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Papers by Complementary Medicine Journal (CMJA)

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Pain is one of the most common problems after surgery. Various strategies have been use... more Objective Pain is one of the most common problems after surgery. Various strategies have been used to alleviate it. To achieve the optimal pain management, various analgesics and narcotics are used, despite of having side effects. Numerous sources of Iranian Traditional Medicine have indicated the analgesic effects of lettuce. This study aims to evaluate the effects of lettuce syrup as an adjunctive therapy on pain relief after inguinal hernia surgery.
Methods This is a triple-blind clinical trial. Seventy patients candidates for inguinal hernia surgery referred to Valiasr Hospital in Arak, Iran were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and placebo. From 3 days before surgery to after surgery, lettuce and placebo syrup were prescribed separately as well as morphine, if needed. Pain was measured using visual analogue scale (VAS) during recovery and 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours after surgery. The data were analyzed by independent t-test, chi-square test, and repeated measure ANOVA.
Results The acute pain level during recovery after surgery significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group. The mean VAS score 24 hours after surgery was 0.68±1.94 in the intervention group and 2.75±8.13 in the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion The use of lettuce syrup as an adjunctive treatment is effective in reducing pain after inguinal hernia surgery.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Optimum recovery can prevent the athlete's functional capacity from falling between tra... more Objective Optimum recovery can prevent the athlete's functional capacity from falling between training sessions or competitions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dry cupping therapy and creatine supplementation on lactic acid, lactate dehydrogenase and plasma creatine kinase following the Wingate anaerobic test in male handball players.
Methods In this quasi-experimental study, 12 young male handball players in 4 stages with different interventions. Including groups: control, cupping, creatine and cupping with creatine were tested were tested in the laboratory of Qazvin International University. After obtaining written informed consent, in all groups, blood pressure and heart rate and body composition were measured before and after the Wingate test. The Wingate test was then performed in two 30-second stages with a 1-minute break between two performances. Blood sampling was performed in the control group before and after the Wingate test. In the cupping group with creatine, the test conditions were the same as in the cupping and creatine groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS v. 27 software and with the help of analysis of covariance test.
Results The average creatine kinase (165.12±24.81) in the cupping and cupping + creatine group has a significant decrease compared to the control group (110.12±62.81) (P=0.004). The mean of lactate dehydrogenase in the control (352.10±10.46), cupping (348.10±17.46), creatine (369.10±33.48) and cupping + creatine (356.10±06.46) groups have no significant difference (P>0.005).
Conclusion It seems that creatine supplementation along with Dry cupping therapy can have positive effects in speeding up recovery by reducing creatine kinase. However, there was no significant effect on lactate dehydrogenase activity.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Having physical activity and proper nutrition are very important for preventing Non-Alc... more Objective Having physical activity and proper nutrition are very important for preventing Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). The present study aims to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) along with purslane (Portulaca Oleracea) supplementation on the lipid profile of rats with NAFLD
Methods In this experimental study, 25 male Wistar rats randomly divided into five groups: healthy control, NAFLD control, supplement, HIIT, and HIIT + supplement. To induce NAFLD, rats received a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. The HIIT was performed for eight weeks, five sessions per week. Plasma levels of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Triglyceride (TG) and Total Cholesterol (TC) were measured. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test were used to analyze the data.
Results Plasma level of TG in the HIIT + supplement group were significantly lower than in the NAFLD control group (P=0.035). The TC level in the supplement (P=0.013) and HIIT +supplement (P=0.001) groups was significantly lower than in the NAFLD control group. The HDL level in the HIIT + supplement group was significantly higher compared to healthy control (P=0.021), NAFLD control (P=0.001), HIIT (P=0.006) and supplement (P=0.018) groups. The LDL level in the HIIT (P=0.01), supplement (P=0.001) and HIIT + supplement (P=0.001) groups was significantly lower than in the NAFLD control group.
Conclusion It seems that HIIT combined with purslane supplementation can have better effect compared to HIIT and purslane supplementation alone; therefore, this method can be used as a complementary therapy in people with NAFLD.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death in younger people. I... more Objective Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death in younger people. It activates neuroinflammatory responses that play an important role in breaking the blood-brain barrier and resulting in brain edema. Various studies have indicated the anti-inflammatory effect and the ability of lettuce extract to reduce oxygen free radicals. Therefore, it is expected to improve the consequences of TBI. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of lettuce extract on the outcomes of patients with TBI admitted to the Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
Methods This is a randomized clinical trial. Patients were divided into two groups of intervention (n=15) and control (n= 15). In the intervention group, patients received 250 g of lettuce aqueous extract twice a day for 7 days. In the control group, a placebo was administered. For all patients, the levels of inflammatory markers and variables related to the patient outcome were recorded. The data were analyzed in SPSS v.18 software using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, repeated measures ANOVA, and chi-square test.
Results There was no significant difference between the study groups in any study variables (P>0.05).
Conclusion Lettuce aqueous extract is not effective in improving the outcomes of patients with TBI in ICUs, which can be due to the small sample size, short study duration, the illness of patients, the influence of confounding factors such as acidosis, and use of different lettuce cultivation method.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Royal jelly is a honey bee secretion with beneficial effects on the nervous system. The... more Objective Royal jelly is a honey bee secretion with beneficial effects on the nervous system. The present study aims to investigate the effects of royal jelly in reducing seizure and anxiety-like behaviors in Syrian rats.
Methods This is an experimental study. In the seizure model, 25 male white Syrian rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control, royal jelly 100 mg/kg, royal jelly 200 mg/kg, royal jelly 400 mg/kg, and phenobarbital. After 30 minutes, strychnine was injected to induce seizure in animals. The time of seizure onset, seizure duration, and mortality rate in animals were recorded. In the anxiety model, 35 male white Syrian rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control, royal jelly 50 mg/kg, royal jelly 100 mg/kg, royal jelly 200 mg/kg, and diazepam. Anxiety-like behaviors were examined by using the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, and P<0.05 was statistically significant.
Results Royal jelly at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg delayed the time of seizure onset and reduced the seizure duration compared to the control group (P<0.05). The mortality rate was also reduced after using different doses of royal jelly compared to the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, royal jelly at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg increased the time spent in the open arms of the EPM platform and the number of entries to the open arms compared to the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion Administration of royal jelly can reduce strychnine-induced seizure and modulate anxiety-like behaviors in rats.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: The disease of Covid-19 has many physical and psychological effects. One of the psycho... more Objective: The disease of Covid-19 has many physical and psychological effects. One of the psychological effects of this disease is anxiety, which can reduce the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to effect of Benson relaxation on the anxiety of patients with covid-19.
