Showing 21 results for Intervention
Mashallah Aghilinejad, Elahe Kabir-Mokamelkhah, Yasser Labbafinejad, Amir Bahrami-Ahmadi, Hamid Reza Hosseini,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background: Ergonomic training had been implemented for prevention or reduction of neck and shoulder complaints among workers. The purpose of the present study was to assess the role of ergonomic training intervention on decreasing the prevalence of neck and shoulder complaints among workers of an automobile factory.
Methods : Within the present randomized clinical trial, the role of three ergonomic training methods on the prevalence of neck and shoulders pain among 503 workers of an automobile factory (Response rate: 94.23%) was assessed. The eligible workers were randomly allocated into the following three interventional (pamphlet, lecture, workshop) groups and one control group. The Nordic questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of neck and shoulder complaints. We followed and assessed the prevalence of neck and shoulders complaints among the study employees before and one year after the intervention. We used chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests to compare the prevalence of neck and shoulder complaints between the trial and control groups. A two-tailed P-value less than or equal to 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results : The prevalence of neck and shoulders complaints among the study employees at the recent week (p= 0.002) and year (p= 0.02) had been significantly decreased in the study employees after participating in the study workshop. The prevalence of neck and shoulders complaints at the recent week and year did not significantly changed in the study employees after receiving the pamphlet and lecture as ergonomic trainings.
Conclusion : Workshop as an ergonomic training method had an effective and powerful role on decreasing the prevalence of neck and shoulders complaints among workers.
Naser Dehghan, Mashallah Aghilinejad, Mohammad Hassan Nassiri-Kashani, Ziba Amiri, Atefeh Talebi,
Volume 30, Issue 1 (1-2016)
Abstract
Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the most common occupational injuries in dentists. These disorders occur due to the specific characteristics of dentistry occupation such as the use of tools and instruments and awkward posture. The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of multifaceted ergonomic program on reducing musculoskeletal disorders in dentists.
Methods: One hundred-two male dentists who worked in dentistry clinics of Tehran's hospitals participated in this interventional study. Participants were randomly divided into control (n=50) and intervention (n=52) groups. Dentists in the intervention group (n=52) underwent multifaceted ergonomic intervention program for 8 weeks and dentists in the control group (n=50) only received the measurements. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was evaluated in each of the 2 groups at 3 time points before the intervention, 3, and 6 months after the intervention using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Paired t-test was used to compare the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders before and after the ergonomic intervention program at the end of 3 and 6 months.
Results: The results revealed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was reduced after the intervention in the neck, shoulder, arm, wrist, back, thigh, knees, and feet (p<0.05). On the other hand, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders increased in the control group in the neck, shoulder, arm, wrist, thigh, and knee, respectively. The survey results revealed that 98% of the participants agreed with this intervention program.
Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the multifaceted ergonomic intervention program, which included improving working conditions, identifying ergonomic risk factors, regular exercise, and discussion group meetings, could decrease the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in dentists.
Mashallah Aghilinejad, Elaheh Kabir-Mokamelkhah, Atefeh Talebi, Roghayeh Soleimani, Naser Dehghan,
Volume 30, Issue 1 (1-2016)
Abstract
Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most important problems in the health workforce. These discomforts cause many working days losses, increase absenteeism from work, and impose annual economic costs. Awkward posture is the most important factor among the risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed at implementing an interventional ergonomic program to minimize musculoskeletal disorder among dentists.
Methods: This semi- experimental study was conducted on 75 dentists of Milad hospital using a census method. The Nordic Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. In this study, the intervention was to apply optical magnification lens whose impact on reducing musculoskeletal disorder had been previously investigated. Corlett and Bishop Scale was used to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders before and after the intervention. Paired t-test was conducted to compare the discomfort intensity before and after the intervention
Results: The results revealed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in neck, back, shoulder, and arm were higher than other areas of the body in dentists. There was a significant difference in discomfort intensity of the neck, shoulder, arm, back, elbow, forearm, and the whole body after the ergonomic intervention (p<0.05). Surveys on improving working conditions using the magnification lens revealed that more than 89% of the individuals expressed that the use of the lens increased the ease while working.
