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This reasearch is a discriptive study. the purpose of this study was to assesspatients' knowledye , attitude and practice with coronary artery diseases and of their family . member about theraputic Regimen advises . In this study , 50 patients with Coronary artery diseases and 50 members of their family have been studied randomly . Two questionnaires were prepared, one for patients and another for their families, which both of them included 4 parts as follows : Demographic data, question related to knowledge, the kind of attitude and quality of practice .Then the Scores of patients > knowledge and also their family's were determined Separately and the relation ship between their variables together in patients with their family w&s measured.The results of investigation showed that, most percentage of patients and their family possesing high knowledge and positive attitude about theraputic regimen and most percentage of patients have had disireable practice and their families have had non - disireable practice.The results showed that there was a significant relation between patients >knowledge and their attitude , and between their familys > practice and their attitude.

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Fear is an undesirable feeling which most of the time results in physiological changes and can affect on the cardiovascular function of the patient. This research is a cross-sectional descriptive study that describes the congruency opinions between 91 patients /nurses about the reasons for patients’ fear related to coronary angiography in two affiliated hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The tools which were used included: questionnaire for study and recognition of patient and nurses demographic characteristics, a check list containing thirty probable reasons for patients’ fear which were filled out by patients and nurses, and a scale for analysis of the reasons for fear which were filled out by patients, descriptive statistics indicators, sign test, and t-test were applied in order to analyze the data, by SPSS software. The results showed that patients’ and nurses’ ideas about the reasons for fear before angiography are similar in two cases and only in one case after the operation. Among the thirty probable reasons which were mentioned for patients’ fear, seventeen cases caused less fear after angiography and two cases caused more fear after that. In the comparison between the intensity of fear caused by other reasons no insignificant result was observed. The comparison of intensity of fear showed that the intensity of patients’ fear after angiography is less than before (p= 0.005). According to these cases it may be concluded that because of the different reasons for patients’ fear concerning angiography, nurses need to pay more attention to patients’ fear. It is also suggested that an assessment tool be used in order to assess issues relating to patients, level of care and training related to coronary angiography.

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This research is a descriptive-analytical study conducted with the aim of examining and comparing adjusted behaviors of children (brothers and sisters) suffering from a chronic disease, referred to treatment centers with the siblings of the healthy children of the same age, in Tehran. The research sample was a group of 300 children along with a pair of parents. They were divided into groups of 150 siblings suffering from a chronic disease and 150 siblings who were healthy. For sample-taking of the children suffering from chronic disease parents of the children referring to hospitals or hospitalized in wards, who had the required qualifications were also studied through simple random selection. In order to select healthy children and their parents, the parents of the children referring to specified treatment centers for receiving medication and clinical treatment were selected as the control group, through the simple random sampling method. The basis of research comprised of a questionnaire comprising of two parts. The 1st part consisted of demographic particulars and the 2nd part constituted the form of questions put to the child's parents, whose form was prepared on the basis of the standardized child behavior checklist in accordance with Achen Bach's parents’ report. The form consisted of two parts: one concerning social merit (6 questions on activities, social relations and studying performance of the child) while the other related to behavioral problems of the child (102 questions in relation to social problems, anti-social behavior, aggressive behavior, difficulty in concentration, physical complaints, anxiety, depression, isolation disorder in thinking, sexual problems and miscellaneous matters). The results in relation to the research objectives point out that there is by p<0.001 and p< 0.005 and in a sensible manner, the behavioral problems of the siblings suffering from a chronic disease as compared with healthy siblings are more and their social merit is less.

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Background & Aim: Fatigue is a premature symptom in the patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of breathing exercises on fatigue level of COPD patients.

