robab sahaf

We measured the psychometric properties i.e., validity, reliability, and stability of the Persian 10-item Kessler psychological distress scale (K10) among older adults in Iran.

We recruited elderly (60+ years) subjects (20 per item of the questionnaire) from various sampling units in the general population of Gorgan district, Golestan, Iran. After the translation/back-translation process, the questionnaire underwent various forms of validity and reliability, including Cronbach alpha (overall, by items, and by group of yes to an item and no to an item). The intra-class correlation coefficient was measured at a two-week interval, and inter-rater agreement was also determined. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were also conducted, along with receiver-operator characteristics vis-à-vis hospital anxiety and depression scale. 

In total, 190 subjects (47.3% males, mean age: 70.3, 95% CI: 69.2-71.4) participated in the study. A total of 35.8% had psychological distress (PD) (i.e., score >20). The alpha coefficient was 0.88 with no item below 0.86. The alpha coefficients to report a yes to an item (α=0.85) or no to an item (α=0.90) were similar to each other. The intra-class coefficient for test-retest at a two-week interval was 0.90. Exploratory factor analysis showed a one-factor structure of the underlying construct, with a cumulative variance of 97.1%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed high fit indices for the questionnaire (0.91) and a low standardized residual of 0.05. 

We measured psychometric parameters of the Persian version of the K10 scale for detecting PD among older adults, which was found to be adequately valid, reliable, and stable. Our questionnaire fills the prior gaps regarding the lack of validated tools for the timely detection and management of PD among older adults in the Persian-language cultural contexts. Our study emphasizes that the Kessler questionnaire is a unidimensional scale, and detects non-specific PD with all items indicating a single underlying construct of “distress”.

The purpose of this research was to compare the effect of sleep and consciousness on consolidation based on implicit motor memory enhancement among youth, middle-aged and elderly.

The sample statistic consisted of 120 (youth, middle-aged and elderly) healthy and right-handed volunteers (40 people from each age group). The groups were availability selected and randomly divided into six experimental groups of implicit motor memory of youth, middle-aged, and elderly with a distance of twelve hours in the morning (without night sleep) and evening (with night sleep). This research included the acquisition and retention phases. In this research, the alternative serial reaction time task with random and repetitive sequences was used.

In the acquisition phase, the results of ANOVA with repeated measure test showed that the practice led to enhance mean of performance in random and repetitive reaction time in 5-epoch. In the retention phase, the main effect of the practice epoch was significant (P<0.05) and all six groups were better than the 5-epoch in the acquisition phase. Also, the results of the Duncan posthoc test showed that the youth, middle-aged and elderly groups with 12h retention test delay, were better performance than the practice session.

Generally, night sleep with 12h retention test facilities the process of consolidation based on implicit motor memory enhancement among youth, middle-aged and elderly people.

The growth of the elderly population, on the one hand, and the increase in exposure to accidents and disasters, on the other hand, have highlighted the attention on the issues of the older adults in disasters. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the lives of the elderly after the earthquake.

The present qualitative study was conducted using the content analysis method. The study data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. In total, 26 participants were interviewed in this study, including 4 specialists (an accident and disaster specialist, an elderly specialist, a psychologist, a social worker), 18 older adults, and 4 caregivers of the older adults. The data collection and data analysis process were performed simultaneously, and the Granheim and Lundman approach was used in this regard.

In this study, two main categories were found about changes in the lives of the elderly after the earthquake: re-victimization and post-accident growth. Re-victimization category consisted of the subcategories of “increased dependency”, “declining physical and mental health”, “poverty and deprivation”, and “avoidance of work and family activities”, and post-accident growth included the subcategories of “individual growth”, “self-regulatory behaviors”, and “reinforcing the houses”.

Clarifying the nature and life changes of the elderly after the earthquake can enhance the knowledge of service providers. This information helps them make the necessary plans to prevent and reduce the problems that the elderly face after the earthquake.

 The purpose of this research was to investigate the psychometric properties of Persian version of the multidimensional body-self relations questionnaire (MBSRQ) among Iranian elderly people.

