Publication Date: 2022
Neuroscience Journal of Shefaye Khatam (23221887)10(3)pp. 13-25
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS), is an inflammatory chronic disease of the central nervous system, usually starting in the most productive years of the patient’s life, and its cognitive consequence may affect on patient’s behavior, social functions, daily life, and occupation. One of the most important cognitive variables, which may be affected through MS, is reaction time. The aim of this study was to investigate the reaction time of patients with MS (SPMS and RRMS types) toward visual and auditory stimuli. Materials and Methods: The study design was a retrospective, causal-comparative type, in which the sample was selected through an accessible and purposive sampling method from the patients who were referred to the MS center and MS institute of Isfahan, Iran. The control group was selected from the healthy patient’s family members or their relatives. A total of 159 subjects participated in this study, each group consisted of 53 subjects. The reaction time of the three groups toward the visual and auditory stimuli was measured. The instruments comprised a reaction timer and a multiple sclerosis impact scale. Results: The results showed that the reaction time in the patients was significantly slower than in healthy people. Furthermore, it was revealed that patients with SPMS type were slower in reaction time in comparison to RRMS patients. Conclusion: The speed of information processing in patients with MS, has become slower, due to the slowing of the conduction through nerve pulses, which is due to demyelination in damaged pathways. The decrease in processing speed may lead to an inability of the patients to accomplish mental and cognitive tasks, and this deficit is finally depicted in the inability of MS patients in responding to visual and auditory stimuli. © 2022, Shefa Neuroscience Research Center. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2022
Journal of Babol University of Medical Sciences (15614107)24(1)pp. 510-525
Background and Objective: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is considered as a widespread chronic pain disorder of unknown etiology. Since personality traits can play an important role in the development of FMS, this review article was conducted in order to increase the understanding of personality traits related to FMS. Methods: This review article was conducted by searching articles based on PRISMA guidelines for studies published from 2000 to September 2021 in authentic databases using the keywords fibromyalgia syndrome, chronic widespread pain, personality, and personality tests. The results of 30 eligible studies aimed at identifying personality traits in patients with FMS were reviewed and summarized. Findings: According to the theoretical model used, the articles that used the TCI tool reported high traumatic avoidance and low self-regulation. High scores in hypochondriasis, hysteria and depression have been observed using the MMPI questionnaire. Moreover, other studies showed a high score in neuroticism using NEO. In this systematic review, some personality traits related to FMS were identified and explained. In other words, many patients with fibromyalgia show personality traits that are related to the mechanisms involved in FMS. Conclusion: The findings provide evidence that personality traits can play a key role in the development and persistence of this syndrome. However, studies lack sufficient evidence to support an "FMS personality." The results expand our knowledge about the complex nature of this disorder and facilitate the effective treatment of FMS patients. Overall, these findings support the need for a comprehensive personality model to better understand FMS. © 2022, Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.
Firoozikhojastehfar, R.,
Asgari mobarakeh, K.,
Kalantari, M.,
Raisi, F.,
Shahvari, Z.,
Dadras, I.,
Jabalkandi, S.A. Publication Date: 2021
Sexual Health and Compulsivity (26929996)28(3-4)pp. 189-199
This study was aimed to examine the efficacy of Cognitive– Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on depression and compulsive sexual behaviors in patients suffering from Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD). This was a randomized controlled trial in which 20 participants with sex addiction were assigned either to CBT treatment (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). The study comprised of three phases including baseline, intervention, and 1 month follow up. Hypersexual behavior inventory (HBI.) and Beck depression inventory (BDI) were administered on both groups to gather the data. Participants who received CBT showed a significant decline in hypersexual behaviors and depressive symptoms following the intervention and the effect was maintained in the follow up phase compared to control group. CBT can be suggested as an effective intervention in controlling hypersexual behaviors and depression in Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder. © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Firoozikhojastehfar, R.,
Asgari mobarakeh, K.,
Kalantari, M.,
Raisi, F.,
Shahvari, Z.,
Kharadmand, A.B. Publication Date: 2021
Sexual Health and Compulsivity (26929996)28(3-4)pp. 152-170
Objective: Sex addiction as a sexual concept is affected by social-cultural factors and needs to be studied in the context of each society. The purpose of this study was to examine what self-identified sex addicts think and feel about the causes of their addiction in their own words. Method: Thirteen self-identified sex addicts participated in a semi-structured interview. They were asked to explain their feelings and motivations in regard to their problematic sexual behaviors. The data was analyzed though conventional qualitative content analysis. Results: Analysis of the interviews revealed 222 codes which were summarized in 3 themes and 11 subthemes. Three themes were as follow: " personal related issues", "messy family" and "inattentiveness of the society about sex education". Conclusion: when a society system neglects sexual issues and does not provide facilities and conditions for education and protection of people, parents and family play a pivotal role not only in providing a supportive and nurturing atmosphere but also in educating and monitoring of children and adolescents. © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Publication Date: 2021
