Effect of Acupressure on Stress and Anxiety of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Sham-controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: Stress and anxiety are common in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). These complications exacerbate the symptoms of MS. This study aims to evaluate the effect of acupressure on stress and anxiety of MS patients. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, participants were 106 MS Patients referred to Multiple Sclerosis Society in Mashhad, Iran. After signing an informed consent form, they completed a demographic form and stress, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale - 42 items (DASS-42). Then, they were randomly assigned into intervention and sham groups by tossing a coin. Participants in the intervention group were asked apply a pressure on the Shenmen and Yin Tang acupoints for one month (once per day for 15 minutes), while the sham group applied pressure 2.5 cm below the Shenmen acupoint and 3 cm above the Yin Tang acupoint. Participants in each group were then completed the DASS-42 again one hour after the final session. Data were analyzed using chi-square test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent t-test, and Paired t-test. Results: In the intervention and sham groups, there was no statistically significant difference between the mean pre-test scores of stress (34.73±5.80 vs. 33.06±6.42) and anxiety (27.09±6.99 vs. 25.31±6.88), and neither between the mean post-test scores of stress (29.20±6.21 vs. 33.73±9.44) and anxiety (22.79±5.68 vs. 25.21±6.72) (P>0.05). However, comparison of DASS-42 scores between groups showed that the mean scores of stress and anxiety in the intervention group were significantly lower than in the sham group (P< 0.05). Conclusion: It seems that acupressure can be used along with other therapeutic and pharmacological interventions to reduce stress and anxiety in patients with MS.

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Effectiveness of Counseling for Infertile Couples on Women's Emotional Disturbance: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia / RBGO Gynecology and Obstetrics ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1736305 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 43 (11) ◽

pp. 826-833

Author(s):

Tayebeh Mokhtari Sorkhani ◽

Atefeh Ahmadi ◽

Moghaddameh Mirzaee ◽

Victoria Habibzadeh ◽

Katayoun Alidousti

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Emotional Disturbance ◽

Intervention Group ◽

T Test ◽

Control Group ◽

Infertile Women ◽

Primary Infertility ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Abstract Objective The psychosocial burden of infertility among couples can be one of the most important reasons for women's emotional disturbance. The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of counseling on different emotional aspects of infertile women. Methods The present randomized clinical trial was performed on 60 couples with primary infertility who were referred for treatment for the first time and did not receive psychiatric or psychological treatment. Samples were allocated to an intervention group (30 couples) and a control group (30 couples) by simple randomization. The intervention group received infertility counseling for 6 45-minute sessions twice a week, and the control group received routine care. The Screening on Distress in Fertility Treatment (SCREENIVF) questionnaire was completed before and after the intervention. Samples were collected from November to December 2016 for 3 months. For the data analysis, we used the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, United States) software, version 19.0, and the paired t-test, the independent t-test, the Mann-Whitney test, the Wilcoxon test, and the Chi-squared test. Results The mean age of the participants was 33.39 ± 5.67 years. All studied couples had primary infertility and no children. The mean duration of the couples' infertility was 3 years. There was a significant difference regarding depression (1.55 ± 1.92; p < 0.0001), social support (15.73 ± 3.41; p < 0.0001), and cognitions regarding domains of fertility problems (26.48 ± 3.05; p = 0.001) between the 2 groups after the intervention, but there was no significant difference regarding anxiety (25.03 ± 3.09; p = 0.35). Conclusion The findings showed that infertility counseling did not affect the total score of infertile women' emotional status, but improved the domains of it except, anxiety.

