The Effect of Acupressure Applied to Patients With Multiple Sclerosis on Fatigue.

This study was conducted in order to examine the effect of acupressure applied to patients with multiple sclerosis on fatigue. The patients meeting the inclusion criteria were assigned to intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. The data of the study were collected using a questionnaire and the Fatigue Severity Scale. During the study, the control group received its routine treatment; on the other hand, the intervention group received routine treatment and also the certified researcher, receiving the acupressure training, applied acupressure to the intervention group by using the points Li4, ST36 and SP6 3 times a week for a total of 4 weeks. The postacupressure fatigue mean score was 5.2 ± 0.7 in the intervention group and 5.9 ± 0.7 in the control group, and there was a significant difference in the control and intervention groups in terms of postacupressure fatigue mean scores (P < .05). According to these results of the study, it can be recommended to provide acupressure training to patients with multiple sclerosis in order to decrease the fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis.

The effect of breathing exercise on daytime sleepiness and fatigue among patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

This study was conducted with randomized controlled and experimental design to examine the effect of breathing exercise on daytime sleepiness and fatigue on patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The first application was performed by teaching patients in the intervention group breathing exercises including diaphragmatic and pursed lip breathing via the face-to-face interview technique. Then, the researcher applied breathing exercises in the same patient group every morning/evening for 10-15 min and a total of 20-30 min for eight weeks via the online interview method. The data were collected via a questionnaire, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), and Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS). Chi-square, Student's t, Mann Whitney U, paired sample t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and generalized estimating equations were used to assess the data. It was determined that PFS total mean score of the intervention group which was 6.15 ± 1.65 before the application decreased to 5.34 ± 1.94 in the eighth week (p> 0.05) and PFS total mean score of the control group which was 5.59 ± 1.76 before the application increased to 5.77 ± 1.81 in the eighth week (p> 0.05). ESS total mean score of the intervention group which was 12.13 ± 4.34 at the baseline decreased to 9.13 ± 4.71 in the eighth week (p> 0.05) and ESS total mean score of the control group which was 10.37 ± 2.77 at the baseline increased to 10.5 ± 2.85 in the eighth week (p> 0.05). It was concluded that breathing exercise performed in the intervention group decreased the fatigue and daytime sleepiness mean scores of the patients at the end of the fourth and eighth week. In addition, the group-time interaction was significant, which was associated with the intervention group.

The Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercises on Pain, Fatigue, and Quality of Life in Dialysis Patients.

Patients receiving hemodialysis treatment may experience several symptoms at the same time, such as fatigue and pain. Progressive relaxation exercises (PRE) have been reported to have positive effect on the control of these symptoms. In this study, a randomized, controlled, and experimental study was conducted to examine the effect of PRE on pain, fatigue, and quality of life in hemodialysis patients; the study was carried out with 48 intervention and 48 control patients receiving treatment in the hemodialysis units of 2 hospitals. Data were collected by a questionnaire prepared by the researcher, which included questions about sociodemographic variables and the disease; Piper Fatigue Scale; Visual Analog Scale that measures pain severity; and SF-36 Quality of Life Scale. The results of study revealed that mean total fatigue score and mean pain score decreased in the intervention group after the application of PRE; whereas no change was observed in the control group (P < .05). It was also found that quality of life physical component mean score and mental component mean score increased in the intervention group after the application of PRE (P < .05).

The effect of three different solutions on preventing oral mucositis in cancer patients undergoing stem cell transplantation: a non-randomized controlled trial: A Turkish study - NON-RANDOMISED TRIAL.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different solutions administered to patients undergoing stem cell transplantation on oral mucositis. METHODS: The non-randomised controlled trial was conducted at a Istanbul Medipol Mega university hospital in Turkey between May 2014 and June 2016, and comprised patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. They were divided into three groups. Group 1 had patients using chlorhexidine gluconate and benzydamine hydrochloride solution. Group 2 had those using calcium and phosphate solution. Group 3 patients were using black mulberry syrup. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and the World Health Organisation mucositis assessment scale. Assessment was done on days 7, 14 and 21. Clinical significance of oral solutions was statistically determined. RESULTS: Of the 83 patients, 30(36%) were in group 1, 28(34%) in group 2, and 25(30%) in group 3. On day 7, there was no significant difference in terms of grades among the groups (p>0.05). On day 14, grade 2 mucositis was seen in 2(8%) patents in group 3, 5(17.9%) in group 2 and 5(16.7%) in group 1; Grade 3 mucositis was seen in 2(6.7%) patients in group 1, but none in the other two groups. On day 21, grade 3 mucositis was present in 2(8.0%) in group 3, 2(7.1%) in group 2, and 4(13.3%) in group 1. CONCLUSIONS: The use of black mulberry and calcium-phosphate solutions was found to be beneficial in preventing and treating oral mucositis.