The research method was non-experimental research that its necessary information was collected with cross-sectional method. The statistical population was composed of all elderly people over 60 years age in Tehran city. The statistical sample included 1035 people who were completed the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ). This questionnaire consists of 69 questions and 9 components. Data were analyzed with confirmatory factorial analysis based on structural equations, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and intra-class correlation coefficient tests.

Result showed that the content, face and concurrent  were validity acceptable (P<0.05). Also, Result showed that the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) has acceptable fit indexes (such as RMSEA=0.042, CFI=0.903, TLI=0.978, PNFI=0.075, and PGFI=0.886). Forthermore, the internal consistency and temporal reliability were acceptable (P<0.05).

The Persian version of Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) has acceptable reliability and validity in Iranian elderly and researchers, older adults, and elderly specialists can use this questionnaire for its evaluations and researches.

 Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases among older people which is one the most important causes of disability and heavy socio-economic burden on the elderly and society. This study aimed to investigate the effect of melilotus officinalis oil on knee joint pain and stiffness among older adults with mild to moderate primary knee osteoarthritis.

Methods & Materials: 

This is a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial (registration code: IRCT2016082129461N1). Participants were 61 eligible older adults (35 females and 26 males with a mean age of 78±7.79 years) residing in one of the nursing homes in Tehran, Iran who had mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis clinically diagnosed by an orthopedic physician. Then they were assigned randomly into two groups of intervention and control received melilotus officinalis oil and diclofenac gel, respectively, using a randomization table based on balance block randomization. The data were collected using a demographic form and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for evaluating knee joint pain and stiffness at baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the intervention. Collected data were analyzed in SPSS V. 23 software. 

 There was no statistically significant different between the intervention and control groups in terms of sociodemographic variables (age, education, marital status, occupation, smoking, physical activity, chronic illness, and medication) at baseline. Knee pain (F1,58=119.07, P<0.001) and joint stiffness (F 1,58=19.9, P<0.001) reduced significantly in both groups, where the effect size was higher in the intervention group. No considerable side effect reported during the study.

 Compared to diclofenac gel, melilotus officinalis oil can reduce knee joint pain and stiffness in older people with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Therefore, it is suggested for treatment of people with knee osteoarthritis. Further studies are recommended to investigate the mechanism of melilotus oficinalis oil in reducing knee pain and stiffness and determine its effective dosage.

 The present research was conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of Persian version of strength and cardiovascular endurance items of functional fitness assessment test in Iranian elderly.

Methods & Materials:

 The statistical sample consisted of 200 elderly (100 males and 100 females) with mean aged 68.05±5.21 years old that were selected by random cluster sampling in Tehran city. The tools used included strength and cardiovascular endurance items of Functional Fitness Assessment test for adults over 60 years (FFAA). Content, structure and concurrent methods was used to evaluate validity. For evaluation of concurrent validity, the hand grip and treadmill tools were used. In order to assess the reliability, the temporal and internal consistency methods were used.

 The results showed that the content validity of strength and cardiovascular endurance items were confirmed (90%-95%). Results of construct validity showed that the Pearson correlation coefficient between age with strength and cardiovascular endurance items is meaningful significant (0.71-0.75). Results of Pearson correlation coefficient test showed that the correlation between strength and cardiovascular endurance items and laboratory tests related to each of them were obtained for high levels (0.90-0.96). Therefore, the correlation obtained indicates the concurrent validity of this test items. Also, results showed that the test-retest interclass correlation test with a one-week interval, indicate that the temporal stability is acceptable (0.81-0.85). Furthermore, the results of Cronbachchr('39')s alpha coefficient showed that the internal consistency of each item was acceptable (α>0.75).

 Results indicate that the strength and cardiovascular endurance items in elderly sample are valid and reliable, and the Persian version of these items can be used to assess the functional fitness among Iranian elderly people.

Dementia is the fifth cause of death in older adults with the most significant financial, social, and caring burden on health systems across the world. The aim of this study was to determine the most common medical risk factors for dementia in the retired population.

