour, Ali Pourhabib, Fatemeh Ghaffari, Mojtaba Qanbari Qalesari, Shahrbanoo Keyhanian, Mohsen Vakili Sadeghi,
Volume 30, Issue 3 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Post-treatment follow-up care for breast cancer is crucial in reducing mortality rates, minimizing treatment costs, and enhancing patients' quality of life. This study aims to identify the psychosocial factors affecting post-treatment follow-up care in breast cancer patients.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive-analytical study involved 180 breast cancer patients from Babol and other cities of western Mazandaran province. Participants were selected using a simple random sampling method between 2021 and 2022. Data were collected through personal information questionnaires, the Zigmond Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Psychological Distress Thermometer, the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Scale, and a post-treatment breast cancer follow-up care checklist. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 18, employing descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
Results: The average age of the participants was 51.49 years (SD=12.01). The mean and standard deviation scores for depression, anxiety, and psychological distress were 6.16±2.71, 10.70±4.13, and 5.98±2.54, respectively. The results showed that individuals with higher levels of anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and fear of recurrence are less likely to engage in follow-up care (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results suggest that health policymakers should address the psychological challenges faced by breast cancer patients. Specifically, providing insurance coverage for the screening and treatment of mental health problems may improve mental well-being, encourage self-care behaviors, and promote overall health.
Tahere Momeni-Ghale Ghasemi, Amir Musarezaie, Shahnaz Alikhah, Amir Hossein Saeidi,
Volume 30, Issue 4 (1-2025)
Abstract
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
Mobarakeh Abbasi Firoozjah, Zahra Fotokian, Abbas Shamsalinia,
Volume 30, Issue 4 (1-2025)
Abstract
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
Simin Kokabiasl, Ali Navidian, Nasrin Rezaee, Milad Amiri, Mahnaz Ghaljeh,
Volume 31, Issue 2 (7-2025)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Cognitive disorders and anxiety are known to adversely affect students' academic progress. Interventions that can be self-administered are particularly advantageous. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mental imagery on anxiety levels and cognitive impairment among at Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study involved a sample of 100 students selected through convenience sampling and subsequently randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group. Data collection was conducted using personal information forms, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Broadbent Cognitive Dysfunction Questionnaire. The intervention group attended an initial in-person session designed to familiarize participants with the mental imagery technique, followed by eight sessions of imagery training delivered via audio files on WhatsApp. After a two-week interval, both groups completed the anxiety and cognitive dysfunction questionnaires again. No intervention was administered to the control group. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS version 21.
Results: The results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in both anxiety and cognitive impairment within the intervention group (P<0.05). In contrast, the control group showed no significant change (P>0.05). The analysis of covariance, controlling for baseline pre-test scores, revealed that post-intervention mean scores of cognitive impairment and anxiety differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Mental imagery training appears to effectively reduce anxiety and cognitive impairment among students. Therefore, educational authorities may consider incorporating this intervention to enhance students’ mental well-being and cognitive functioning, thereby potentially improving academic performance.
