The efficacy of earplugs and eye masks for delirium severity and sleep quality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in cardiac intensive care units: A single-blind, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Delirium is a neuropsychiatric syndrome with a wide range of possible causes and multiple complications in patients admitted to intensive care units. It is, therefore, necessary to seek appropriate and safe strategies to prevent and manage delirium. This study is intended to examine the efficacy of eye masks and earplugs for delirium severity and sleep quality in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting in a cardiac intensive care unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-blind, randomised controlled trial was conducted on 114 patients who were consecutively enrolled and randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group received routine care plus eye masks and earplugs, and the control group received only routine care. The delirium severity and sleep quality were measured with the Neelon and Champagne confusion scale and the Verran and Snyder-Halpern sleep scale. RESULTS: The mean delirium severity score differed significantly between the two groups on the second, third, and fourth postoperative days (p < 0.001). Although the trend of changes in the mean delirium severity score from the first postoperative day (before the intervention) to the second, third, and fourth postoperative days was downward in the two groups (trending towards higher delirium severity), the control group experienced greater changes than the experimental group. An intragroup analysis of delirium severity detected a statistically significant difference in both the experimental and control groups (p < 0.001). The sleep quality domains (sleep disturbance, sleep effectiveness, sleep supplementation) showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups across the three intervention days (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The overnight use of eye masks and earplugs were found to have positive effects on sleep quality domains (sleep disturbance, sleep effectiveness, sleep supplementation) and delirium severity in coronary artery bypass grafting patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit for several days. It was also found that a significant interaction effect between the sleep disturbance subscale and delirium severity exists. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: (https://en.irct.ir): IRCT20210523051370N2.

The effect of melatonin on sleep quality and cognitive function of individuals undergoing hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: and purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin on sleep quality and cognitive function of individuals undergoing hemodialysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 102 eligible individuals were assigned to two equal intervention and control groups. The intervention group received melatonin 3 mg tablets half an hour before going to bed for six weeks, while the control group was given a placebo with similar conditions. RESULTS: This study had 102 participants who were divided into intervention and control groups. The mean age of the participants was 58.30 (SD = 12.10). Among the participants, 54.90% were female. Moreover, 33.33% of the individuals received dialysis for four years or longer. After the intervention, the mean and standard deviation of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was 12.66 (SD = 3.09) in the intervention group and 18.86 (SD = 3.8) in the control group (P < 0.001). Moreover, the mean sleep quality index in the intervention group showed a statistically significant difference before and after the intervention (P < 0.001); the PSQI score declined from 20.21 to 12.66. Likewise, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups after intervention in the mean Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) index (P = 0.002); it was 24.27 (SD = 3.42) in the intervention group and 22.15 (SD = 2.3) in the control group. The mean MoCA score in the intervention group showed a significant difference before and after the intervention (P < 0.001), increasing from 21.19 to 24.27. CONCLUSION: According to the study's findings, melatonin can improve individuals undergoing hemodialysis' cognitive function and sleep quality.

Estimating mortality and disability in Peru before the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of the Disease Study 2019.

