فهرست مطالب enayatollah bakhshi

Auditory processing disorder (APD) tests, based on the deviation of results from standard benchmarks, can distinguish children suspected of having APD. Some of these tests directly relate to the ability to discriminate sound pitch, while others may be indirectly affected. Accordingly, this study investigates the impact of pitch discrimination-based rehabilitation on diagnostic indices of APD tests.

In this study, we selected 19 children suspected of APD who were identified based on tests of pitch pattern, dichotic digits, and monaural selective auditory attention as the intervention group. These children received pitch discrimination-based training, for about three months, two to three sessions a week, each session up to 1 h. After completing the rehabilitation phases, diagnostic tests were administered again. We also selected 26 children with similar diagnostic criteria for APD as the control group. No intervention was applied to this group, and after a comparable period to the intervention group, diagnostic tests were re-administered. The results before and after the interventions were compared within the intervention group and with the 26 children in the control group.

The rehabilitation showed significant improvements in the pitch pattern and monaural selective auditory attention tests. In the monaural selective auditory attention test, significant improvements were observed in both ears (P=0.001). In the pitch pattern test, effective improvements were also observed for both ears (P=0.001). The effects were such that nearly 37% of children suspected of APD, based on the diagnostic criteria used in the study, no longer met the criteria for this disorder. Hence, if the same tests are re-administered to them, these children will be diagnosed as having no auditory processing disorder.

Discrimination-based rehabilitation impacts the results of APD tests. Accordingly, some children who are classified as suspected auditory processing disorder with such tests, are removed from this subgroup after the intervention.

Lower limb deformity in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is a common musculoskeletal problem and planovalgus is the most prevalent, characterized by talus median subluxation, calcaneal valgus, and supinated forefoot. According to studies, one issue in orthopedics and pathology is the accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of planovalgus deformity in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy, which has attracted researchers’ attention. Accordingly, the present study investigates the effect of planovalgus deformity on the motor performance and balance of these children.

This cross-sectional study employed a descriptive-analytical design. The convenient sampling method was used among children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy, diagnosed with unilateral planovalgus, who were referred to the clinics of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (Nezam Mafi) and occupational therapy clinics from September 2022 to February 2023 in Tehran City, Iran. Meanwhile, all participants were willing to cooperate in this research. A total of 27 participants were evaluated by an occupational therapist based on the specified criteria and gross motor function classification system (GMFCS), which included the assessments of balance, muscle strength, range of motion, and pain. Data analysis was done using the SPSS software, version 16.

The results revealed a statistically significant difference between the mean range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion and knee extension between the two limbs (P<0.001). The mean muscle strength of the quadriceps and ankle plantar flexors indicated a statistically significant difference in the affected limb (P<0.001). Additionally, the mean displacement of the center of pressure of the foot also demonstrated a statistically significant difference regarding topographical involvement (P<0.001).

Planovalgus deformity is one of the most common ankle deformities, which is of great concern for children with cerebral palsy. The results obtained from the assessments of the child’s balance and motor function demonstrated the importance of assessment strategies and early interventions to achieve better rehabilitation outcomes for children with CP and planovalgus deformity.

It is important to know how much are the auditory electrophysiological tests affected by sleep and wakefulness to be employed in different situations. This problem is more important for the speech-evoked Auditory Brainstem Response (speech- ABR) test that is affected by higher-level processing. This study aimed to compare the results of the speech-ABR test between wakefulness and sleep states.

Sixteen young male adults (aged 20–28 years) with normal hearing participated in this study. The speech-ABR to the /da/ syllable was recorded during wakefulness and sleep. Electroencephalography (EEG) and behavioral tests (eyes position, body movements, etc.) were monitored during the test time to confirm the sleep state.

The speech-ABR test parameters showed significant changes during sleep compared to wakefulness (latencies of waves V and A were longer and the amplitudes of waves V and A, the slope of V-A complex, and the spectral magnitude of F1 were lower). However, the spectral magnitude of higher frequencies was not significantly different. In addition, no significant statistical difference was observed in speech-ABR parameters between right and left ears.

Although the speech-ABR originates from brainstem centers, unlike conventional click-evoked ABR, it is affected by sleep as it is affected by the higher-level auditory processing functions. Although, further studies are needed. However, our study opens the way for many applied auditory studies about the possibility to use speech-ABR for auditory processing assessments in sleep state of different population groups, such as neonates.