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Comparison of the Effects of Articaine and Lidocaine Anesthetics on Blood Pressure after Maxillary Infiltration Technique: A Triple-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

International Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.1155/2021/8894160 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Amirhossein Moaddabi ◽

Parisa Soltani ◽

Maryam Zamanzadeh ◽

Kamran Nosrati ◽

Mojtaba Mollamirzaei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

T Test ◽

Lidocaine Group ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Infiltration Technique ◽

The Mean ◽

Levene Test

Background. Many dental procedures begin with local anesthesia. Subsequent increase in blood pressure in healthy individuals commonly occurs and may be affected by several factors such as mental and physical stress, painful stimuli, and action of catecholamines present in local anesthetic solutions. The aim of the present study is to compare the effects of 4% articaine with 1 : 100000 epinephrine and 2% lidocaine with 1 : 80000 epinephrine on blood pressure after maxillary infiltration technique. Materials and Methods. In this randomized clinical trial, 102 patients were randomly assigned into two groups. One group received 4% articaine with 1 : 100000 epinephrine and the other group received 2% lidocaine with 1 : 80000 epinephrine for local maxillary infiltration. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure of both groups was determined twice: once before anesthetic injection and once 10 minutes after injection. The data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics, Shapiro–Wilks test, Levene test, chi-square test, independent t-test, and paired t-test. Results. The mean systolic blood pressure after anesthetic injection in the articaine and lidocaine groups was 125.00 ± 5.67 and 123.16 ± 6.417 mmHg, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference ( p = 0.127 ). The mean diastolic blood pressure after injection was 85.02 ± 7.331 in the articaine group and 81.35 ± 12.815 mmHg in the lidocaine group. These values show no statistically significant difference ( p = 0.080 ). In both groups, the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures have increased significantly ( p < 0.001 ). Conclusion. Articaine can be regarded as a suitable alternative for lidocaine for maxillary local infiltration, as no significant difference was observed between the effects of the two anesthetic solutions on blood pressure.

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Impact of Mild Hypothermia on Final Outcome of Patients with Acute Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Indian Journal of Neurotrauma ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1713462 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (01) ◽

pp. 17-23

Author(s):

Abbas Rouzbahani ◽

Esmail Khodadadi ◽

Marjaneh Fooladi

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Acute Stroke ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Mild Hypothermia ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Final Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background and Aim Stroke is a sudden neurological disorder caused by disturbances in the brain blood flow and loss of normal brain function. Stroke is also the second leading cause of death worldwide. In the last two decades, among the various treatment options for stroke, hypothermia has shown the promise of improving the final outcome. This study aimed to investigate the effect of noninvasive hypothermia on the final outcome of patients with an acute stroke in Iran. Methods In a randomized clinical trial, 60 Iranian patients diagnosed with acute stroke were enrolled in 2018. Patients were selected by convenience sampling method and then randomized in two groups as experimental (n = 30) and control (n = 30). Mild hypothermia was applied using a cooling device for 72 hours on the patients’ heads and intervention results were compared with the control group. Data were collected by using Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III (APACHE III), Full Outline of Un-Responsiveness (FOUR), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and later analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22. Results No significant difference was found in the mean scores of all three scales before and after the intervention in control group (p > 0.05) but statistically significant difference was found in the mean scores of all three scales for the intervention group (p < 0.05). The intervention group had an increased mean score in FOUR, while APACHE and NIHSS values dropped. Researchers found statistically significant difference between the mean scores after the intervention in the experimental group compared with the control group in all three scales (p < 0.05). Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that hypothermia has a significant statistical and clinical effect on the acute stroke outcome and it can be argued that hypothermia therapy can increase the level of consciousness and reduce the risk of death in stroke patients.

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Compare the effect of aromatherapy using lavender and Damask rose essential oils on the level of anxiety and severity of pain following C-section: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial

Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine ◽

10.1515/jcim-2019-0141 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Ali Abbasijahromi ◽

Hamed Hojati ◽

Saeid Nikooei ◽

Hossein Kargar Jahromi ◽

Hamid Reza Dowlatkhah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Content Type ◽