Background: Estimating and analyzing trends and patterns of health loss are essential to promote efficient resource allocation and improve Peru's healthcare system performance. Methods: Using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (2019), we assessed mortality and disability in Peru from 1990 to 2019. We report demographic and epidemiologic trends in terms of population, life expectancy at birth (LE), mortality, incidence, prevalence, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) caused by the major diseases and risk factors in Peru. Finally, we compared Peru with 16 countries in the Latin American (LA) region. Results: The Peruvian population reached 33.9 million inhabitants (49.9% women) in 2019. From 1990 to 2019, LE at birth increased from 69.2 (95% uncertainty interval 67.8-70.3) to 80.3 (77.2-83.2) years. This increase was driven by the decline in under-5 mortality (-80.7%) and mortality from infectious diseases in older age groups (+60 years old). The number of DALYs in 1990 was 9.2 million (8.5-10.1) and reached 7.5 million (6.1-9.0) in 2019. The proportion of DALYs due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) increased from 38.2% in 1990 to 67.9% in 2019. The all-ages and age-standardized DALYs rates and YLLs rates decreased, but YLDs rates remained constant. In 2019, the leading causes of DALYs were neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections (LRIs), ischemic heart disease, road injuries, and low back pain. The leading risk factors associated with DALYs in 2019 were undernutrition, high body mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, and air pollution. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Peru experienced one of the highest LRIs-DALYs rates in the LA region. Conclusion: In the last three decades, Peru experienced significant improvements in LE and child survival and an increase in the burden of NCDs and associated disability. The Peruvian healthcare system must be redesigned to respond to this epidemiological transition. The new design should aim to reduce premature deaths and maintain healthy longevity, focusing on effective coverage and treatment of NCDs and reducing and managing the related disability.

Depression and Sleep Quality among Iranian Women with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Breast cancer causes many psychological disorders such as sleep disturbances and depression. The current study was, therefore, intended to describe sleep quality and depression and to identify the association between these two psychological disorders among Iranian women with breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 women with non-metastatic unilateral breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in an outpatient chemotherapy unit of a major public hospital. A total of 120 women who had already undergone mastectomy procedure were selected via convenience sampling method. Data were collected by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS: The mean score on BDI-II was 13.40 (± 6.51), and 30% (n=36) of women had mild depression and 14.2% (n=17) reported moderate-to-severe depression. The mean global score of sleep quality was found to be 6.48 (± 2.62). Furthermore, 50.8% (n=61) of women obtained a global PSQI score of 5. A positive correlation was found between depression scores and sleep quality scores (p=0.001, r= 0.48). Depression was also correlated with age, number of children, household gross income, sleep duration, sleep latency, and type of mastectomy procedure (p<0.05). Moreover, subjective sleep quality was correlated with number of chemotherapy sessions (p=0.001, r=-0.67) and daytime dysfunction (p=0.001, r=0.78). A positive correlation was also observed between sleep disturbances and habitual sleep efficiency (p = 0.02, r = 0.65). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, 30% of women had mild depression and 14.2% reported moderate-to-severe depression. The mean global score of sleep quality was found to be 6.48 (± 2.62), suggesting poor sleep quality. Furthermore, over half of the participants (50.8%) obtained a global PSQI score of 5 or greater which is indicative of poor sleep quality. A positive moderate correlation was also observed between depression and poor sleep quality.

Effect of Melissa officinalis on systolic and diastolic blood pressures in essential hypertension: A double-blind crossover clinical trial.

For a long time, Melissa officinalis (M. officinalis) has been used to treat cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the effects of M. officinalis on systolic and diastolic blood pressures in hypertensive patients. We conducted a double-blind, controlled, randomized crossover clinical trial on 49 patients who received either M. officinalis capsules (400 mg/d; n = 23) or the placebo (n = 26) three times per day for a 4-week period. After a 2-week washout period, the M. officinalis group received placebo and the other group received M. officinalis for another 4-week period. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured once at baseline and then every 2 weeks for 10 weeks. The statistical analysis of the obtained data revealed that the chronology of the consumption of M. officinalis and placebo had no effect on the systolic and diastolic blood pressures in these two studied groups. Moreover, it was found that systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased after the consumption of M. officinalis, compared to placebo. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures in group A at the beginning of the study were 152.30 ± 5.312 mmHg and 95.52 ± 1.988 mmHg, respectively, and, after the first phase (drug use), reached 129.88 ± 9.009 mmHg and 80.13 ± 5.488 mmHg, respectively. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures in group B at the beginning of the study was 152.26 ± 5.640 mmHg and 94.44 ± 2.607 mmHg, respectively, and after the second phase (drug use), reached 131.77 ± 8.091 mmHg and 81.46 ± 7.426 mmHg, (p = .005), respectively. Also, no significant side effects were observed during the study. According to the results, M. officinalis can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the patients with essential hypertension.

