BackgroundAnxiety 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.

Background Non‐pharmacological treatment methods are being increasingly investigated for pain prevention and relief either alone or in combination with pharmacological treatment. Methods The present randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 57 mothers undergoing elective cesarean section over 10 months from April 2015 to February 2016. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups: control, headphone, and nature-based sounds (N-BS). The investigator recorded pain severity every eight hours after the surgery. Mothers in the headphone group used headphones for 20 minutes (without playing sounds) and mothers in the N-BS group used headphones and listened to N-BS for 20 minutes. We played pleasant nature sounds for the N-BS group using media players and headphones. Mothers’ pain severity was measured immediately before the intervention and 15 and 60 minutes after the end of the intervention. Results The N-BS group had a significantly lower pain severity than the headphone and control groups. Statistically insignificant differences were observed between the control and headphone groups indicating that headphone only did not reduce the pain in the intervention group. These reductions were more evident progressively in 15 and 60 minutes after the end of the intervention. Conclusions The application of N-BS for mothers undergoing elective cesarean section promotes nursing autonomy and the notion that nurses can influence the patient’s environment.

Objective: Communicating with patients is not only among the principles of care, but it is considered as one of the key roles of nurses. As nurses are skilled in other clinical skills, their communication skills should also be adequate. The aim of this study is to determine nurses’ communication skills.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in 2015 in hospitals affiliated to Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. 215 nurses participated in the study using census method. Data was collected using valid and reliable communication skills (α=0.885). The quality of communication skills was classified on three levels: poor, average, and good.Results: Quality of communication skills of 120 (55.8%) of nurses was weak, 95 (44.2%) moderate, and there was no good evaluation (0%). The communication skills of most nurses were weak in the areas of conscious start (75.8%), verbal and nonverbal communication skills (86.5%), inner and outer harmony (92.6%), respect for the patient (94.4%) and the unconditional acceptance of patient (100%). There was a significant relationship between the nurses’ educational level, mean age and work experience with quality of communication skills (p <0.05).Conclusion: The results indicate the low ability of nurses in terms of communication skills with the patient. It seems that teaching communication skills, as well as the revision of management, description of job responsibilities, increasing job autonomy and decision-making power for nurses can be the effective ways to improve nurse-patient communication which leads to enhancing the quality of care from patients.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(2) 2018 p.275-281