Methods & Materials: This clinical trial is a semi-experimental study. 60 patients suffering COPD which are bedridden at, Tehran university of Medical Sciences hospital wards which have been sampled simply and divided into experience and control group randomly. Data gathering is done by interview and data registration from the files. The data gathering tools are questionnaires, fatigue severity scale (FSS) and respiratory exercise usage checklist. The questionnaire includes to sections of demographic characteristics and patient info. The exercises check list is scaled from 0 to 40 in the way that the maximum amount of usage in 10 days, for 4 daily sessions would be 40 and for the case of usage 0 score is assigned. Fatigue severity scale includes 9 questions with visual diagrams scaled from 0 (Lack of fatigue) to 4 (server fatigue). The gathered data is analysis using SPSS software and the descriptive and deductive statistical methods (Tisuchi, Kai2 and Pearson correlation exam) are used to achieve the research goals. Results: The results show that the average fatigue intensity for the experience group is 40.916 with the standard deviation of 14.4 and for the control group is 52.20 with 8.539 standard deviation after the study and statistical T-exam (p=0.001) indicated that there is a significant difference in fatigue severity between experience and control groups after the study. The findings also showed that the average fatigue severity before (55.766) and after (40.166) using the respiratory exercises in the experience group (p<.001) has enormous difference. While the average fatigue severity in the control group (p=0.002) before (54.166) and after (52.200) the study has a ting difference. Regarding the correlation of using respiratory exercises and the changes in fatigue severity, the Pearson statistical exam showed that there is a significant reverse correlation between using respiratory exercises and fatigue severity (r=-0.593, p=0.001).

Conclusion: Based on the research findings it can be concluded that using respiratory exercises is effective in reducing the fatigue in the patients with COPD that also confirms the research assumption and the more the respiratory exercises are used the less is the amount of fatigue in the interfered samples.

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Background & Aim: Modification of unhealthy life style is a preventive method in cardiovascular diseases. It seems that education which results in enhancing knowledge would improve the life style. For developing effective educational plans, it is required to evaluate the knowledge and performance of the patients. So, this study aimed to determine the relationship between the teachers&apos preventive behaviors and their knowledge on cardiovascular risk factors.  

Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted in five zones of Ministry of Education in Tehran. Seven hundred and three teachers participated in the study. Multi-stage sampling was used to gather data using a self-report questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, risk factors of CAD, and related modifiable behaviors. Data were analyzed using Pearson coefficient test to determine correlations.

Results: The results showed that the majority of participants (67%) had good knowledge on cardiovascular risk factors with the mean scores of 15.20±2.63 out of 20. Stress was found to be the most recognized risk factor (95.3%). Knowledge about diabetes (61.2%) and gender (17.6%) were in the lowest level. Regarding prevention, just 27.7% of the participants reported healthy nutrition. Some of the patients (35.6%) exercised regularly and majority of them (77.7%) were not active or passive smokers. Pearson coefficient did not find any significant relationship between knowledge level and preventive behaviors among teachers.

Conclusion: According to our findings, teachers&apos knowledge level on cardiovascular risk factors was good but it did not result in healthy practice. Therefore, providing effective educational programs about healthy life style can improve their daily life practices, as well as it can affect the knowledge and practice of their students about prevention of CAD.

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Background & Aim: Recent studies suggest that patients&apos perceptions might be more important than objective clinical assessments in determining quality of life (QOL) in patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The aim of this study was to determine QOL in patients experiencing ESRD and its related factors.

Methods & Materials: In this descriptive-correlational study, we recruited 202 hemodialysis patients from Iran University of medical sciences&apos hemodialysis units using convenience sampling method. Data were collected using "Ferrans and Powers quality of life Index- dialysis version" instrument and analyzed using SPSS-14.

Results: Findings showed that the patients had a high perceived QOL. Lowest satisfaction mean scores were for the items "your health" (M=3.80, SD=1.74), "being able to take care of your financial needs" (M=3.31, SD=1.85), "achieving your personal goals" (M=4.02, SD=1.63), and "your family&aposs happiness" (M=4.96, SD=1.27). It was reported that "probably you will get a kidney transplant" (M=4.22, SD=2.15), "neighborhood" (M=4.32, SD=2.09, "personal appearance" (M=5.67, SD=0.91), and "your spouse"(M=5.84, SD=0.61) also had lowest mean score for importance from patients point of view. Financial status, educational levels, marital status and number of children were all associated with the QOL (P≤0.05). There were no relationship between age, sex, occupational status, with duration of dialysis treatment (P>0.05).