Journal of Applied Psychological Research (22518126)12(3)pp. 85-103
Sexual addiction is a growing disorder associated with many personal and social consequences. This basic study aims to explore and discover the factors affecting the development of sexual addiction with a qualitative look at the experiences, thoughts, and feelings of patients with sexual addiction. Using a qualitative method, 13 patients with sex addiction (10 males and 3 females) aged 21-50 years were selected through purposive sampling and interviewed in 2019 Tehran using a semi-structured interview. Then, the data were analyzed using the seven-step Colaizzi method. The results were classified into three main categories, including personal problems, family inefficiency, and society's inattention to sex education, and further divided into 11 subcategories. Our findings provide physicians and other mental health providers with invaluable insights into sex addiction. Given the lack of community planning and policy regarding sex education for teachers, parents, and adolescents, we emphasize the responsibility of parents in teaching healthy sexual behavior to their children and adolescents. © 2021, University of Tehran. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019
Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research (20428715)11(3)pp. 180-199
Purpose: A wide range of variables, including cognitive, emotional and relational factors, could affect the level of peacefulness. The purpose of this paper is to examine key variables (theory of mind (ToM) and harmony) that mediate the personality trait of peacefulness. Design/methodology/approach: The participants were 182 university students recruited from three universities in Isfahan, Iran. Some different scales were applied in order to measure the intended peace variables. Findings: The findings demonstrate that ToM, as the ability to attribute mental states, significantly mediates the association between interpersonal peacefulness and inhibition skill, interpersonal peacefulness and conflict resolution abilities, and interpersonal peacefulness and level of aggression. In addition, harmony mediates the relationship between intrapersonal peacefulness, hope, intrapersonal peacefulness and self-compassionate competency. Practical implications: These findings indicate that peaceful feelings enable a person to provide more attention to the concerns of others and to relationship issues. Originality/value: This an original type of study in the field of peace psychology. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Publication Date: 2018
Applied Neuropsychology: Adult (23279095)25(5)pp. 458-463
Up until the date of this research, studies have examined poststroke cognitive impairments in attention, memory, and executive functions. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of memory problems in various patterns of memory in ischemic stroke patients in an attempt to determine specific memory profiles of the patients. The goal was to determine the severity and patterns of memory impairments in ischemic stroke patients and to identify specific profiles of memory impairments in stroke patients, in order to help therapists to develop more appropriate memory rehabilitation programs for the patients. The sample consisted of 35 patients with ischemic stroke. Thirty-five individuals who were matched with the patients were selected as the control group. Demographic questionnaires, subscales of the Wechsler Memory Scale-III (WMS-III), including logical memory I and II and visual reproduction I and II, digit span from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-R (WAIS-R), and the Corsi span test were administered to both of the patients and control groups. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was carried out to unveil possible differences in memory between the two groups. The mean scores of different memory patterns were significantly higher in the control group comparing to the patient group (p < 0.05). Among different aspects of memory, visual long-term memory and visual short-term memory had the largest effect sizes. Substantial impairments were also found in visual short-term memory, visuospatial short-term memory, and visual long-term memory. The findings suggest that the stroke patients have identifiable patterns of memory impairment. © 2017, © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Publication Date: 2016
Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation (19455119)23(4)pp. 254-260
Background: Genetic factors like the allele for Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) are associated with the outcome of ischemic stroke most likely through affecting neural differentiation and synaptic plasticity. Studies of the association of BDNF G196A gene polymorphism and long-term ischemic stroke outcome in various populations have not been concordant. Objective: In this research, the association of BDNF G196A gene polymorphism and ischemic stroke occurrence were studied in a northern Iranian population with a glance to its 6-month outcome. Methods: The genetic variant of BDNF G196A was examined in Ischemic Stroke (IS) patients (n = 206) and control group (n = 200). In IS individuals, outcome variables such as stroke severity, functional disability, and cognitive impairment were examined, respectively, by NIHSS, Barthel Index, and MoCA in an average of 202 days after the stroke occurrence. Results: The frequency of risk allele G was 12.1% in IS patients and 5.5% in healthy individuals; and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The frequency of risk genotype GG, heterozygote and homozygote were 0% and 1%, 24.3% and 9%, 75.7% and 90%, respectively, for IS and control groups (p < 0.05). After controlling the phenotype confounding factors, logistic regression analysis showed that there was a borderline significant relationship between genotype BDNF GA + GG and IS occurrence (AOR = 1.997,95% CI: 0.252– 1.010, p = 0.051). There was no significant difference between the various genotypic groups regarding the severity of the stroke and functional disability. Yet, G allele carriers had more cognitive impairment after IS (p = 0.002). Conclusion: For the first time in an Iranian population, it was demonstrated that BDNF G196A variant plays a major role in stroke occurrence and consequences. It is suggested that, after IS, G allele carriers should have precedence for medicinal and rehabilitation interventions, in order to reduce their cognitive deficiency. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Nikrahan, G.R.,