Methods: This research was a semi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group, which was conducted on 64 patients with covid-19 admitted to Amiralmomenin Hospital in Arak in 1400. After obtaining written consent, the subjects were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the divided into two experimental groups (32 people) and control (32 people. After teaching the Benson relaxation technique, the patients in the experimental group performed relaxation exercises for 15 minutes twice a day for 2 consecutive days. In the control group, there was routine treatment without any intervention. The data gathering tool were demographic questionnaire and the Spielberger ‘s state anxiety questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS 21 with using the descriptive and analytic statistics (chi square test, t-test and independent t) was performed.
Results: The results showed that before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between the average anxiety scores of the patients in the two experimental groups (55.21 ± 8.85) and control (54.75 ± 6.62) (P>0.05), but between the average the scores of the experimental group (40.43 ± 9.97) and the control group (52.03 ± 6.35) after the implementation of Benson's relaxation showed a significant difference (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Benson relaxation technique has an effect on the anxiety of corona patients, the use of this method is recommended as a complementary method in reducing the anxiety of these patients.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Menopause-related sleep disorders do not necessarily affect the amount of sleep, but th... more Objective Menopause-related sleep disorders do not necessarily affect the amount of sleep, but they affect the quality of sleep. This study aims to review the results of clinical trials on the effect of valerian on sleep disorders of postmenopausal women in Iran.
Methods In this systematic review study, a search was first conducted in SID, IranMedex, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, EMBASE, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases for the related articles published until December 2021 using keywords based on PICO strategy and MeSH terms including insomnia, menopause, valerian, sleep disorders, herbal medicine, complementary medicine, and clinical trial in Persian and English with Boolean operators (OR, AND) . The Jaded scale was used to evaluate the quality of the articles.
Results Of 389 articles found by the initial search, 6 studies (sample size= 637) were reviewed. Of these, 3 studies examined the effect of valerian on sleep disorders, 2 studies examined the effect of valerian on sleep quality, and 1 study examined the effect of valerian on the sleep dimensions of postmenopausal women.
Conclusion Valerian can be considered as a safe treatment for sleep disorders of postmenopausal women in Iran. Further studies are recommended to provide evidence for the best dose of valerian with the least side effects.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective One of the important systems of traditional medicine that has grown in the cradle of hu... more Objective One of the important systems of traditional medicine that has grown in the cradle of human civilizations and has always exported doctors, science and medicine to the farthest corners of the world, is the comprehensive system of Iranian Traditional Medicine, which is somehow different from common medicine. This article deals with the differences between Iranian Traditional Medicine and pupular medicine with a logical and philosophical approach.
Methods In this review article, which was done with the analytical-descriptive method, using internet and library resources, the basics of common medicine and Iranian traditional medicine are compared.
Results The main differences between Iranian traditional medicine and popular medicine is the existence of nature or the administrator power of the body, which manages the activity of all organs and ultimately the whole human body without the intervention of any kind of consciousness, while the popular school of medicine does not believe in such a thing. The second thing that differentiates these two schools from each other is the general attitude of Iranian traditional medicine towards human beings, while the common medicine has a completely mechanical approach to human beings and their health. And in this school, they try to go as deep as possible into the cell or even the molecules and find the defective point. The third point is that in Iranian traditional medicine, individual differences between people, i.e. temperament, are of fundamental importance.
Conclusion In order to compare these two schools of medicine, first of all, reforms should be made in the basic and fundamental concepts of these two medicines, at the same time, in order to provide a suitable protocol for the treatment of patients, the combined method of two traditional and popular medicines should be used, which requires a complete understanding of these two medicines.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Restless legs syndrome is a neurological condition associated with an irresistible urge... more Objective Restless legs syndrome is a neurological condition associated with an irresistible urge to move the legs and eventually leads to discomfort, sleep disorders, and reduced quality of life. Restless legs syndrome is common in the elderly, whose health improvement is an important healthcare issue. This study aimed to determine the effect of hot water bags on the severity of restless legs syndrome and sleep quality in the elderly.
Methods The study has a quasi-experimental design. In this research, 88 elderly people were selected based on purposive sampling. Then they were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=44) and control (n=44) groups. The intervention group received a hot water bag on the leg, and the control group received routine care. Data collection tools were the demographic questionnaire, the restless legs syndrome rating scale, and the Pittsburgh sleeps quality index. The questionnaires were completed as a self-report. Data were analyzed with the independent t test and paired t test using SPSS.
Results The Mean±SD scores of restless legs syndrome were 16.7±0.46 in the experimental group and 16.50±1.17 in the control group before the intervention, which was not significantly different (P=0.32). The Mean±SD scores of restless legs syndrome were 10.68±1.52 in the experimental group and 15.55±1.79 in the control group after the intervention, which was significantly different (P=0.0001). In addition, the mean ± SD scores of sleep quality were 8.3±1.5 and 10.42±1.89 in the control group and the experimental group after the intervention, which showed a significant difference (P=0.0001).
Conclusion Findings showed that the hot water bag application reduces the severity of restless legs syndrome and improves sleep quality. Therefore, a hot water bag is especially recommended for the elderly, as it is cheap, accessible, and acceptable.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Nurses experienced many psychological problems during the COVID-19 outbreak. Consideri... more Objective: Nurses experienced many psychological problems during the COVID-19 outbreak. Considering that spirituality can be a strong factor in controlling stressful situations, this study aims to investigate the effect of spiritual self-care education on the resilience of nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) dedicated to patients with COVID-19 in Iran.
Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 64 nurses working in ICUs dedicated to patients with COVID-19 in Ziaeian Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2021 who were selected by a census method and then randomly (by coin toss) assigned to the intervention (n=32) and control (n=32) groups. The intervention group received the spiritual self-care education at 6 sessions of 45 minutes every other day. Data were collected using a demographic form and the Connor-Davidson resilience scale and entered in SPSS software, version 25 and analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test, and chi-square test. The significant level was set at 0.05.
Results: The Mean±SD score of resilience before the education in the intervention and control groups were 48.0±5.28 and 46.44±6.05, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (P=0.275). After the education, the mean of resilience in the intervention and control groups were 74.65±3.35, 49.38±6.49 respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.0001).
Conclusion: It is suggested that spiritual self-care education should be provided to nurses in ICUs dedicated to patients with COVID-19 to improve their resilience and thus help them provide better services to patients.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers related to the digestive system in t... more Objective: Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers related to the digestive system in the world. Due to the increasing resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy and its side effects, there is a need for drugs with fewer side effects and natural origin. In this study, the effect of harmine combined with fluorouracil on apoptosis induction in pancreatic cancer cells (AsPC-1) and the expression of apoptotic genes was investigated.
