Zahra Karimi, Nasim Mehrpooya, Seyyed Abolfazl Vagharseyyedin, Hossein Rahimi,
Volume 28, Issue 128 (May & June 2020)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Cancer is one of the most prominent public health issues. It can put the patient’s hope and quality of life (QOL) at risk. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of dignity therapy on the hope and quality of life of cancer patients.
Materials and Methods: This trial was conducted in 2019. The sample included 76 cancer patients who were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=38) and a control group (n=38). Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Herth-Hope questionnaire (1991), and the EORTC QLQ-C30 scoring (1988). The intervention group received a dignity therapy protocol. The control group received no intervention. The questionnaires were completed again four weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 and several tests (Chi-square, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, independent t-test, paired t-test, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney). The significance level was set at P-value<0.05.
Results: Mean scores for hope and quality of life before the intervention were not significantly different between the experimental and control groups (P=0.11). Four weeks after the end of the intervention, the mean scores of hope in the intervention group (26.88±2.90) were significantly higher than those of the control group (24.60 ± 4.26) (P=0.03). Also, after the intervention, the mean scores of quality of life in the intervention group (69.61±12.71) were significantly higher than those of the control group (50.64 ±12.15) (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Dignity therapy can be an effective intervention method for increasing hope and improving the quality of life among cancer patients.
Hossein Rahimi, Nasim Mehrpooya, Seyyedabolfazl Vagharseyyedin, Hamidreza Bahramitaghanaki,
Volume 28, Issue 130 (September & October 2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Depression and fatigue are common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). These complications exacerbate the symptoms of MS. This study aimed to determine the effect of self- acupressure on depression and fatigue in MS patients.
Materials and methods: In this randomized clinical trial, the 96 participants from MS Patients Support Association in Mashhad completed the demographic form, depression subscale of the DASS-42, and FSS. Then, they were randomly assigned to intervention and sham groups. Participants in the intervention group pressed Shenmen, and Yintang and the sham group pressed 2.5 cm below the Shenmen and three centimeters above the Yin Tang acupoints 15 minutes every day for one month. The depression subscale of the DASS-42 and FSS questionnaires were completed by the participants one hour after the last intervention in each group. In this study, chi-square, independent t-test, and paired t-test tests were used.
Results: The statistical analysis showed that the mean fatigue and depression scores in the two groups did not have significant differences before the intervention (P > 0.05). One hour after the last intervention, statistical analysis showed that the mean of fatigue and depression scores in the intervention group was significantly reduced compared to the sham group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Self-acupressure is a simple and inexpensive intervention that effectively reduces depression and fatigue among MS patients.
Mahdi Arbabi, Hossein Rahimi, Nasim Mehrpooya, Seyyed Abolfazl Vagharseyyedin, Sayyed Gholamreza Mortazavi Moghaddam,
Volume 29, Issue 135 (July & August 2021)
Abstract
Background and Objective: The family caregivers of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience heavy caregiver burden (CB). This study investigated the effects of a multidisciplinary supportive program on CB in the family caregivers of patients with advanced COPD.
Materials and Methods: This randomized field trial was conducted in the pulmonary subspecialty clinic of Birjand University of Medical Sciences, in 2019. In the present study, 92 eligible family caregivers of COPD patients were randomly allocated into intervention and control groups. The study intervention included eight sessions. Three educational sessions on COPD were held by a pulmonary disease specialist and an experienced nurse in COPD care, two educational sessions were held on coping strategies by a psychiatric nurse and three peer support sessions. CB was assessed before, immediately after and two months after the study intervention. SPSS (v. 21.0) was used for data analysis.
Results: CB significantly decreased in the intervention group (P=0.01). It did not change significantly in the control group (P=0.63). Between-group differences, with respect to the mean score of CB at the baseline (P=0.66) and the first posttest (P=0.72) were not significant. The mean score of CB in the second posttest was significantly lower in the intervention group, compared to the control group (P=0.007).
Conclusion: Multidisciplinary supportive program is effective in reducing CB among the family caregivers of patients with advanced COPD.