Gate Control Theory ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

Damask Rose

AbstractBackgroundAnxiety is the most common psychological reaction in women during labor. Similar to numerous other surgeries, postoperative pain is also reported following cesarean section (C-section). According to the (Gate) Control Theory, there is a relationship between pain and psychological problems such as anxiety. Accordingly, the present study aimed to compare the effect of aromatherapy using lavender and Damask rose essential oils on the level of anxiety and severity of pain following C-section.MethodsThis triple-group randomized clinical trial was performed on 90 mothers who visited Motahari Hospital of Jahrom, Iran, for C-section in 2017. The incidence and severity of pain and anxiety were measured and recorded for all three groups prior to intervention. The intervention groups underwent aromatherapy with lavender and Damask rose essential oils. Patients were asked to inhale cotton balls, separately stained with three drops of each essential oil at a distance of 10 cm for 30 mins. The severity of pain and anxiety was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) 5 min after the specified process, respectively. The control group underwent aromatherapy in a similar fashion with normal saline. Finally, data were analyzed using descriptive statistical indices and ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis tests in SPSS 21.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the three groups in the mean severity of pain and anxiety before the intervention (p>0.05). The mean severity of pain and overt anxiety in the lavender and Damask rose aromatherapy groups was significantly different than the control group after the intervention (p<0.001). In addition, no significant difference was observed between the overt and overall anxiety levels of the two intervention groups after the intervention (p>0.05).ConclusionsThe findings suggested that inhalation aromatherapy can reduce the severity of overt anxiety and pain after C-section, with Damask rose essential oil showing a larger effect than lavender.

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Rituximab versus cyclophosphamide for the treatment of children with steroid resistance nephrotic syndrome; a clinical trial study

Immunopathologia Persa ◽

10.15171/ipp.2019.15 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. e15-e15

Author(s):

Mohsen Akhavan Sepahi ◽

Najmeh Farahani ◽

Mohammad Reza Razavi ◽

Hossein Heydari ◽

Shahram Arsang-Jang

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Nephrotic Syndrome ◽

Intervention Group ◽

T Test ◽

Steroid Resistance ◽

Control Group ◽

Steroid Resistant ◽

Steroid Administration ◽

Frequent Relapses ◽

The Mean

Introduction: The most common complications of the nephrotic syndrome (NS) are the frequent relapses, steroid resistance, and long-term steroid administration. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effect of rituximab versus cyclophosphamide in the prevention of relapses and the complications of treatment in children with steroid-resistant NS. Patients and Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 50 patients with resistant steroidal NS referred to Masoumeh hospital in Qom, Iran. Patients were randomly divided into the two groups including intervention (n=20) and control groups (n=30). In addition to the prednisolone, the intervention group received 375 mg/m2/weekly rituximab intravenously for 4 weeks. The control group received oral doses of cyclophosphamide 2 mg/kg/d for 3 months. During treatment, the frequency of relapses, the mean dose of steroid and the complications of treatment were compared with a paired t-test, independent t-test, and chi-square test. Results: A significant decrease in the mean dose of steroids and the mean number of relapses were seen in patients after administration of rituximab and cyclophosphamide (P<0.001). However, rituximab reduced the dose of steroid administration by 12.25 mg/d, while cyclophosphamide reduced only 2.83 mg/d (P<0.001). Rituximab reduced the relapse rate two times on average, while cyclophosphamide reduced only 0.5 times (P<0.001). The incidence of complications in the cyclophosphamide group was found to be more severe than the rituximab group. Conclusion: To compare rituximab versus cyclophosphamide regarding lower the frequency of recurrence after treatment, we found rituximab is a more suitable drug for the treatment of steroid-resistant NS than cyclophosphamide.