Methods: In this experimental study, MTT assay was used to study the cytotoxic effects. Annexin V/propidium iodide test and DAPI staining method were used to determine the type of cell death. The expression of apoptotic genes (P53, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9) was measured by real-time PCR. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA in SPSS software, version 16. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: The results of MTT assay showed that the use of harmine at 20 μg/mL concentration combined with 10 μg/mL fluorouracil significantly reduced the growth (IC50) of AsPC-1 cells. The results of DAPI staining and annexin V/propidium iodide test showed the induction of apoptosis in treated samples. In addition, the results of real-time PCR showed that the expression of BAX, P53, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 genes increased in the treated groups compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The combined use of harmine and fluorouracil can induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells due to high cytotoxicity and reduce the concentration of chemotherapy drugs. Therefore, this method can be used along with other treatment methods for pancreatic cancer.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective The use of amino acid supplements among athletes for reducing muscle injuries has becom... more Objective The use of amino acid supplements among athletes for reducing muscle injuries has become more popular. This study aims to examine the effect of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) consumption before exhaustive exercise along with one month vitamin E supplementation on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) levels of active females.
Methods In this study, 32 active female students of Razi University in Kermanshah, Iran aged 18-23 years were selected and, after obtaining the informed consent form them, were randomly divided into four groups of placebo (n=8), Vitamin E (n=8), BCAA (n=8), and Vitamin E+BCAA (n=). Vitamin E was consumed as 400 IU daily for a month and BCAA with lemon juice was consumed 2.5 hours before exercise four times with a 30-min interval. The exercise program included 30 minutes of cycling on an ergometer with 50% of the aerobic capacity, and immediately followed by cycling with 75% of the aerobic capacity until the exhaustion. Sampling was done immediately and 48 hours after the exercise, and data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk test, repeated measures ANOVA, Bonferroni test, and Pearson correlation test in SPSS software, version 22.
Results None of the supplements had a significant effect on levels of LDH and CK immediately after the exercise (P>0.05), but 48 hours after the exercise, the mean levels of LDH and CK decreased in BCAA group (CK: 199.4±11.00, LDH: 213.2±23.44) and Vitamin E+BCAA (CK: 188.3±3.20, LDH: 208.3±40.12) compared to Vitamin E and placebo groups (P = 0.001). Their lowest levels was observed in the Vitamin E+BCAA group which was negatively correlated to plasma leucine and isoleucine levels (P = 0.001).
Conclusion Although BCAA consumption alone before exhaustive exercise can reduce muscular damage indicators in active females, it seems that leucine and isoleucine along with Vitamin E supplementation is more effective in reducing muscular damage.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Anxiety and stress are among the most common mental problems in patients before surger... more Objective: Anxiety and stress are among the most common mental problems in patients before surgery. This study aims to determine the effect of aromatherapy with rosemary essential oil on preoperative anxiety, stress, depression and physiological parameters in candidates for general surgery.
Methods: In this clinical trial, 60 candidates for general surgery at Ayatollah Kashani Hospital in Shahrekord, Iran in 2019 were randomly divided into two groups of aromatherapy (n=30) and control (n=30). In the aromatherapy group, on the day of surgery, one hour before going to the operating room, three drops of 10% rose essential oil were poured on a tissue and pinned to the patients’ pillows, and they were asked to smell it for 20 minutes. There was no intervention in the control group. Data collection tools were a demographic form, the 21-item depression anxiety stress scale, and vital signs checklist. Data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 21 using chi-square test and paired t-test.
Results: Before the intervention, the mean scores of anxiety, stress, and depression in the aromatherapy group were 16.80, 17.77, and 16.27, respectively, where the difference in these three variables was not significant (P>0.05). After the intervention, their mean scores were 15.03, 15.57, and 15.83, respectively, where the difference in these variables was significant (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in these variables between the two groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Aromatherapy with rosemary essential oil can reduce anxiety, stress, depression and improve some physiological indicators of patients before general surgery. Therefore, it is recommended to use it along with modern medicine.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Doxorubicin (Dox) is a very effective drug for the treatment of a wide range of cancer... more Objective: Doxorubicin (Dox) is a very effective drug for the treatment of a wide range of cancers. However, in healthy tissues, especially cardiac tissue, it can lead to cytotoxicity. This study aims to determine the effect of 8 weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and crocin consumption on serum markers of Dox-induced cardiotoxicity in male rats
Methods: In this study, 32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: healthy control, doxorubicin, doxorubicin + HIIT, and doxorubicin + crocin + HIIT. The HIIT program was performed for 8 weeks, five days a week, with two 2-min intervals and 80% intensity in the first week and eight 2-minute intervals and 90% intensity of maximum speed in the final weeks. The last group received 10 mg/kg body weight of crocin by gavage for 8 weeks. Dox was injected subcutaneously seven times at a dose of 2 mg/kg. Forty-eight hours after the last training session and after anesthesia, blood samples were taken directly from the left ventricle; after separating serum from plasma, the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) were measured. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: The Dox injection led to a significant increase in LDH and CK-MB levels in rats compared to the healthy control group (P=0.001). However, 8 weeks of HIIT significantly reduced the serum levels of LDH (P=0.001) and CK-MB (P=0.017) compared to the Dox group. In addition, 8 weeks of HIIT plus crocin consumption significantly reduced the LDH (P=0.001) and CK-MB (P=0.001) levels compared to the Dox group. There was no significant difference between the effects of HIIT alone and HIIT plus crocin consumption on the serum levels of LDH (P=0.087) and CK-MB (P=0.877) in rats received doxorubicin.
Conclusion: It seems that HIIT alone and in combination with crocin consumption can reduce the changes in serum levels of LDH and CK-MB induced by doxorubicin.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Considering the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its effect on the quality of ... more Objective: Considering the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its effect on the quality of life (QoL) of patients which can lead to low self-care and increased risk of disease complications, this study aims to assess the effect of a self-care training program based on temperament modification on the QoL of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 110 patients with T2D were selected by a convenience sampling method and were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control using the random number table. After obtaining informed consent from them, they completed a demographic from and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, and their temperament was diagnosed by a doctor expert in Iranian traditional medicine. The intervention group received four sessions of self-care training based on temperament modification each for 45 minutes. The control group received routine treatment without any intervention. Then, they completed the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire again three months after the intervention. Data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 22 using chi-square test, paired t-test, and independent t-test. The significant level was set at 0.05.
Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the quality of life score between the intervention (83.2±11.9) and control (85±9.4) groups (P= 0.194). After the intervention, the difference was significant between the intervention (87.7±11.3) and control (85.1±9.5) groups (P=0.044). There was no significant difference in the quality of life score in control group before and after the intervention (P=0.244).
Conclusion: The self-care program training based on temperament modification can improve the quality of life of patients with T2D.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Viola odorata has been used since ancient times. According to Traditional Iranian Medi... more Objective: Viola odorata has been used since ancient times. According to Traditional Iranian Medicine (TIM) sources, it has a cool and moist temperament and is used for treatment of different diseases. Due to the low side effects and numerous beneficial effects of this plant, this study aims to review its therapeutic effects from the perspective of TIM and modern medicine.
