Effect of progressive muscle relaxation technique on self-esteem and self-efficacy in multiple sclerosis patients: A clinical trial study.

BACKGROUND: Low self-esteem and inefficiency are major problems in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. A progressive muscle relaxation technique is one of the complementary therapies. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation techniques on self-esteem and self-efficacy in MS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial was conducted on 100 MS patients were randomly divided into two groups of experimental (n = 50) and control (n = 50). The experimental group received progressive muscle relaxation techniques in eight 60-min sessions twice a week for 4 weeks. Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale and Self-Efficacy Scales of MS patients were completed before, immediately, and 4 weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 16. RESULTS: The mean score of self-esteem was not significantly different between the control (26.02 ± 5.83) and experimental (26.40 ± 6.06) groups before intervention (P = 0.247). The mean score of self-esteem in the control group (27.16 ± 7.45) and the experimental group (29.06 ± 6.61) immediately after the intervention (P = 0.083) was not significantly different. 4 weeks after the intervention, the mean scores of self-esteem in the control (26.96 ± 8.33) and the experimental (29.98 ± 7.02) groups were significantly different (P = 0.012). The mean score of self-efficacy was significantly different between the control (41.62 ± 4.46) and experimental (39.32 ± 4.31) groups before intervention (P = 0.010). The mean scores of self-efficacy in the control group (38.38 ± 5.07) and the experimental group (44 ± 4.46) immediately after the intervention (P < 0.001) and 4 weeks after intervention showed a significant difference between the control group (38.04 ± 5.46) and the experimental (46.40 ± 5.04) groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Due to the effect of progressive muscle relaxation on self-esteem and self-efficacy of MS patients, its safety and simplicity, this technique can be used as a complementary therapy to enhance the level of self-esteem and self-efficacy of MS patients.

Spiritual Needs of the Muslim Elderly Living in Nursing Homes: A Qualitative Study.

Paying attention to and meeting the needs of people who are elderly helps to improve their health. Caring for the elderly includes addressing their spiritual needs which has been less investigated. This study aimed to examine the spiritual needs of the Muslim elderly living in nursing homes. A qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis. Seventeen elderly people (nine women and eight men) were selected from four nursing homes in Iran using purposive sampling. The subjects were asked to participate in semi-structured interviews. The interview transcripts were analyzed using content analysis. First, semantic units were identified and then related codes were extracted and classified into categories and subcategories based on their similarities. Finally, themes were extracted from the data. The elderly's spiritual needs were classified into three main themes: religious needs, existential needs, and communication needs. Religious needs were divided into religious beliefs, individual religious practices, and collective religious practices. Existential needs were categorized as meaning of life, purpose of life, and need for peace. Communication needs were conceptualized to include relationship with God and relationship with others. It is argued that caregivers of the elderly should recognize the elderly's spiritual needs, including religious, existential, and communication needs, and attempt to maintain and promote the elderly's spiritual health.

Exploring the Process of Spiritual Health of the Elderly Living in Nursing Homes: A Grounded Theory Study.

BACKGROUND: Spiritual health is one of the important dimensions of the elderly's health, which plays an important role in other dimensions of their health. This study aimed to explain the process of spiritual health of the elderly living in nursing homes. METHODS: This grounded theory study was conducted in 4 nursing homes in the city of Arak Iran between October 2019 and September 2020. The participants were 24 elderly people living in nursing homes, two health care providers, one nurse and one family member, first selected through purposive sampling and then, through theoretical sampling. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field notes. All the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed based on Strauss and Corbin approach (2008). RESULTS: Six main categories were identified, including helplessness, inefficient supportive environment, spiritual distress, seeking support, relative improvement of spiritual health and factors affecting spiritual health, each of which explains a part of the whole process of spiritual health of the elderly living in nursing homes. CONCLUSION: Supporting the elderly living in nursing homes is necessary in order to meet their spiritual needs and preserve and promote their spiritual health.