A case-control methodology was used for this study, within which 180 patients with dementia were compared to 371 controls for medical risk factors in the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) in 2017. Participants in the case and control groups were matched in terms of age, educational level, and sex. The logistic regression was employed to estimate Odds Ratios (OR), using SPSS software.

The majority of the participants were male (55%) and married (69%) with a mean age of 73.14 (SD=9.11) and high school education (38%). The results of the adjusted logistic regression showed a significant association among dementia and chronic and acute vitamin D3 deficiency (more and less than 1 year) (OR=4.73, P<0.001, OR=7.50, P<0.001, respectively), cancer history (OR=15.31, P<0.001), and chronic anemia (OR=5.95, P<0.001).

The results of this study suggest vitamin D3 deficiency, cancer, and anemia history as probable risk factors for dementia. Thus, managing or controlling these risk factors may effectively delay or prevent the onset of dementia for the individuals.

 This study was performed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire – Older Adults Edition (WHOQOL-OLD). 

The statistical sample consisted of 300 elderly (150 males and 150 females) with an age range of 60-80 years old who were selected in Tehran City. The tools used included the WHOQOL-OLD with 24 questions and 6 components. The IQOLA translation model was used to translate the quality of life in Iranian elderly. To determine the validity, the face, content, concurrent, and structural validity were used. To determine the reliability, the temporal stability and internal consistency methods were used.

 The results showed that more than 85% of the questions had optimal translation quality, thus the face validity of the Persian version WHOQOL-OLD was obtained. Results showed that the content validity ratio (CVR) for all questions was obtained between 0.7-1 and the content validity index (CVI) was 0.85. Results of Pearson correlation coefficient test showed that the correlation between the total score of WHOQOL-OLD and GHQ-28 questionnaires was 0.53 (P<0.05). Therefore, this results showed that the concurrent validity of WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire.  The construct validity results showed that the WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire had acceptable fit indexes (such as CFI=0.924, GFI=0.901, AGFI=0.953, RMSEA=0.048). Finally, results showed that the test-retest interclass correlation test indicate that the temporal stability is acceptable (0.78-0.89). Furthermore, the results of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient showed that the internal consistency of each component was acceptable (α>0.75).

 Results indicated that the Persian version of the WHOQOL-OLD is valid and reliable, and especially can be used to assess the quality of life among Iranian elderly people.

 The elderly population is increasing globally and as the age increases and the functions of some organs decrease, some problems in elderly age, including sleep problems increase. Sleep disturbances cause neurological, autonomic, and biological changes. Therefore, attention should be paid to the problems that eliciting for the elderly and their families subsequently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oil on lemon on sleep disorders in the elderly.

 The study is a stratified design with IRCT2016061528485N1 registration Code and IR.USWR.REC.1395.50 Code of Ethics approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences. A total of 93 subjects (45 men and 48 women) were enrolled in the intervention, 22 men in the intervention group, 23 in the control group, 24 in the intervention group and 24 in the control group. Of these, 85 participated in the third stage of the intervention, 43 women (51%) and 42 men (49%), 41.17% in the age group of 74-60 years and 58.82% in the age group above 75 years. The Mean±SD age of the elderly was 75.88 ± 9.19 years, with the lowest age of 61 years and the highest age of 94 years. Outbreaks were hospitalized, departures and deaths. After completing an examination, a score of more than 5 Pittsburgh questionnaires, a visit by a psychiatrist and a self-reported sleep disorder, and considering the medical records, consumables , and entry criteria they were studied according to the randomization tables and divided into intervention and control groups. Validity and reliability of Pittsburgh questionnaire have been studied in various research. The intervention group received oil from the lemon and the inactive oil control group for four weeks, once daily, twice daily in the morning and night, with a drop per nose. No specific side effects were reported. In 3 cases, mild headache was reported, which was associated with a history of sinusitis, and the intervention was either performed or excluded from the tampon.

 At the beginning of the study, demographic questionnaires, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and then Pittsburgh Questionnaire 2 and 4 weeks after the beginning of the intervention, were again asked by interview method and the data were analyzed by SPSS v. 23. The tests were one-way variance analysis, follow-up tests, independent samples  T and single-sample t-test.