The effect of foot reflexology massage on burn-specific pain anxiety and sleep quality and quantity of patients hospitalized in the burn intensive care unit (ICU).

BACKGROUND: Burn-specific pain anxiety and sleep disorders are common factors in burned patients that affect wound healing process, as well as the severity of burn pain. This study aimed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology massage on burn-specific pain anxiety and sleep condition of patients hospitalized in the burn ICU. METHOD: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 52 patients were assigned by permuted block randomization 1:1 to the intervention (n=26) and control (n=26) groups. The intervention group received 20min of foot reflexology massage during 3 days on their third, fourth and fifth days of hospitalization and 15min before changing wound dressings. Patients in the control group merely received routine care. The Burn-Specific Pain Anxiety Scale (BSPAS) was completed for three consecutive days before and after changing wound dressings, and St. Mary's Hospital Sleep Questionnaire (SMHSQ) was filled out for four consecutive days before changing wound dressings for patients in both groups. The data were analyzed by IBM SPSS 16 software, Chicago, independent t, Chi-square, Friedman, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. FINDINGS: We found no significant difference between pain-anxiety in the two groups before the intervention. The trend of different days in each groups were compared with Friedman test and showed that pain anxiety (p<0.001), sleep latency (p<0.001), duration of the last day's sleep (p<0.001) and satisfaction of the last night sleep (p<0.001) had a significant difference. In addition, Mann-Whitney test results showed that there were significant differences between the two groups at different times in terms of the above variables (p<0.05). The effect size was=0.82 for pain anxiety between group after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, foot reflexology massage can effectively reduce pain anxiety levels and improve sleep quality and quantity of patients with burn injuries; therefore, this non- pharmacological therapeutic method is recommended to be used in the burn ICUs. (Clinical trial's registration code: IRCT20110906007494N27).

The effect of inhalation aromatherapy with rose essential oil on the anxiety of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anxiety is one of the most common responses of patients awaiting coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery to stressful conditions before surgery. This study is intended to examine the effect of inhalation aromatherapy with rose essential oil on the anxiety of patients undergoing CABG surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-blind randomized clinical trial of 66 patients undergoing CABG surgery. The experimental group inhaled three drops of 4% rose essential oil for 10 minutes one night and one hour before surgery. The control group did not receive any intervention from the research team. RESULTS: The level of anxiety was measured before and 30 minutes after the intervention using the Spielberger's Anxiety Inventory. Prior to surgery, an independent t-test showed that the mean score of anxiety was not significantly different between the experimental and control groups (p = 0.41). Aromatherapy with rose essential oil did not cause any significant differences in state anxiety (P = 0.41), trait anxiety (P = 0.90), and total anxiety (P = 0.69). CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that inhalation aromatherapy with rose essential oil could not significantly reduce anxiety in CABG patients. Future research with larger sample sizes and using different concentrations of rose essential oil are needed to achieve more definitive conclusions.

Knowledge, attitude and use of complementary and alternative medicine among nurses: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to describe the knowledge, attitude and practice of CAM by nurses. METHODS: Three databases were searched for relevant studies from launch through September of 2017 and included MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of science. RESULTS: The average knowledge of CAM therapies by nurses was 62.2% with attitude about use averaging 65.7%. Close to two-thirds (65.9%) reported use of CAM therapies with patients. The primary reasons nurses suggested use of CAM were for stress and anxiety reduction and health improvement. CONCLUSION: Current evidence demonstrates the need for nurse education programs to integrate and strengthen CAM content into existing curricula. Similarly, documentation of the nature and extent of nurse use of CAM therapies in the clinical setting, as well as patient-reported use and preferences for CAM therapies, would provide valuable prospective data.