Conclusion: The present study revealed that the use of optical magnification loupes, because of providing a suitable posture while working, could reduce musculoskeletal disorders in different areas of the body. Thus, we can predict that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders will be reduced in dentists in a long run if they use optical magnification loupes.
Firoozeh Derakhshanpour, Ahmad Hajebi, Leili Panaghi, Zohre Ahmadabadi,
Volume 31, Issue 1 (1-2017)
Abstract
Background: Child abuse is a significant public health and social problem worldwide. It can be described as a failure to provide care and protection for children by the parents or other caregivers. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in abused children and their families.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the psychosocial support unit of a pediatric hospital in Bandar Abbas, Iran, from 2012 to 2013. The participants consisted of child abuse cases and their parents who referred to the psychosocial support unit to receive services. Services delivered in this unit included parenting skills training, psychiatric treatments, and supportive services. The effectiveness of the interventions was assessed with Child Abuse Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ). Participants were assessed at baseline, at 3, and 6 months follow-ups. ANOVA with repeated measures and Friedman test were used to evaluate the effect of the interventions.
Results: A total of 68 children and their parents enrolled in this study, of whom 53% were males. Post-intervention follow-ups revealed significant changes in mothers' general health questionnaire (p<0.001), and children's conduct problem (p<0.05), hyperactivity (p<0.001), and peer problems (p<0.05). Physical and emotional abuses significantly decreased (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Our findings revealed that psychosocial interventions effectively improved child-parents interaction and mental health of parents. The effectiveness of interventions based on subgroup analysis and implications of the results have been discussed for further development of psychosocial interventions in the health system.
Farbod Ebadi Fardazar, Hassan Heidari, Mahnaz Solhi,
Volume 31, Issue 1 (1-2017)
Abstract
Background: Different factors, such as personality and psychological characteristics, are effective in the self-care and control of diabetes. This study aimed at determining the effect of educational intervention based on locus of control structure of attribution theory on the self-care behavior of patients with type II diabetes.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental controlled study performed on 180 patients in Babol Diabetes Association. The sampling method was simple random sampling. Data collection tool was form C of standard questionnaire in multidimensional health locus of control (MHLC) and summary of diabetes self-care activities (SDSCA). Based on the results obtained from the initial completion of the questionnaires, educational intervention was designed as three 60-minute educational sessions using short lectures, question and answer, group discussions, and consultation methods, as well as educational materials, such as films, posters, and pamphlets. Intervention was only performed for the test group. The questionnaires were filled out again 2 and 3 months after the intervention.
Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the mean scores of self-care, internal, chance, and external locus of control between the 2 groups. However, 2 to 3 months after the intervention, the mean scores of self-care (p<0.001) and locus of control (p<0.001) increased in the test group. Moreover, the mean score of chance (p<0.001) and external (p<0.001) locus of control decreased significantly.
Conclusion: Educational intervention decreases the mean scores of chance and external locus of control and increases the mean score of internal locus of control; as a result, it improves self-care in patients with diabetes.
Arman Latifi, Effat Merghati-Khoei, Davood Shojaeizadeh, Saharnaz Nedjat, Ali Mehri, Gholamreza Garmaroudi,
Volume 31, Issue 1 (1-2017)
Abstract
Background: Various theory-based interventions (TBIs) have been done to prevent STI/HIV. The current study aimed at reviewing the TBIs for STI/HIV prevention in Iran.
Methods: We systematically searched 6 English and Persian electronic databases to identify TBIs conducted for STI/HIV prevention in Iran. General searches were conducted using PubMed MeSH terms. Articles were included if they were interventional and conducted using models and theories, aimed at reducing the risk of STIs, were quasi-experimental or experimental, and if their full text was available.
Results: Overall, 1042 studies were found. Finally, 13 original studies met our inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that HBM and TPB were the most frequently used theory/models. High school students and drug abusers were the most common target groups in the included studies.
Conclusion: The results revealed that the majority of the conducted TBIs contained a methodological weakness. Conducting randomized controlled trials is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the TBIs.
Mahnaz Ashoorkhani, Reza Majdzadeh, Hamed Hosseini, Mohammad Hossein Taghdisi,
Volume 33, Issue 1 (2-2019)
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an educational intervention on the quality of health research-based news, given the sensitivity of disseminating incorrect information.
