Journal of Applied Psychological Research (22518126)13(1)pp. 199-215
The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the “Civility, Respect & Engagement in Workplace (CREW)” intervention on employees’ relational energy and well-being by controlling for extroversion. The study was an applied and quasi-experimental study with a pretest/posttest and control group design. The statistical population consisted of all employees at the headquarters of Isfahan Gas Company in 2019, which amounted to 610 individuals (95 females and 515 males). The research sample consisted of 30 volunteers (23 males and 7 females) who participated in the study and were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The instruments used in this research were the Relational Energy Questionnaire )REQ(, the Employee Well-Being Questionnaire (EWBQ), and NEO Personality Inventory) NEO-PI). The “civility, respect & engagement at Work” intervention was delivered in 8 sessions lasting 90 minutes for the experimental group, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using the MANCOVA method of SPSS version 23. The results indicate that the CREW intervention improved employees’ relationship energy and well-being in the posttest by controlling extroversion. Thus, managers can develop employees’ relationship energy and well-being and support them by implementing the CREW intervention.
In the present study, the effectiveness of 3 drug regimen on cognitive performance of PD patients was compared. 12 patients who had been using pramipexole, levodopa and amantadine for at least 1 month entered the study and compared with those 12 who had been using trihexiphenidyle, levodopa and amantadine. There was also a control group including 11 patients who had been using only levodopa and amantadine. All 3 groups were asked to answer Montreal Cognitive Assessment in pretest phase. Then patients in experimental groups were asked not to use pramipexole or trihexiphenidyle for 72 hours and then all 3 groups were asked to answer the same questionnaire in post test phase. The results showed that patients who have used pramipexole had better performance in executive functions in post test. The findings suggest that pramipexole in combination with levodopa and amantadine may worsen the executive function in Parkinson's disease; however, there is almost neither adverse nor beneficial effect of trihexiphenidyl in such a combination on cognition in PD patients.
Nazaribadie, M., Asgari mobarakeh, K., Amini, M., Ahmadpanah, M., Nazaribadie, M., Jamlipaghale, S.
Journal of Research in Health Sciences (16822765)13(2)pp. 208-213
Background: Type 2 diabetes is an important risk factor for cognitive decline in diabetic patients. The main goal of this study was the assessment of memory, attention and visuospatial ability dysfunctions in patients with type 2 diabetes in comparison to prediabetic patients and normal subjects in Endocrine and Metabolism Center of Isfahan City from April 2011 to July 2011. Methods: The sample comprised of 32 patients with type 2 diabetes, 28 pre-diabetic patients and 30 healthy individuals. Memory, attention and visuospatial ability were assessed by Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT), Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and sub tests of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R). Results: The pair wise comparisons of cognitive functions among three groups, suggesting a significant difference between diabetic and normal groups in PASAT3". PASAT2", RCFT (recall trial) and Symbol coding (P=0.003, P=0.009, P=0.010, and P<0.001, respectively). But there was no difference in copy trial of RCFT and block design between two groups (P=0.170, P=0.490). There was significant difference between pre-diabetic group and normal group in recall trial of RCFT (P=0.020), as well as significant difference between diabetes type 2 and pre-diabetic group in symbol coding (P=0.001). Conclusion: There were significant differences in cognitive functions in patient with type2 diabetes, pre-diabetic patients and normal individuals. Thus monitoring neuropsychological status besides controlling levels of blood sugar in these patients is important.
Journal of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services (16069366)21(88)
Background and Objective: Psychological interventions can play a vital role in decreasing the symptoms of somatoform disorders via improving psychological, social and familial status of the patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive_ behavioral stress management (CBSM) on somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder and interpersonal relationship sensitivity in females with somatoform vertigo. Materials and Methods: This experimental study composed of pre test, post test and follow up phases. The sample consisted of 28 patients with somatoform vertigo according to the diagnosis of neurologists. They were randomly selected and then assigned to two groups of experimental and control. The SCL-90-R and VSS-SF tests were used in both groups throughout pre and post tests and follow up phases. The experimental group received CBSM for 10 sessions; each session lasted for 2.5 hours and for a period of 2.5 months. The data was analyzed by ANCOVA. Results: The mean of somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal relationship sensitivity and vertigo signs significantly decreased in the experimental group. Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral stress management has a positive effect on the treatment of somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal relationship sensitivity and vertigo signs in patients with somatoform vertigo.
