The physiological and pharmacological effects of Ziziphoratenuior L.: A review study.

OBJECTIVE: Many reports have revealed preventive and therapeutic effects of Ziziphoratenuior; however, few systematic reviews have evaluated such effects. The present study reviews the physiological and pharmacological effects of Z. tenuior extract and its components. MATERIALS AND METHODS: English articles were searched in international databases, such as Embase, Scopus, and PubMed; Persian studies were also searched in national databases such as SID and Magiran. RESULTS: Pulegone is one of the most important effective compounds of Z. tenuior, which has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-stress properties as it affects serotonergic and opioidergic systems and decreases the gastric acid secretion. Moreover, this compound inhibits cholesterol absorption and synthesis, resulting in hyperlipidemic effects and weight loss. In addition to its antioxidant, antitumor, and antibacterial properties, this herb contains an antidiabetic effect mediated by increasing the number of pancreatic beta cells and insulin secretion, and inhibiting alpha-amylase. Although its effective dosage has no side effects, the overuse of its effective compounds, such as pulegone, may raise some liver and pulmonary disorders. CONCLUSION: Z. tenuior and its extract can have preventive and therapeutic effects on diabetes and hyperlipidemia-associated diseases. Since most studies on this herb were in vivo, it is necessary to design clinical trials to evaluate its effects.

Factors affecting hookah tobacco smoking among females in the Islamic Republic of Iran: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hookah smoking in the Islamic Republic of Iran is increasing among females, especially in the southern cities. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing hookah tobacco smoking among females in the Islamic Republic of Iran. METHODS: In this qualitative study, 52 females who use hookah were selected (25-71 years old) from the cities of Evaz and Gerash and were interviewed. The participants were selected using purposive sampling and the data were gathered using semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using the conventional approach of qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Most participants were aged between 25 and 35 years old and 55.8% were married. Three main themes were identified from the qualitative data including: personal factors, family factors and social factors. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that the reasons for hookah smoking were based on complex interactions between individual, family, and social factors. In order to successfully reduce hookah smoking in females it is necessary to consider an approach that uses these social factors.

The effect of progressive muscle relaxation on anxiety and sleep quality in burn patients: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Burn patients experience a high level of anxiety and poor sleep quality due to their special physical and psychological conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation on anxiety and sleep quality in burn patients. METHODOLOGY AND PARTICIPANTS: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, a total of 80 patients admitted to burn ward were enrolled using convenient sampling and randomly assigned to one of the experimental or control groups. In the experimental group, patients were intervened using Jacobson's relaxation technique 20-30min daily for three consecutive days. During this period, the control group received only routine care and treatment. Patients' anxiety and their sleep quality were measured and recorded before and after the intervention using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and St Mary's Hospital Sleep Quality Questionnaire (SMHSQ) respectively. Eventually, data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20.0 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA). RESULTS: The findings of the present study showed a statistically significant decrease in anxiety and improvement in sleep quality in the experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Relaxation as a complementary method can be used along with modern medicine to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality in burn patients.

The effect of progressive muscle relaxation on cancer patients' self-efficacy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Self-efficacy is considered as one of the influential parameters affecting the health of patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of relaxation techniques on self-efficacy of patients suffering from cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a clinical trial in which 80 patients suffering from cancer were randomly assigned to two groups of experimental and control. Data collection instruments consisted of demographic information and Strategies Used by People to Promote Health questionnaires. In the experimental group, the patients performed relaxation techniques once a day for 30 min over two months. In the control group, the patients received the routine care. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed between the mean self-efficacy indices in the experimental group (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the control group (p = 0.3). CONCLUSION: Muscle relaxation can enhance self-efficacy of cancer patients. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative method for patients who are willing to use this technique.

Impact of telephone counseling on the quality of life of patients discharged after coronary artery bypass grafts.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the impact of telephone counseling on quality of life in patients with coronary artery bypass graft. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 71 discharged patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery at Ekbatan Edcuational hospital in Hamadan, Iran, in 2014. The patients were randomly allocated into intervention (n=36) and control group (n=35). The intervention group received education and counseling about therapeutic plan via telephone after discharge. Patients in the control group received only routines. All patients completed the quality of life questionnaire before and after the intervention period of five weeks. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between intervention and control group about quality of life before intervention (p=0.696). However, there was significant and positive deference between the two groups in favor of the telephone counseling after the intervention (P=0.01) and control group (P=0.04). Quality of life in the intervention group was significantly better compared to control group (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Telephone counseling could be a cost-effective patient counseling plan for therapeutic adherence after coronary artery bypass surgery in order to improve the patients' quality of life. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Telephone counseling is feasible to implement and well accepted for patient counseling for many diseases.

Impact of Tele-nursing on adherence to treatment plan in discharged patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A quasi-experimental study in Iran.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Coronary artery bypass graft is a major surgery and has complications that require professional and long term follow-up and nursing care that if do not properly handled, could reduce the quality of life and increase post-operative complications. On the other hand Tele-nursing is a cost-effective way to educate and follow-up of patients. This study aimed to assess the impact of Tele-nursing on adherence to treatment plan in discharged patients after coronary artery bypass graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was carried out at Ekbatan Therapeutic and Educational Center of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences at Hamadan, Iran, in 2013. In this study, 71 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery and had inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two experimental group (n=36), and control group (n=35). They completed questionnaire before discharging from Therapeutic and Educational Center. In the experimental group on days 2, 4, 7, second week (day 11), third week (day 18) and fourth week (day 25) after discharge, follow-up interventions and nursing education with Tele-nursing was done, but in the in the control groups, patients received only routine interventions. After completion of the intervention period, both groups completed the questionnaire and the results were compared. RESULTS: Adherence of treatment plan in both groups did not have significant difference before intervention (P=0.696), but had a significant difference with regard to baseline after intervention in aromatherapy group (P< 0.01) and with control group after intervention (P<0.01). Adherence to treatment plan in the aromatherapy group was better in compared to control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Tele-nursing is a convenient way, cost effective training and follow-up care for patients after coronary artery bypass surgery, which can improve patients' adherence to treatment plan in developing countries such as Iran.