Methods: An uncontrolled before-after study was conducted among health news producers in Tehran from November 2011 to March 2012. The intervention that included educational content in the form of a workshop was evaluated in advance. The outcome of measuring the scientific quality of news extracted from medical and health research results was considered for authenticity and accuracy. The health research-based news quality assessment tool was used. In this study, 32 individuals voluntarily entered the program, and their produced news was collected in 4 stages. To determine the effectiveness of the educational intervention, paired t-tests were used. SPSS version 17 was used for statistical analysis and p<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The mean score (±SD) of the participants' produced news was 0.40 (±0.089) before and 0.61 (±0.086) after the intervention, which increased by 0.21±0.09 (p<0.001). Of the news collected from the participants as baseline data, 544 (65%) articles aimed at increasing public knowledge and awareness. Almost all the news had been gathered from interviews, and only 41 (4.8%) news articles were based on health research results.
Conclusion: The educational intervention proved effective in promoting the quality of health research news. Only a few health journalists participated in this study, and thus the need to educate health news producers is felt. Since interviews with health researchers and experts were the largest source of news, interventions need to target other groups who affect the quality and accuracy of the news.
Mehrdad Saeidi Borujeni, Seyed Ali Hosseini, Nazila Akbarfahimi, Elaheh Ebrahimi,
Volume 33, Issue 1 (2-2019)
Abstract
Background: The Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach, top-down, client-centered and goal-oriented approach originally developed for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in 2001 and since used in other populations and settings. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the extent (number) and nature (features and characteristics) of the literature on CO-OP in adult’s populations.
Methods: In this scoping review, 8 online databases were searched up to April 2018 to identify articles that addressed CO-OP in adult’s populations. The articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two raters reviewed all documents independently. Articles were categorized according to diagnosis.
Results: Fifteen studies were identified. To examine application and effectiveness of CO-OP in adult’s populations we included individuals with chronic stroke (>6 months post-stroke; n=7), with TBI (n=3), with acute stroke (<6 months post-stroke; n=4) and the older adult populations comprised those with self-reported cognitive difficulties but no diagnosis of dementia, depression, or cognitive impairment (n=1). In all cases, CO-OP showed to be useful and efficient.
Conclusion: CO-OP has been applied in TBI, stroke and age-related executive changes appropriately. The results have shown that CO-OP efficiently improved performance and satisfaction in trained and not trained client chosen goals.
Seyyed Hashem Sezavar, Morteza Hassanzadeh, Davood Akhlagh Moayed, Mahmood Tabandeh, Massoud Ghasemi, Seifollah Abdi, Iraj Firoozi, Pejman Golbidi, Marzieh Pourjafari, Negin Taslimi, Ali Asghar Akhlaghi, Mahmoud Hashemian,
Volume 34, Issue 1 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background: Frequent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) procedures are being performed on a daily basis in Iran. However, no study has been reported on the current PCI practice in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Iran. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and treatment patterns in Iranian ACS patients treated with PCI.
Methods: Between February 2017 and July 2017, ACS patients presented to 5 referral hospitals in two major cities of Iran (Tehran and Shiraz) were included in this observational study if aged > 18 years and underwent PCI for ACS during hospitalization; and their clinical and procedural characteristics were collected. All data were entered into SPSS v.21 and descriptive statistics were performed.
Results: Of a total of 314 patients, 228 (73%) were males, 162 (52%) were diagnosed with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and 152 (48%) with Unstable angina/ Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Trans-femoral approach was more often (64%) used for PCI procedures. Stent placement was the most frequent (98%) treatment strategy on PCI, with drug-eluting stent selected in the majority of subjects (98%). The overall rate of PCI success was 95%, with 4.1% PCI-related complications, and 1.6% post-PCI bleeding events. The vast majority of the study patients (99%) were discharged with dual anti-platelet therapy.
Conclusion: In this study, we observed a high level of adherence to the currently accepted guidelines in the current PCI practice on ACS patients in Iran. Also we found our practice is highly in line with the global reduction trend in the PCI-related complications.
Aziz Rezapour, Nader Tavakoli, Sadaf Akbari, Marjan Hajahmadi, Hosein Ameri, Reza Mohammadi, Saeed Bagheri Faradonbeh,
Volume 34, Issue 1 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background: Ischemic heart disease is categorized into two acute and chronic groups, and its treatments include revascularization and medical therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the economic burden of medical therapy compared to percutaneous coronary intervention in ischemic heart disease.