Methods: In this review study, a search was conducted for the materials in many TIM books such as Canon of Medicine, Tuhfat al-Momenin, al-Jami’ li-Mufradat al-Adwiya wa’l-Aghdhiya, Al-shamel fi al-Sanaat Al-Tabiat, Makhzan al-Adawiyah, Firdaws al-Hikmah fi al-Tibb, Al-Hawi fi al-Tibb, Khulasat al-Hikmah, as well as the book “PDR for Herbal Medicines”, and for the related studies in online databases such as PubMed and Scopus using the keywords sweet violet, common viola, garden violet, herbal medicine, traditional Iranian medicine.
Results: The medicinal forms of Viola odorata in TIM are various and are used for skin, digestive, respiratory, and urinary system diseases. Numerous studies have confirmed the various therapeutic effects of the plant. According to studies in modern medicine, its constituents include volatile oils, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, mucilage, gallates, phenols, vitamin C, coumarin, and Sitosterol.
Conclusion: Studies in modern medicine have proven the traditional uses of Viola odorata. However, due to the strong potential of this plant for making various medicinal products from it, more research is needed.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Restless legs syndrome is a neurological condition associated with an irresistible urge... more Objective Restless legs syndrome is a neurological condition associated with an irresistible urge to move the legs and eventually leads to discomfort, sleep disorders, and reduced quality of life. Restless legs syndrome is common in the elderly, whose health improvement is an important healthcare issue. This study aimed to determine the effect of hot water bags on the severity of restless legs syndrome and sleep quality in the elderly.
Methods The study has a quasi-experimental design. In this research, 88 elderly people were selected based on purposive sampling. Then they were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=44) and control (n=44) groups. The intervention group received a hot water bag on the leg, and the control group received routine care. Data collection tools were the demographic questionnaire, the restless legs syndrome rating scale, and the Pittsburgh sleeps quality index. The questionnaires were completed as a self-report. Data were analyzed with the independent t test and paired t test using SPSS.
Results The Mean±SD scores of restless legs syndrome were 16.7±0.46 in the experimental group and 16.50±1.17 in the control group before the intervention, which was not significantly different (P=0.32). The Mean±SD scores of restless legs syndrome were 10.68±1.52 in the experimental group and 15.55±1.79 in the control group after the intervention, which was significantly different (P=0.0001). In addition, the mean ± SD scores of sleep quality were 8.3±1.5 and 10.42±1.89 in the control group and the experimental group after the intervention, which showed a significant difference (P=0.0001).
Conclusion Findings showed that the hot water bag application reduces the severity of restless legs syndrome and improves sleep quality. Therefore, a hot water bag is especially recommended for the elderly, as it is cheap, accessible, and acceptable.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Nurses experienced many psychological problems during the COVID-19 outbreak. Consideri... more Objective: Nurses experienced many psychological problems during the COVID-19 outbreak. Considering that spirituality can be a strong factor in controlling stressful situations, this study aims to investigate the effect of spiritual self-care education on the resilience of nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) dedicated to patients with COVID-19 in Iran.
Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 64 nurses working in ICUs dedicated to patients with COVID-19 in Ziaeian Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2021 who were selected by a census method and then randomly (by coin toss) assigned to the intervention (n=32) and control (n=32) groups. The intervention group received the spiritual self-care education at 6 sessions of 45 minutes every other day. Data were collected using a demographic form and the Connor-Davidson resilience scale and entered in SPSS software, version 25 and analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test, and chi-square test. The significant level was set at 0.05.
Results: The Mean±SD score of resilience before the education in the intervention and control groups were 48.0±5.28 and 46.44±6.05, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (P=0.275). After the education, the mean of resilience in the intervention and control groups were 74.65±3.35, 49.38±6.49 respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.0001).
Conclusion: It is suggested that spiritual self-care education should be provided to nurses in ICUs dedicated to patients with COVID-19 to improve their resilience and thus help them provide better services to patients.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers related to the digestive system in t... more Objective: Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers related to the digestive system in the world. Due to the increasing resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy and its side effects, there is a need for drugs with fewer side effects and natural origin. In this study, the effect of harmine combined with fluorouracil on apoptosis induction in pancreatic cancer cells (AsPC-1) and the expression of apoptotic genes was investigated.
Methods: In this experimental study, MTT assay was used to study the cytotoxic effects. Annexin V/propidium iodide test and DAPI staining method were used to determine the type of cell death. The expression of apoptotic genes (P53, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9) was measured by real-time PCR. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA in SPSS software, version 16. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: The results of MTT assay showed that the use of harmine at 20 μg/mL concentration combined with 10 μg/mL fluorouracil significantly reduced the growth (IC50) of AsPC-1 cells. The results of DAPI staining and annexin V/propidium iodide test showed the induction of apoptosis in treated samples. In addition, the results of real-time PCR showed that the expression of BAX, P53, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 genes increased in the treated groups compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The combined use of harmine and fluorouracil can induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells due to high cytotoxicity and reduce the concentration of chemotherapy drugs. Therefore, this method can be used along with other treatment methods for pancreatic cancer.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective The use of amino acid supplements among athletes for reducing muscle injuries has becom... more Objective The use of amino acid supplements among athletes for reducing muscle injuries has become more popular. This study aims to examine the effect of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) consumption before exhaustive exercise along with one month vitamin E supplementation on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) levels of active females.
Methods In this study, 32 active female students of Razi University in Kermanshah, Iran aged 18-23 years were selected and, after obtaining the informed consent form them, were randomly divided into four groups of placebo (n=8), Vitamin E (n=8), BCAA (n=8), and Vitamin E+BCAA (n=). Vitamin E was consumed as 400 IU daily for a month and BCAA with lemon juice was consumed 2.5 hours before exercise four times with a 30-min interval. The exercise program included 30 minutes of cycling on an ergometer with 50% of the aerobic capacity, and immediately followed by cycling with 75% of the aerobic capacity until the exhaustion. Sampling was done immediately and 48 hours after the exercise, and data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk test, repeated measures ANOVA, Bonferroni test, and Pearson correlation test in SPSS software, version 22.
Results None of the supplements had a significant effect on levels of LDH and CK immediately after the exercise (P>0.05), but 48 hours after the exercise, the mean levels of LDH and CK decreased in BCAA group (CK: 199.4±11.00, LDH: 213.2±23.44) and Vitamin E+BCAA (CK: 188.3±3.20, LDH: 208.3±40.12) compared to Vitamin E and placebo groups (P = 0.001). Their lowest levels was observed in the Vitamin E+BCAA group which was negatively correlated to plasma leucine and isoleucine levels (P = 0.001).