Perception of speech in noise (SIN) is based on the accurate extraction of spectral and temporal cues. Disruption of this process can reduce the productivity of the spectral and temporal features of the target stimulus and speech recognition in noise. Auditory processing disorder is one of the main challenges of people with stroke, which leads to social, mental, and even physical failures. This study aimed to investigate the spectral and temporal processing abilities of people with stroke compared to healthy peers.

In this study, participants were 15 patients with stroke referred to the neurology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital and 30 healthy people aged 20–60 years. Spectral Modulation Detection Test (SMDT), Pitch Pattern Sequencing Test (PPST), Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT) and QuickSIN tests were performed for all participants. The mean scores of the two groups were compared.

Patients with stroke had poorer performance in SMDT, PPST, RGDT and QuickSIN tests (p<0.001) compared to healthy subjects. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between SIN test with temporal and spectral processing in the normal group, but the correlation pattern was different in people with stroke. The scores of all the tests were not significantly different between the right and left ears.

The results showed that people with stroke have poorer performance in all tests compared to normal people and have more problems in speech perception in challenging areas.

Previous studies have shown promising findings on effectiveness of noisy Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (nGVS) in various cognitive disorders. The connections of the vestibular system with the hippocampus has been proven. Here we investigated the effect of vestibular galvanic stimulation on the improvement of spatial learning and memory of rats.

Twelve Wistar rats were randomly divided into control and nGVS groups. The nGVS group underwent 30-minute sessions of stimulation at sub-threshold levels for a duration of fourteen days. Following the intervention, both groups underwent assessments of cognitive indices through the Morris water maze task, hippocampal neuronal spike rate by Single-Unit Recording (SUR) and the concentrations of c-fos protein in the hippocampus were measured using ELISA device.

The nGVS group exhibited a significant difference compared to the control group in both the time taken to reach the target platform and the percentage of time spent in the goal quarter during the Morris water maze test. The nGVS treatment significantly enhanced spike rate of hippocampal dentate gyrus (p<0.01) compared to the control group. Additionally, c-fos protein concentrations were increased in the nGVS (5.833) than the control group (4.126), (p<0.001).

According to the obtained results, nGVS plays a role in improving spatial memory, and a longer duration of intervention is suggested to achieve more obvious improvement results.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is highly common in children and can continue lifelong. Looking at children's participation in detail is excessively important since it affects their quality of life (QoL). The Iranian children's participation assessment scale is a questionnaire that determines children's participation and is primarily built for children with cerebral palsy. This study aims to estimate the psychometric properties of this questionnaire for children with ADHD.

The content validity was estimated using the Lawshe method with 8 occupational therapy experts (5 with a PhD and 3 with a MA degree with at least 5 years of experience). Test-retest reliability was done using an intraclass correlation class (ICC) in a two-week interval among 30 children with ADHD.

Regarding content validity, CVI was found to be 1 for all items, and CVR values were between 0.75 and 1 for all items. Regarding reliability, the ICC result was 1 for all the items.

No item was omitted in the validity part, and all items showed good reliability. The test is valid and reliable for children with ADHD.

 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition in children, affecting 10% of Iranian children. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affects many areas of children’s lives, especially their participation. The most important part of a child’s life is playing, which is affected by ADHD. Children with ADHD have difficulties in their playing. Play is a child’s work and the most critical occupation that a child has. However, there are a few bright protocols to improve play for the sake of play. This protocol describes interventions to improve play in children with ADHD.

 This is a double-blind clinical trial in parallel groups of children with ADHD aged 4 to 6 years. Trained occupational therapists will deliver therapy in the clinic for eight weeks during 16 sessions of 45 minutes. A follow-up assessment will be done eight weeks after the last therapy session.

 According to the results of the trial, evidence will be provided about a bright and feasible protocol for occupational therapists to address the play of children with ADHD that can have significant effects on their quality of life, play skills, and participation.

Today transoral laser microsurgery is considered as one of the first options to control early laryngeal cancer, and voice disorder is one of the inevitable complications of this therapeutic component. This study aimed to compare the vocal function in patients with early-stage laryngeal cancer following laser surgery with healthy individuals with normal voice quality using acoustic analysis and the voice handicap index and to examine the correlation between the results of these two evaluations in each group.