Methods: This study has been done in two steps. The first was a systematic review and meta-analysis to measure the effectiveness of two interventions and the second step was a cost-effectiveness analysis from the perspective of society. The data analysis included a meta-analysis and the Markov cohort simulation. RewMan v5 and tree age software were utilized. Uncertainties related to the model parameters were evaluated using one-way and two-way sensitivity analyses.
Results: Regarding the effectiveness of interventions, the odd ratio of the quality of life in the medical therapy group (CI: 0.76-1.10) was 0.91 times the PCI group (p=0.34). This rate for mortality in medical therapy (CI: 0.52-9.68) was 2.23 times more than the PCI group; this result was not significant (p=0.02). In the cost-effectiveness analysis, the cost-effectiveness threshold was $ 16,482; ICER in increasing the QoL and reduction in the mortality rate was $ 25320.11 and $ 562.6691, respectively. Regarding the sensitivity analysis, the model was not sensitive in changing parameters in a specific domain.
Conclusion: According to this study, PCI is more cost-effective than medical therapy in the reduction of mortality rate and in the field of increasing quality of life. MT strategy is more cost-effective than the PCI. This study considers controversies regarding the most appropriate treatment for patients with ischemic heart disease that is helpful for health policymakers, cardiologists and health managers.
Elahe Hojati Abed, Narges Shafaroudi, Malahat Akbarfahimi, Armin Zareiyan, Akram Parand,
Volume 35, Issue 1 (1-2021)
Abstract
Background: Self-determination skills enable to support an individual’s needs and make decisions to function independently. Improvement of self-determination skills has had a positive result for adolescents at risk of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of occupational therapy interventions on the self-determination skills of adolescent girls at risk of emotional-behavioral disorders.
Methods: In this single-blind control trial study, 14-16-years-old girl students (n=54) at risk of EBD were recruited by cluster sampling from secondary high schools of Tehran, Iran. Youth self-report Questionnaire (YSR) was used to include adolescents at risk of EBD in the study and were randomized into the intervention (n=27) and control group (n=27) by block randomization. The Student Self-Determination Scale (SDSS) and the Self-determination Parent Perception Scale (SDPPS) were used to collect data. Students in the intervention group participated in 8 – once a week- sessions of occupational therapy and the control group received no training. Data were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA), Bonferroni test and SPSS 16.0 version. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: The score of self-determinations (SDSS) increased significantly in the intervention group after the intervention (p<0.001). Although the mean scores of self-determination at follow-up have increased in the intervention group compared to the post-test. No significant differences were found (p>0.05); also, the score of parents' perception of student self-determination (SDPPS) increased but there were not significantly different (p=0.064).
Conclusion: The findings indicated self-determination skills could be taught to adolescents at risk of EBD in OT sessions. Since self-determination has been identified as the necessary skills for adolescents at-risk to transition into adulthood, occupational therapists have an important role in promoting self-determination skills in adolescents at risk of EBD.
Ali Asilian, Hoda Safaei, Fariba Iraji, Farahnaz Fatemi Naeini, Gita Faghihi, Fatemeh Mokhtari,
Volume 35, Issue 1 (1-2021)
Abstract
Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a widely recognized autoimmune blistering disease (AIBD) linked with a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the available findings of randomized clinical trial studies to update interventions for Bullous pemphigoid.
Methods: This article provides an updated overview of interventions for BP. A literature search was performed using Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science from August 2010 to December 2020. All randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were done on adults and investigated the effectiveness of administered topical or systemic medications versus placebos or controls included in the current systematic review. Three RCTs comprising 363 patients were included in the systematic review. One of the eligible studies was placebo-controlled. All of the included studies used various interventions including, methylprednisolone plus azathioprine versus methylprednisolone plus dapsone, doxycycline versus prednisolone, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
Results: Following their potentials in disease control, no difference was observed between dapsone and azathioprine; although, dapsone had a higher corticosteroid-sparing potential. The evaluation of the effect of doxycycline in short-term blister control in comparison to corticosteroids showed that the medication was not inferior to prednisolone, although it had a higher long-term safety.
