The effect of auditory stimuli on the pain and physiological parameters of children on mechanical ventilation during aspiration procedure: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The study was conducted to determine the effect of mother's voice and music sound on pain and physiological parameters during aspiration procedure in children with mechanical ventilation support in the pediatric intensive care unit. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled type experimental study. According to the power analysis result of the sample of the study, 84 children who were treated in the pediatric intensive care unit of two university hospitals in Istanbul were formed. Introductory Information Form, Ramsey Sedation Scale, Physiological Parameter Form and Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Pain Scale were used to collect data. RESULTS: When the pain results of the children were evaluated, the mean FLACC Pain Scale value of the children in the control group was found to be significantly higher than children in the mother's voice and music voice group (p < 0.05). It was determined that the lowest FLACC Pain Scale value was in the mother's voice group (p < 0.05). When the physical parameter results were evaluated, it was determined that the physiological measurement values of the children in the experimental group were positively affected (p < 0.05), there was a significant difference between the control group (p < 0.05) and the most effective result was in the mother's voice group (p < 0.05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Allowing children to listen mother's voice and music during aspiration procedure reduces pain of the children, positively affects their physical parameter values and enhances quality of nursing care. The results of this study create a scientific basis for nursing practices in the clinical settings and contribute to the clinical practices by shedding a light on future evidence-based studies.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine treatments by mothers of children with developmental disabilities: a cross sectional study.

This study aims to determine the rates of complementary and alternative medicine methods used by mothers of children with developmental disabilities, reasons for using methods, and comparison of methods according to diagnosis groups. The cohort in this cross-sectional and correlational study consisted of the mothers of 390 students with developmental disabilities; 77.2% of the mothers reported using at least one complementary and alternative medicine treatment. The highest level of use was found in the groups of mothers of children with cerebral palsy (100%) and autism spectrum disorder (88.5%). The most commonly used treatments were biological therapies consisting of special diets and multivitamins, manipulative and body-based methods including massage and exercise, and mind-body interventions such as prayer, wearing amulets, and seeking help from a Muslim preacher (hodja). However, mothers never used alternative medicine treatments such as homeopathy, acupuncture, or Ayurveda, nor did they use energy-based healing techniques such as reiki, tai chi, yoga, kinesiology, or neurofeedback exercises. Health care professionals, especially nurses as health care team members, should be knowledgeable and careful about the benefits, side effects, administration methods, and contraindications of complementary and alternative medicine treatments.

The Effect of Oral Care with Chlorhexidine, Vitamin E and Honey on Mucositis in Pediatric Intensive Care Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the effect of oral care using chlorhexidine, vitamin E and honey on oral mucositis (OM) management in children treated in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was a randomized controlled trial with a parallel design. The study sample was composed of 150 children who were treated in the PICU of a university hospital in Turkey. Children enrolled in the study were randomly divided into six groups based on the oral care solutions used (n = 25 in each group). The Demographic Information Form and the World Health Organization Oral Mucositis Index were used for data collection. RESULTS: The mucositis indices of the children presenting with and without OM upon admission to the PICU were compared on days 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 and the study found that the mucositis index values of the children treated with vitamin E were significantly lower than in the other groups (p < 0.05 for each), while those of the children given chlorhexidine were significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05 for each). CONCLUSIONS: At the end of the study, vitamin E was determined to be the most effective agent in OM management, followed by honey as the second most effective agent. Chlorhexidine was found to be less effective in OM management compared to the other two agents. Based on this, vitamin E is recommended for use in oral mucositis-preventive and therapeutic oral care practices. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The results of the present study conducted with PICU patients will be useful in the administration of oral care. These findings are also important for nurses who have the responsibility of oral mucositis management.

Spirituality as a coping method for mothers of children with developmental disabilities.

Mothers of children with developmental disabilities suffer from tremendous stress and anxiety. These mothers may use religion and spirituality as coping mechanisms to help them adjust to changes emerging in their lives as well as to resolve problems. This study evaluated the spiritual needs of mothers of children with developmental disabilities and analyzed the effect of spirituality on their lives. This is a descriptive and qualitative study carried out at the School for Children with Mental and Physical Disabilities in Turkey. The study group consisted of the mothers of 28 children with developmental disabilities. The results of the study revealed four main themes: 'The journey to acceptance;' 'The meaning/purpose of life;' 'Concerns about the future;' and 'Coping strategies.' The results of the study showed that mothers of children with developmental disabilities in Turkey often use spirituality as a coping method. Using spirituality, they were able to handle the stress of their new lives. They began to see their children as giving meaning/purpose to their lives and experienced enhanced feelings of love/commitment. The mothers were most concerned about the fate of their children after the parents had passed away.

Parental attitudes toward pediatric use of complementary/alternative medicine in Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the pediatric usage of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) by parents in Turkey, the incidence of using these methods, and the factors affecting their use. DESIGN AND METHODS: The sectional and relational design of the study included a sample of 497 parents who took children for treatment at the Maternity and Children's Hospital in Giresun, Turkey. Data for the study were collected via the Personal Information Form and the Evaluation Form for Complementary/Alternative Treatment Use. The data collection tools were filled out by the researchers during the face-to-face interviews. Data obtained from the study were analyzed by Pearson chi-square, Fisher-Freeman-Halton and Fisher's exact (posthoc Bonferroni) tests and Z-test. RESULTS: It was determined that 97.7% of the parents had used at least one CAM method. Moreover, the parents had used CAM methods mostly for respiratory complaints. The CAM methods were most commonly used for the symptoms of fever, diarrhea, and cough. It was observed that the most commonly used alternative methods in the past were vitamin/mineral remedies, cold treatments, and hodja (Islamic teacher) consultations, while the most common alternative methods currently used are massage, music, and cold treatment. In addition, the differences found between CAM users in terms of sociodemographic characteristics were not statistically significant. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is crucial for nurses to learn the characteristics of the health/disease treatments used by those with whom they work in order to increase the efficiency of the service they provide. Thus, it was recommended that nurses should be knowledgeable and aware of the benefits/side effects, treatment methods, and contraindications of CAM.

Mutual Expectations of Mothers of Hospitalized Children and Pediatric Nurses Who Provided Care: Qualitative Study.

PURPOSE: This study attempted to identify the mutual expectations of mothers whose children were hospitalized in the pediatric department of a university hospital and nurses who provided care. DESIGN AND METHODS: A descriptive phenomenological design has been used in this study. Data were obtained through tape-recorded semi-structured interviews. This study was conducted at a pediatric clinic, at a university hospital in a small city in Turkey. Participants comprised five nurses working in the children's clinic and 24 mothers who accompanied their children to the hospital. RESULTS: The six major themes that emerged were mothers' feelings and thoughts about the hospital experience, mothers' expectations for attention and support during hospitalization, mothers' expectations for invasive procedures, issues regarding physical comfort and hospital infrastructure, nurses' feelings and thoughts about working in the pediatric clinic, and nurses' expectations of the mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers expected nurses to provide physical support including medication administration, and installing/applying IV and nebulizer treatments; and emotional support in terms of having a friendly, rather than critical attitude, and being approachable and receptive of mothers' questions and anxieties. Nurses stated that they were aware of these expectations but needed mothers to be understanding and tolerant, considering their difficult working conditions. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Children's hospitalization is a stressful experience for parents. Open and therapeutic communication and relationships between parents and nurses contribute to improving the quality of care provided to children and their families.