Effect of lower leg compression during cesarean section on post-spinal hypotension and neonatal hemodynamic parameters: nonrandomized controlled clinical trial

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of lower leg compression during cesarean section (CS) on post-spinal hypotension (PSH) and neonatal hemodynamic parameters.Methods: This study is a nonrandomized controlled clinical trial conducted in the cesarean delivery unit of the National Medical institute,Damanhour,Egypt.The sample included 120 parturients (60 intervention and 60 control).The researchers developed three tools for data collection: sociodemographic data and reproductive history interview schedule,electronic monitoring of maternal hemodynamic parameters,and neonatal hemodynamic assessment sheet.All parturients received ordinary preoperative care.For the intervention group,a long elastic stocking (ordinary pressure 20-30 mmHg,1 mmHg =0.133 kPa) was applied on both legs during cesarean section.The control group received the same care without the elastic stocking.Results: Systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,and mean arterial blood pressure were significantly higher in the intervention group throughout the entire operation period except in the last 5 -15 min.Heart rate was significantly lower in the intervention group.Only 13.3% of the intervention group took ephedrine compared with 45% of the control group.Apgar score was higher among neonates of intervention group compared with the control group at 1 min.Neonatal acidosis was significantly higher in the control group than in the contral group.Conclusion: Lower leg compression technique can effectively reduce PSH and neonatal acidosis.

Effects of COVID-19 fear and anxiety on attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine use in women with gynecological cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective:Patients with gynecological cancer commonly use complementary and alternative medicine(CAM)methods to cope with the disease.However,despite the existence of treatment strategies,the effect of fear and anxiety caused by coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic on attitudes about CAM use is unclear.This study was carried out to investigate the effect of fear and anxiety experienced by patients with gynecological cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic on their attitudes towards the use of CAM.Methods:This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study that included 177 women with gynecological cancer;participants were recruited from a social networking site for cancer patients in Turkey between June and December 2021.Data were collected using an online survey that included the Personal Information Form,the Fear of COVID-19 Scale,the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale,and the Attitude Towards Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Scale.Descriptive statistics,t-test,Pearson’s correlation test,and simple linear and multiple regression analyses were performed to analyze the data.Results:During the pandemic,55.4%of the participants reported using CAM methods,but only 22.6%were using CAM before the pandemic.The participants who used CAM during the pandemic also scored higher on the fear of COVID-19 and coronavirus anxiety scales(20.69±5.37 and 13.09±6.29,respectively)compared to the participants who did not use CAM(9.29±2.72 and 6.35±2.06,respectively).Fear of COVID-19 accounted for 52%of the CAM attitude score,while coronavirus anxiety accounted for 15%of the CAM attitude score.Fear of COVID-19 and coronavirus anxiety together accounted for 53%of CAM attitude.Conclusion:Gynecological cancer patients with high levels of COVID-19-related anxiety and fear during the pandemic used CAM more.Given that the psychological effects of the pandemic will continue in the coming years,CAM use should be evaluated as a coping strategy,especially due to the COVID-19-related anxiety and fear experienced by patients with gynecological cancer.While the rational and effective CAM methods should be supported,strategies should be developed to prevent misuse of CAM and its interference in prescribed medical treatments.