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Background: Despite participation is an important outcome of person’s rehabilitation process.there is no reliable and valid instrument for evaluation of participation in Persian-speaking spinal cord injuries (SCI). While SCI has serious damages on person’s social participation, assessment of participation demands culturally adapted and valid instruments. Objectives: This study took place to obtain a valid, reliable instrument for evaluation of Rehabilitation-Participation (P-USER-P) in an Iranian SCI. Methods: This study was methodological research, participating in 200 individuals. Analysis of face and content validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency, and reliability conducted after receiving permission and verification of the backwards-translation from the main developer. Results: During the cultural adaptation process, several modifications proposed by experts’ panel were made to ensure adaptation of items’ descriptions with Iranian culture. The Cronbach’s α and ICC coefficients of the frequency, restriction and satisfaction sub-scales were 0.61, 0.71, 0.69, and 0.75, 0.84, 0.84, respectively. The instrument also showed good reliability and discriminant validity characteristics. Conclusions: P-USER-P is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring objective and subjective participation in SCI patients. It is also adapted with Iranian culture which qualifies its utility in the rehabilitation process of Persian-speaking SCI patients.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an acquired autoimmune disease of the brain and spinal cord, resulting in the loss of control, vision, balance, and senses. Among the most important complications of MS in the course of the disease are speech disorders, especially dysarthria, as well as impairment of difficulty and language disorders. Objectives: Therefore, this research aimed to study the verbal fluency of Persian patients on three types of MS (Relapsing-Remitting, Primary Progressive, and Secondary Progressive). Methods: The descriptive-analytical approach was employed in this cross-sectional research. Since three types of MS were analyzed in this study, the samples collected using the convenience non-probability sampling technique from the MS patients in Rofeideh Rehabilitation Hospital in Tehran. Based on the inclusion criteria, 24 patients were put in each subgroup, and a total of 72 patients were selected. Besides, the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was carried out in this research to study the cognitive conditions of the patients. The verbal fluency test has two subtests: semantic and phonological fluency. These two components were analyzed for analyzing lexical knowledge and flexibility. In the data analysis phase, the normal distribution of the data was examined by the Shapiro-Wilk test, and paired t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Bonferroni non-parametric tests were used to compare the mean values of the variables and analyze the data. Results: Our findings revealed a mean switching and total verbal fluency of 11.6 (SD = 4.56) and 27.3 (SD = 7), respectively. The different forms of word switching and phonological fluency had no significant relationship with age and gender, but MMSE had a significant positive relationship with all of them (P < 0.05). The results from the analysis of variance and Bonferroni test also revealed no significant difference between the mean values on the SP and PP types of MS, but there was a significant difference between all mean values on the RR as well as the PP types (P < 0.05). However, the types of PP, SP, and RR did not significantly differ in word switching. Besides, phonological switching and verbal switching varied significantly in patients by academic degree (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings from this research revealed that the three types of MS differed significantly at least in lexical switching, phonological fluency, or semantic fluency.

Iran has faced one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the world, and no studies to date have examined COVID-19-related stress in the general Iranian population. In this first population-based study, a web-based survey was conducted during the peak of the outbreak to assess stress and its correlates in the Iranian population. A 54-item, valid, and reliable questionnaire, including items on demographic characteristics and past medical history, stress levels, awareness about signs and symptoms of COVID-19, knowledge about at-risk groups and prevention methods, knowledge about transmission methods, trust in sources of information, and availability of facemasks and sanitizers, was deployed via social and mass media networks. A total of 3787 Iranians participated in the study where the majority of the participants were females (67.4%), employed (56.1%), from developed provinces (81.6%), without chronic diseases (66.6%), and with &ge, 13 years of formal education (87.9%). The mean age of study participants was 34.9 years (range = 12&ndash, 73), and the average stress score was 3.33 (SD = &plusmn, 1.02). Stress score was significantly higher for females, those who were 30&ndash, 39 years old, housewives, those with chronic diseases, individuals who were aware that there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, those who could not get facemasks or sanitizers, and individuals with higher knowledge about at-risk groups (p &lt, 0.05). There was a significant correlation of stress scores with knowledge about prevention methods for COVID-19 (r = 0.21, p = 0.01) and trust in sources of information about COVID-19 (r = &minus, 0.18, p = 0.01). All of the predictors, except knowledge of two important at-risk groups and education, had a significant effect on stress scores based on a multivariate regression model. The COVID-19 outbreak could increase stress among all population groups, with certain groups at higher risk. In the high-risk groups and based on experience with previous pandemics, interventions are needed to prevent long-term psychological effects. Professional support and family-centered programs should be a part of pandemic mitigation-related policymaking and public health practices.

Relapse prevention (RP) programs mainly focus on substance users. However, workplace support and communications with colleagues can also play an important role in RP. This study compared relapse and abstinence duration between a group of Iranian substance users enrolled in a peer-supported vocational network (PVN) and a similar group enrolled in mid term residential treatment centers (MTRTCs). A case–control study was conducted among PVN members (n = 85 cases) and substance users discharged from MTRTCs (n = 85 controls) in Tehran, Iran. Case and control groups were matched for age, age of first substance use, duration of substance use, and date of registration in treatment center or PVN. One step multi-drug Abon rapid drug test in urine samples of participants was conducted to assess abstinence. Majority of the participants were single (44%) and 31–40 years old (48%). Statistically significant differences in abstinence were observed between control and PVN supported case groups. The duration of abstinence was four times higher in the PVN supported case group and MTRTCs’ clients reported relapses three times more than PVN members. PVNs could be effective method for reducing the triggers in workplace and RP among substance users. Additional research on feasibility and cost-effectiveness is suggested for broader and population based implementation of PVNs across cross-cultural settings.

