Design and psychometric properties of the family support for older people questionnaire.

Background and objectives: The population of older people is increasing across the world. Older people need care and support from their families to be able to live independently. This study aimed to design and evaluate the psychometric properties of the family support for older people (FSOP) questionnaire. Methods: In this instrument development study using a mixed-methods design, the psychometric properties of the FSOP questionnaire in terms of validity and reliability were evaluated. Results: The FSOP questionnaire consisted of 50 items in six domains. It was shown to have appropriate qualitative and quantitative validities (score > 1.5). The indicators of content validity (CVR > 0.62, ICVI ≥ 0.80, and SCVI > 0.94) and confirmatory factor analysis (indexes of χ2/df = 2.50, CFI = 0.96, GFI = 0.97, AGFI = 0.96, NNFI = 0.96, PNFI = 0.89, TLI = 0.96, and RMSEA = 0.06) were satisfactory. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for reliability was 0.94, indicating an optimal score. Conclusions: Healthcare providers and family caregivers are suggested to use the FSOP questionnaire for improving the quality of life of older people at home.

Meaning of Respect for Older People in Family Relationships.

BACKGROUND: Older people have various physical and mental health needs and often receive help from their family members to perform their daily life activities. This research aimed to explore the meaning of respect for older people in family relationships. METHODS: A qualitative study using a content analysis approach was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were performed with sixteen older people and four family members. RESULTS: Three main categories were developed: "respect for personal interests", "kind and sincere respect" and "respect for autonomy". Understanding of the meaning of respect for older people was influenced by special expectations from family members in terms of meeting personal needs, consideration of preferences and interests and empowerment and support to help preserve older people's independence and autonomy. CONCLUSIONS: Family members should be informed and educated with regard to their expected roles in family relationships, and should consider respect as an important factor affecting older people's well-being.

Typology of Family Support in Home Care for Iranian Older People: A Qualitative Study.

The world population is rapidly aging. In older people, age-related biological decline in most body systems causes functional decline, an increase in dependence, and an increased need for support, especially by their family members. The aim of this study was to explore the main aspects of family support for older parents in home care. This qualitative study was conducted using a deductive qualitative content analysis approach. Participants were 21 older parents living in their own homes, as well as four family members of some participants. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and then were analyzed using the primary matrix developed based on the existing literature. The main aspects of family support for older parents were grouped into five predetermined categories and one new category: "instrumental support", "financial support", "psycho-emotional support", "healthcare-related support", "informational-technological support", and "social preference support ". Family support for older people in home care is a multi-dimensional phenomenon. Family members can identify the needs of their older parents and provide them with appropriate support in collaboration with healthcare professionals to enhance their quality of life, autonomy, and satisfaction with life.

The Effects of Inhalation Aromatherapy on Postoperative Abdominal Pain: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: This study compares the effects of inhalation aromatherapy using essential oils of sweet orange and damask rose on postoperative abdominal pain. DESIGN: A randomized three-arm controlled trial. METHODS: In this randomized double-blinded, and parallel-group controlled trial, a total of 120 patients who underwent open abdominal surgeries were enrolled using a sequential sampling method. Participants were then randomly assigned to three groups of sweet orange, damask rose, and placebo (distilled water) using the permuted block randomization. When the patients regained full consciousness, a clean gauze impregnated with four drops of either distilled water or essential oils of sweet orange or damask rose were attached to the collar of the patients, and they were asked to inhale the aroma through normal breathing for 30 minutes. Abdominal pain severity was recorded using the visual analog scale at four time points including before the intervention (baseline) and 4, 8, and 12 hours after the intervention. FINDINGS: Pain reduction after sweet orange inhalation was significantly greater than placebo (at 8 and 12 hours after the intervention) and damask rose (at 12 hours after the intervention). The differences in the mean score of pain severity between all before-and-after observations were statistically significant in the three groups, except in the placebo group between the baseline score of pain severity and the pain severity score at 4 hours after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Inhalation aromatherapy using sweet orange seems to be more effective than the damask rose in reducing pain severity after open abdominal surgeries.

Effects of Extremity Massage on Preoperative Anxiety: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial on Phacoemulsification Candidates.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to compare the effects of foot and hand massage on preoperative anxiety. DESIGN: Three-arm randomized, nonblinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial. METHODS: This study was conducted on 90 female candidates waiting for phacoemulsification cataract surgery in Arak Amirkabir Hospital, Iran. Patients were consecutively selected and randomly divided into three groups of hand (n = 30), foot (n = 30), and placebo (n = 30), using a random number generator software program. In each group, massage was performed 5 minutes for each hand or foot in the surgical waiting room about 10 minutes before surgery. Anxiety was measured before and after the intervention by visual analog scale and also assessing physiological indicators (heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures). FINDINGS: All the 90 patients completed the study and were included in the final analysis. Both hand and foot massage resulted in a significant decrease compared with placebo massage in anxiety and heart rate. However, no significant difference was found between hand and foot massage in any of the measured parameters. In the foot group and hand group, a significant reduction was observed in heart rate and anxiety after the intervention, whereas the anxiety increased significantly in the placebo group after the intervention. Moreover, systolic blood pressure in the foot group and the respiratory rate in the hand group significantly decreased after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Application of hand or foot massage seems to be effective in managing anxiety in patients waiting for phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

Sleep hygiene training program for patients on hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION: The high prevalence of sleep disorders highlights the importance of its treatment in hemodialysis patients. Due to complications of hypnotic medications, considering effective nonpharmacological methods to improve sleep quality is important. This study has conducted to determine the effect of a sleep hygiene training program on sleep quality of hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 82 hemodialysis patients were randomly selected and allocated to the intervention (n = 41) and control (n = 41) groups. A 1-month sleep hygiene program was provided to the intervention group within 6 sessions, and the sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index before and after the intervention. The global and components scores were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean global scores and component scores of sleep quality were not significantly different between the two groups before the intervention. The mean global score of sleep quality of the intervention group significantly reduced after sleep hygiene education, as compared to the baseline values. The mean global score of the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group after the intervention (intervention, 9.92 +/- 3.80 versus control, 13.05 +/- 4.28). Also, the mean scores subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction were significantly lower in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that nursing and physicians team should consider reducing sleep problems of hemodialysis patients by training sleep hygiene.

Patient satisfaction with nursing and medical care in hospitals affiliated to arak university of medical sciences in 2009.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is essential and must be taken into account when decisions are being made about changes and enhancements to services. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to assess patient satisfaction with the medical and nursing services provided to patients admitted to teaching hospitals affiliated to Arak University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2009. The study population consisted of all patients admitted to the study setting. The instrument consisted of a demographic questionnaire and patient satisfaction questionnaire. Study data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Pearson's and Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. RESULTS: In terms of the medical and nursing care provided, 67% and 69% of the participants were satisfied, respectively. The 'access to opportune nursing care' and 'physician's manner' items received 82.7% and 81.7% of scores, respectively. Satisfaction with medical and nursing care was significantly correlated with the participants' education levels (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that patient satisfaction was at an average level, therefor policy makers in the organizations should consider customer-based feedback and apply various methods to improve it.