ABSTRACT
Objective: Having a preterm infant is a stressful experience for parents, especially for mothers. This study was conducted to identify the effect of kangaroo mother care on the resilience of mothers with preterm infant hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Materials and methods: In this randomized controlled trial study, 60 mothers with preterm infant hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were randomly selected and allocated to intervention and control groups (30 per group), in Fatemiyeh Hospital, Hamadan, Iran. Data collection tool included demographic information and Conner & Davidson Resilience Questionnaire (CD-RISC), which were completed by mothers before and after the intervention. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) as an intervention was run in at least one hour daily for a week in the intervention group. The mother-infant pairs in the control group only received conventional method of care (CMC). Results: There was a significant increase in the total resilience score of the mothers in the KMC group (from 58.87±14.71 to 69.67±14.50) after intervention (P<0.001); however, resilience score decreased significantly in the mothers of CMC group (from 57.77±13.33 to 51.63±12.20). Conclusion: Kangaroo mother care could increase the resilience of mothers of preterm infants. Therefore using this approach as a complementary, effective, Low-cost, non-invasive care is recommended to maintain and promote the health of mothers with preterm infant.
ABSTRACT
Background: Infertility is one of the most common problems in the world; there is a growing demand for herbal medicines to treat infertility-related problems. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial with three groups was conducted, each with 30 participants. The first group was administered 1.5 grams of Carob daily, the second group was administered 1.5 grams of Ginseng daily, and the third group received a placebo. The treatment was administered for 12 weeks, and before and after the intervention, semen parameters, testosterone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid hormones, and sexual function were evaluated. Sexual function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire. Results: The mean (SD) age of participants was 34.83 (6.22), 34.60 (5.78), and 33.67 (5.82) years in Carob, Ginseng, and Placebo groups, respectively. The results showed that in the Carob group, the normal volume of semen (Z 133 = 3.05, p = 0.02) and the normal shape of sperm (Z 134 = 2.97, p = 0.01) increased significantly compared to the control group. In the Ginseng group, the normal volume (Z 133 = 3.90, p = 0.001) and the normal viscosity of semen (Z 133 = 2.36, p = 0.01) increased significantly compared to the control group.The Carob group showed a significant increase in normal sperm counts and testosterone hormone levels (Z 131 = 2.81, p = 0.05). The Ginseng group demonstrated a significant improvement in orgasm function (H2 = 6.14, p = 0.04) and the total score of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) (H2 = 5.8, p = 0.05). Conclusions: Carob supplements are suggested to enhance some semen parameters and male sex hormones. For infertile men, Ginseng can be beneficial in improving sexual function.
ABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of this study is comparison of carob with placebo in the treatment of male infertility. Materials and methods: This study was performed as a clinical trial with two-group pretest-posttest design. Each group consisted of 30 members. The first group received 1.5 grams of carob per day, and the second group received placebo treatments. Treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Semen analysis as well as testosterone, prolactin, (LH), (FSH) and (TSH) were performed before and after drug treatment in two groups. Sexual function was assessed in the groups in two stages before and after the intervention using the standard International Index of Erectile Function. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS 16. Results: The participants' mean age was 34.83 ±6.22 in the placebo and 33.67 ±5.82 years in the Carob group. The results showed in the carob group compared to the placebo group, the rate of normal sperm counts increased by 17% and also the normal level of testosterone was 40% higher than the abnormal levels of the placebo group and these differences were statistically significant (P <0.05). And in most areas of sexual function, the mean scores after the intervention were higher than before (P> 0.05). Conclusion: It is recommended to use carob supplements to improve spermogram parameters and male sex hormones.