The current research is a descriptive-correlational and comparative study that was cross-sectioned using convenience sampling into two groups consisting of 60 men (Mean±SD of age 59.18±5.170 years) with early laryngeal cancer undergoing laser surgery as a patient group and 60 men (Mean±SD of age 56.68±5.491 years) with normal voice quality, and without any history of voice disorder as a control. The vocal function of participants was assessed using acoustic parameters (including jitter, shimmer, harmonic to noise ratio, fundamental frequency, smoothed cepstral peak prominence) and a 30-item Persian version of the voice handicap index questionnaire (including overall score and scores of physical, emotional and functional subscale). Then, data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 20, descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, independent t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficient at the P<0.05.

The results show that the acoustic parameters and voice handicap index in the group undergoing laser surgery are significantly different from the control group (P<0.001). Also, a significant direct correlation between jitter and shimmer with total score and physical subscale of VHI, a significant inverse correlation between the harmonic-to-noise ratio and total score, functional and physical subscales of VHI, as well as between smoothed cepstral peak prominence with total score and all subscales of VHI (P<0.05). In addition, in the control group, there is no significant correlation between the acoustic parameters and the subscales of the voice handicap index (P<0.05).

The findings of the acoustic analysis and the voice handicap index show impairment in vocal function and a decrease in voice-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with early laryngeal cancer after laser surgery. Furthermore, a significant correlation between the scores of the voice handicap index and acoustic analysis parameters, especially cepstral analysis indicates the necessity to pay attention to frequency-based analysis. Therefore the results of the present study emphasize the need for a comprehensive assessment of vocal function, providing voice therapy programs, and attention to psychological problems in patients with early laryngeal cancer after laser surgery.

his study aimed to determine the effectiveness of emotion regulation training on behavioral problems in children with intellectual disability. The study method was an experimental design (pretest, and post-test) with experimental and control groups. Participants comprised 10-18 year-old students from Exceptional Schools at Tehran City in 2018-1019 school year, selected by in convenience sampling method. Forty-four students who got 60 points and higher in the Children Behavior Check List (CBCL) (Achenbach, Dumenchi, & Rescorla, 2001) randomly selected and assigned to the experimental and control groups randomly and equally. The experimental group participated in 16 training sessions (each session was 50 minutes) and received an emotion regulation program but the control group only received the mainstream program in the school. All subjects were evaluated by the CBCL before and after the intervention sessions. The data were analyzed by the analysis of covariance. The findings showed that participation of the experimental group in emotion regulation training sessions has led to a significant reduction (P<0.001) of behavioral problems, internalizing, and externalizing problems in comparison to the control group. Therefore, planning and administration of emotion regulation training in exceptional centers can help students learn how to manage and express their emotions to prevent behavioral problems. 

The Satisfaction and Recovery Index (SRI) is a generic importance-weighted health satisfaction tool to measure the process and state of recovery following musculoskeletal injuries. The objectives of this study are (1) to translate and cross-culturally adapt the SRI to Persian and (2) evaluate its psychometric properties. The forward-backward translation technique was used for translation, and two rounds of cognitive interviews were conducted to assess cultural appropriateness. Participants (n=100, mean age=32.5, 82%male) had acute (i.e.,<30 days) musculoskeletal injuries of any etiology. Structural validity, construct validity, internal consistency, and testretest reliability were evaluated. Participants identified issues in 3/6 areas of a coding system during the cognitive interviews: comprehension/clarity, relevance, and inadequate response definition. These issues informed subsequent changes to arrive at the final version of the SRI-P. The SRI-P had adequate construct validity (P<0.001), the confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a two-factor structure, the internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach’s α=0.83), and it was deemed reliable (ICC2, 1=0.72). The psychometric evaluation revealed that the SRI-P has adequate construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Unlike the original English version, the SRI-P has a two-factor structure, which appears to be related to cultural differences in interpreting some of the items. The clinical importance of this study is that the SRI (which captures the state of recovery and how important the various items of the tool are to each patient and how satisfied they are with their recovery) can now be available to surgeons and therapists in the orthopedic and rehabilitation realms in Persian populations.Level of evidence: II

to investigate the effect of auditory temporal processing training on the alleviation of stuttering severity in children who stutter (CWS) diagnosed with auditory temporal processing (ATP) disorders.