The effect of pleasant olfactory mental imagery on the incidence and extent of atelectasis in patients after open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Atelectasis is the most common pulmonary complication after open heart surgery. This study was intended to examine the effects of pleasant olfactory mental imagery on postoperative atelectasis in patients undergoing open heart surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial. The sample consisted of 80 patients who were randomly assigned to either practice olfactory mental imagery (test group) or receive routine care (control group). A card with the image of roses was given to patients and they were asked to look at the image, visualize the scent of roses in the mind, and then sniff as much as possible, hold their breath for 2s and eventually exhale slowly through the nose. This procedure was consecutively repeated five times. After a fifteen-minute break, patients proceeded to practice olfactory mental imagery with other fruit images (banana, apple, and lemon). The test group executed the olfactory mental imagery for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon on postoperative days 1 and 2. The control group received the routine ICU care. A questionnaire collected information on sociodemographic characteristics and clinical parameters. Chest radiographs were used to diagnose atelectasis, which were evaluated by the hospital radiologist. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding sociodemographic, medical and surgical information. The incidence of atelectasis in the test group (40%, n=16) was significantly lower than in the control group (67.5%, n=27) on postoperative day 2 (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that olfactory mental imagery can improve respiratory function and reduce the risk of atelectasis in patients with cardiac surgery.

Effects of pleasant olfactory mental imagery on the arterial oxygenation in patients with open heart surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arterial hypoxemia is one of the most common respiratory complications following cardiac surgery. This study was intended to examine the effects of pleasant olfactory mental imagery on postoperative hypoxemia in patients undergoing open heart surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial. The sample consisted of 80 patients who were randomly assigned to either practice olfactory mental imagery (experimental group) or receive routine care (control group). A card with the image of roses was given to patients and they were asked to look at the image, visualize the scent of roses in the mind, and then sniff as much as possible, hold their breath for 2 s and eventually exhale slowly through the nose. This procedure was consecutively repeated five times. After a fifteen-minute break, patients proceeded to practice olfactory mental imagery with other fruit images. The experimental group executed the olfactory mental imagery for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon on postoperative days 1 and 2. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups regarding sociodemographic characteristics, medical and surgical information. This study also demonstrated that the mean Spao2 was significantly higher in the experimental group (97.400 ± 1.70) than the control group (96.465 ± 1.70) (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that olfactory mental imagery can improve arterial oxygenation in patients with cardiac surgery.

The effect of self-selected soothing music on fistula puncture-related pain in hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study was intended to examine the effect of selective soothing music on fistula puncture-related pain in hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized clinical trial in which 114 participants were selected from two hemodialysis units by means of a non-random, convenience sampling method. The participants were then allocated in three groups of music (N = 38), headphone (N = 38), and control (N = 38). The fistula puncture-related pain was measured 1 min after venipuncture procedure in all three groups. The music group listened to their self-selected and preferred music 6 min before needle insertion into a fistula until the end of procedure. The headphone group wore a headphone alone without listening to music 6 min before needle insertion into a fistula until the end of procedure. The control group did not receive any intervention from the research team during needle insertion into a fistula. The pain intensity was measured immediately after the intervention in all three groups. RESULTS: This study showed a significant difference between the music and control groups, and the music and headphone groups in terms of the mean pain score after the intervention. However, the analysis did not indicate any significant difference between the headphone and control groups with regard to the mean pain score after the intervention. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that music can be used effectively for pain related to needle insertion into a fistula in hemodialysis patients. Future research should investigate the comparative effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on fistula puncture-related pain.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Italian Validation of a Questionnaire on Nurses' Personal and Professional Use, Knowledge, and Attitudes.