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Effect of Aromatherapy with Lavender 10% Essential Oil on Motor Function, Speech and Delirium in Patients with Acute Thrombotic Cerebral Ischemia

Caspian Journal of Neurological Sciences ◽

10.32598/cjns.5.17.49 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 49-55

Author(s):

Shiva Seyed Salehi ◽

◽

Zahra Lorigooini ◽

Nahid Jivad ◽

Keyvan Ghadimi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Ischemia ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Motor Function ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Herbal Medicines ◽

T Test ◽

Double Blind ◽

Significance Level ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Background: Stroke is one of the most disabling diseases worldwide. Herbal medicines, especially lavender, have been used to treat ischemic diseases today. Objectives: The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of aromatherapy with lavender 10% essential oil on motor function, speech and delirium in acute thrombotic cerebral ischemia patients. Materials & Methods: In this double blind clinical trial, 70 patients with acute thrombotic cerebral ischemia were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups; the first group received lavender essential oil (10%) as aromatherapy, and the second group received placebo. Motor function, speech and delirium scores were calculated using standard questionnaire before and one week after treatment. The level of antioxidants and melancholically was also measured in post-treatment patients .Data were analyzed in SPSS V. 18 using descriptive statistics and paired t-test and independent t-test with a significance level of P<0.05 Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic information, motor function, speech and delirium scores (P>0.05). After treatment, the mean scores of motor function, speech and delirium were changed significantly in both groups, and the mean of these scores in the intervention group was significantly less than placebo, and in the intervention group the level of antioxidants was significantly higher and level of malondialdehyde was significantly less than placebo group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Using lavender 10% essential oil in our study improved the symptoms of patients such as motor function, speech and delirium after ischemic thrombolytic stroke. This is associated with decrease in malondialdehyde level and an increase in the level of antioxidants.

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Efficacy of rescue blanket versus conventional blanket in terms of preventing accidental hypothermia during patient transfer by emergency medical service: a randomized clinical trial

Journal of Emergency Practice and Trauma ◽

10.15171/jept.2019.27 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 38-42

Author(s):

Peyman Saberian ◽

Mostafa Sadeghi ◽

Parisa Hasani-Sharamin ◽

Maryam Modaber ◽

Amirreza Farhoud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Emergency Medical Service ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Medical Service ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Tympanic Temperature ◽

Time Of Arrival ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of rescue blankets with conventional blankets in terms of preventing hypothermia in the pre-hospital setting. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, patients older than 18 years old with Cold Discomfort Scale (CDS) > 2, and those who were transferred to the emergency department (ED) by emergency medical service entered the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups based on the type of transfer. In this regard, one group was transferred with rescue blankets and the other group was transferred with conventional blankets. The tympanic temperature in patients and CDS were recorded before the use of blanket (primary) and at the time of arrival in the ED (secondary). Results: Finally, 161 patients with the mean age of 45.31±19.8 years were included (63.4% were male). Totally, 88 cases (54.7%) were transferred with rescue blankets and 73 cases (45.3%) with conventional blankets. The mean of the primary tympanic temperatures in the rescue and conventional blanket groups were 36.20±0.84°C and 36.34±0.65°C, respectively (P=0.23). The mean of the primary CDS in rescue and conventional blanket groups were 6.55±1.95 and 5.89±2.29, respectively (P=0.05). Also, the mean of the secondary tympanic temperatures in the rescue and conventional blanket groups were 36.59±0.47°C and 36.76±0.48 °C, respectively (P=0.03). Besides, the mean of the secondary CDS in the rescue and conventional blanket groups were 2.64±2.80 and 2.41±1.29, respectively (P=0.48). Conclusion: According to the results, there is no significant difference in the tympanic temperature and CDS of the patients transferred with the rescue blanket compared with the conventional blanket.

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Productive and Receptive Collocational Knowledge of Iranian EFL Learners at Different Proficiency Levels

International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English Literature ◽

10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.6n.7p.11 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (7) ◽

pp. 11

Author(s):

Fahimeh Talakoob ◽

Mansour Koosha

Keyword(s):

Test Scores ◽

T Test ◽

Placement Test ◽

Efl Learners ◽

Proficiency Levels ◽

Paired Samples ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Intermediate Learners ◽

The Mean

In the present study, an attempt was made to probe into the probable difference between Iranian intermediate and advanced EFL learners' receptive and productive collocational knowledge. To this end, 60 EFL learners studying at Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Branch, including 30 advanced and 30 intermediate learners, were chosen through the Oxford Placement Test (OPT). The participants at each level of proficiency received two tests of collocations, namely receptive collocation test and productive test of collocations. Paired-samples t test showed no statistically significant difference between productive and receptive knowledge of collocations of the advanced EFL learners. However, the mean comparison between the receptive and productive collocation test scores of intermediate EFL learners revealed a significant difference. Pedagogical implications emanating from the obtained results are elaborated in the study.