Conclusion Although BCAA consumption alone before exhaustive exercise can reduce muscular damage indicators in active females, it seems that leucine and isoleucine along with Vitamin E supplementation is more effective in reducing muscular damage.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Pain is one of the most common problems after surgery. Various strategies have been use... more Objective Pain is one of the most common problems after surgery. Various strategies have been used to alleviate it. To achieve the optimal pain management, various analgesics and narcotics are used, despite of having side effects. Numerous sources of Iranian Traditional Medicine have indicated the analgesic effects of lettuce. This study aims to evaluate the effects of lettuce syrup as an adjunctive therapy on pain relief after inguinal hernia surgery.
Methods This is a triple-blind clinical trial. Seventy patients candidates for inguinal hernia surgery referred to Valiasr Hospital in Arak, Iran were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and placebo. From 3 days before surgery to after surgery, lettuce and placebo syrup were prescribed separately as well as morphine, if needed. Pain was measured using visual analogue scale (VAS) during recovery and 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours after surgery. The data were analyzed by independent t-test, chi-square test, and repeated measure ANOVA.
Results The acute pain level during recovery after surgery significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group. The mean VAS score 24 hours after surgery was 0.68±1.94 in the intervention group and 2.75±8.13 in the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion The use of lettuce syrup as an adjunctive treatment is effective in reducing pain after inguinal hernia surgery.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Optimum recovery can prevent the athlete's functional capacity from falling between tra... more Objective Optimum recovery can prevent the athlete's functional capacity from falling between training sessions or competitions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dry cupping therapy and creatine supplementation on lactic acid, lactate dehydrogenase and plasma creatine kinase following the Wingate anaerobic test in male handball players.
Methods In this quasi-experimental study, 12 young male handball players in 4 stages with different interventions. Including groups: control, cupping, creatine and cupping with creatine were tested were tested in the laboratory of Qazvin International University. After obtaining written informed consent, in all groups, blood pressure and heart rate and body composition were measured before and after the Wingate test. The Wingate test was then performed in two 30-second stages with a 1-minute break between two performances. Blood sampling was performed in the control group before and after the Wingate test. In the cupping group with creatine, the test conditions were the same as in the cupping and creatine groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS v. 27 software and with the help of analysis of covariance test.
Results The average creatine kinase (165.12±24.81) in the cupping and cupping + creatine group has a significant decrease compared to the control group (110.12±62.81) (P=0.004). The mean of lactate dehydrogenase in the control (352.10±10.46), cupping (348.10±17.46), creatine (369.10±33.48) and cupping + creatine (356.10±06.46) groups have no significant difference (P>0.005).
Conclusion It seems that creatine supplementation along with Dry cupping therapy can have positive effects in speeding up recovery by reducing creatine kinase. However, there was no significant effect on lactate dehydrogenase activity.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Having physical activity and proper nutrition are very important for preventing Non-Alc... more Objective Having physical activity and proper nutrition are very important for preventing Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). The present study aims to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) along with purslane (Portulaca Oleracea) supplementation on the lipid profile of rats with NAFLD
Methods In this experimental study, 25 male Wistar rats randomly divided into five groups: healthy control, NAFLD control, supplement, HIIT, and HIIT + supplement. To induce NAFLD, rats received a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. The HIIT was performed for eight weeks, five sessions per week. Plasma levels of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Triglyceride (TG) and Total Cholesterol (TC) were measured. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test were used to analyze the data.
Results Plasma level of TG in the HIIT + supplement group were significantly lower than in the NAFLD control group (P=0.035). The TC level in the supplement (P=0.013) and HIIT +supplement (P=0.001) groups was significantly lower than in the NAFLD control group. The HDL level in the HIIT + supplement group was significantly higher compared to healthy control (P=0.021), NAFLD control (P=0.001), HIIT (P=0.006) and supplement (P=0.018) groups. The LDL level in the HIIT (P=0.01), supplement (P=0.001) and HIIT + supplement (P=0.001) groups was significantly lower than in the NAFLD control group.
Conclusion It seems that HIIT combined with purslane supplementation can have better effect compared to HIIT and purslane supplementation alone; therefore, this method can be used as a complementary therapy in people with NAFLD.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death in younger people. I... more Objective Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death in younger people. It activates neuroinflammatory responses that play an important role in breaking the blood-brain barrier and resulting in brain edema. Various studies have indicated the anti-inflammatory effect and the ability of lettuce extract to reduce oxygen free radicals. Therefore, it is expected to improve the consequences of TBI. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of lettuce extract on the outcomes of patients with TBI admitted to the Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
Methods This is a randomized clinical trial. Patients were divided into two groups of intervention (n=15) and control (n= 15). In the intervention group, patients received 250 g of lettuce aqueous extract twice a day for 7 days. In the control group, a placebo was administered. For all patients, the levels of inflammatory markers and variables related to the patient outcome were recorded. The data were analyzed in SPSS v.18 software using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, repeated measures ANOVA, and chi-square test.
Results There was no significant difference between the study groups in any study variables (P>0.05).
Conclusion Lettuce aqueous extract is not effective in improving the outcomes of patients with TBI in ICUs, which can be due to the small sample size, short study duration, the illness of patients, the influence of confounding factors such as acidosis, and use of different lettuce cultivation method.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Royal jelly is a honey bee secretion with beneficial effects on the nervous system. The... more Objective Royal jelly is a honey bee secretion with beneficial effects on the nervous system. The present study aims to investigate the effects of royal jelly in reducing seizure and anxiety-like behaviors in Syrian rats.
Methods This is an experimental study. In the seizure model, 25 male white Syrian rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control, royal jelly 100 mg/kg, royal jelly 200 mg/kg, royal jelly 400 mg/kg, and phenobarbital. After 30 minutes, strychnine was injected to induce seizure in animals. The time of seizure onset, seizure duration, and mortality rate in animals were recorded. In the anxiety model, 35 male white Syrian rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control, royal jelly 50 mg/kg, royal jelly 100 mg/kg, royal jelly 200 mg/kg, and diazepam. Anxiety-like behaviors were examined by using the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, and P<0.05 was statistically significant.
Results Royal jelly at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg delayed the time of seizure onset and reduced the seizure duration compared to the control group (P<0.05). The mortality rate was also reduced after using different doses of royal jelly compared to the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, royal jelly at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg increased the time spent in the open arms of the EPM platform and the number of entries to the open arms compared to the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion Administration of royal jelly can reduce strychnine-induced seizure and modulate anxiety-like behaviors in rats.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: The disease of Covid-19 has many physical and psychological effects. One of the psycho... more Objective: The disease of Covid-19 has many physical and psychological effects. One of the psychological effects of this disease is anxiety, which can reduce the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to effect of Benson relaxation on the anxiety of patients with covid-19.