BACKGROUND: Patients are showing an increasing interest in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Most nurses are open to the adoption of CAM into clinical nursing practice, but they may experience a lack of knowledge about the safe and effective use of these therapies. Several studies concerning nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward CAM have been published, but only in one, the authors (Shorofi and Arbon) used a validated questionnaire. In Italy, there are no validated questionnaires to investigate this aspect of nursing practice. PURPOSE: To test the psychometric properties of the Italian Shorofi and Arbon questionnaire for use with Italian nurses. METHODS: A forward-backward translation method was used to translate the questionnaire from English to Italian. Content validity, face validity and reliability were established. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This study examined the potential usefulness of the Shorofi and Arbon questionnaire for the evaluation of CAM knowledge of Italian speaking nurses, which showed good content validity and good reliability.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among Australian hospital-based nurses: knowledge, attitude, personal and professional use, reasons for use, CAM referrals, and socio-demographic predictors of CAM users.

OBJECTIVE: This study was intended to examine CAM among Australian hospital-based nurses, identifying their knowledge, attitude, personal and professional use, reasons for use, CAM referrals, and socio-demographic predictors of CAM users. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Nurses holding a qualification in nursing and working in surgical wards were included using a convenience sampling technique. A self-complete questionnaire was developed to achieve the aims of the study. Descriptive and non-parametric statistics were calculated to describe and analyse data. RESULTS: Overall, 95.7% and 49.7% of nurses reported personal and professional use of CAM, respectively. The most popular CAM/CAM domain personally and professionally used by nurses was massage therapy and mind-body therapies. The primary reason for personal use of CAM was "[it] fits into my way of life/philosophy". Furthermore, massage therapists were the most commonly recommended CAM practitioners to patients. Only 15.8% of nurses would always ask patients about use of herbal medicines as part of nursing history taking. Over one-fifth (22.4%) of nurses rated their attitude as having a very positive, and 60.3% rated themselves as having very little or no knowledge of CAM. A positive correlation was also found between knowledge and attitude about CAM. Positive attitude and higher knowledge about CAM were positively correlated to CAM referrals. Several socio-demographic factors predicted personal and professional use of CAM. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that nurses generally believe not to have sufficient knowledge of CAM but are open to use CAM with patients. Nurses' positive attitude toward and personal use of CAM could be an indication that they are poised for further integration of evidence-based CAM into nursing practice to treat whole person.

First Report on Infant Acute Urticaria after Mother's Parenteral Use of Meglumine Antimoniate (Glucantime): A Case Report.

Pentavalent antimonials are still the first drug of choice for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Like other treatments, they can cause adverse reactions including musculoskeletal pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, and mild to moderate headaches. In this paper, we report the first case of an infant who developed acute urticaria after her mother's parenteral use of meglumine antimoniate (glucantime).

The Relationship Between Stressors and Anxiety Levels After CABG in Sari, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalization and surgery are crucial adverse life events that lead to considerable anxiety in patients. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate stressors after coronary artery bypass graft surgery and identify stressors that predict anxiety. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive-analytical study that uses a non-random convenience sampling method on patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery at the cardiac surgery intensive care unit of Fatemeh Zahra Cardiac center in Sari, Iran. A total of 186 patients completed the post-surgical stressors questionnaire and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory on postoperative days 2 or 3 in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequencies, means, and standard deviations. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the relationship between the observed variables, and the logistic regression model was used to identify the relationship between stressors and anxiety after-surgery. RESULTS: Post-surgical anxiety predictors included insufficient sleep during hospitalization (Odds ratio [OR]: 5.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.46 - 20.00; P = 0.010), treatment not explained to the patient by the nurse (OR: 4.83; 95% CI: 1.82 - 12.84; P = 0.002), being away from family members (OR: 3.88; 95% CI: 1.46 - 10.26; P = 0.006), presence of a chest tube (OR: 3.27; 95% CI: 1.83 - 5.84; P = 0.000), and pain in any part of the body (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.06 - 3.58; P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Physical or physiological and psychological stressors impose greater stress and are predictors of anxiety. When preparing their nursing care plan, nurses should consider these stressors that affect anxiety levels in patients undergoing CABG surgery and those hospitalized in intensive care units.