Laferton, J.A.,
Asgari mobarakeh, K.,
Kalantari, M.,
Abedi, M.R.,
Etesampour, A.,
Rezaei, A.,
Suarez, L.,
Huffman, J.C. Publication Date: 2016
Psychosomatics (15457206)57(4)pp. 359-368
Background: Among cardiac patients, positive psychologic factors are consistently linked with superior clinical outcomes and improvement in key markers of inflammation and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning. Further, positive psychology interventions (PPI) have effectively increased psychologic well-being in a wide variety of populations. However, there has been minimal study of PPIs in cardiac patients, and no prior study has evaluated their effect on key prognostic biomarkers of cardiac outcome. Accordingly, we investigated the effect of 3 distinct PPIs on risk biomarkers in cardiac patients. Methods: In an exploratory trial, 69 patients with recent coronary artery bypass graft surgery or percutaneous intervention were randomized to (1) one of three 6-week in-person PPIs (based on the work of Seligman, Lyubomirsky, or Fordyce) or (2) a wait-list control group. Risk biomarkers were assessed at baseline, postintervention (7 weeks), and at 15-week follow-up. Between-group differences in change from baseline biomarker levels were examined via random effects models. Results: Compared with the control group, participants randomized to the Seligman (B = -2.06; p = 0.02) and Fordyce PPI (B = -1.54; p = 0.04) had significantly lower high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels at 7 weeks. Further, the Lyubomirsky PPI (B = -245.86; p = 0.04) was associated with a significantly lower cortisol awakening response at 7 weeks when compared with control participants. There were no other significant between-group differences. Conclusion: Despite being an exploratory pilot study with multiple between-group comparisons, this initial trial offers the first suggestion that PPIs might be effective in reducing risk biomarkers in high-risk cardiac patients. © 2016 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine.
Nikrahan, G.R.,
Suarez, L.,
Asgari mobarakeh, K.,
Beach, S.R.,
Celano, C.M.,
Kalantari, M.,
Abedi, M.R.,
Etesampour, A.,
Abbas, R.,
Huffman, J.C. Publication Date: 2016
Psychosomatics (15457206)57(4)pp. 348-358
Background: Positive psychologic characteristics have been linked to superior cardiac outcomes. Objective: Accordingly, in this exploratory study, we assessed positive psychology interventions in patients who had recently undergone a procedure to treat cardiovascular disease. Method: Participants were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 different 6-week face-to-face interventions or a wait-list control condition. We assessed intervention feasibility and compared changes in psychologic outcome measures postintervention (7 wk) and at follow-up (15 wk) between intervention and control participants. Across the interventions, 74% of assigned sessions were completed. Results: When comparing outcomes between interventions and control participants (N = 55 total), there were no between-group differences post-intervention, but at follow-up intervention participants had greater improvements in happiness (β = 14.43, 95% CI: 8.66-20.2, p < 0.001), depression (β = -3.87, 95% CI: -7.72 to 0.02, p = 0.049), and hope (β = 7.12, 95% CI: 1.25-13.00, p =0.017), with moderate-large effect sizes. Efficacy of the 3 interventions was similar. Conclusions: Future studies are needed to identify an optimal positive psychology intervention for cardiac patients. © 2016 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine.
Publication Date: 2015
Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (17359260)25(123)pp. 206-211
Background and purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one the main diseases of the central nervous system. While the significance of cognitive decline in MS patients is well recognized, mild to moderate forms of cognitive dysfunction has received little attention. This study aimed at comparing memory and emotion in patients with multiple sclerosis and healthy individuals. Materials and methods: In a retrospective research 176 MS patients were randomly selected from all patients attending MS clinic in Alzahra Hospital in Isfehan and 68 healthy individuals who were chosen from patients’ caregivers. MS Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire (MSNQ), Face Symbol Test (FST) in 90 and 300 seconds and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) were administered. The data was analyzed in SPSS applying descriptive statistics, pearson’s correlation coefficient, covariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Covariate and multivariate analyses showed significant difference between the two groups in Face Symbol Test in 90 and 300 seconds and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (P<0.0001). In Face Symbol Test in 90 and 300 seconds, the patients had higher scores while healthy individuals obtained higher scores in Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test. No significant difference was observed in the results of Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire in both groups (P=0.76). Conclusion: Dysfunction of memory and emotion in patients with multiple sclerosis is simply assessed by the tests performed in our study. They are useful and simple to use, thereby, more convenient for clinicians and neurologists. © 2015, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.