Thirty-one (31) CWS diagnosed with ATP disorders participated in this study (intervention group: 17 participants between 7 to 12 years old; control group: 14 participants between 8 to 12 years old). The ATP test and SSI-3 were examined before, after 12 sessions (about 540 minutes) training, and three months following the conclusion of the intervention.

According to the results, ATP improved significantly in the intervention group after auditory temporal training and the differences between the intervention and control group were significant (p<0.05). The improvement of ATP skills remained stable in the post-training evaluation after three months (p>0.05). Although the SSI-3 score was further improved in the intervention group, but there was no significant difference between two groups (p=0.984).

The findings revealed that ATP training acted as a complementary therapy alleviating stuttering severity of CWS with ATP disorders to some extent.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a term used to classify children with non-progressive lesions in the developing brain. Bilateral spastic is the most common type of cerebral palsy. Reduced ability to manipulate objects is one of limiting factors in daily activities of these children and its improvements is one of the most important therapeutic goals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of leap motion controller (LMC) on strength and hand skill in children with bilateral spastic CP.

With a single-group interventional design, the effects of LMC on the skill and strength of the upper extremities were investigated in 10 children with cerebral palsy. The study consisted of three phases; I: four-week common occupational therapy sessions (45 min), II: 12-week intervention using LMC for 20 minutes, and III: follow up which was similar to phase I. Hand skills and strength were evaluated using visual analysis of graphs. Kendall's coefficient was applied and non-overlapping indicators were used to study hand skills.

Significant improvements were seen in manual strength and function of all children except two (P<0.05). Visual analysis of the graphs showed positive changes in type of strength gain in most of the children.

LMC can be used as a useful method in rehabilitation of upper extremity along with other treatments.

The Lidcombe therapeutic program is one of the treatments for stuttering in preschool children whose effectiveness on improvement in stuttering has been confirmed. Some families have no access to care centers due to different reasons and as such, they are deprived of treatment. Distant treatment would be a proper solution for this issue, in which all people can reach their needed treatment without being concerned over their geographical locations. Because some research has been conducted on telepractice for speech and language disorders in different ways in different countries, regarding the cultural differences that influence the duration of the Lidcombe program as well as its distant implementation, we investigated the extent of the stuttering effect in telepractice program on preschool children in Iran.

In this single-subject study, the Lidcombe program was implemented through live video communication between the therapist in a clinic and the subjects at home for 15 weekly sessions on five 4-6-year-old children, including three boys and two girls. To investigate the progress of the effect, the percentage of stuttered syllables, which were recorded by the therapist as well as the 9-score stuttering severity scale, which was recorded by the parents at home, were employed. During the first base line, which had been considered as three weeks, 21 times the severity rating were recorded, while 3 times the percentage of stuttered syllables were recorded. In the treatment phase, which lasted 15 weekly sessions, 105 and 15 times the score of severity and the percentage of stuttered syllables were recorded respectively. In the second base line, which had been considered as three weeks, 21 and 3 times the score of severity and the percentage of stuttered syllables were recorded respectively.

To analyze the data of this study, Z-index and diagram plotting were used. The investigation of the stuttering severity scores and the percentage of stuttered syllables before and after the treatment suggest diminished severity and percentage of the stuttered syllables in children. After 15 sessions, two subjects approached the final criteria of the first phase of the Lidcombe program (scores with intensities one and two); however, they did not achieve the criteria. Other subjects did not achieve the final criteria in the first phase either, in spite of the diminished severity and percentage of stuttering.

The results obtained from this research suggest the effects of the Lidcombe telepractice program on the reduction of stuttering in the subjects. The results of this study showed that after 15 treatment sessions, the other subjects did not manage to achieve the final criteria of the first phase of this program.The outcome of this research indicates a positive effect of the Lidcombe telepractice program on the reduction of stuttering severity in the subjects. Nevertheless, they did not manage to approach the final criteria in the first phase of this program after joining 15 sessions.Based on these results, it can be concluded that the presentation of the Lidcombe telepractice program can be effective in reducing the severity of stuttering. However, more sessions may be required in this type of treatment, compared to the in-person one.