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Evaluating the Effects of Spraying Oxytetracycline on Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.5812/zjrms.85675 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol In Press (In Press) ◽

Author(s):

Gholam Hosein Kazemzadeh ◽

Hasan Ravari ◽

Masomeh Nabavizadeh ◽

Saeid Pasban Noghabi

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Diabetic Foot ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Purulent Discharge ◽

Foot Ulcers ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Diabetic Foot Ulcers ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Control

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) can be created due to neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease in the lower limbs. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of spraying oxytetracycline on DFU. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 diabetic patients suffering from DFU. The patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups of intervention and control (n = 30 each). While all subjects received antibiotic therapy, blood sugar control, and, if necessary debridement, the intervention group received oxytetracycline spraying on the DFUs twice a day. After the intervention, the patients were visited every week (for three weeks), photos were taken of the DFUs by special software, and the size of the DFUs was checked. The DFUs were also studied in terms of purulent discharge, the smell, and erythema, and edema around the ulcer. After three weeks, the healing of ulcers were compared in the two groups. Data were gathered and analyzed using the SPSS software version 11.5, descriptive statistical test, chi-square, and t-test. Results: Before the study, the size of the DFUs in the intervention and control groups was 110.87 ± 38.3 and 127.12 ± 40 mm2, respectively. After the treatment, the alterations in the intervention group in the first, second, and third weeks were 14.90 ± 14.41, 26.93 ± 18.86, and 41.25 ± 19.51, respectively. Also, in the control group, the alterations were 19.45 ± 1.35, 23.78 ± 5.31, and 13.29 ± 8.75, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the size of DFUs between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results, spraying oxytetracycline on DFUs facilitated the process of healing. Thus, it can be used as an affordable, available, and effective method.

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Slanted versus Augmented Recession for Horizontal Strabismus

Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research ◽

10.18502/jovr.v14i4.5453 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zhale Rajavi ◽

Mohadeseh Feizi ◽

Sayed Aliasghar Nabavi ◽

Hamideh Sabbaghi ◽

Narges Behradfar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Surgical Outcomes ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

Distance Deviation ◽

Convergence Excess

Purpose: To compare the surgical outcomes of slanted versus augmented recession in patients with horizontal strabismus. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, a total of 100 esotropic (ET) and exotropic (XT) patients with a high AC/A ratio which was defined as a difference of ≥ 10 prism diopters (pd) between the distance and near deviations were included if the patients had a distance deviation ≥ 15 pd. Patients were randomly assigned into the slanted (n = 26 in ET and n = 24 in XT group) and augmented recession groups (n = 25 in ET and n = 25 in XT group). In the slanted group, recession was performed on the superior and inferior poles of the muscle based on the distance and near deviations, respectively, while in the augmented recession group, the muscles were recessed 1.00 or 1.50 mm more than the standard amount according to the distance and near difference between 10 and 20 pd or > 20 pd, respectively. Results: The mean age was 9.8 ± 9.6 years and 63% were female. There was a significant postoperative reduction of difference in convergence excess in ET cases compared to patients who underwent the augmented recession procedure (12.65 ± 6.16 vs 8.64 ± 6.1 pd, P = 0.014). Among our XT groups, there was no significant difference in postoperative reduction in the XT angle in the slanted group compared with the augmented group (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Slanted recession is recommended in convergence excess ET patients. In XT patients, either slanted or augmented recession may be chosen according to the priority and experience of the surgeon.

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