Nazaribadie, M.,
Amini, M.,
Ahmadpanah, M.,
Asgari mobarakeh, K.,
Jamlipaghale, S.,
Nazaribadie, S. Publication Date: 2014
Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders (22516581)13(1)
Background: Diabetes is associated with cognitive decline or dementia. The purpose of this study was to assess the executive functions and information processing in patients with type 2diabetes in comparison to pre-diabetic patients and normal subjects in Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center of Isfahan City from April to July 2011.Methods: The sample consisted of 32 patients with type 2 diabetes, 28 pre-diabetic patients and 30 healthy individuals. Executive functions were assessed by Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Information processing was assessed by Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and sub tests of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R).Results: There was a significant difference among 3 groups, after the variables of age, sex and academic status were controlled (p ≤ 0.001). The pairwise comparisons of executive functions among three groups suggest a significant difference between diabetic and normal groups in WCST (perseveration) p = 0.018, and significant difference between diabetic and pre-diabetic patient in WCST (perseveration) p = 0.019. But there was no difference between three groups in WCST (category) and WCST (conceptual responses). The pairwise comparisons of information processing among three groups, suggest a significant difference between diabetic and normal groups in PASAT3". PASAT2", and Symbol coding (P = 0.003, P = 0.009, and P = 0.001, respectively). There was a significant correlation between demographic variable (FBS, HbA1c) and Symbol coding p = 0.05, p = 0.01 respectively) and significant correlation between (cholesterol) and WCST (conceptual responses) p = 0.05. The other variables were not correlated.Conclusion: There were significant differences in executive function and information processing in patients with type 2 diabetic and normal individuals. Thus, monitoring neuropsychological status besides controlling levels of blood sugar in these patients is important. © 2014 Nazaribadie et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Publication Date: 2013
Psicologica (02112159)34(2)pp. 273-284
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. Publication Date: 2013
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.
Publication Date: 2013
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.
Publication Date: 2013
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.
Publication Date: 2012
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.
Publication Date: 2012
Gastroenterology Research And Practice (1687630X)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and disabling disease with unknown etiology. There have been some controversies regarding the role of psychological factors in the course of IBD. The purpose of this paper is to review that role. First the evidence on role of stress is reviewed focusing on perceived stress and patients' beliefs about it in triggering or exacerbating the course of IBD. The possible mechanisms by which stress could be translated into IBD symptoms, including changes in motor, sensory and secretory gastrointestinal function, increase intestinal permeability, and changes in the immune system are, then reviewed. The role of patients' concerns about psychological distress and their adjustment to disease, poor coping strategies, and some personality traits that are commonly associated with these diseases are introduced. The prevalence rate, the timing of onset, and the impact of anxiety and depression on health-related quality of life are then reviewed. Finally issues about illness behavior and the necessity of integrating psychological interventions with conventional treatment protocols are explained. Copyright © 2012 M. S. Sajadinejad et al.
Haghayegh, S.A.,
Neshat doost, H.T.,
Drossman, D.A.,
Asgari mobarakeh, K.,
Soulati, S.K.,
Adibi, P. Publication Date: 2012
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.
Publication Date: 2011
Journal of Isfahan Medical School (10277595)29(158)
Background: The montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) is a screening tool for evaluating mild cognitive impairments. The purpose of this research was to study the psychometric properties of the MoCA in Parkinson’s disease patients in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: Thirty-five patients with Parkinson’s disease who satisfied all the inclusion criteria were referred to the researchers by a neurologist. They answered the MoCA, and the mini mental status examination (mmse) and demographic questionnaires. In addition, 40 healthy subjects with all the inclusion criteria except Parkinson’s disease were randomly selected. They also completed the scales. Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson correlation, and discriminant analysis were respectively used for computing reliability, concurrent validity, and diagnostic validity of the test. Findings: A Cronbach’s alpha of 0.77, concurrent validity of 0.79, sensitivity of 0.85 and specificity of 0.90 were found. ROC table revealed 24 as the best cut-off point for MoCA. Conclusion: MoCA can be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing cognitive deficits in Iranian Parkinson’s disease patients. © 2011, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.