Methods: This research was a semi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group, which was conducted on 64 patients with covid-19 admitted to Amiralmomenin Hospital in Arak in 1400. After obtaining written consent, the subjects were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the divided into two experimental groups (32 people) and control (32 people. After teaching the Benson relaxation technique, the patients in the experimental group performed relaxation exercises for 15 minutes twice a day for 2 consecutive days. In the control group, there was routine treatment without any intervention. The data gathering tool were demographic questionnaire and the Spielberger ‘s state anxiety questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS 21 with using the descriptive and analytic statistics (chi square test, t-test and independent t) was performed.
Results: The results showed that before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between the average anxiety scores of the patients in the two experimental groups (55.21 ± 8.85) and control (54.75 ± 6.62) (P>0.05), but between the average the scores of the experimental group (40.43 ± 9.97) and the control group (52.03 ± 6.35) after the implementation of Benson's relaxation showed a significant difference (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Benson relaxation technique has an effect on the anxiety of corona patients, the use of this method is recommended as a complementary method in reducing the anxiety of these patients.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Menopause-related sleep disorders do not necessarily affect the amount of sleep, but th... more Objective Menopause-related sleep disorders do not necessarily affect the amount of sleep, but they affect the quality of sleep. This study aims to review the results of clinical trials on the effect of valerian on sleep disorders of postmenopausal women in Iran.
Methods In this systematic review study, a search was first conducted in SID, IranMedex, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, EMBASE, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases for the related articles published until December 2021 using keywords based on PICO strategy and MeSH terms including insomnia, menopause, valerian, sleep disorders, herbal medicine, complementary medicine, and clinical trial in Persian and English with Boolean operators (OR, AND) . The Jaded scale was used to evaluate the quality of the articles.
Results Of 389 articles found by the initial search, 6 studies (sample size= 637) were reviewed. Of these, 3 studies examined the effect of valerian on sleep disorders, 2 studies examined the effect of valerian on sleep quality, and 1 study examined the effect of valerian on the sleep dimensions of postmenopausal women.
Conclusion Valerian can be considered as a safe treatment for sleep disorders of postmenopausal women in Iran. Further studies are recommended to provide evidence for the best dose of valerian with the least side effects.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective One of the important systems of traditional medicine that has grown in the cradle of hu... more Objective One of the important systems of traditional medicine that has grown in the cradle of human civilizations and has always exported doctors, science and medicine to the farthest corners of the world, is the comprehensive system of Iranian Traditional Medicine, which is somehow different from common medicine. This article deals with the differences between Iranian Traditional Medicine and pupular medicine with a logical and philosophical approach.
Methods In this review article, which was done with the analytical-descriptive method, using internet and library resources, the basics of common medicine and Iranian traditional medicine are compared.
Results The main differences between Iranian traditional medicine and popular medicine is the existence of nature or the administrator power of the body, which manages the activity of all organs and ultimately the whole human body without the intervention of any kind of consciousness, while the popular school of medicine does not believe in such a thing. The second thing that differentiates these two schools from each other is the general attitude of Iranian traditional medicine towards human beings, while the common medicine has a completely mechanical approach to human beings and their health. And in this school, they try to go as deep as possible into the cell or even the molecules and find the defective point. The third point is that in Iranian traditional medicine, individual differences between people, i.e. temperament, are of fundamental importance.
Conclusion In order to compare these two schools of medicine, first of all, reforms should be made in the basic and fundamental concepts of these two medicines, at the same time, in order to provide a suitable protocol for the treatment of patients, the combined method of two traditional and popular medicines should be used, which requires a complete understanding of these two medicines.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Restless legs syndrome is a neurological condition associated with an irresistible urge... more Objective Restless legs syndrome is a neurological condition associated with an irresistible urge to move the legs and eventually leads to discomfort, sleep disorders, and reduced quality of life. Restless legs syndrome is common in the elderly, whose health improvement is an important healthcare issue. This study aimed to determine the effect of hot water bags on the severity of restless legs syndrome and sleep quality in the elderly.
Methods The study has a quasi-experimental design. In this research, 88 elderly people were selected based on purposive sampling. Then they were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=44) and control (n=44) groups. The intervention group received a hot water bag on the leg, and the control group received routine care. Data collection tools were the demographic questionnaire, the restless legs syndrome rating scale, and the Pittsburgh sleeps quality index. The questionnaires were completed as a self-report. Data were analyzed with the independent t test and paired t test using SPSS.
Results The Mean±SD scores of restless legs syndrome were 16.7±0.46 in the experimental group and 16.50±1.17 in the control group before the intervention, which was not significantly different (P=0.32). The Mean±SD scores of restless legs syndrome were 10.68±1.52 in the experimental group and 15.55±1.79 in the control group after the intervention, which was significantly different (P=0.0001). In addition, the mean ± SD scores of sleep quality were 8.3±1.5 and 10.42±1.89 in the control group and the experimental group after the intervention, which showed a significant difference (P=0.0001).
Conclusion Findings showed that the hot water bag application reduces the severity of restless legs syndrome and improves sleep quality. Therefore, a hot water bag is especially recommended for the elderly, as it is cheap, accessible, and acceptable.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Nurses experienced many psychological problems during the COVID-19 outbreak. Consideri... more Objective: Nurses experienced many psychological problems during the COVID-19 outbreak. Considering that spirituality can be a strong factor in controlling stressful situations, this study aims to investigate the effect of spiritual self-care education on the resilience of nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) dedicated to patients with COVID-19 in Iran.
Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 64 nurses working in ICUs dedicated to patients with COVID-19 in Ziaeian Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2021 who were selected by a census method and then randomly (by coin toss) assigned to the intervention (n=32) and control (n=32) groups. The intervention group received the spiritual self-care education at 6 sessions of 45 minutes every other day. Data were collected using a demographic form and the Connor-Davidson resilience scale and entered in SPSS software, version 25 and analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test, and chi-square test. The significant level was set at 0.05.
Results: The Mean±SD score of resilience before the education in the intervention and control groups were 48.0±5.28 and 46.44±6.05, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (P=0.275). After the education, the mean of resilience in the intervention and control groups were 74.65±3.35, 49.38±6.49 respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.0001).
Conclusion: It is suggested that spiritual self-care education should be provided to nurses in ICUs dedicated to patients with COVID-19 to improve their resilience and thus help them provide better services to patients.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers related to the digestive system in t... more Objective: Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers related to the digestive system in the world. Due to the increasing resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy and its side effects, there is a need for drugs with fewer side effects and natural origin. In this study, the effect of harmine combined with fluorouracil on apoptosis induction in pancreatic cancer cells (AsPC-1) and the expression of apoptotic genes was investigated.