Conclusion: This study denoted financial status, educational levels, marital status and number of children is related to QOL of hemodialysis patients. So, these factors that affect quality of life may promote health and wellbeing and may increase survival in hemodialysis patients. The findings of this study can assist providers in planning and implementing educational and support programs for patients and their family.

 

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Background & Aim: Physiologic signs of anxiety usually change hemodynamic variables in patients undergoing heart catheterization. This study carried out to determine the effect of Orientation Program on hemodynamic variables in patient undergoing heart catheterization.

Methods & Materials: In this experimental study, 60 patients undergoing heart catheterization were randomly assigned to either the test or control group. Data were collected using the demographic checklist and a hemodynamic variables checklist for recording hemodynamic variables. The collected data were analyzed using the Chi-square, repeated measurement, and independent t test in the SPSS.

Results: According to the results, there were significant reductions in the systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse rate, respiratory rate and systolic left ventricle pressure in the intervention group after the intervention (P<0.05). There were no significant statistical difference between the two groups in systolic aorta pressure (P=0.173), diastolic aorta pressure (P=0.104), and end diastolic left ventricle pressure (P=0.886).

Conclusion: Orientation program had positive effects on most of the hemodynamic variables in the intervention group. The Orientation program is recommended to be used during invasive diagnostic procedures in order to prohibit anxiety&aposs physiologic complications.

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Background & Aim: Caregivers of elderly with Alzheimer&aposs disease, particularly females, encounter challenges. Their different roles in giving care to the patients could result in physical and mental disorders. The self-efficacy seems to be an essential factor in empowering individuals coping with stressful situations and challenging tasks. The aim of this study was to investigate general self-efficacy among women as family caregivers of elderly with Alzheimer&aposs disease.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 112 women reffered to the Iran Alzheimer Association, Tehran were selected through convenience sampling method. The General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10) was used to collect data. Data were entered into the SPSS-16 and then processed using descriptive statistics and independent t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe.

Results: The mean score of the general self-efficacy was 28.24±6.34 indicating that considerable percentage of the participants had unsatisfactory level of self-efficacy (65.2%). In addition, there were significant relationships between the women&aposs general self-efficacy with educational and economic statuses (P<0.05). There were no significant relationships between general self-efficacy with age, marital status, occupational status and duration of caring.

Conclusion: According to the findings, a considerable percentage of the participants had unsatisfactory level of self-efficacy. Therefore, it is essential to promote the caregivers self-efficacy in order to give them the ability of better adaptation with the life&aposs challenges. In particular, the self-efficacy promotive programs should be implemented among caregivers with lower educational and economic status.

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Background & Aim: Fatigue is a premature symptom in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study aimed to determine effect of the home-based pulmonary rehabilitation on fatigue among patients with COPD.

Methods & Materials: In this clinical trial, 36 patients were recruited among from 100 patients with COPD according to inclusion criteria in Masih Daneshvari hospital in 2010. Participants were allocated into two control and intervention groups using random block sampling. In the intervention group, the pulmonary rehabilitation program was implemented during three educational sessions in three consecutive days. Fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) before and seven weeks after discharge. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests (Independent and paired t-test, chi-square and covariance analysis).

Results: At baseline, the mean scores of fatigue were 47.11 and 47.50 in the experimental and control groups, respectively (P=0.902). After the intervention, the mean scores of fatigue reached 21.94 and 54.64 in the experimental and control groups, respectively (P<0.001).

Conclusion: According to results of the study, home-based pulmonary rehabilitation nursing could decrease fatigue in patients with COPD.

