Iranian Journal of Rehabilitation Research in Nursing
Year:2016 | Volume:3 | Issue:1 |Papers Count:8

Introduction: Increasing rate of geriatric population and importance of maintaining and promoting their health in order to decrease complications and cost of care and treatment requires a focus on low cost and simple procedures with low complications. This study aimed to investigate impact of spiritual care on spiritual health of elderly residents at Kahrizak nursing home.Methods: In this semi-experimental study with pre and posttests, 90 elderly residents of Kahrizak nursing home, which fulfilled the inclusion criteria participated in two groups; one case group and one control group, the samples of which were divided by randomized permuted block. The case group received 90 days of hope facilitation and active listening intervention. Data was gathered using a demographic test, Jarel spiritual well-being. The SPSS version 20 software was applied for analysis of data.Results: Pretest average score of spiritual health reported in the case group was 33.50, and in the control group was 31.47, which showed no statistical differences (P=0.074). After the intervention, in the intervention groups, the mean score increased to 7.12 for spiritual health that is statistically significant (P<0.001), however in the control group, the mean score fell to 1.11 for spiritual health that was not statistically significant (P=0.321). Co-variance analysis showed significant increase in spiritual health after the intervention (P<0.001). Pretest average scores of mental health reported for the first case group was 41.37.Conclusions: Results showed that spiritual care increased spiritual health of elderly residents of Kahrizak nursing home. Therefore, it is suggested for geriatric health care providers to use this safe and simple procedure to promote elderly spiritual health.

Introduction: In rehabilitation medicine, using targeted and personalized approach is general, and standard interventions often do not have appropriate results. Most researches have been conducted on the effects of rehabilitation exercises on patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with mild to moderate disabilities. Research on patients with different levels of disability has not been carefully considered yet. So, this study aimed to investigate the effect of a personalized comprehensive rehabilitation program on physical fitness and fatigue in patients with MS.Methods: This research was an experimental and applied study. From female patients admitted to the MS Society in Shahrekord, Iran, 96 subjects were divided into three groups, as sampling was based on physical disability scale scores (EDSS) (i.e. less than 4.5, 5-6.5, and higher than 6.5). Afterwards, each group was randomly divided into experimental and control groups. In the first group (the scale of disability was less than 4.5) n=44 and in the second group (the scale of disability was 5-6.5) n=26. Also, 26 patients were in the third group (the scale of disability was 6.5 and above). In addition, they were divided into six experimental and control groups. Training programs for the experimental groups were 12 weeks, three sessions per week and one hour per session. Factors such as physical fitness as well as psychological and physical disabilities of patients were measured with appropriate tools before and after the training. The experimental groups of 1, 2 and 3 each had their own interventions, while the control groups only received stretching exercises. The analysis of data obtained from 96 patients was conducted using descriptive statistics as well as the analysis of covariance and paired comparing of the adjusted means (P<0.05). Subjects of the three groups progressed in dependent variables; while the difference was not statistically significant in the control group.Results: Based on the results, the comprehensive rehabilitation exercises reduced physical disability and fatigue and increase flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular strength and the quality of life in patients with MS. The difference of the impact of these exercises on the above cases was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusions: The implementation of the comprehensive rehabilitation exercises affected the recovery of patients with MS and caused a significant difference in physical fitness factors, psychological factors and physical disabilities of patients. According to the results, it is recommended that experts use these exercises as a complementary therapy alongside drug treatments for patients with MS.

Introduction: Injury and vulnerability happen in of all disasters. Evidence shows that in the history elderlies are one of several vulnerabe groups during disasters; therefore, the present study was designed and conducted with the purpose of developing interventions to increase the possibility of earthquake preparedness and its subscales with risk reduction among elderlies in Hadishahr, Jolfa, Iran.Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest posttest design with a control group. Fifty communities dwelling elderlies were chosen through simple random sampling method from two health centers and were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups. The intervention consisted of educational sessions with slideshows, group discussions and sending reminder materials via mails to elderlies' addresses one week later. The data were collected using a researcher developed preparedness questionnaire consisting of 36 items and subscales (communication, during and after the earthquake period). Inferential analyses of data including analysis of covariance were conducted by SPSS version 16 software.Results: Based on the results of demographic data, the elderlies were within the age range of 60-80 years old, whose mean age was 66.80 ± 5.66 years. About 56% of them were male; 62% had passed elementary education and the rest had a higher level of education. About 90% of the participants lived with their families, among which 76% hardly had any dispute with other family members. Furthermore, 56% of the individuals did not have any experience of offering assistance in disasters. Comparing the mean scores of experimental communication preparedness (P=0.001), preparedness during earthquake (P=0.004), and preparedness after earthquake (P=0.017), post-intervention had a significant increase, which indicates the effectiveness of the educational intervention program.Conclusions: The results of our study showed that implementation of risk reduction program improved earthquake preparedness subscales in the communities dwelling elderlies. Thus, it can be concluded that such compound educational interventions are able to enhance disaster preparedness of these vulnerable groups in the society.

Introduction: The birth of every child with Autism is associated with several problems for parents. Lack of emotional support and the burden of the child cause psychological problems in mothers with autistic children. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine the effectiveness of the “kozloff parental training program" on expressed emotion and burden in mothers with autistic child.Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental study with pre and post-tests. Thirty mothers with autistic children were assigned randomly to the control and experimental group. The experimental group was received the Kozloff parental training program in 12 sessions (90 minutes, two times per week). The research instruments were the Pai and Kapur's Family Burden Interview Schedule Scale (FBIS) and expressed emotion to child. The result of this research was analyzed by examination of covariance with the SPSS version 17 software.Results: The results indicated that positive expressed emotion in mothers, who received the Kozloff training intervention, was increased (P<0.001). In addition, a significant decrease was observed in the negative expressed emotion and burden in the experimental group (P<0.001). However, these changes were not observed in the control group.Conclusions: The Kozloff parental training was effective in increased positive expressed emotion and decrease negative emotions and objective and subjective burden in mothers with autistic children.