 Based on the results of the study, the oil to lemon has been shown to improve the sleep disorders of the elderly in the intervention group (P 000.03) and Effect size = 0.155). Sleep disturbances The intervention group improved in the second week and the fourth week  after the onset of intervention compared to the control group

Elderly is a critical period of human life and awareness of the mental status of the elderly and effective psychological interventions can lead to the attainment of this period's mental health. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral group therapy on psychological symptoms (depression and psychological well-being) in the elderly.

This study was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design with experimental and control group. In a quasi-experimental study, 24 elderly women referred to Yas and Arman Shayan home rehabilitation centers in Tehran in 1396 were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly divided into two equal groups (12 patients each). Were. The intervention group received training in cognitive behavioral group therapy and the control group did not receive any training. The research tools were Elderly depression questionnaires and psychological well-being. Data were analyzed by SPSS-22 software using multivariate analysis of covariance.

The findings showed that CBT improved depression and psychological well-being in older women (P <0.05). This finding meant that the intervention led to an increase in psychological well-being in older women. On the other hand, a look at the values ​​of significance level, chi square and test power showed that the intervention was effective and meaningful in the experimental group and its effectiveness was 0.43%.

According to the findings of the study, CBT can improve hopefulness, lack of meaning, and decrease in elderly women by improving symptoms and negative psychological reactions such as depression, feelings of loss and loneliness. Anxiety of death and improving their attitude towards the future and themselves.

Objectives:

 Changes in aging peiod can have profound effects on the life and mental health of the elderly people. Optimism and perception of aging are among the factors associated with the psychological wellbing of the elderly people. The present study aimed to predict the perception of aging based on optimism among the elderly people.

Methods & Materials :

This is a correlational study. The study population consisted of all elderly residents of Qom city in Iran in 2018. Of these, 270 were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) and Aging Perception Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS v.21 software.

Results :

Participants 177 male (65%) and 93 female (34%) with a mean age of 74±6.05 years. There was a significant positive correlation between optimism and perception of aging in the elderly (P<0.01); optimism could predict and explain 56% of variations in the perception of aging (P<0.01).

Conclusion:

 Optimism can predict the perception of aging in the elderly people; Therefore, it is suggested that mental health professionals and those working in the field of aging should use the results of this study to design psychological interventions and educational packages, and hold optimism skills training workshops to improve the optimism of older people.

Creating the best state of social participation is one of the most important goals of rehabilitation for older people. This study has investigated the social participation of older people in Tehran to provide a basis for effective interventions in the treatment of these people.

This descriptive/analytical cross-sectional study used a non-probability sampling method to target 150 older adults who had referred to local community centers across Tehran.  The Assessment of life habits (LIFE-H) was used to examine issues related to social participation. The data were analyzed by implementing the Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation test.

There was a significant difference between the mean scores of social participation in the age groups (P = 0.016) and place of residence (P = 0.001), but there was no significant difference in different genders (P = 0.097).

The results show that creating appropriate conditions and reducing age and gender-related risk factors can lead to an increase in the health of older adults and eventually the health of society as a whole.

Elderly people face with many physical and psychological problems and acceptance and commitment treatment is one of the effective therapeutic methods in improving physical and psychological problems and features. Therefore, present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment group therapy on physical and psychological symptoms of elderly women.

In a one quasi-experimental research, 24 people of elderly women referred to two Yas Home and Shayan Armans’ rehabilitation centers of Tehran city in 2017 year were selected by available sampling method and randomly assigned into two equal groups (each group 12 people). The experimental group trained by acceptance and commitment group therapy method and the control group didn’t receive training. The research instruments were the questionnaires of multidimensional performance measures, geriatric depression and psychological well-being. Data were analyzed in the SPSS-22 software by multivariate analysis of covariance method.

The findings showed that the acceptance and commitment group therapy led to improve the activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, depression and psychological well-being of elderly women (p<0/05), but there was no significant effect on their physical health (p<0/05).

According to the results, it is recommended that used from the acceptance and commitment group therapy method along with other therapeutic methods to interventions in the field of elderly women health, especially for improve their physical and psychological symptoms.