 Auditory processing disorder (APD) is due to the deficits in perceptual processing of acoustic information in the auditory system, characterized by poor speech perception of noise, regardless of normal hearing. The variability in speech function of APD children can be partly explained by changes in the encoding of spectro-temporal modulations (STMs) which have been overlooked, despite their significance. Given that enhancing STM sensitivity and its processing can be an appropriate way to improve the listener’s ability to retrieve and integrate speech segments covered by noise, we decided to evaluate the effects of STM-based auditory training on speech perception in noise and the reliability of this training in children with APD.

 Thirty-five children with APD (8-12 years old) were randomly divided into the training (n=17) and control groups (n=18) to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of STM training on speech in noise perception. The intervention group was trained to detect STM by 120 trials every day for ten days. The STM detection thresholds and speech perception in noise were evaluated before and immediately after the finalization of formal training sessions in both groups. To address the training reliability, the tests were repeated one month after practice in the training group. 

 Following the completion of STM auditory training, the trained APD children improved notably in STM detection tasks and speech in noise tests (P<0.05). The post-training progress of STM detection thresholds and consonant-vowel in the noise test was preserved for one month after training (P>0.05), but the word in the noise test, especially in the right ear, was not retained (P<0.05).

 Auditory spectro-temporal modulation training can lead to better processing of STM modulation. Its effects can be generalized to higher-order processing, such as speech perception in noise. Auditory training based on STM processing enhancement can play an essential role in improving speech comprehension in the noise abilities of children with APD.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of nonverbal learning disorders in female students. The research method was descriptive and cross-sectional. Participants comprised 354 female students from fourth, fifth, and sixth grades in elementary schools in Karaj and were selected by stratified random sampling using the Children Nonverbal Learning Disabilities Scale (Goldstein, 2002). 13 students who got ≥30 points on the Scale were diagnosed at-risk to a nonverbal learning disorder. Then, they answered to Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-3rd revision (Woolger, 2001). 3 students were diagnosed as having a nonverbal learning disorder according to their total intelligence quotient equals to ≥85, ≥10 point difference between their verbal intelligence quotient and practical intelligence quotient. Data were analyzed by The Mann-Whitney U test. The results indicated that 0.85% of female students had a nonverbal learning disorder. The findings suggested that regarding the almost high prevalence of nonverbal learning disorders in elementary students, we can accomplish early intervention programs to prevent their academic, behavioral, and occupational problems in the future.

Students with visual impairments have built negative attitudes towards their abilities due to difficulties in achieving social skills, orientation, and independent mobility. Their negative attitude towards blindness puts them at high-risk developing loneliness, social isolation, depression, anxiety, decreased life expentancy, no participation in group activities, and low levels of social support. Lack or no social skill reduces social acceptance and real feeling about themselves, which in turn reduces self-esteem in students with visual impaiments. Using appropriate therapeutic intervention with the aim of ensuring mental health as well as promoting self-esteem can prevent many psychological problems in these people. The acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is one of the third wave approaches to behavioral therapy that aims to control effectively the pain, suffering and stress that a person faces in the life. The acceptance and commitment therapy helps the person increases her psychological relations with herself and her feelings, trying to adapt to the environment and community instead of changing her cognition. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the acceptance and commitment group therapy on self-esteem of students with visual impairment in Tehran City. 

The present study was a quasi-experimental study in which a pretest-posttest design with a control group used along with a two-month follow-up. The sample was consisted of twenty-eight 14-20 year old female students who was selected from the population of students with visual impairment studying in the schooling year of 2019-2020 in Narjes day-and-night school for the blind individuals. In Tehran, there is only one school for female blind students and the sample purposefully selected according to the probability of sample’s dropout. At first, 50 students completed the Cooper Smith Self-Esteem Questionnaire (CSSEQ) and after scoring the CSSEQ, twenty-eigth students selected according to receiving a score of 23 or lower in the CSSEQ. All subjects matched based on their age and grade, then randomly assigned to the experimental and the control group. The experimental group (two subgroups consisted of seven people in each) participated in eight therapeutic sessions (twice a week and 75 minutes for per session) and received the acceptance and commitment group therapy while the control group participated only in the mainstream programs at the school. At the end of the therapeutic sessions all subjects completed the CSSEQ again and the experimental group completed CSSEQ after two months follow-up.The multiple analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) used for analyzing the obtained data. Furthermore, for comparing the posttest and follow-up situations in the experimental group the related t-test used. 