Journal of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services (16069366)21(87)pp. 1-12
Background and Objective: Focal dystonia is a chronic disease with unwanted side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of medication in comparison to medication plus EMG biofeedback on motor symptoms in females with chronic focal dystonia. Materials and Methods: This study was accomplished using a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, posttest and follow-up. The sample consisted of random selection of 20 female patients with spasmodic torticollis and 10 female patients with blepharospasm, diagnosed by neurologists. Based on neurological diagnostic criteria, they were equally divided into two groups. Both groups were treated with botulinum toxin type A, but the second group participated in 20 treatment sessions of EMG biofeedback for 10 weeks in addition to receiving the drug. To collect the data, the participants were asked to complete F-M Scale questionnaire over the pre/ post-tests and follow-up. Results: The mean scores of motor symptoms and their subscales in the medication plus EMG biofeedback group was significantly diminished in comparison to medication group (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that medication plus EMG biofeedback can elicit more effective results than using mere drugs in the treatment of the motor symptoms in females with chronic focal dystonia.
Journal Of Research In Medical Sciences (17357136)17(10)pp. 898-904
Aim: Psychological factors such as personality traits may affect the adjustment capacity and Quality of Life (QOL) in Ulcerative Colitis (UC) patients. Type D personality has some similarities with general personality traits of UC patients. The aims of this study were to compare NEO personality profile and type D personality between healthy normal group and UC patients; and to determine the possible relationship between type D personality and QOL in UC patients. Materials and Methods: The sample of study comprised of 58 UC patients and 59 healthy control subjects (from their family members). All participants were requested to fill out NEO-FFI, Type D personality (Ds14) Scale and WHO-Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results: The findings indicated that UC patients scored higher in neuroticism (P<0/01); lower in extraversion (P<0/01) and openness (P<0/05) than healthy controls but their differentiation were not significant in agreeableness and conscientiousness. The findings showed that 59% of UC patients and 33% of the control subjects had type D personality; and the differences in frequency of type D between the two groups were significant (P<0/05). The mean QOL scores of type D personality in UC patients was significantly lower than patients without type D personality (F= 7/55, P<0/01). Type D personality could better predict QOL of UC patients than NEO dimensions. Conclusions: Differences were observed between UC patients and their healthy family members, in terms of personality factors. Type D personality may be regarded as an important factor that may bring about some adverse effects in QOL among UC patients.
Pakistan Journal Of Medical Sciences (1682024X)28(2)pp. 312-317
Objectives: This study investigated the psychometric characteristics (structural, concurrent and construct validity, and internal consistency) of the Persian version of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) questionnaire, which is commonly used across cultures. Methodology: One hundred twenty-six patients with irritable bowel syndrome (based on diagnosis by professional physicians and the Rome II criteria) were selected from patients referred to Alzahra and Noor Hospitals in Isfahan to complete the IBS-QOL questionnaire. Results: Eight subscales of the questionnaire (sum score) had acceptable internal consistency coefficients (alpha for subscales: dysphoria, 0.88; interference with activity, 0.67; body image, 0.72; health worry, 0.57; food avoidance, 0.52; social reaction, 0.71; sexual concern, 0.76; relationships; 0.62; and overall score, 0.93). In order to assess construct validity, groups of healthy persons (n = 40) and patients (n = 40) were selected. Results of an independent t-test showed a significant difference between the mean of overall score and all subscale scores (except body image subscale) of the two groups (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation coefficients showed that the questionnaire has significant concurrent validity (with respect to IBS-QOL-36) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The Persian version of IBS-QOL-34 is a valid and reliable instrument and is suitable for used in research and clinical trials.
