The effect of aroma massage on constipation in elderly individuals.

BACKGROUND: Constipation is a health problem commonly seen in the elderly individuals. Abdominal massage is thought to stimulate the rectal loading by increasing intra-abdominal pressure. PURPOSE: To determine effects of aromatherapy massage on constipation in the elderly individuals. METHODS: Forty eight elderly individuals with constipation were randomized to aromatherapy massage, and control groups. Massage was applied with oil blend to the experimental group during 3 weeks, once a day and lasting 15 min. RESULTS: During aroma massage and after aroma massage in intervention group, mean scores related to 'defecation number', 'amount of feces' and 'consistency of feces' were increased and these increases were statistically significant. The mean scores related to 'straining during defecation' and 'feeling of incomplete discharge of feces' were decreased. CONCLUSION: It was determined that aroma massage practice has increased 'frequency of defecation', 'amount of feces' and 'consistency of feces' but decreased the 'straining during defecation' and 'feeling of incomplete discharge of feces'.

The effect of hand and foot massage on fatigue in hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of hand massage and foot massage on fatigue in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This randomized, controlled and quasi-experimental study was conducted between October 19, 2018 and February 11, 2019 with patients receiving hemodialysis therapy in the dialysis unit of a public hospital in Turkey. Data were collected using a Patient Identification Form and the Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue. The study was carried out with 82 patients in three groups: a hand massage group (n = 27), a foot massage group (n = 27) and a control group (n = 28). The patients in the control group were not administered any treatments except for standard nursing interventions in the hemodialysis unit. RESULTS: In between-groups comparison the hand and foot massage groups' mean fatigue score decreased after the application compared to that of the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hand and foot massage were found to reduce fatigue in patients receiving hemodialysis.

Nurses' views and applications on palliative care.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out descriptively to determine the view and applications about pallative care of nurses working in a university hospital. DESIGN AND METHODS: The data were collected with the questionnaire form: "Individual Information Form" and "Views and Appllications on Palliative Care," created by the researchers in line with the literature. FINDINGS: A total of 96.6% of the nurses evaluated the scope of palliative care as pain relief, and the most common difficulties in care were identified as bad news (88.1%). In all, 22.0% of the nurses talked to the patient and their family about death. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is thought that the majority of nurses are not trained in palliative care and their opinions about palliative care are affected by this situation.

Relationship Between Death Anxiety of Turkish Nurses and Their Attitudes Toward the Dying Patients.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between death anxiety of the Turkish nurses and their attitudes toward the dying patient. This study involved 203 nurses who were working at a university hospital. The data were collected using "Nurse Information Form" (which was prepared by the authors of this research), "Thorson-Powell Death Anxiety Scale," and "Attitude Scale about Euthanasia, Death, and Dying Patient." There was a positive correlation between death anxiety and dying patient avoidance behavior and euthanasia score (p < .05). The findings showed that nurses, death anxiety, and death scores were high in the loss of a close relatives (p < .05). Our findings suggest that the situation of the dying patients and their families and also nurses should be improved. Thus, special psychological education/training should be given to the nurses to deal with death anxiety and their attitude to the dying patient.

Comparison of Interactive Education Versus Fluorescent Concretization on Hand Hygiene Compliance Among Primary School Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Hand hygiene for children is crucial to keep them healthy. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of two educational initiatives on "handwashing effectiveness (HWE)." A randomized controlled trial was carried out during April/June 2016, and 96 primary school students were randomly assigned to Group I receiving education with fluorescent gel; Group II receiving interactive education or control group continuing its normal education. Evaluation was made by scoring the fluorescent areas on the hands with photographs. There were significant differences in handwashing scores between preprogram and postprogram for all areas in only Group II (p < .05). HWE increased from 17.9% to 18.4% in Group I, from 15.4% to 37.7% in Group II, and from 35.5% to 35.8% in control group. Only concretization with fluorescent gel is not a sufficiently strong motivator for increasing HWE. New techniques should be integrated into the training programs for children.