The Effect of Inhaler Aromatherapy on Invasive Pain, Procedure Adherence, Vital Signs, and Saturation During Port Catheterization in Oncology Patients.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of inhaler aromatherapy on invasive pain, procedure adherence, vital signs, and saturation during port catheter insertion among patients diagnosed with cancer. The study was conducted in a nonrandomized controlled trial. Sixty patients including 30 patients in the intervention group and 30 patients in the control group, who were subjected with the same local anesthetic protocol, were included in the study. Aromatic mixture prepared by diluting orange, chamomile, and lavender oil in 70 mL distilled water was inhaled by the intervention group during the procedure. The data of the study were collected by using questionnaire, vital follow-up form, and visual analog scale. The patients in the intervention and control groups were similar in terms of sociodemographic and disease characteristics (P > .05). It was determined that inhaler aromatherapy applied to patients in the intervention group decreased pain experienced during the procedure and facilitated the procedure adherence (P < .05); however, it did not affect vital signs and saturation (P > .05). It can be recommended to administer inhaler aromatherapy with pharmacological therapies during catheterization procedure since it decreases invasive pain and facilitates the procedure adherence.

The effect of diluted lavender oil inhalation on pain development during vascular access among patients undergoing haemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted as a randomised controlled design in order to evaluate the effect of lavender oil inhalation on pain development during vascular access among patients undergoing haemodialysis. METHODS: The study was conducted involving a total of 60 patients receiving treatment at the haemodialysis unit of a public hospital. The data of study were collected using a questionnaire and a Visual Analogue Scale. Lavender oil inhalation containing a 1:10 ratio of lavender and sweet almond oil was prepared. RESULTS: The pain mean score of the intervention group was 3.8 ±â€¯0.3 prior to the application of lavender oil inhalation and decreased to 3.0 ±â€¯0.2 following the inhalation application; whereas, the pain mean score of the control group increased from 5.4 ±â€¯0.3 to 5.6 ±â€¯0.6. CONCLUSION: It was observed that applying lavender oil inhalation to patients undergoing haemodialysis did decrease pain level experienced by patients during vascular access and caused no negative effects.

The Effect of Acupressure on Pain in Cancer Patients With Bone Metastasis: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a serious and common problem in bone metastases. For this purpose, complementary and supportive practices are also applied along with medical treatment. This study was conducted for the purpose of evaluating the effect of acupressure on pain in cancer patients with bone metastasis. METHODS: The study was conducted in a nonrandomized controlled trial with patients who applied to the radiotherapy unit of an oncology hospital. The data of the study were collected by using a questionnaire and the Visual Analog Scale. A total of 8 acupressure sessions, which lasted for approximately 10 minutes each (with warming and acupressure periods), was applied to the intervention group. The data were analyzed by using χ2 test, paired t test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: It was determined that the pain mean score of the intervention group was 7.6 ± 1.9 before the acupressure and decreased to 6.8 ± 1.9 after the acupressure and this result was statistically significant. On the other hand, no significant difference was determined in the pain mean score of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Acupressure is applicable for cancer patients with bone metastasis by nursing staff after receiving brief training and may make a difference in relieving pain of the patients. Further well-designed trials should be conducted.

Effect of Acupressure on Nausea-Vomiting in Patients With Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of acupressure, applied at P6 (Neiguan) acupuncture point, on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia. This was a randomized controlled trial conducted on patients with myeloblastic leukemia. A total of 90 patients, who received the same chemotherapy regimen and antiemetic therapy, were included in the study as 30 patients in the control group, 30 patients in the band group, and 30 patients in the pressure group. Although acupressure was applied by placing wristbands at P6 acupuncture point of both wrists in patients of the band group for totally 4 days, acupressure was applied with the use of finger pressure in patients of the pressure group for totally 4 days. No intervention was made in patients of the control group other than the routine antiemetic therapy. The data of the study were collected by using a questionnaire and nausea-vomiting chart. Severity of nausea-vomiting was assessed by using the visual analog scale on this chart. It was determined that the acupressure band applied to the patients included in the study reduced number and severity of nausea-vomiting (P < .05); however, the acupressure applied with pressure did not affect number and severity of nausea-vomiting (P > .05). It was found that the acupressure band was effective for reducing the chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Does Ramadan Fasting Affect Fatigue in Nurses?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on fatigue in nurses. The study was conducted between June 19 and July 27, 2014, with a descriptive design. This study was completed with 99 nurses working in a public hospital in the city of Gaziantep located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. The data of the study were collected by using a questionnaire and the Piper Fatigue Scale. The Piper Fatigue Scale includes 4 subscale/dimensional scores and total fatigue scores. Higher scores indicate more fatigue. Statistical significance levels were set at P < .05. It was determined that the fatigue subscale and total mean scores of nurses increased in a statistically significant manner except for the affective subscale after the month of Ramadan (P < .05). In addition, it was found that the fatigue mean scores of those, who were working for 0 to 4 years, were employed in surgery units, and evaluated their health as bad, were higher (P > .05). The Ramadan fasting increased fatigue levels of nurses. Therefore, it is of vital importance to evaluate fatigue levels of nurses especially in the month of Ramadan and take the necessary precautions in terms of patient and personnel safety.

