Do Medical Sciences Students Have the Proper Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice, Regarding the Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Iran?

Background: The increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has changed expectations of healthcare professionals concerning the knowledge, attitude, and practice of CAM. The present study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of students of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Iran) in 2020 concerning CAM. Methods: The present descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 226 medical sciences students using targeted quota sampling. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on valid scientific articles and literature. The questionnaire was comprised of 92 items and assessed students' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding CAM. Results: The study participants' mean CAM knowledge and attitude scores were 14.12±6.1 and 58.7±29.28, respectively. The primary information sources included mass media, the internet, and friends. Most participants (63.4%) were willing to use CAM methods. The most common CAM was herbal therapy (29.1%), and the most common reason for using, was gastrointestinal problems (39.2%). Conclusion: The participants indicated moderate knowledge and poor attitude regarding CAM. Thus, considering the extensive application of CAM methods among the participants and their insufficient knowledge and inappropriate attitude, that is recommended to include CAM methods be included besides the conventional medicine, in the academic curriculum of students of medical sciences.

Effect of stachys lavandulifolia on occupational stress in emergency medical technicians.

OBJECTIVE: According to studies, occupational stress is quite prevalent among Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). On the other hand, it has been shown that Stachys lavandulifolia, also known as the Mountain Tea in Iran, has anxiolytic properties. Considering the current increasing trend of using remedies based on alternative medicine for stress management, the present clinical trial intended to investigate the effect of Stachys lavandulifolia on occupational stress in EMTs METHODS: The present study included 60 EMTs working in Arak, Markazi province, Iran, who were randomly divided into study and control groups. The study group was treated with tea made of Stachys lavandulifolia (2 g daily) for 2 months, while the control group was treated with black tea. Moreover, the level of occupational stress in the study participants was assessed using the Hospital Stress Scale (HSS-35) before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 22. RESULTS: According to our results, the mean occupational stress score was significantly decreased in the study group after the intervention (p < 0.05). Moreover, the post-intervention scores were significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant change in occupational stress in the control group after the intervention (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In combination with other stress-relieving options, the tea made of Stachys lavandulifolia can be used as a complementary therapy for alleviating occupational stress in EMTs.

Therapeutic effects of magnesium and vitamin B6 in alleviating the symptoms of restless legs syndrome: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease (RLS/WED) is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders. There are contradicting data about the effectiveness of magnesium and vitamin B6 in alleviating the symptoms of this condition. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of magnesium and vitamin B6 in alleviating the symptoms of RLS/WED. METHODS: A single-blind study was conducted on individuals with this illness for at least three months. Randomly, 75 patients were assigned into three groups: magnesium, vitamin B6, and placebo. The experimental group received daily doses of 40 mg vitamin B6 or 250 mg magnesium oxide. While others in the control group merely received a placebo. Patients' disease severity and sleep quality were evaluated three times using standard questionnaires (at the beginning of the study, one and two months after therapy). Utilizing SPSS22 software and the ANOVA, t-test, and repeated measure tests, statistical analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation of sleep quality and disease severity at the beginning of the trial and throughout the first month following the intervention did not differ statistically between the three groups. In the second month following the intervention, the mean and standard deviation of sleep quality and disease severity were significantly different (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Taking magnesium and vitamin B6 supplements can reduce the severity of symptoms of RLS/WED patients and improve their sleep quality.

Transcendence, the Most Important Spiritual Need of Muslim Older Adults: A Content Analysis Study.

Healthcare providers agree that promoting spirituality among older adults while caring for them increases their quality of life. However, there is little knowledge about the spiritual needs of the elderly, especially in the Muslim community. This qualitative study attempted to explore the spiritual needs of Muslim older adults. Fifteen non-hospitalized Muslim older adults from Hamadan City, Iran, were interviewed. The semi-structured interviews were analyzed using conventional content analysis. After identifying semantic units from the text, related codes were extracted and placed in subcategories and categories based on their similarities. Once the data were analyzed, one theme was formed. The study's findings showed that the spiritual needs of older adults fell into three main categories: religious needs, the need for transcendence, and the need for connection. Religious needs included subcategories of religious practices and beliefs, and the need for transcendence included the search for meaning and purpose in life, and the need for peace and stability and balance. Also, the need for connection included the need to connect with nature and connect with others. Healthcare professionals and family caregivers should be trained in the specific competence of recognizing older people's unmet spiritual needs and fulfilling them.

Spiritual Care in Hospitalized Patients in Iran: An Action Research Study.