 

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  Background & Aim: Exacerbation of the symptoms among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a part of the disease's cycle . Despite having medical treatments, most patients experience severe degrees of dyspnea. Self-management programs can help relieving the symptoms. T his study aimed to assess the effect of a self-management program on dyspnea and fatigue severity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) .

  Methods & Materials: In this randomized clinical trial, 50 patients with COPD referred to Apadana clinic in Ahvaz were recruited into the study. Patients were randomly allocated to control and intervention groups. The intervention group received a self-management program designed based on the 5A model the control group did not receive any intervention. Patients were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale and the Borg Dyspnea Scale at baseline and three month later. The Chi-squared test and t-test were used to analyze the data . 

  Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in fatigue severity at baseline. At the end of the three months, the fatigue severity score differed significantly between the two groups (P=0.004). There was also significant reduction in the patients' dyspnea in the intervention group than the control group after 12 weeks (P<0.001) .

  Conclusion: Our program was effective in reducing the COPD symptoms among patients. This simple and non-expensive program can be applied as a beneficial intervention to decline major difficulties of the disease among patients with COPD .

  

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  Background & Aim: The ultimate goal of self-care behavior is patients' empowerment. There are limited studies on perspectives of patients with Parkinson's disease on self-care. This study aimed to explore for the process of self-care in patients with Parkinson’s disease during 2011 to 2013 .

  Methods & Materials: This exploratory qualitative study was carried out using grounded theory method. Data were collected via semi-structured in-depth interviews and field notes. We interviewed with 12 patients with Parkinson 's disease and four family caregivers . Participants were selected from two neurology clinics. Interviews were conducted at participants' homes or nursing homes. Data were analyzed using the Corbin and Strauss (2008) approach . 

  Results: Concepts of study were identified using a micro and general analysis. The 'fear of becoming crippled' was identified as a main concern. Strategies used in response to context included 'independency', 'spiritual care', 'informed self-care' and ‘seeking treatment’. 'Striving for taking independent self-care' was the most important process. Demographic, familial and social factors had important roles in self-care processes of patients with Parkinson's disease .

  Conclusion: The process of self-care in patients with Parkinson’s disease depends on the context and severity of the signs and symptoms. Health care providers especially nurses can support patients with Parkinson's disease in achieving maintain independence in self-care. In addition, attention to self-care behaviors with focus on person as self-care agent can considerably increase control and management of life .

  

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  Background & Aim: Family caregivers play major role in caring for the patients with dementia. Meanwhile, they are at risks of various diseases. Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease carries a significant physical, socioeconomic and psychological burden. This study described the impact of cognitive-behavioral management on burden and problems borne by family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease .

  Methods & Materials: This non-randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 70 family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The participants were subjected to experimental and control groups. The Zarit Burden Interview was used to assess the burden experienced by family caregivers of the patients. Data were then analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistical parameters (mean and SD) and paired sample t-test on the difference between the scores of pre-test and post-test . 

  Results: The mean level of caregivers’ burden as measured by ZBI was 44.56± 6.77 and 42.57±5.98, in experimental and control groups before intervention respectively. Caregivers’ burden score was 39.54±5.88 and 44.86±5.87, in experimental and control groups after intervention respectively. Results showed a significant decrease in the training group’s score (P<0.001) .

  Conclusion: Given the obtained results indicating the effectiveness of cognitive- behavioral management in reduction of caregivers’ burden, the present study can be helpful in achieving an effective solution to decrease stress among family caregivers of patients who suffer from Alzheimer's disease .

  

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Background & Aim: Chronic diseases are one of the most prevalent health problems affecting the quality of an adolescent's interaction with others. Social support can be important particularly during adolescence due to the many internal and external changes that happen to a person. This study aimed to determine the levels of perceived social support and its correlated factors in adolescents with chronic disease.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 172 adolescents 11-16 years with a chronic disease referred to Tehran’s selected hospitals, were included using purposive sampling during three months in 2014. Data were collected through “children and adolescents social support questionnaire”. Data were analyzed by independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression on SPSS software v.22.