Does Telephone Follow-Up and Education Affect Self-Care and Metabolic Control in Diabetic Patients?

The major goal of diabetes control is to assist patients to perform self-care and metabolic control. One possible way to achieve this goal is education and regular monitoring of patients by telephone. Thus, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the impact of education and telephone follow-up on self-care and metabolic control in diabetic patients. This experimental study was conducted at a hospital in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, with 88 diabetic patients including 44 intervention subjects and 44 control subjects. After an initial discussion, patients in the intervention group received education and telephone follow-up for 3 months. Required approvals were obtained before initiation of the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire form and the Diabetes Self-Care Scale. The Diabetes Self-Care Scale scores ranged between 140 and 210, where higher scores indicated increased self-care activities of patients. At the end of the study, the self-care score was found to increase from 61.3 ± 10.9 to 89.9 ± 12.3 in the intervention group (P < .005), but it showed a reduction from 56.5 ± 7.6 to 54.7 ± 9.3 after 3-month period in the control group. Education and telephone follow-up was also found to reduce the values of several variables of metabolic control including hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure. In conclusion, education and telephone follow-up of diabetic patients led to increased self-care scores and had a positive impact on metabolic control variables. In light of these findings, we suggest that education and tele-health home monitoring may be provided on a continuous basis to help patients sustain self-care behaviors that they have adopted during the study period.

The Challenge of Diabetes in the Elderly and Affecting Factors: A Turkish Study.

This study was conducted with the goal of evaluating the challenge of diabetes in elderly individuals and affecting factors. This descriptive study was conducted with 88 diabetic patients 65 years of age or older who were admitted to the endocrinology and metabolism disorders outpatient clinic data of the study collected by using a questionnaire prepared by the researchers and the Elderly Diabetes Burden Scale. Total score of the scale varies between 19 and 92 points. While a higher score indicates a higher burden a lower score indicates a lower burden, data were analyzed by using Student t test, 1-way analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Subscale and total mean scores of patients were as follows: 9.4 ± 3.2 for symptom burden; 12.4 ± 3.4 for social burden; 11.4 ± 3.3 for burden by dietary restrictions; 11.9 ± 3.7 for burden of worry about diabetes; 4.3 ± 1.3 for burden from treatment dissatisfaction; 9.4 ± 4.6 for burden by oral antidiabetic drugs or insulin; and 58.5 ± 9.6 for total diabetes burden score. Diabetes burden was found to be higher for patients who were at an advanced age, single, female, had a lower income, receiving oral antidiabetic or insulin treatment, and had diabetes duration of 6 to 11 years, a concomitant chronic condition or a diabetic person among first-degree relatives and who did not come for regular follow-up visits, had no assistance for their care, and who stated a poor quality of life and treatment compliance. Elderly diabetic patients were found to have a high total Elderly Diabetes Burden Scale score, and the highest scores were observed for the subscales of burden by dietary restrictions, social burden, and burden of worry about diabetes. Thus, it could be recommended to perform appropriate nursing interventions in order to assess and reduce diabetes challenge during planning of necessary treatment and care in elderly diabetic patients.

The effect of aromatherapy and massage administered in different ways to women with breast cancer on their symptoms and quality of life.

The primary objective of this study was to assess the effect of aromatherapy and classic massage administered in various ways to breast cancer patients on their symptoms and quality of life. The sampling consisted of 280 patients. Quality of life and symptoms of the patients were evaluated once at baseline and then at week 6 and week 10 following the intervention. After intervention, the control group was observed to have lower total quality of life score and subdomain scores, whereas fragrance, massage and aromatherapy massage groups had higher scores, and the increase was more obvious particularly in the patients in the aromatherapy massage group. Similarly, whereas psychological and physical symptoms were experienced more intensely in the control group, the severity of all the symptoms experienced by the other patients decreased at week 6 and week 10 as compared with baseline especially in the group that was administered massage with aromatherapy.

The effect of reflexology applied on haemodialysis patients with fatigue, pain and cramps.

The research was conducted to evaluate the effect of foot reflexology on fatigue, pain and cramps in haemodialysis patients. The sample consisted of 80 patients in total, 40 intervention and 40 control patients, receiving treatment in the haemodialysis units of two institutions. Data were collected by using a questionnaire, Piper Fatigue Scale and visual analogue scale for measuring the severity of cramp and pain. The intervention group received reflexology treatment for 1 week in three sessions following haemodialysis, each session lasting approximately 30 min. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used in data analysis. It was determined that reflexology reduced the fatigue subscale scores and total scale scores as well as pain and cramp mean scores in the intervention group. The research results revealed that the severity of fatigue, pain and cramp decreased in patients receiving reflexology.

