The effects of aromatherapy with thyme oil on disease symptoms, vital findings, and hemodynamic parameters in COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of aromatherapy with thyme oil on disease symptoms, vital signs, and hemodynamic parameters in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: We conducted the randomized controlled trial with 140 (experimental group=70, control group=70) COVID-19 patients. Patients admitted to the COVID-19 service of the Batman Training and Research Hospital were included in the sample between 31.01 - 31.08 2022. Patients in the experimental group inhaled thyme oil 3 times a day during 5 days. At the end of day 5, symptoms and hemodynamic parameters were measured as posttest. Vital signs were measured 3 times a day during 5 days. The control group only received routine treatment. RESULTS: Thyme oil was found to be effective in relieving symptoms of shortness of breath, dizziness, secretion, diarrhea, weakness, loss of appetite, cough, headache and muscle joint pain. Although there was improvement in the symptoms of nausea-vomiting, runny nose and loss of taste-smell, the effect was not statistically significant. Thyme oil significantly decreased body temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate (p<0.05), increased SPO 2 (p<0.05), and did not affect systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p>0.05). It had a significant effect on the regulation of pH, decreased CO2 and increased O2 significantly (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Thyme oil aromatherapy was effective in reducing symptoms, regulating vital signs and hemodynamic parameters. Accordingly, thyme oil is recommended as non-pharmacological treatment method in COVID-19 patients.

Perception of spiritual care among palliative care nurses: cross-sectional study in eastern Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Spiritual care is an integral part of palliative care. A nurse's perception of spiritual care is an effective factor for giving spiritual care. AIM: To determine the perception of spiritual care and the variables that might affect the perception of spiritual care among palliative care nurses. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 51 nurses working in the palliative care units. Perceptions of spiritual care was measured with the Spiritual Support Perception Scale. FINDINGS: The mean score of the perception of the spiritual care of the nurses was found to be 64.22±9.25. A negative correlation was found between the nurses' mean score of the perception of spiritual care and the number of patients to whom those nurses provided daily care. CONCLUSION: This study has found that palliative care nurses had a high level of perception of spiritual care. Based on the study results, it was determined that the number of patients receiving daily care was a predictor for the perception of spiritual care.

Care Burden and Quality of Life in Family Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients.

This research was conducted for the purpose of examining the care burden and quality of life in family caregivers of palliative care patients. The research design was a descriptive correlational study conducted with the caregivers of 163 patients residing in palliative care units. Data were collected via a demographic survey, The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL). The results showed that there was a negative correlation between ZBI and WHOQOL scores. Further, there was a significant negative correlation between many subdimensions of the ZBI (general quality of life, general perception of health, being satisfied with daily life skills, home conditions, energy and self-satisfaction) and the WHOQOL. Quality of life thus appeared to be reduced in family members with a high level of care burden and that the quality of life of caregivers depends on the individual characteristics of the caregiver. Social workers, nurses and physicians should regularly assess the burden and quality of life of caregivers.

Comparison of abdominal and arm areas in patients receiving subcutaneous heparin in terms of development of pain, hematoma, and ecchymosis.

The purpose of this study was to compare the abdominal and arm areas in the patients using subcutaneous heparin in terms of pain, hematoma, and ecchymosis development. As a result of subcutaneous heparin injections, complications such as pain, ecchymosis, and hematoma may develop in the injection site. The injection site chosen for injection is one of the factors that are effective on complications. This quasi-experimental study was conducted with 54 patients at orthopedics-traumatology and cardiothoracic surgery clinics of a university hospital. The data were collected using a patient description and follow-up form, visual analog scale, transparent film, and a chronometer. Ecchymosis and hematoma were evaluated at the 48th hour after injection, whereas the pain level was evaluated right after the injection, and the pain duration was evaluated during the injection. The rate of pain in the arm area was statistically higher. Differences between the areas in terms of level and duration of pain and development and size of ecchymosis and hematoma were not significant. More pain developed due to heparin injection in the arm area than in the abdominal area. No differences were observed between the areas in terms of level and duration of pain, development and size of ecchymosis, or development and size of hematoma.