Conclusion: Therapeutic outcome of IVIG for steroid-resistant patients was satisfactory. Moreover, the effectiveness and reliability of various immunosuppressive drugs and tetracyclines are investigated by blinded RCTs for the treatment of BP.
Seyyedeh Sara Azimi, Sama Ashraf Samavat, Vahid Rezaei Tabar, Hamid Soori,
Volume 35, Issue 1 (1-2021)
Abstract
Background: Evidence-based policymaking for the genetic preventive interventions at the community level requires information on the effectiveness of interventions in the operational areas taking into account the characteristics of health system and customer behaviour. These information are limited in many low- and middle-income countries. In this study, we estimated the effectiveness of preventive interventions for chromosomal disorders using the conceptual framework of Iran’s community genetics program (ICGP) using a Bayesian Network as a modeling method in limited access situation to the complete and accurate observational data.
Methods: Expert elicitation method based on global and national scientific evidences was applied to determine the structure of the Bayesian Network (BN) and to quantify the probability of nodes. The nomological and face validity of the network was checked. Also, a sensitivity analysis against the sources of uncertainty of probabilities was conducted.
Results: By ICGP interventions, 63% (95% CI, 0.55-0.71) of all chromosomal disorders can be prevented, which is responsible for 80% (95% CI, 0.76-0.84) and 38% (95% CI, 0.31-0.45) reduction of expected baseline birth prevalence of trisomis and other autosomal disorders, respectively. Improving the access to and the uptake of screening service can also result in a 12% and 11% increase in effectiveness, respectively.
Conclusion: Effectiveness of ICGP’s intervention is between the same interventions’ effectiveness in Western Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean region. Opportunities for increasing the uptake of and the access to the interventions are strengthening the public genetic literacy and implantation of a system of laboratory sample transfer at the side of the utilization of telehealth for delivering the counseling services at remote areas.
Zohreh Koohi Rostamkalaee, Mehdi Jafari, Hasan Abolghasem Gorji,
Volume 36, Issue 1 (1-2022)
Abstract
Background: Moral hazard is one of the main reasons for health market failure where supply-side and demand-side interventions are used for its control and prevention. This study aimed to identify the effects of demand-side interventions on moral hazards in health systems.
Methods: For this systematic review, electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, ProQuest, Google Scholar’s search engine, and Iranian databases such as SID and Magiran, were investigated. No time limitation was considered in the search process. The narrative synthesis approach was used for data analysis.
Results: Out of 7484 retrieved papers, 61 papers were included in the study. The Identified effects were divided into 2 categories: health services consumption effects and financial effects, which were summarized in the form of advantages and disadvantages. The most important advantages included a decrease in the utilization of different services and a reduction in health expenditures. Also, the most important disadvantages included lower quality of care, shifting financing burden to the consumers, and limited access to necessary care.
Conclusion: The results showed that the most benefits of interventions, especially in cost-sharing and waiting list interventions, are for insurance organizations, where the disadvantages also affect consumers more. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to these effects and their management because a lack of attention in this regard may impair the performance of insurance financial protection and health provision as one of the major goals of the health system.
Hossein Masoumbeigi, Amir Mirshafiee, Ghader Ghanizadeh, Mahdi Raei, Mohsen Saffarri, Reza Yousefi Arfaei, Mohammad Amin Shahrbaf,
Volume 37, Issue 1 (2-2023)
Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic at the end of 2019 posed a global health concern. It has been found that health education is one of the best methods for health promotion, changing inappropriate personal behaviors, and increasing people's awareness and attitude through major health concerns, including the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the effect of educational interventions with environmental health approach on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of people in the COVID-19 epidemic era in one residential complex in Tehran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran in 2021. The study population was households of a residential complex in Tehran, which was selected by a random sampling method. A researcher-made checklist was used to gather data for this study, and its validity and reliability in the domains of environmental health and knowledge, attitude, and practice in the COVID-19 setting were evaluated before it was used. An intervention was made through social media and the checklist was reevaluated after the intervention.
Results: A total number of 306 participants were enrolled in this study. In the assessment of the knowledge, attitude, and practice after the intervention, the mean score of the mentioned values increased significantly (P < 0.001). However, the influence of intervention was more prominent in the improvement of knowledge and attitude than practice.