Methods: In this experimental study, MTT assay was used to study the cytotoxic effects. Annexin V/propidium iodide test and DAPI staining method were used to determine the type of cell death. The expression of apoptotic genes (P53, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9) was measured by real-time PCR. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA in SPSS software, version 16. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: The results of MTT assay showed that the use of harmine at 20 μg/mL concentration combined with 10 μg/mL fluorouracil significantly reduced the growth (IC50) of AsPC-1 cells. The results of DAPI staining and annexin V/propidium iodide test showed the induction of apoptosis in treated samples. In addition, the results of real-time PCR showed that the expression of BAX, P53, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 genes increased in the treated groups compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The combined use of harmine and fluorouracil can induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells due to high cytotoxicity and reduce the concentration of chemotherapy drugs. Therefore, this method can be used along with other treatment methods for pancreatic cancer.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective The use of amino acid supplements among athletes for reducing muscle injuries has becom... more Objective The use of amino acid supplements among athletes for reducing muscle injuries has become more popular. This study aims to examine the effect of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) consumption before exhaustive exercise along with one month vitamin E supplementation on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) levels of active females.
Methods In this study, 32 active female students of Razi University in Kermanshah, Iran aged 18-23 years were selected and, after obtaining the informed consent form them, were randomly divided into four groups of placebo (n=8), Vitamin E (n=8), BCAA (n=8), and Vitamin E+BCAA (n=). Vitamin E was consumed as 400 IU daily for a month and BCAA with lemon juice was consumed 2.5 hours before exercise four times with a 30-min interval. The exercise program included 30 minutes of cycling on an ergometer with 50% of the aerobic capacity, and immediately followed by cycling with 75% of the aerobic capacity until the exhaustion. Sampling was done immediately and 48 hours after the exercise, and data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk test, repeated measures ANOVA, Bonferroni test, and Pearson correlation test in SPSS software, version 22.
Results None of the supplements had a significant effect on levels of LDH and CK immediately after the exercise (P>0.05), but 48 hours after the exercise, the mean levels of LDH and CK decreased in BCAA group (CK: 199.4±11.00, LDH: 213.2±23.44) and Vitamin E+BCAA (CK: 188.3±3.20, LDH: 208.3±40.12) compared to Vitamin E and placebo groups (P = 0.001). Their lowest levels was observed in the Vitamin E+BCAA group which was negatively correlated to plasma leucine and isoleucine levels (P = 0.001).
Conclusion Although BCAA consumption alone before exhaustive exercise can reduce muscular damage indicators in active females, it seems that leucine and isoleucine along with Vitamin E supplementation is more effective in reducing muscular damage.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Anxiety and stress are among the most common mental problems in patients before surger... more Objective: Anxiety and stress are among the most common mental problems in patients before surgery. This study aims to determine the effect of aromatherapy with rosemary essential oil on preoperative anxiety, stress, depression and physiological parameters in candidates for general surgery.
Methods: In this clinical trial, 60 candidates for general surgery at Ayatollah Kashani Hospital in Shahrekord, Iran in 2019 were randomly divided into two groups of aromatherapy (n=30) and control (n=30). In the aromatherapy group, on the day of surgery, one hour before going to the operating room, three drops of 10% rose essential oil were poured on a tissue and pinned to the patients’ pillows, and they were asked to smell it for 20 minutes. There was no intervention in the control group. Data collection tools were a demographic form, the 21-item depression anxiety stress scale, and vital signs checklist. Data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 21 using chi-square test and paired t-test.
Results: Before the intervention, the mean scores of anxiety, stress, and depression in the aromatherapy group were 16.80, 17.77, and 16.27, respectively, where the difference in these three variables was not significant (P>0.05). After the intervention, their mean scores were 15.03, 15.57, and 15.83, respectively, where the difference in these variables was significant (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in these variables between the two groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Aromatherapy with rosemary essential oil can reduce anxiety, stress, depression and improve some physiological indicators of patients before general surgery. Therefore, it is recommended to use it along with modern medicine.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Doxorubicin (Dox) is a very effective drug for the treatment of a wide range of cancer... more Objective: Doxorubicin (Dox) is a very effective drug for the treatment of a wide range of cancers. However, in healthy tissues, especially cardiac tissue, it can lead to cytotoxicity. This study aims to determine the effect of 8 weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and crocin consumption on serum markers of Dox-induced cardiotoxicity in male rats
Methods: In this study, 32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: healthy control, doxorubicin, doxorubicin + HIIT, and doxorubicin + crocin + HIIT. The HIIT program was performed for 8 weeks, five days a week, with two 2-min intervals and 80% intensity in the first week and eight 2-minute intervals and 90% intensity of maximum speed in the final weeks. The last group received 10 mg/kg body weight of crocin by gavage for 8 weeks. Dox was injected subcutaneously seven times at a dose of 2 mg/kg. Forty-eight hours after the last training session and after anesthesia, blood samples were taken directly from the left ventricle; after separating serum from plasma, the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) were measured. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: The Dox injection led to a significant increase in LDH and CK-MB levels in rats compared to the healthy control group (P=0.001). However, 8 weeks of HIIT significantly reduced the serum levels of LDH (P=0.001) and CK-MB (P=0.017) compared to the Dox group. In addition, 8 weeks of HIIT plus crocin consumption significantly reduced the LDH (P=0.001) and CK-MB (P=0.001) levels compared to the Dox group. There was no significant difference between the effects of HIIT alone and HIIT plus crocin consumption on the serum levels of LDH (P=0.087) and CK-MB (P=0.877) in rats received doxorubicin.
Conclusion: It seems that HIIT alone and in combination with crocin consumption can reduce the changes in serum levels of LDH and CK-MB induced by doxorubicin.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Considering the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its effect on the quality of ... more Objective: Considering the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its effect on the quality of life (QoL) of patients which can lead to low self-care and increased risk of disease complications, this study aims to assess the effect of a self-care training program based on temperament modification on the QoL of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 110 patients with T2D were selected by a convenience sampling method and were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control using the random number table. After obtaining informed consent from them, they completed a demographic from and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, and their temperament was diagnosed by a doctor expert in Iranian traditional medicine. The intervention group received four sessions of self-care training based on temperament modification each for 45 minutes. The control group received routine treatment without any intervention. Then, they completed the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire again three months after the intervention. Data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 22 using chi-square test, paired t-test, and independent t-test. The significant level was set at 0.05.
Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the quality of life score between the intervention (83.2±11.9) and control (85±9.4) groups (P= 0.194). After the intervention, the difference was significant between the intervention (87.7±11.3) and control (85.1±9.5) groups (P=0.044). There was no significant difference in the quality of life score in control group before and after the intervention (P=0.244).
Conclusion: The self-care program training based on temperament modification can improve the quality of life of patients with T2D.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Viola odorata has been used since ancient times. According to Traditional Iranian Medi... more Objective: Viola odorata has been used since ancient times. According to Traditional Iranian Medicine (TIM) sources, it has a cool and moist temperament and is used for treatment of different diseases. Due to the low side effects and numerous beneficial effects of this plant, this study aims to review its therapeutic effects from the perspective of TIM and modern medicine.