Introduction: Anxiety is one of the most common psychological responses of patients to cardiovascular events. Cardiovascular patients, particularly heart attack, experience a lot of anxiety, and anxiety disorder delays the recovery process. This study aimed to determine the effect of jaw relaxation on anxiety and sleep quality in patients with myocardial infarction.Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study. The population was patients with myocardial infarction referred to hospitals in Saveh in 2015. Patients were selected through purposive sampling (68 Persons) and were randomly allocated to two groups of intervention and control. In addition to the routine treatment of patients in the intervention group, jaw relaxation technique was trained and carried out and patients in the control group received only routine treatment. Data were collected through using individual characteristics form and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), then analyzed by the SPSS 19 software.Results: The results showed that the mean and standard deviation of testable anxiety scores of the intervention and control groups before the intervention was 48.41 ± 6.35 and 42.47 ± 7.12, and there was no significant difference. While after jaw relaxation the mean and standard deviation of testable anxiety scores of intervention and control groups was 46.52 ± 6.6 and 46.47 ± 5.67, with a significant difference (P £ 0.001).Conclusions: The results showed that the use of jaw relaxation techniques caused a significant reduction in the level of anxiety in patients with myocardial infarction. Nurses can use the simple and low-cost training of jaw relaxation that is independently performed by myocardial infarction patients to reduce anxiety.

Introduction: Regular scheduled exercise can affect physical and mental health. Due to special working conditions, nurses are in strong need of having good physical and mental fitness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise training on aerobic fitness and self-esteem of nurses.Methods: This study had a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test method with experimental and control groups. The program included three sessions a week for eight weeks, and each session included a 5- to 7-minute warm up, 12 minutes of continuous running with 60% - 80% of maximal heart rate, and 7-10 minutes to cool. The subjects included male (13 exp, 7 con) and female (10 exp, 3 con) nurses. Available sampling method was used for choosing participants and demographic information questionnaire, Eysenck self-esteem questionnaire and machine for analyzing breath gases were used to gather data. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20 statistical tests of covariance analysis, chi-square test 2, and independence t-tests.Results: The results showed that aerobic exercise training meaningfully improved aerobic-fitness (P<0.05) of nurses by controlling the pretest effect, while its effect on their self-esteem was not significant.Conclusions: Aerobic exercise improved aerobic-fitness of nurses, while it was not effective on their self-esteem. According to the study, continued and regular participation in physical activity can make physical changes along with physiological benefits in individuals. The advantages of physiological changes include alterations in the aerobic capacity, respiratory system performance, endurance, muscle strength, flexibility, coordination and weight loss. Overall, the final effects are increased physical performance capacity and capability of learning and performing various skills.

Introduction: Home care threatens caregivers' psychological health, leading to creation of psychological symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between individual-social characteristics of patients in vegetative state and psychological symptoms in family caregivers.Methods: In the present cross-sectional study conducted in 2013, 80 caregivers of patients in vegetative states, caused by a motor vehicle accident, referred to Poursina teaching hospital the city of Rasht, Iran participated. In this study, the questionnaire of individual-social characteristics and SCL-90-R psychological symptoms checklist were used. Data analysis was conducted using statistical tests; ANOVA, t-test and Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric tests as well as SPSS version 18.Results: The results showed that most frequent psychological symptoms in caregivers included of somatoform complaint disorder and anxiety and the least frequent ones were obsessive-compulsive disorders. The results also demonstrated that the mean score of global severity indices (GSI) were connected with patient’s level of consciousness, rhythm of sleep and wakefulness, emotional response and also type of family relationship (P<0.05).Conclusions: Regarding the findings of the present study, caregivers of vegetative state patients are faced with a great number of disorders of somatoform complaint and anxiety. Therefore, psychological symptoms of caregivers of these patients should be considered.

Introduction: Not paying attention to factors related to mental health is one of the important issues involved in decreased efficiency, losing human force with physical and mental side effects especially in professional services. Considering the important role of Organizational Commitment (OC) and mental health disorders, this study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between organizational commitment and mental health.Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was performed in 2014, on nurses working in Isfahan University of Medical Science, Iran. Using systematic sampling, 211 nurses were selected to participate in the study. Data were collected by the researcher using questionnaires including demographic form, SCL-25 and Allen and Mayer‘s organizational commitment. The data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics using the SPSS-16 software. Statistical tests were considered significant at p-values of less than 0.05.Results: The mean score of mental health and organizational commitment in nurses was 18.3 ± 16 and 64.4 ± 7.4, respectively. No significant relationship was observed between mental health and organizational commitment in general and in its dimensions (emotional, continuous and normative). This study revealed that nurses had good mental health and showed medium organizational commitment, but mental health was unrelated to organizational commitment. Considering the medium level of organizational commitment, it is necessary for authorities to improve nurses’ understanding of organizational commitment by recognizing, understanding and managing their feelings, perform appropriate evaluation of their work and provide clear feedback and thus improve the quality of nursing services.Conclusions: Based on the results there was no significant and direct relationship between mental health and organizational commitment.