 The results of multiple analysis of covariance for the data obtained from the self-esteem questionnaire showed that the participation of female students with visual impairment in the acceptance and commitment group therapy sessions led to significant increase (P<0.001) in self-esteem (general, family, social, and educational) of them. In fact, according to Eta quotient, 71%, 78%, 78%, and 72% of variation in self-esteem (general, family, social, and educational respectively) of the experimental group can be explained by participating in the acceptance and commitment group therapy sessions. The results of the related t-test for comparing the self-esteem of the experimental group in post test and follow-up situations showed that the effectiveness of group therapy based on acceptance and commitment has been lasted on the self-esteem (general, family, social, and educational) of the experimental group after two months follow-up later (P>0.05). 

 We conclude according to the findings of the present study that the acceptance and commitment group therapy can use for planning and policy making instructional courses suitable for students with visual impairments. Furthermore, the specialists who are working with these children can use the ACT as a practical technique for improving self-esteem and the adaptation in many areas such as family, social and educational areas in students with visual impaiments. Additionally, the ACT recommend improving self-esteem and positive performance of students with visual impairment in social, educational and family areas along side the routin instructional couses. However, the acceptance and commitment group therapy helps the students with visual impairment know how to control their thoughts and feelings in order to prevent problems from getting worse. This therapeutic method helpls them to accept their behavioral changes through accepting the unpleasant thoughts and feelings.

 Cancer is one of the leading causes of death among the elderly in the world. There are several factors involved in the development and progression of cancer. Therefore, knowing these factors and how they affect the cancer patient’s process can help in timely treatment of the disease. This study aims to evaluate the effects of admission age and Gleason score on the state transition in elderly patients with prostate cancer.

Methods & Materials: 

This is a historic cohort study conducted in 2018. The studied data are related to 125 elderly patients with prostate cancer (Mean±SD age= 72.12±7.32 years) who referred to the urology department of Imam Khomeini Hospital from 2004 to 2017 and underwent radical prostatectomy and were under different conditions (Radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or death) after surgery. The effect of admission age and Gleason score on the transition between states were tested using a multi-state model in R v.5.0 software.

 Those who underwent surgery and treatment remained 4.5 years in the local recurrence state, 2 years in the distant recurrence state, and 6.5 years in the death state. People who had surgery were 17% more likely to metastasize and accept hormone therapy; 8.8% more likely to have a local recurrence and accept radiotherapy; and 8% more likely to experience death. The effect of Gleason score on the change of state was not significant, but the age variable was effective transition from surgical state to hormone therapy.

 In elderly patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy, the risk of metastasis increases with age.

Identifying a potent biomarker for smoking cessation can play a key role in predicting prognosis and improving treatment outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of new biomarkers based on the levels of Cotinine (Cot) and carbon monoxide (CO) to the short- and long-term quit rates of nicotine replacement therapies (Nicotine Patch [NP] and Nicotine Lozenge [NL]).

In this prospective interventional study, 124 smokers under treatment with the 5A’s method were selected from an outpatient smoking cessation center in district 18 of Tehran City, Iran. The study was conducted from April 2016 to December 2018. They were divided into NP (n=56) and NL (n=61) intervention groups. The levels of Cot and CO were measured using ELISA and breath analysis at the beginning of the study. Three markers were calculated: Cot/CO, Cot to cigarette per day ratio (Cot/CPD), and CO/CPD. Binary logistic regression models and generalized estimating equations models were analyzed by SPSS software, version 21 to determine the chances of quitting smoking.

Of the NP participants, 30.4% and 19.6% were abstinent after 2 and 6 months, respectively, while NL was found less effective with 19.7% for 2-month follow-up and 13.1% for 6-month follow-up. The 6-month success of quitting attempts was significantly different for the NP participants at the second half of Cot/CO (P=0.029). Of the NL participants, CO/CPD would be a superior predictor for smoking cessation success (P>0.05). 

The findings of this study suggested two markers of Cot/CO and CO/CPD in this order for the optimum treatment outcomes of NP and NL.

 This study aims to compare childhood trauma, integrative self-knowledge and mindfulness in patients with cancer and healthy people.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 139 patients with cancer and 139 healthy people referred to Firoozgar Hospital and SAMAR Charity House who were selected by a convenience sampling method. They were asked to complete Integrative Self-Knowledge (ISK) Questionnaire, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistic methods including MANOVA.