Religious practices can raise the sense of merit and hope through overcoming the feeling of isolation. Studies conducted in this area have indicated that patients may desire to have their spiritual needs met. Nonetheless, sufficient attention has not been paid to these special needs. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the barriers to the provision of spiritual care for hospitalized patients. This is an action research study in which a total of 11 nurses and 76 hospitalized patients were recruited using purposive and convenience sampling, respectively. Data were collected using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. In the action cycles, the participants' concerns were examined, constructed, then evaluated, and re-constructed using reflective assessment. The qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed using the content analysis approach and the Mann-Whitney U, Chi-squared, and t-tests, respectively. At the first stage, the results of the content analysis showed the lack of professional knowledge and the existence of organizational barriers in the provision of spiritual care for patients. Reflection in the final stage led to the discovery of four concepts including (a) perceived advantages of change in performance, (b) being capable of providing spiritual care, (c) getting positive feedback, and (d) preparation for improving the provision of spiritual care. The results of the quantitative analysis indicated a significant increase in the mean score of patient satisfaction after the provision of spiritual care (p = .001). The results of this study led the authors to a deeper understanding of various dimensions of spiritual care among patients hospitalized in the cardiology ward and ultimately improved the patients and their families' level of satisfaction.

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.

Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 Using Traditional and Folk Medicine: A Content Analysis Study.

Background: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease with no specific and definitive drug treatment. With the COVID-19 outbreak, traditional and folk methods were used for its treatment. This study was conducted to explore people's experiences of using traditional and folk medicine for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in Iran. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted on 37 people in Arak (Iran) from May to November 2020 using a conventional content analysis approach. The participants were selected using cluster sampling and interviewed using semistructured telephone interviews. After transcribing the interviews, they were analyzed using content analysis. Accordingly, semantic units were identified, related codes were extracted and placed in subcategories and categories based on similarities, and themes were formed. The interviews continued until data saturation. Results: After analyzing the collected data, 116 different codes were extracted and classified into two subcategories of pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. Then, each of the subcategories was classified into two categories: conventional medicine and traditional medicine. Finally, two main themes were obtained, including prevention methods and self-treatment methods for COVID-19. Conclusion: People use various traditional and folk methods for COVID-19 prevention and treatment. Such methods can be either useful or lack the necessary effectiveness and have side effects. Thus, necessary training should be provided to the public about using these methods and avoiding unapproved treatments.

The effect of novel simple saffron syrup on fatigue reduction in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objectives Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive and often debilitating neurological disorder. This chronic disease has a high prevalence in the world and also in Iran. Fatigue is a common symptom of the disease, which causes serious mental and psychological discomfort. Simple saffron syrup, contains some compounds that can be effective in relieving the symptom. The object of this study is to investigate the effect of simple saffron syrup on fatigue in patients with MS. Methods This study is a pre-post study which evaluates the fatigue rate of MS patients (30 participants) according to the FSS scale. The participants were given a saffron simple syrup to consume a tablespoon (7.5 cc) every 8 h for two months. After 60 days of prescribing, patients are assessed for fatigue based on fatigue severity scale (FSS) criteria. Results One-way ANOVA showed that there was a notable difference between the mean score of fatigue in MS patients before and after the intervention (p<0.001). So, the fatigue severity of the subjects after saffron syrup consumption dropped dramatically for two months. (p<00.01). Conclusions According to the outcomes of this study, simple saffron syrup can be effective as an adjunct therapy for fatigue reduction in patients with MS due to effectiveness besides no significant side effects.

Effects of relaxation on self-esteem of patients with cancer: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cancer is usually associated with decreased self-esteem. Relaxation is one of the most effective methods to promote self-esteem of patients with chronic diseases. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of relaxation on self-esteem of patients with cancer. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 80 patients with cancer. The samples were selected by convenience sampling method and were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, the patients implemented relaxation techniques once a day for 30 min during 60 consecutive days in addition to receiving routine care, while patients in the control group received only routine care. Before and after the intervention, the Persian version of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) was completed. RESULTS: After the interventions, significant differences were observed between groups in favor of the relaxation group in total score of CSEI and all its subscales (P = 0.0001). In the experimental group, a significant increase in total score and all subscales of CSEI was observed after the intervention (P = 0.001), whereas in the control group, a significant decrease was found in all dimensions (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The relaxation seems to be potentially effective in promoting self-esteem of patients with cancer. Further studies, particularly randomized clinical trials with higher sample size and more power, are needed to confirm the obtained findings.