Does social support affect menopausal symptoms in menopausal women?

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of perceived social support of menopausal women on their menopausal complaints. DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 505 women. The data were obtained using personal information form, menopause rating scale, and multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Frequency, percentage, t test, analysis of variance Skewness and Kurtosis (±1) and correlation were used in the analysis of the data. FINDINGS: In the study, it was found that there was a positive and significant relationship between menopausal symptoms and social support, and menopausal symptoms decreased as social support increased. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses should provide consultancy for women to increase their social support systems to decrease their menopausal complaints.

The effects of health belief model-based education and acupressure for coping with premenstrual syndrome on premenstrual symptoms and quality of life: A randomized-controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of health belief model-based education and acupressure for coping with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) on premenstrual symptoms and quality of life. DESIGN AND METHODS: The sample size was identified as 163 women. While the acupressure education group-administered education and acupressure, the education group-administered only education. No intervention made to the control group. FINDINGS: There was a significant difference between the pretest and posttest total mean scores of the intervention groups compared with the control group (P < .001). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The education given to women for coping with PMS and acupressure both reduced premenstrual symptoms and improved quality of life.

The effects of acupressure and yoga for coping with premenstrual syndromes on premenstrual symptoms and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify the effects of acupressure and yoga for coping with premenstrual syndromes (PMS) on the premenstrual symptoms and quality of life. METHODS: This study adopted a randomized intervention design with a pretest-posttest control group. The sample consisted of 155 students with PMS complaints (50 in yoga, 51 in acupressure, and 54 in control group). The students in the intervention groups did yoga and received acupressure throughout 12 weeks. RESULTS: It was found that the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale posttest mean score of the students was lower, and the physical health, psychological health, and environment sub-scale mean scores of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire were higher in the yoga group in comparison to the other groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Yoga was found to be a more effective non-pharmacological method for coping with premenstrual symptoms.

The effects of acupressure and foot massage on pain during heel lancing in neonates: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of foot massage and acupressure on pain during heel lancing in neonates. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was performed in a university hospital in Turkey between February and December 2018. The neonates were randomized into three groups as acupressure, massage, and control groups. Acupressure was applied to the neonates in the acupressure group, and massage was given to the neonates in the massage group for 2 min before the heel lancing procedure. Pain responses of the neonates in the groups was evaluated with the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale during and 1 min after the heel lancing procedure. RESULTS: The study was completed with 139 neonates including 46 neonates in the acupressure group, 47 neonates in the foot massage group, and 46 neonates in the control group. There were statistically significant differences between the acupressure, massage and control groups in terms of their mean NIPS scores during (4.30 ±â€¯2.25, 3.95 ±â€¯2.63, 6.04 ±â€¯1.26; respectively) and 1 min after the heel lancing procedure (1.46 ±â€¯1.46, 1.66 ±â€¯1.66, 3.85 ±â€¯1.37; respectively). There was a significant difference in NIPS scores between the intervention groups and the control groups (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Acupressure and massage were effective in reducing pain in neonates during the heel lancing procedure. However, there was no statistically significant difference between acupressure and massage. Acupressure and massage techniques can be applied for procedural pain management in the newborn.