 There was a significant difference between patients and controls in terms of ISK (P<0.001), mindfulness (P<0.001) and childhood trauma (P<0.001).

 Cancer patients have lower ISK and mindfulness but higher childhood trauma compared to healthy people. Attention should be paid to the role of these factors in prevention and treatment processes.

 This study aimed to translate the Assessment of Interpersonal Problem-Solving Skills (AIPSS) into Persian and to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of AIPSS to use for adults with schizophrenia.

In this methodological study, the translation process was performed according to the International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA) protocol. The face validity of the translated AIPSS was determined based on the opinions of experts and The Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR) were also calculated for each item. The Persian version of the test was performed on 52 patients with schizophrenia disorders at Tehran’s Razi Mental Hospital; they were selected using a convenience sampling method. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to evaluate internal consistency. Inter-rater reliability was determined by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). A retest was complete on 15 patients with 2 weeks interval and ICC was used to determine the test-retest reliability.

 Face validity was confirmed by the experts’ opinions. The Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and the Content Validity Index (CVI) were equal to one for all scenes. Cronbachchr('39')s alpha coefficient for all scales was ranged between 0.511 and 0.821. The ICC in all scales were more than 0.98 for inter-rater reliability. In calculating test-retest reliability, the ICC for all scales ranged 0.733-0.893.

 Results show that the Persian version of AIPSS has acceptable face validity, content validity, internal consistency, inter-rater reliability test-retest reliability. Therefore, this instrument can be used in clinical fields and research studies to assess the social skills of Iranian patients with schizophrenia.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) impacts the quality of life of the affected patients. The present study aimed to determine the effects of home-based self-care program follow-up on re-hospitalization frequency and quality of life in COPD patients.

This quasi-experimental study was performed on 44 COPD patients at Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran City, Iran, in 2018. For collecting the necessary data, we used demographic data checklist, COPD Assessment Test, and the St. George’s Quality of Life questionnaire. We used SPSS v. 22 for analyzing the obtained data. 

The present study revealed that the highest age frequency was in the 61-70 years age group. Moreover, the male gender had the highest frequency and most research participants had elementary school education; the highest frequency regarding the disease duration was >5 years. Besides and the hospitalization frequency was once a year. The present study findings indicated that the provided self-care program follow-up reduced the re-hospitalization frequency and increased the quality of life of the explored COPD patients (P<0.001). 

The obtained results revealed that implementing a course of home-based follow-up self-care program could reduce re-hospitalization and increase the quality of life of COPD patients; thus, it is suggested that such follow-up programs be included in COPD treatment plans.

 Caring for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) can affect their caregivers’ occupational performance in various areas such as work, rest/sleep, and social participation. Part of the rehabilitation process is educating caregivers. Primary caregivers need knowledge and information to deliver their caring role. Although face-to-face learning is useful, it can have some limitations. For example, a caregiver should refer to a specific center to receive information and interventions, which is often time-consuming and may trouble them to perform other roles, including their occupational roles. Written health education is used for complementing or strengthening verbal education and maximizing its effectiveness. These materials play an essential role in increasing knowledge, self-management, and commitment to treatment. When health professionals and health services are not available to caregivers, written health education materials can partially answer their questions and needs. It can also help reduce the costs of health care for caregivers. The present study aims to develop and validate the appearance and content of an educational booklet to improve the occupational performance of primary caregivers of individuals with MS (PCIMS).

This is a methodological study conducted. 1. preparing the content based on grounded theory study of PCIMS and their challenges, and then preparing an initial draft, 2. examining the face validity and content validity of the initial draft according to the opinions of 22 experts in MS, and 3. examining the face validity and content validity of the initial draft according to views of 22 PCIMS. An item-level content validity index (I-CVI) value of ≥0.78 and a scale-level content validity index/average (S-CVI/Ave) value of ≥0.9 were considered as the criteria for having acceptable validity in the second and third phases. The binomial test was also used to test the statistical reliability of the I-CVIs at a significance level of 0.05 and the expected proportion of agreement (test proportion) of 0.8.

 The minimum I-CVI and S-CVI/Ave values for the items of a scale designed to assess the face validity and content validity of the booklet were respectively reported 0.9 and 0.97, according to the panel of experts. Also, the minimum observed proportion of agreement for items under the binomial test was obtained 0.9, which was higher than the expected proportion of agreement (0.8). I-CVIs values, S-CVI/Ave value and the observed proportion of agreement between PCIMS were equal to 1. For participating experts and PCIMS, the booklet had appropriate validity, and their comments on the appearance and content of the booklet were applied to the final version of the booklet.