Effect of Turkish classical music on blood pressure: a randomized controlled trial in hypertensive elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Existing studies suggest that music therapy can have favorable effects on hypertension and anxiety. We therefore set out to investigate the effect of Turkish classical music. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether Turkish classical music has positive effects on blood pressures and anxiety levels in elderly patients. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: This was a randomized controlled trial performed on 60 hypertensive patients living in a local elderly home in Adana, Turkey. METHODS: Following the completion of a socio-demographic form for each patient, Hamilton anxiety scale was applied. Thereafter, the subjects were randomly divided into two equal-size groups and were allowed to either listen to Turkish classical music (music therapy group) or have a resting period (control group) for 25 min. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary and secondary outcome measures were blood pressure and Hamilton anxiety scale scores, respectively. RESULTS: The mean reduction in systolic blood pressure was 13.00 mmHg in the music therapy group and 6.50 mmHg in the control group. The baseline adjusted between treatment group difference was not statistically significant (95% CI 6.80-9.36). The median reductions in diastolic blood pressures were 10 mmHg both in the music therapy and control groups. The between treatment group difference was not statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U test, P = 0.839). The mean reduction in HAMA-A was 1.63 in the music therapy group and 0.77 in the control group. The baseline adjusted between treatment group difference was not statistically significant (95% CI 0.82-1.92). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that both Turkish classical music and resting alone have positive effects on blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

The use of complementary therapies in cancer patients: a questionnaire-based descriptive survey from southeastern Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: A study was designed to measure the frequency of complementary therapy (CT) usage in cancer patients in southeastern Turkey. The demographic characteristics associated with the use of CT are sought in patients undergoing or following conventional treatment. METHODS: A descriptive survey was performed in a total of 560 cancer patients. Questionnaire-based measures of demographics, expectations, and effects of using different types of CT and perceived benefits were recorded. RESULT: Demographic characteristics (age, gender, education status, etc.) did not differ among CT users and non-CT users. Three hundred ten patients (55.4%) had used at least one type of CT since the time of the initial diagnosis of cancer. The most frequently used CT method was herbal therapy, and the most commonly used herb was the stinging nettle. The source of information about CT was mainly from friends/family, whereas physicians and nurses played a small part in providing CT-related information. The majority of the patients used CT to benefit more from medical treatment. Only 20.7% of the patients considered themselves not benefiting from using CT. CONCLUSIONS: Currently more than half of Turkish patients with cancer use CT in addition to the standard medical approaches. CT usage is not associated with any specific demographic variables. Health professionals should not disregard the reality of CT usage in cancer patients. Because the majority of cancer patients use CT regardless of the medical advice, randomized clinical trials are needed to explore risks and benefits associated with CT modalities in cancer.

Listening to Turkish classical music decreases patients' anxiety, pain, dissatisfaction and the dose of sedative and analgesic drugs during colonoscopy: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To determine whether listening to music decreases the requirement for dosages of sedative drugs, patients' anxiety, pain and dissatisfaction feelings during colonoscopy and makes the procedure more comfortable and acceptable. METHODS: Patients undergoing elective colonoscopy between October 2005 and February 2006 were randomized into either listening to music (Group 1, n = 30) or not listening to music (Group 2, n = 30). Anxiolytic and analgesic drugs (intravenous midazolam and meperidine) were given according to the patients' demand. Administered medications were monitored. We determined their levels of anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Test form. Patients' satisfaction, pain, and willingness to undergo a repeated procedure were self-assessed using a visual analog scale. RESULTS: The mean dose of sedative and analgesic drugs used in group 1 (midazolam: 2.1 +/- 1.4, meperidine: 18.1 +/- 11.7) was smaller than group 2 (midazolam: 2.4 +/- 1.0, meperidine: 20.6 +/- 11.5), but without a significant difference (P > 0.05). The mean anxiety level in group 1 was lower than group 2 (36.7 +/- 2.2 vs 251.0 +/- 1.9, P < 0.001). The mean satisfaction score was higher in group 1 compared to group 2 (87.8 +/- 3.1 vs 58.1 +/- 3.4, P < 0.001). The mean pain score in group 1 was lower than group 2 (74.1 +/- 4.7 vs 39.0 +/- 3.9, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Listening to music during colonoscopy helps reduce the dose of sedative medications, as well as patients' anxiety, pain, dissatisfaction during the procedure. Therefore, we believe that listening to music can play an adjunctive role to sedation in colonoscopy. It is a simple, inexpensive way to improve patients' comfort during the procedure.