Results: The total score of perceived social support (45.46±5.88) was at a high level. Among the demographic factors, gender (P<0.01), ethnicity, parental education, family income, number of children, birth order, and having insurance (P<0.001) showed a significant correlation with perceived social support. Among the factors related to illness, the type of chronic disease (P<0.01), the number of hospitalizations (P<0.001), the lack of participation in group activities due to illness (P=0.04), school absenteeism rates (P=0.002) and academic failure (P<0.001) were significantly associated with perceived social support.

Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, given the level of perceived social support and its related factors, it is recommended to pay more attention to caring for adolescents with chronic disease at the community level.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced palliative care as a way to improve the quality of life of patients with incurable diseases and their families. This care begins with the diagnosis of the disease, and continues throughout the illness (1). Palliative care improves the quality of life of patients with life-threatening diseases and their families. Its purpose is to relieve suffering through the identification, evaluation, and relief of pain and other physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems (2).
Palliative care is required for many diseases. According to reports, every year about 40 million people in the world need palliative care, but only 14% of them receive it, of whom 78% live in low-income or middle-income countries. According to the World Health Organization, patients who require palliative care services, suffer from cardiovascular diseases (38.5%), cancer (34%), chronic pulmonary diseases (10.3%), AIDS (5.7%), and diabetes (4.6%). Other patients with diseases, such as dementia, kidney failure, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, neurological diseases, congenital anomalies, and resistant tuberculosis may also need palliative care services (1). Palliative care can be offered to patients through various models, including hospital-based palliative care, hospice-based palliative care and home-based palliative care (3). Studies have shown that home-based palliative care has a very beneficial effect on the physical, mental, psychological, social and economic dimensions of patient’s life, and reduces the cost of health system, shortens the length of hospitalization, reduces hospital complications and prevents hospital readmission (4-6). This type of care also facilitates the continuity of post-discharge care and helps patient to easily benefit from the facilities of different centers (7). On the other hand, most people prefer to receive care at their homes with their families (8). Studies have shown that home-based palliative care is clinically and economically effective and leads to the satisfaction of patients and their families. Also, the World Health Organization in 2014 has introduced home-based palliative care as one of the main elements of the health systems all around the world (1). However, reports indicate that many countries in the world do not have palliative care programs in their health care system (7), and the lack of government support for palliative care services, lack of prepared professional staff to provide palliative services, limitation in access to narcotic analgesics, resource constraints, lack of policy-makers’ familiarity with palliative medicine, the negative attitude of society towards palliative care and socio-cultural issues have been mentioned as barriers to palliative care in the world (1, 9,10).
Iran’s health system is faced with increasing number of chronic patients and shortages of manpower and ICU beds in health centers. Most patients with life-threatening diseases in Iran are frequently admitted to hospital during the last days of their lives. Despite the shortage of hospital beds, especially in the critical care units, these patients occupy these beds and receive specialized medications until the end of their lives and eventually many of these patients die on ICU beds in hospital (11). While in many cases, hospitalization of incurable patients in critical care units does not have any positive effects on patients’ recovery, and is considered a futile care (12), which increases the costs of health system, poses financial burden on patient’s family, and leads to dissatisfaction and work burnout in healthcare staff (13). On the other hand, many of these patients prefer to spend the last days of their lives at home with their family and be in close contact with their relatives. Evidence suggests that palliative care in Iran is only offered in isolated and limited centers. Most patients are deprived of this kind of care, and home-based palliative care does not have any place in Iran’s health system (14). Patients with incurable conditions who require palliative care services are lost in the system, and in most cases do not receive proper and timely services they need (15). Also, the traditional attitude of healthcare staff towards the management of incurable conditions, the lack of transparency in the protection of healthcare staff against discontinuation of unnecessary treatments or unreasonable expectations of patients and their families, as well as social and cultural differences are barriers to the promotion of palliative care in Iranian society. Another problem in providing home-based palliative care services is the defect in the payment process and insurance coverage of end-of-life patients (16,17). Therefore, given the high prevalence of chronic and incurable illnesses, the increasing number of elderly population, limited critical care beds, shortages of human resources, limited financial resources and equipment in health centers, and taking into account the benefits of home-based palliative care, healthcare system authorities should consider this care method to be one of the important priorities of the health system so that patients can maintain their quality of life and also experience peace during the last days of their lives. Considering the limited research in this field, further research is required on the management of various dimensions of home-based palliative care in order to provide suitable models for the provision of home-based palliative care services in Iran.
 