Conclusion: Public health intervention with an environmental health approach can increase people's knowledge, attitude, and practice against chronic diseases and epidemics such as COVID-19.
Salman Abdi, Maryam Tarameshlu, Noureddin Nakhostin Ansari, Leila Ghelichi, Mitra Hakim Shooshtari,
Volume 37, Issue 1 (2-2023)
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by severe communication deficits and limited and repetitive behavioral tendencies. There are several treatment approaches and methods for minimally verbal children with ASD; nonetheless, there is inconclusive evidence about how early lexical development could be improved. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of combined intervention derived from the principles of different theories—including contemporary behaviorism, schemas, sociocultural, and event representation theories—to improve early lexical development in minimally verbal children with ASD.
Methods: In this single-group pretest-posttest study, 10 children with ASD (mean age, 47.9 ± 8.3 months), including 7 boys and 3 girls, participated. Participants received 16 intervention sessions in 8 weeks. The combined intervention consisted of various methods derived from contemporary behaviorism, schemas, sociocultural, and event representation approaches. The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory 1 (Infant form) assessed early lexical development before and after intervention and after a 2-month follow-up. The Friedman test was used to analyze the data, and pairwise comparisons were performed with the Will-Coxon test. Cohen's d was used to investigate the effect sizes.
Results: Significant increases in expressive vocabulary (P < 0.001) and receptive language (P < 0.001) were seen after the end of the intervention and at the follow-up (P = 0.005). Large effect sizes were found for expressive vocabulary (d = 3.7) and receptive vocabulary (d = 2.17).
Conclusion: This study suggests that the combination of intervention based contemporary behaviorism, schemas, sociocultural, and event representation approaches improved receptive and expressive vocabulary in minimally verbal children with ASD.
Elham Masoumi, Zahra Soleymani, Yahya Modarresi, Saman Maroufizadeh, Farnaz Mohseni,
Volume 38, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) show prominent deficits in pragmatic aspects of language such as spoken narrative. Deficits in spoken narrative in school years lead to deficits in reading comprehension. Therefore, this randomized clinical trial research examined the influence of narrative intervention on spoken narrative and reading comprehension abilities in children with ASD.
Methods: In the current double-blind, randomized clinical trial study, 21 students with ASD from second to seventh grade participated in the study. Two intervention methods were provided three times a week and a total of 24 sessions of 45 minutes. The experimental group received the Supporting Knowledge in Language and Literacy (SKILL) program and the control group received Traditional Language Therapy (TLT). The score of macrostructures, microstructures, perspective-taking index, narrative complexity, Story knowledge index, and reading comprehension score were measured pre and post-intervention. ANCOVA was used for between- within-group comparisons analysis.
Results: The experimental group indicated significant improvement in macrostructure (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.614), microstructure (P = 0.012, η2 = 0.303), narrative complexity (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.585), story knowledge index (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.574) and perspective taking index (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.553) compared to the control group. However, the difference between the two groups in reading comprehension skills was not significant in post-intervention (P = 0.457, η2 = 0.031).
Conclusion: The results showed the efficacy of the three stages of the SKILL program compared to TLT in spoken narrative. Also, the results of the study showed that the SKILL program and TLT have the same effect on improving reading comprehension.
Leili Iranirad, Mohammad Saleh Sadeghi, Seyed Fakhreddin Hejazi,
Volume 38, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) or contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) refers to an acute kidney injury (AKI) occurring after exposure to contrast media, commonly used in diagnostic procedures or therapeutic angiographic interventions. Recently, Na/K citrate, used for urine alkalinization, has been assessed for preventing CIN. This experiment evaluated Na/K citrate’s efficacy in preventing CIN in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.
Methods: A prospective randomized clinical trial involved 400 patients with moderate- to high-risk factors for CIN undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). They were randomly assigned to either the control or Na/K citrate groups. The Na/K citrate group (n = 200) received a 5 g Na/K citrate solution diluted in 200 mL water 2 hours before and 4 hours after the first administration, along with intravenous hydration for 2 hours before and 6 hours after the procedure. In contrast, the control group (n = 200) received only intravenous hydration. Serum creatinine (SCr) levels were measured before contrast exposure and 48 hours afterward. CIN was defined as a 25% increase in serum creatinine (SCr) or > 0.5 mg/dL 48 hours after contrast administration. The significance level was set at P ˂ 0.05.
