Media Ilmiah Kesehatan Indonesia

Blood Pressure Changes Following Lavender Aromatherapy in Patients with Hypertension: A Pre-Experimental Study

Anggi Rahmayanti, Yunita Liana, Citra Suraya, Husin, Aris Citra Wisuda — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hypertension requires sustained blood pressure control, and complementary non-pharmacological interventions may provide additional support alongside conventional management. Lavender aromatherapy is a relaxation-oriented intervention that may influence physiological responses associated with cardiovascular regulation. This study aimed to evaluate changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure following lavender aromatherapy among patients with hypertension at Nayaka Husada 02 Pahlawan Clinic, Palembang. A quantitative pre-experimental study with a one-group pretest–posttest design was conducted from April to May 2026. The study included 36 patients with hypertension who met the eligibility criteria and were selected using total sampling. Lavender aromatherapy was administered using a diffuser containing 150 mL of water and 5 drops of lavender essential oil for 15 minutes. Blood pressure was measured before and immediately after the intervention using a digital sphygmomanometer. Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, followed by paired-samples t-tests for pre–post comparisons. Mean systolic blood pressure decreased from 157.89 ± 10.52 mmHg to 131.67 ± 12.60 mmHg, with a mean reduction of 26.22 mmHg. Mean diastolic blood pressure decreased from 96.56 ± 4.30 mmHg to 84.19 ± 4.11 mmHg, with a mean reduction of 12.37 mmHg. Both changes were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Lavender aromatherapy was associated with short-term reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure among patients with hypertension. However, the absence of a control group limits causal interpretation, and the observed changes cannot be attributed exclusively to the intervention. Lavender aromatherapy may be considered a potential complementary relaxation-based approach to support short-term blood pressure management. Further studies using controlled designs with larger samples and longer follow-up periods are required to confirm its effectiveness.

Changes in Anxiety Scores Following Storytelling Therapy Among Hospitalized Preschool Children: A Pre-Experimental Study

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hospitalization can be stressful for preschool children due to unfamiliar environments, disrupted routines, and medical procedures. Anxiety may affect children's comfort and cooperation during treatment. Storytelling is a child-friendly non-pharmacological intervention that may reduce anxiety through distraction and emotional support. This study aimed to evaluate changes in anxiety scores following a storytelling intervention among hospitalized preschool children. A quantitative pre-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design was used to assess changes in anxiety before and after the intervention. The study included 34 hospitalized preschool children aged 3–6 years at Siti Fatimah Az-Zahra Regional General Hospital, South Sumatra, Indonesia, recruited using purposive sampling. Anxiety was assessed immediately before and after the intervention using the Faces Anxiety Scale (FAS), a five-point visual scale scored from 0 to 4. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test was used to analyze pre–post differences in anxiety scores. Before the intervention, the median anxiety score was 2 (IQR 1–2), with 20 children (58.8%) experiencing moderate anxiety and 14 (41.2%) experiencing mild anxiety. After the intervention, the median anxiety score decreased to 1 (IQR 0–1), with 17 children (50.0%) classified as having no anxiety, 14 (41.2%) having mild anxiety, and 3 (8.8%) having moderate anxiety. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test demonstrated a significant difference in anxiety scores after the intervention (Z = −5.058, p < 0.001), with a large effect size (r = 0.87). The storytelling intervention was associated with an immediate reduction in anxiety scores among hospitalized preschool children. However, due to the absence of a control group, the findings should be interpreted cautiously and do not establish a definitive causal effect.

Overview of ISBAR Handover Model Implementation among Inpatient Nurses at Santa Elisabeth Hospital Medan in 2026

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Handover is an essential component of nursing communication to ensure continuity of care, interprofessional coordination, and patient safety. The ISBAR (Introduction, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) model is a structured communication approach that facilitates the systematic and accurate transfer of patient information. This study aimed to describe the implementation of the ISBAR model in nurse handover among primary nurses in the inpatient wards of Santa Elisabeth Hospital Medan. This study used a descriptive design with a quantitative approach. The study sample consisted of 52 primary nurses selected using a total sampling technique. Data were collected using an observation checklist assessing the implementation of the ISBAR model, which included five components: Introduction, Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis presented as frequency distributions and percentages. The results showed that the overall implementation of the ISBAR model during the handover process was categorized as good among all respondents (100%). However, indicator-based analysis revealed variations in implementation, particularly in the delivery of nursing interventions that had been performed (75.0%) and the communication of supporting examination results (78.8%). The implementation of the ISBAR model in nurse handover among primary nurses has been well established; however, several communication components, particularly the Background and Assessment aspects, require further improvement to enhance information completeness and support patient safety.

Water-Drinking Hydrotherapy for Blood Glucose and Anxiety Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia and may be accompanied by psychological problems, including anxiety. Oral water therapy is a simple complementary intervention that may support blood glucose control; however, its effects on blood glucose levels and anxiety require further investigation. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of oral water therapy in reducing blood glucose levels and anxiety among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at Sriwijaya General Hospital, Palembang. This quantitative study employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design. A total of 42 respondents were divided into a blood glucose group and an anxiety group, with 21 respondents in each group. The intervention consisted of consuming eight 200-mL glasses of water daily for seven days. Blood glucose levels were measured using a glucometer, while anxiety was assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). Data were analyzed using the paired-samples t-test and Cohen's d. Blood glucose levels decreased across all measurement days, from 232.7 to 218.2 mg/dL on day 1, from 218.9 to 204.8 mg/dL on day 3, from 203.5 to 191.5 mg/dL on day 5, and from 189.8 to 177.4 mg/dL on day 7. All changes were statistically significant (p < 0.001), with very large effect sizes (Cohen's d = 2.907–3.739). In contrast, anxiety scores did not show a statistically significant change (p > 0.05), with very small to small effect sizes. Oral water therapy may support blood glucose control as a complementary intervention but did not demonstrate a significant effect on anxiety.

Semi-Fowler Versus Lateral Positioning for Pain Management in Patients with Cholelithiasis: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cholelithiasis may cause abdominal pain that affects patients’ comfort and daily activities. In addition to pharmacological therapy, positioning is a simple non-pharmacological nursing intervention that may help reduce pain intensity. The semi-Fowler and lateral positions are commonly used to improve patient comfort; however, their comparative effectiveness in patients with cholelithiasis remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the semi-Fowler and lateral positions in reducing pain intensity among patients with cholelithiasis. A quasi-experimental study with a two-group pretest–posttest design was conducted in the inpatient ward of RSUD Siti Fatimah Az-Zahra, South Sumatra Province, in May 2026. A total of 34 patients with cholelithiasis were recruited using total sampling and allocated into the semi-Fowler group (n=17) and lateral group (n=17). The semi-Fowler group was positioned with the head of the bed elevated at 30–45°, while the lateral group was positioned in a side-lying posture supported with pillows for 15 minutes. Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test and Mann–Whitney U test. The mean pain score decreased from 6.59 ± 1.18 to 3.65 ± 0.93 in the semi-Fowler group and from 6.47 ± 1.01 to 3.53 ± 1.01 in the lateral group. Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in pain intensity (p < 0.001), with no significant difference between the two positions (p = 0.984). Both positions may be considered simple non-pharmacological nursing interventions for pain management in patients with cholelithiasis.