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Background & Aim: Empowerment is a dynamic, positive, interactive and social process, leading to the improvement of quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic disease. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effect of family-centered empowerment model (FCEM) on QOL in adults with chronic diseases.
Methods & Materials: By searching FCEM in Persian databases including SID, MagIran, IranMedex, IranDoc, and googlescholar, Scopus, Pubmed, Web-of-science, Proquest, and Sciencedirect, all relevant studies were extracted. The methodological quality of the papers was examined using Cochrane-risk-of-bias. Data analysis was carried out through the random effects model and heterogeneity by I² index. The data were analyzed using the STATA software version 11.0.
Results: Of the 647 initial studies, only 8 studies examined the effect of FCEM on the QOL in adult patients using SF-36. The pooled standardized mean difference of the 8-dimensions of QOL included: social-functioning (1.781), Physical role limitation (1.416), bodily pain (0.987), general health (1.352), social functioning (1.010), general health (1.122), emotional role limitation (0.656), and vitality (1.361).
Conclusion: The implementation of FCEM had a significant effect on the 8-dimensions of QOL based on the SF-36 questionnaire. The implementation of FCEM is recommended in order to improve the QOL of adult patients with chronic disease.
 

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Background & Aim: Caring for children with chronic illness is associated with the care burden of families and affects their self-efficacy. In addition, family-centered care can have positive outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of the perception of family-centered care, burden of care and self-efficacy in the mothers of children with chronic illness.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2019 on 220 mothers of children with chronic illness, admitted to pediatric hospitals in Tehran and were selected using the convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the Perception of Family-Centered Care-Parent, Perceived Maternal Parenting Self-Efficacy, and the Impact-on-Family Scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version18 using descriptive and inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation and regression tests at the significance level of 0.05.
Results: Results showed that perception of family-centered care is directly associated with self-efficacy and inversely associated with the burden of care (respectively P<0.001 and P=0.022), so that for each 1-unit increase in the score of perception of family-centered care, self-efficacy of mothers increased by 0.25 and the burden of care decreased by 0.23. No significant association was found between self-efficacy and the burden of care (P=0.962).
Conclusion: Given that family-centered care can lead to an increase in self-efficacy and a reduction in the burden of care, nurses can improve mothers’ self-efficacy and reduce their burden of care by improving family-centered care.
 

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Background & Aim: Self-control is the capacity to organize cognitive and emotional responses in order to provide continuous and adaptive behavior with ideal standards for long-term goals. Due to the high levels of care burden of patients with chronic disease, this study aims to explain the concept of self-control in the family caregivers of patients with chronic disease based on the family-centered empowerment model.
Methods & Materials: Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 26 participants (19 caregivers, four nurses and three patients with chronic disease) from June 2016 to August 2017 in southwestern of Iran. Data were analyzed using the directed content analysis approach. The documents recording, accurate description of details, member checking, peer checking, and maximum variation of participants, were considered for ensuring the trustworthiness of the data.
Results: “Transcendental self-control” of family caregiver was explained by four conceptual categories: “caregiver insight", "value prioritization in care", "acceptance of care responsibilities" and "committed care". By predicting the potential risks of playing the care role and deeply understanding the conditions of care while paying attention to the value prioritization outcome-centered and virtue-based care, the family caregiver accepts the care burden through positive thinking and expediency and modestly offers "committed care" while having competent care experiences.
Conclusion: The explanation of self-control concept based on family-centered empowerment model in the real field creates a clear understanding of this concept and leads to "commitment care" by family caregivers of patients with chronic diseases and in turn provides a basis for reducing workload in the clinical setting.
 