Results: CIN was observed in 33 patients (16.5%) in the control group and 6 patients (3%) in the Na/K citrate group. The incidence of CIN was found to have a significant difference between the 2 groups 48 hours after receiving the radiocontrast agent (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Our results show that Na/K citrate is helpful and substantially reduces the incidence of CIN.
Zahra Maddah, Reza Negarandeh, Soheil Rahimi, Shahzad Pashaeypoor,
Volume 38, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Continuous care for patients with post-war stress disorder can affect the psychological health of caregivers. Recognizing the available and credible interventions for enhancing the psychological well-being of caregivers is one of the goals of healthcare providers. Therefore, the present scoping review was conducted with the aim of identifying the types of interventions aiming at enhancing the psychological health and well-being of the family caregivers of individuals suffering from war-induced post-traumatic stress disorder.
Methods: In this scoping review, studies conducted on healthcare interventions aimed at improving the psychological health of family caregivers of individuals with war-induced PTSD, with any study design published in both Persian and English languages, within the timeframe of 2000-2023, were searched in the following databases: PubMed (Medline), Google Scholar, Scopus, ProQuest, Science Direct, Web Of Science,Cochrane , SID, IranDoc, IranMedex, and Magiran. The search utilized the following keywords in English as well as their Persian equivalents: posttraumatic stress disorder, combat veteran, military veteran, psychological intervention, program, therapy, family caregiver, family member, partner, spouse, wife, and veterans’ families.
Results: Out of a total of 22,500 articles initially found, ultimately, 11 articles were found to be eligible for this study. A review of the studies revealed that interventions conducted to enhance the psychological well-being of family caregivers of individuals with war-induced post-traumatic stress disorder were broadly categorized into three intervention groups. These interventions groups included the second wave of behavioral therapies (such as cognitive-behavioral strategy training, stress inoculation training, group therapy, and cognitive-based couples therapy), a third wave of behavioral therapy (acceptance and commitment-based therapies, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based family therapy), and fourth wave of behavioral therapy (spiritual-religious interventions, hope therapy, logotherapy, internet-based interventions, and online education).
Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be stated that the third wave of behavioral interventions, where behavioral strategies take precedence over traditional cognitive strategies, may prove beneficial in reducing psychological symptomatology and enhancing the psychological well-being of family caregivers of individuals with war-induced PTSD, compared to interventions in other categories. However, the clear lack of data underscores the need for further research into the psychological well-being of caregivers of individuals with war-induced PTSD.
Mir Mohammad Sadra Ghods Hosseini, Samira Dodangeh, Hamid Reza Javadi, Alireza Razaghi, Majid Haji Karimi,
Volume 38, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: St-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a serious condition that occurs when the blood flow to one or more coronary arteries is blocked, leading to damage or death of the heart muscle (myocardial injury or necrosis). The present study aimed to compare QTc and QTd intervals in patients with STEMI before and 90 minutes after treatment in Booali Sina Hospital, Qazvin, Iran.
Methods: The present study is an analytical cross-sectional study. Between March 2021 and 2022, 107 patients administered to Booali Sina Hospital, Qazvin, Iran, due to STEMI who underwent primary PCI were enrolled in the study. Data including age, sex, height and weight, disease history, QTc interval before and 90 minutes after treatment, QTd before and 90 minutes after treatment and Ejection fraction values were extracted from the patient's files. Then, the relationship between change in QT and QTd after treatment with response to treatment based on ST Resolution was evaluated. SPSS 20.0 statistical program was used for the statistical analysis. All values are given as mean± standard deviation (SD). A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant.
Results: The observed mean difference in investigated variables of patients, including age, height, weight, and BMI, was not statistically significant between the two groups (response to treatment and non-response to treatment (P > 0.05). Findings demonstrated that the mean QTd 1 in the response to the treatment group was higher compared to the non-response to the treatment group, and this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.337). It is remarkable that the mean QTd 2 in the response to treatment group was statistically significantly lower than the non-response to treatment group (P = 0.002).
Conclusion: We showed that QTd in the studied patients after primary angioplasty reduced significantly compared to the QTd before the treatment, so the QTd can be considered as a noninvasive measure of the response to the treatment in patients with STEMI.