 The developed educational booklet has acceptable face validity and content validity, and specialists can use it for the rehabilitation intervention of PCIMS. Further studies are recommended to investigate the effectiveness of this booklet on improving the quality of life of PCIMS.

Obtaining measurement errors in aging samples studies is of high importance mainly because of the study itself as well as the attention and consideration that are required in recording such data. This study aims to introduce a simple formula to obtain and interpret the Total Deviation Index (TDI) and encourage researchers to use it as a suitable tool in defining reliability in psychometrics studies.

In a cross sectional study in the year 2019, 105 aging individuals were selected from city of Tehran. The SF-36 questionnaire was completed for them within two weeks. The ICC value and TDI were obtained for each subscale and compared together.

The results show that the lowest TDI value belongs to physical functioning subscale, while mental health has the highest. To be more accurate, the maximum measurement error in physical functioning and mental health, with 95% likelihood, is 22 and 34 (of 100 units), respectively.

Considering the easy interpretation of Total Deviation Index, also due to ICC index not being capable of identifying how much of the subscales variations come from measurement errors, it is suggested that researchers report and obtain the Total Deviation Index in their reliability studies.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo and nystagmus in clinics. Vertigo has many causes and the recurrence of vertigo is unknown. Among a lot of factors, vitamin D deficiency is more important. This study was conducted to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on torsional nystagmus in BPPV patients. This study wants to show the deficiency of vitamin D leads to the recurrence of BPPV.

This case-control study was conducted from April 2017 to May 2018. All eligible patients with BPPV were presented to the Audiology clinic of Babol Rouhani hospital consecutively. Diagnosis of BPPV and the presence of nystagmus were confirmed and serum vitamin D was assessed. Dix-halpike maneuver and videonystagmography (VNG) for assessing nystagmus were done and for serologic assessment, ELISA was performed for analyzing the level of hydroxy 25 vitamin D.Vitamin D sufficient patients (more than 20 ng/ml) with BPPV were considered as the control group and vitamin D deficient patients (less than 20 ng/ml) were as the test group.In all the patients of two groups, torsional nystagmus (vertical, horizontal and oblique) were studied and compared.

Twenty-seven patients in each group have completed the study. The mean age of the control group and test group was 48.2+4.8, 47.8+5.7 and 47.2+4.9 years respectively (P=0.91). Two groups were comparable regarding nystagmus severity. All patients had at least two attacks During the last six months. The mean of serum 25 OHD was 33.81 in the control group and 11.41 in the test group that was statistically significant (P=0.001 for all) and the severity of torsional nystagmus in three axes of horizontal, vertical and oblique in the control group was 4.98, 9.06, 5.40 respectively and 3.32, 8.86, 6.93 in the test group that was statistically significant as compared with the control group (P=0.001).

Findings of this study indicate a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and recurrence of nystagmus in BPPV patients

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a worldwide disorder with an increasing prevalence. The quality of life (QOL) of the patients may be influenced by reflux disease. Diaphragmatic breathing (DB), as well as aerobic exercise (AE), may improve the symptoms of reflux disease, although it remains a controversial issue. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of AE and DB on QOL and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure of patients with moderate to severe reflux.

This was a case-control study that was conducted for 8 weeks among patients with moderate to severe GERD. The block randomization method was designed to randomize patients into three groups (AE, DB, and control) to achieve equal sample sizes. The control group received omeprazole 20 mg once daily. The other groups, in addition to omeprazole, received AE and DB. QOL and LES pressure were measured before and after the study by Questionary and Manometry method, respectively.

75 patients were enrolled in this study. Positive effects of DB on LES pressure was approved (p = 0.001). DB had significantly more effects on QOL than aerobic exercise (p = 0.003). AE can significantly improve QOL in patients (p = 0.02) but no significant change in LES pressure (p = 0.38). There was no change in the control group for both variables.

AE had no effects on LES pressure but can improve QOL of the patients. DB had more effects on QOL than AE, so injured or disable patients with reflux who cannot do AE, can benefit from DB to improve their reflux symptoms.