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Background & Aim: The caregivers of Alzheimer's patients frequently experience more psychological illness, depression, stress, and discomfort than their peers who do not care for Alzheimer's patients or care for physically ill patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of problem-oriented coping strategies training on perceived stress in the family caregivers of the elderly with Alzheimer.
Methods & Materials: The present study was a randomized field trial. The study population consisted of the family caregivers of the elderly with Alzheimer's disease living in Kerman in 2017. The samples were 72 people who were randomly assigned into the control or intervention groups. The caregivers in the intervention group received eight 45-minute sessions about the problem-focused coping strategies based on the specified content, once a week. Data were collected using a 14-item version of the Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale before and two weeks after the intervention, and were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test and chi-square tests through the SPSS software version 18.
Results: Due to the significant difference in the perceived stress score between the intervention and control groups in the pre-intervention stage (P=0.030), and the lack of significant difference between the two groups after the intervention (P=0.06), in order to determine the effect of the intervention, the mean of changes between the two groups were compared and a significant difference was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group (P=0.02).
Conclusion: Considering the positive effect of the problem-focused coping strategy training on reducing perceived stress in the caregivers of the elderly with Alzheimer, designing and implementing interventions with an educational approach can promote the health of caregivers and in turn improve the quality of care for Alzheimer's patients.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT2016050327736N1
 

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Background & Aim: Caring for children with congenital heart disease is very challenging for their parents, and the mothers of these children have a low quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of discharge planning on quality of life among mothers of children with congenital heart disease undergoing surgery.
Methods & Materials: In this quasi-experimental study, 72 mothers of children with congenital heart disease referred to Shahid Rajaie Cardiovascular center in Tehran in 2019 were included in the study using the continuous sampling method and non-randomly allocated to experimental or control groups (36 in each group). Data collection tool included demographic questions and the SF-36 questionnaire, which was completed before and two months after the intervention. The intervention was performed in six thirty-minute training sessions at the time of admission, during hospitalization and discharge. The training follow-up continued for two months after discharge. Data was analyzed by the SPSS software version 20 using Chi-Square test, independent t-test and Fisher's exact test.
Results: The mean score of quality of life before the intervention was 58.93±19.35 in the experimental group and 64.93±16.78 in the control group, and there was no significant difference between groups (P=0.165). Two months after the intervention, the mean score of quality of life was 73.44±17.81 in the experimental group and 73.67±16.49 in the control group, and there was no statistically significant difference between groups (P=0.956).
Conclusion: The discharge planning did not improve the mothers’ quality of life. It is suggested that in addition to educating about proper care of the child, psychological support be provided for mothers while implementing discharge planning.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20180501039489N3
 

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Background & Aim: Health promotion nursing activities for the elderly with COPD is different in various health care structures, and research in this area can help to identify the existing knowledge gap. The aim of this study was to determine health promotion nursing activities for the elderly with COPD.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020. A total of 180 nurses working in teaching hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences were selected using the convenience sampling method. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire on health promotion nursing activities for the elderly with COPD. The data was analyzed through the SPSS software version 18 using t-test, ANOVA and multivariate regression.
Results: The mean age of nurses was 34.58±8.05 years, 84.4% were female and 70.6% were married. The mean score of health promotion nursing activities was 197.10±37.90. Among the dimensions related to health promotion activities, “drugs/smoking cessation” (34.4%) and “self-empowerment” (32.8%) had the lowest frequency. There was a significant relationship between health promotion nursing activities with the work place (P=0.034), age (P<0.001), gender (P=0.022) and marital status (P=0.014).
Conclusion: The health promotion nursing activities for the elderly with COPD was above moderate levels. In-service training programs and internal conferences are needed especially in the area of ​​counseling behaviors and smoking cessation in order to improve the professional competency of nurses.