امیرعباس واعظی

Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of compassionate mind training for the quality of life in patients with chronic diseases. However, it remains to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach on patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC). This study set out to assess the efficacy of compassionate mind training on improving patients' quality of life with Ulcerative Colitis.

This research was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest-follow-up design with a control group and a one-year follow-up. The statistical population included UC patients who visited the Gastrointestinal Clinic at Bahonar Hospital in Fall 2018 and Winter 2019. 34 UC patients were selected using purposeful sampling and were randomly assigned to two equal-size control and experimental groups. The experimental group attended twelve 180-mins sessions of compassionate mind training and the Control group had a 180-min workshop on UC with no psychological interventions. Patients were assessed using inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire-short form in 3 stages: pre-test, post-test and 1-year follow-up. Data were analyzed by single factor covariance analysis and dependent t-test.

Results showed compassionate mind training was significantly effective in improving the quality of life in UC patients, both at the end of the interventions (P < 0.01) and at the end of the 1-year follow-up (P < 0.01).

Compassionate mind training can be used as an effective psychological intervention and a complementary therapy to improve the quality of life in UC patients in addition to medical treatments.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory chronic disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by periods of remission and relapses. Interventions that are able to prevent disease relapse or improve the physical symptoms, will have a huge impact on mental health and quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis.

This quasi-experimental study had a pretest-posttest-follow-up design with a control group and a one-year follow-up. The population included patients with UC who visited the Gastrointestinal Clinic at Bahonar Hospital, Karaj, Iran in Fall 2018 and Winter 2019. 34 UC patients were selected using purposeful sampling and were randomly assigned to two equal-size control and experimental groups. The experimental group attended twelve three-hour sessions of compassionate mind training (Gilbert 2010) and the Control group had a three-hour workshop on UC with no psychological interventions. Demographic Information Questionnaire (designed by the first author) and Lichtiger Colitis Activity Index were used. Data were analyzed by single factor covariance analysis and dependent t-test.

Results showed compassionate mind training was significantly effective in improving the physical symptoms in UC patients, both at the end of the interventions (P < 0.01) and at the end of the 1-year follow-up (P < 0.01).

Given that compassionate mind training was effective in improving the physical symptoms of UC patients, this intervention can be used as a complementary therapy in addition to medical treatments in order to improve mental health services and establish policies regarding this matter.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the structural relationship between post-traumatic growth, resilience, adjustment, psychological flexibility and quality of life in patients with cancer in a causal model.

350 cancer patients from Alborz province were selected based on study inclusion criteria. Data were collected using Tedeschi and Calhoun PTG scales, Conner-Dodsonchr('39')s Resilience Scale, Mini-Mc Cancer Adjustment Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy General (FACT-G) Scale, and psychological flexibility and psychological Inflexibility Scale.

Data analysis using path analysis method indicated that the proposed model is well-fitted with data. Based on the findings, PTG predicted the quality of life in patients with cancer. Also, psychological flexibility also directly predicted PTG through resiliency and adjustment. Furthermore, adjustment predicted patientschr('39') quality of life both directly and indirectly through post-traumatic growth. In this regard, the direct path of resilience to adjustment, and adjustment to PTG was statistically significant. The results of this study indicate that psychological flexibility predicts PTG not only directly but also indirectly through resilience and adjustment, while PTG itself can predict the quality of life in patients with cancer. Resilience can indirectly improve PTG in patients with cancer through adjustment.

This study was the first structural equation modeling of Post Traumatic Growth based on Psychological flexibility The model showed that in addition positive effect of psychological flexibility on post traumatic growth, it can improve adjustment in cancer patients and both of them can improve quality of life in them. So, the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), that improve Psychological flexibility can use for improving the Post Traumatic Growth, adjustment and quality of life in cancer patients and can provide a supportive care for them.

The advance in technology has improved the quality and timely access to laboratory services, besides increased costs. Approximately, 70% of clinical decisions are made based on laboratory results. For cost management in the health system, the role of the number of requested tests is unclear in health quality. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the number of laboratory tests in medical prescriptions in the Alborz province of Iran.

In a descriptive-analytic study, the number of requested laboratory tests was extracted from medical prescriptions issued to the Social Security Organisation and the Iranian Health Insurance in the province of Alborz between 2011 and 2016. The data were analyzed by Excel.

