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The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a traditional cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program with an enhanced program incorporating the model of therapeutic engagement (MTE) and extended remote support for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients. In a randomized controlled trial, 88 CABG patients were assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received integrated MTE cardiac rehabilitation, and assessments were conducted at three time points: pre-CR, one month later, and three months post-CR. The study measured medication adherence (MARS-5) and sense of coherence (SoC-13) scales. The study found no significant differences in demographic factors between the experimental and control groups. However, significant differences were observed in MARS and individuals' SoC scores over time in the experimental group, with notable improvements (p < 0.001). The control group showed significant changes only up to one month. Group effects were evident, with consistent increases in the experimental group's outcomes at each assessment point. Integrating the MTE into CR programs offers benefits in terms of medication adherence and individuals' sense of coherence, which warrants further investigation and clinical implementation. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recognized as one of the most effective interventions for secondary prevention, but its accessibility is limited in middle-income countries (MICs). This study represents one of the first theoretically-informed CR trials in a MIC that incorporates the model of therapeutic engagement (MTE) combined with extended remote support services into CR program. The MTE model, as a theoretical framework, was highly suitable for CR settings and demonstrated favorable outcomes. This approach has the potential to greatly benefit cardiac patients, particularly those who may initially show hesitance or reluctance towards engaging in CR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on depressive symptoms in physically disabled persons. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: State welfare organization in Kamyaran, Kurdistan, Iran. Participants: Fifty-two physically disabled participants with a primary diagnosis of depression were randomly assigned to either ACT or control groups. Interventions: Participants in the ACT group (n = 23) received eight weekly 90-minute group sessions based on standard ACT protocol for depression. Participants in the control group (n = 29) received psychoeducation regarding depression. Main measures: Measures were recorded at baseline, eight weeks (end of treatment), and 16 weeks (follow-up). The outcomes were the change in the depressive symptoms, measured by Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), psychological flexibility, emotion regulation, and psychological well-being measured by Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB), respectively. Results: After eight weeks, significant changes in depressive symptoms was observed in the experimental group (ACT –10.39 ± 0.79 vs control 0.66 ± 0.68, P < 0.001). Compared to the control group, the experimental group also showed significant improvement in psychological flexibility (ACT 8.13 ± 0.52 vs control –0.03 ± 0.51, P < 0.001), adaptive emotion regulation strategies (ACT 10.74 ± 0.62 vs control 0.03 ± 1.03, P < 0.001), and psychological well-being (ACT 66.95 ± 4.01 vs control –1.90 ± 1.04, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Compared with control group, ACT significantly reduced the participants' depression, and changed psychological flexibility, emotion regulation, and psychological well-being in persons with physical disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Controversy exists regarding whether increasing dairy intake without energy restriction would lead to weight loss. We aimed to compare the potential weight-reducing effects of kefir drink (a probiotic dairy product) and milk in a dairy-rich non-energy-restricted diet in overweight or obese premenopausal women. Methods: One hundred and forty-four subjects were assessed for eligibility in this single-center, multi-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. Of these, seventy-five eligible women aged 25-45 years were randomly assigned to three groups, labeled as control, milk, and kefir, to receive an outpatient dietary regimen for 8 weeks. Subjects in the control group received a diet providing a maintenance level of energy intake, containing 2 servings/day of low-fat dairy products, while those in the milk and kefir groups received a weight maintenance diet, containing 2 additional servings/day (a total of 4 servings/day) of dairy products from low-fat milk or commercial kefir drink, respectively. Anthropometric outcomes including weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) were measured every 2 weeks. Results: Fifty-eight subjects completed the study. Using analysis of covariance models in the intention-to-treat population ( n = 75), we found that at 8 weeks, subjects in the kefir and milk groups had significantly greater reductions in weight, BMI, and WC compared to those in the control group (all p < 0.01). However, no such significant differences were found between the kefir and milk groups. Conclusions: Kefir drink leads to a similar weight loss, compared with milk, in a dairy-rich non-energy-restricted diet in overweight or obese premenopausal women. However, further studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]