Psychosocial needs of families of intensive care patients: Perceptions of nurses and families.

BACKGROUND: Admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) is not only stressful to the patients but the patients' family members. Families are believed not to receive their required attention because their needs are incorrectly and inaccurately evaluated by the health care team. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the perceptions of ICU nurses and families regarding the psychosocial needs of families of intensive care patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on a randomly selected population of 80 nurses and 80 family members of ICU patients. Data were collected using a two-part questionnaire containing sociodemographic characteristics and the Critical Care Family Need Inventory (CCFNI). RESULTS: The rank order of the five most important CCFNI item needs identified by families were as follows: "To feel that the hospital personnel care about the patient", "to be assured that the best care possible is being given to the patient", "to have questions answered honestly", "to know specific facts concerning patient's progress", and "to be called at home about changes in the patient's condition." The top five CCFNI item needs identified by nurses were in the following order: "To be assured that the best care possible is being given to the patient", "to be told about transfer plans while they are being made", "to feel that the hospital personnel care about the patient", "to have questions answered honestly", and "to know specific facts concerning patient's progress." CONCLUSION: The present study showed there are similarities and dissimilarities between nurses and family members in their perceived importance of some family needs in the ICU. It can thus be inferred from our results that the participating nurses misestimated the needs of family members, attested by their wrong estimation of the most need statements.

The effects of aromatherapy with lavender essential oil on fatigue levels in haemodialysis patients: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study was intended to examine the efficacy of lavender essential oil for the alleviation of fatigue in haemodialysis patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 59 haemodialysis patients in two groups. The routine care group received the routine care, but the experimental group inhaled lavender essence 5% for 10 min, three times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. The Fatigue Severity Scale was used to assess fatigue before the intervention and after the last intervention in the second and fourth weeks. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of the fatigue scores before, and after the last intervention in the second and fourth weeks. CONCLUSION: Our result does not support other studies suggesting that lavender essential oil is effective on fatigue in haemodialysis patients. This conflicting result can mostly be ascribed to a variety of factors such as duration of aromatherapy and differences in concentrations of lavender essential oil.

The effects of sesame oil on the prevention of amiodarone-induced phlebitis.

BACKGROUND: Phlebitis is the most common complication associated with peripheral intravenous infusion of amiodarone. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of sesame oil on the prevention of amiodarone-induced phlebitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Thirty-six patients hospitalized in a coronary care unit were randomly allocated into two groups using a convenience sampling method. Following peripheral intravenous cannulation, five drops of pure sesame oil were applied to the skin within a 10 cm radius of the infusion site prior to the administration of amiodarone in the intervention group. Sesame oil was rubbed on the skin at the infusion site every 6 h in the 24-h period of amiodarone infusion. In the control group, liquid paraffin, used as a placebo, was rubbed on the skin at the infusion site of amiodarone. Both groups were monitored for the development of phlebitis and its degree within the 24-h period of amiodarone infusion as well as 6 h after its administration. The incidence of phlebitis was confirmed and recorded by an assessor who was blind to the two groups. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 18, and descriptive and inferential statistics such as Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier, Hazard ratio, independent t-test, and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in their catheter survival after 30 h and 10 min (P < 0.001). Over 60% of the patients (61.1%) in the intervention group did not show any sign of phlebitis, while 16.7% and 22.2% of the patients manifested signs of grade 2 and 3 phlebitis, respectively. In the control group, 22.2% of the patients showed no signs of phlebitis, while 5.6%, 27.8%, and 44.4% of the patients exhibited signs of grade 2, 3, and 4 phlebitis, respectively. The statistical analysis showed significant differences in the degree of phlebitis (P = 0.006) and the onset of phlebitis development (P < 0.001) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended to apply sesame oil topically to the infusion site of amiodarone so as to reduce the rate of the development of amiodarone-related phlebitis.