Methods: In this review study, a search was conducted for the materials in many TIM books such as Canon of Medicine, Tuhfat al-Momenin, al-Jami’ li-Mufradat al-Adwiya wa’l-Aghdhiya, Al-shamel fi al-Sanaat Al-Tabiat, Makhzan al-Adawiyah, Firdaws al-Hikmah fi al-Tibb, Al-Hawi fi al-Tibb, Khulasat al-Hikmah, as well as the book “PDR for Herbal Medicines”, and for the related studies in online databases such as PubMed and Scopus using the keywords sweet violet, common viola, garden violet, herbal medicine, traditional Iranian medicine.
Results: The medicinal forms of Viola odorata in TIM are various and are used for skin, digestive, respiratory, and urinary system diseases. Numerous studies have confirmed the various therapeutic effects of the plant. According to studies in modern medicine, its constituents include volatile oils, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, mucilage, gallates, phenols, vitamin C, coumarin, and Sitosterol.
Conclusion: Studies in modern medicine have proven the traditional uses of Viola odorata. However, due to the strong potential of this plant for making various medicinal products from it, more research is needed.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective Restless legs syndrome is a neurological condition associated with an irresistible urge... more Objective Restless legs syndrome is a neurological condition associated with an irresistible urge to move the legs and eventually leads to discomfort, sleep disorders, and reduced quality of life. Restless legs syndrome is common in the elderly, whose health improvement is an important healthcare issue. This study aimed to determine the effect of hot water bags on the severity of restless legs syndrome and sleep quality in the elderly.
Methods The study has a quasi-experimental design. In this research, 88 elderly people were selected based on purposive sampling. Then they were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=44) and control (n=44) groups. The intervention group received a hot water bag on the leg, and the control group received routine care. Data collection tools were the demographic questionnaire, the restless legs syndrome rating scale, and the Pittsburgh sleeps quality index. The questionnaires were completed as a self-report. Data were analyzed with the independent t test and paired t test using SPSS.
Results The Mean±SD scores of restless legs syndrome were 16.7±0.46 in the experimental group and 16.50±1.17 in the control group before the intervention, which was not significantly different (P=0.32). The Mean±SD scores of restless legs syndrome were 10.68±1.52 in the experimental group and 15.55±1.79 in the control group after the intervention, which was significantly different (P=0.0001). In addition, the mean ± SD scores of sleep quality were 8.3±1.5 and 10.42±1.89 in the control group and the experimental group after the intervention, which showed a significant difference (P=0.0001).
Conclusion Findings showed that the hot water bag application reduces the severity of restless legs syndrome and improves sleep quality. Therefore, a hot water bag is especially recommended for the elderly, as it is cheap, accessible, and acceptable.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Nurses experienced many psychological problems during the COVID-19 outbreak. Consideri... more Objective: Nurses experienced many psychological problems during the COVID-19 outbreak. Considering that spirituality can be a strong factor in controlling stressful situations, this study aims to investigate the effect of spiritual self-care education on the resilience of nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) dedicated to patients with COVID-19 in Iran.
Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 64 nurses working in ICUs dedicated to patients with COVID-19 in Ziaeian Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2021 who were selected by a census method and then randomly (by coin toss) assigned to the intervention (n=32) and control (n=32) groups. The intervention group received the spiritual self-care education at 6 sessions of 45 minutes every other day. Data were collected using a demographic form and the Connor-Davidson resilience scale and entered in SPSS software, version 25 and analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test, and chi-square test. The significant level was set at 0.05.
Results: The Mean±SD score of resilience before the education in the intervention and control groups were 48.0±5.28 and 46.44±6.05, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (P=0.275). After the education, the mean of resilience in the intervention and control groups were 74.65±3.35, 49.38±6.49 respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.0001).
Conclusion: It is suggested that spiritual self-care education should be provided to nurses in ICUs dedicated to patients with COVID-19 to improve their resilience and thus help them provide better services to patients.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective: Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers related to the digestive system in t... more Objective: Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers related to the digestive system in the world. Due to the increasing resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy and its side effects, there is a need for drugs with fewer side effects and natural origin. In this study, the effect of harmine combined with fluorouracil on apoptosis induction in pancreatic cancer cells (AsPC-1) and the expression of apoptotic genes was investigated.
Methods: In this experimental study, MTT assay was used to study the cytotoxic effects. Annexin V/propidium iodide test and DAPI staining method were used to determine the type of cell death. The expression of apoptotic genes (P53, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9) was measured by real-time PCR. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA in SPSS software, version 16. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: The results of MTT assay showed that the use of harmine at 20 μg/mL concentration combined with 10 μg/mL fluorouracil significantly reduced the growth (IC50) of AsPC-1 cells. The results of DAPI staining and annexin V/propidium iodide test showed the induction of apoptosis in treated samples. In addition, the results of real-time PCR showed that the expression of BAX, P53, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 genes increased in the treated groups compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The combined use of harmine and fluorouracil can induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells due to high cytotoxicity and reduce the concentration of chemotherapy drugs. Therefore, this method can be used along with other treatment methods for pancreatic cancer.

Complementary Medicine Journal, 2022

Objective The use of amino acid supplements among athletes for reducing muscle injuries has becom... more Objective The use of amino acid supplements among athletes for reducing muscle injuries has become more popular. This study aims to examine the effect of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) consumption before exhaustive exercise along with one month vitamin E supplementation on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) levels of active females.
Methods In this study, 32 active female students of Razi University in Kermanshah, Iran aged 18-23 years were selected and, after obtaining the informed consent form them, were randomly divided into four groups of placebo (n=8), Vitamin E (n=8), BCAA (n=8), and Vitamin E+BCAA (n=). Vitamin E was consumed as 400 IU daily for a month and BCAA with lemon juice was consumed 2.5 hours before exercise four times with a 30-min interval. The exercise program included 30 minutes of cycling on an ergometer with 50% of the aerobic capacity, and immediately followed by cycling with 75% of the aerobic capacity until the exhaustion. Sampling was done immediately and 48 hours after the exercise, and data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk test, repeated measures ANOVA, Bonferroni test, and Pearson correlation test in SPSS software, version 22.
Results None of the supplements had a significant effect on levels of LDH and CK immediately after the exercise (P>0.05), but 48 hours after the exercise, the mean levels of LDH and CK decreased in BCAA group (CK: 199.4±11.00, LDH: 213.2±23.44) and Vitamin E+BCAA (CK: 188.3±3.20, LDH: 208.3±40.12) compared to Vitamin E and placebo groups (P = 0.001). Their lowest levels was observed in the Vitamin E+BCAA group which was negatively correlated to plasma leucine and isoleucine levels (P = 0.001).
Conclusion Although BCAA consumption alone before exhaustive exercise can reduce muscular damage indicators in active females, it seems that leucine and isoleucine along with Vitamin E supplementation is more effective in reducing muscular damage.