The results showed that between 2011 and 2016, the number of laboratory tests issued to the two main health insurance schemes of Iran, with the highest population coverage, was increasing. In 2011 and 2016, the average number of tests requested per person was 3.4 and 5.6, respectively.

The requests for laboratory tests or irrational administrations may increase for various reasons, including lack of knowledge, laziness, fear, greed, and induced demand. It is suggested that standard guidelines be developed using the results of this study and similar studies for requesting laboratory tests by doctors.
 

Dialysis inadequacy is a determinant of the patient’s life. Increased dialysis adequacy plays a significant role in improving awareness of dialysis patients. Blood pressure is also a significant factor in dialysis adequacy. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique on blood pressure and adequacy of dialysis in hemodialysis patients. This research was a clinical trial conducted in 2013. Hemodialysis patients from two hemodialysis centers in Gonabad (11 controls, 11 trials) and Yazd (34 controls, 34 trials) were chosen by the blocking method and allocated to two control (n=45) and trial (n=45) groups. Any trial received the Relaxation training by the investigator in 3 sessions and under similar circumstances. The patients performed the technique at home once a day for as long as 6 weeks. Then, the blood pressure and dialysis adequacy of the two groups were compared. The data was collected by a demographic questionnaire and a blood pressure checklist. KT/V formula was used to assess the adequacy of hemodialysis. Data was analyzed with SPSS software (version 14) using Independent T Test and Mann-Whitney U tests. The results showed no significant difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the two groups before intervention, but they were significantly different after the intervention (p<0.001). There was a significant difference in the mean difference of dialysis inadequacy before and after the intervention (p<0.001). After the intervention, dialysis adequacy increased in the intervention group (0.31±.0.12) but decreased in the control group (0.02±.0.1). Given the reduced blood pressure and increased adequacy in hemodialysis patients, this technique is recommended to be taught in hemodialysis wards.

Fatigue is a common complaint among patients who undergo hemodialysis. Fatigue influences their somatic، mental، sentimental and cognitive states. This study aimed to determine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation technique on fatigue among patients treated with hemodialysis. In this clinical trial، 90 patients undergoing hemodialysis were recruited from two hemodialysis centers in Gonabad and Yazd and were randomly allocated into control (n=45) and trial (n=45) groups. The progressive muscle relaxation technique was presented to the trial group during three sessions. The patients were asked to make calm once a day for six weeks and at the end complete the relaxtion form. No trainings were provided for the control group patients. The intensity of fatigue was compared between the two groups. Data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic specifications، tools for assessing the severity of fatigue and self-reported checklists. Data was analyzed using the statistical methods in the SPSS. The results showed no significant differences in the level of fatigue between the two groups before the intervention (p=0. 12). There was significant difference in level of fatigue between the two groups after the intervention (p<0. 001). Using the progressive muscle relaxation technique is recommended for patients of the hemodialysis wards.

Numerous studies showed that lifestyle in the years of growth and adolescence is the most important factor in determining the risk of osteoporosis in later years of life. This study aimed to assess lifestyle and nutritional preventive behaviors of osteoporosis among teenagers in Qazvin in Iran. This descriptive-analytical study was performed within teenagers، in a population – based sample of 300 students collected via random cluster sampling. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire containing 15 questions (Questions items included risk factors related to osteoporosis، preventive behaviors of osteoporosis، and demographic factors). Using SPSS 16، the data were analyzed by Chi-square and Fisher''s exact tests. Findings showed that the majority of teenagers (71. 3%) do not have regular physical activity. There were significant differences between physical activity patterns of male students and female students (P=0. 001). Nutritional habit results showed that female students (66. 7%) used foods (34. 7%) containing vitamin D more than male students. The results showed that 29. 3% of male students and 24. 3% of female students didn’t use any calcium absorption increasing ways in the body. The study findings show that osteoporosis in Iranian teenagers appears to correlate with several known risk factors and unsuitable behaviors that were well described in the literature. It revealed that preventive educational strategies on osteoporosis are important in this population. So modifying lifestyle among teenagers seems essential in order to prevent osteoporosis in the future