We designed and ran an empowerment-oriented social group work intervention to assess whether the intervention could improve the quality of life of older Iranians. The intervention consisted of nine group sessions that focused on capacity building and increasing individual competences, environmental resources and opportunities. Using a randomised controlled trial (RCT), 60 elderly people (30 men and 30 women in the intervention and control groups) from Social Services Centres in Tehran Municipality participated in this study. The WHOQOL-BREF instrument was used to measure quality of life, comparing before, after and follow-up measures between the groups and within each group. ANOVA and GEE tests were applied to analyse the data. The results showed significant progress in overall quality of life of the participants, particularly in the domains of physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environmental health. In pretest, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of quality of life and its domains, but there were significant differences in the post- and follow-up tests. This study provides support for the empowerment-oriented social group work intervention with Iranian elderly people. This kind of intervention can be a useful model for empowering older people, especially in countries where social support and health services for seniors are not yet freely available.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the behavioral problems and abilities of 7-12-year-old students with a physical/motor disability at mainstream and special schools. Methods: The data in this comparative (cross sectional-analytic) study were collected using total population sampling, A sample of 247 students with a physical/motor disability including 153 students (67 females and 86 males) at special schools and 94 students (41 females and 53 males) at mainstream schools participated in this study. Data were collected using the Teacher and Parents versions of the child’s Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Each version includes five aspects, namely, emotional symptoms, conduct problems, attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder, peer relationship problems for measuring behavioral problems and the Prosocial Behaviors Questionnaire for estimating behavioral skills. Data analysis was performed using non-parametric Man-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: Students with a physical/motor disability studying at mainstream schools significantly differed from those studying at special schools in terms of behavioral problems (P

Social workers in substance abuse treatment settings are responsible for involving families in treatment program to improve family functioning. The effectiveness of available interventions in treating codependency of family members of drug users in Iran is not well explored. We evaluated the effectiveness of the Satir communication family therapy (CFT) in healing codependency of drug dependents' family members in Tehran, Iran.The intervention group participants (n = 27) received a seven-session social work intervention with CFT approach and the control group (n = 26) received treatment as usual. We used the Holyoake Codependency Index to measure participants' codependency at baselines, end of intervention, and 90 days post intervention.Codependents enrolled in the intervention had a significantly lower codependency score than controls at the end of intervention and 90 days post intervention.CFT is an effective strategy to reduce codependency in Iranian population and can be explored as a population-based strategy.

Purpose: Having the child with Cerebral palsy is a very stressful experience for the family that could affect daily patterns and routines, habits, needs and occupational performances of all family members specially mothers. This study aimed to investigate life balance of mothers of children with Cerebral palsy (MCCPs) based on the Life Balance Model. Method: Fifty MCCPs aged 3 to 9 years with sample convenient method participated in this descriptive and cross-sectional study. The Severity of cerebral palsy was determined by Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and the life balance of mothers was evaluated by Persian version of the LBI (P_LBI). The collected data were evaluated and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The total mean score of LBI and its subscales showed that there is no balanced or very balanced life in mothers and they could be categorized to unbalanced (n = 21) and very unbalanced (n = 29). The total mean score of LBI was 1.46. χ2 test revealed statistically significant difference between two categories (unbalanced and very unbalanced) of mothers regarding GMFCS level (p = 0.009). Also, the total mean score of LBI and its subscales showed no significant difference between two categories (unbalanced and very unbalanced) regarding mother job and age and child age (p > 0.05) but it has significant difference regarding mother education (p = 0.009). Evaluation of the results of LBI and its different subscales indicated that the life balance at balanced or very balanced levels was not observed in any of the studied mothers, and they could be categorized in 2 groups of unbalanced (21 mothers ) and very unbalanced (29 mothers) (Table 2). Discussion: Based on the result of this study, mothers of Cerebral Palsy do not experience balanced life and this feeling of unbalance is related to the level of their child’s disability. Thus, it is necessary to consider this fact in family-centered evaluations and Occupational therapy interventions.

Background Mothers of moderately to severely affected children with cerebral palsy (CP) have to spend a long time to take care of their children. This time-consuming responsibility affects their physical and psychosocial health. Therefore, mothers as caregivers are required to receive special training to take care of their children. Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a developed web-based intervention for daily care training of children with CP on their mothers’ quality of life (QOL), anxiety, depression, stress, and their musculoskeletal pain. Methods and procedures This study was a single blind randomized controlled trial. 91 mothers of children with CP with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III, IѴ, and Ѵ, who aged from 4 to 12 years were assigned to the intervention and control groups using block randomization. Mothers in the control group received their routine face to face occupational therapy intervention and mothers in the intervention group received 12 weeks web-based intervention. QOL, depression, anxiety, stress, and pain were measured before and after the intervention in both groups. Outcomes and results The results of analysis of covariance showed that after controlling the mean score of pretest of pain, the mean score of post-tests in the intervention and control groups was significantly different (P

Phytotherapy can be an alternative for the control of gastrointestinal parasites in human and animals. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is a medicinal plant which grown as a spice crop all over the world. The seeds of this plant have been used to treat parasitic disease, indigestion, diabetes, rheumatism and pain in the joints. This study was carried out to compare the efficacy of Niclosamid and alcoholic seed extract of C. sativum on Hymenolepis nana infection, in vivo and vitro. For in vivo study, Balb/c mice were used, to compare the efficacy of 50 mg/kg body weight (B.W) of Niclosamid with different doses of alcoholic extracts of C. sativum (250, 500, and 750 mg/kg B.W). It was found that the efficacy of Niclosamid had reached 100 % after 11 days post treatment, while the efficacy of 500 and 750 mg/kg B.W of C. sativum reached to 100 % after 15 days after treatment. For in vitro study, special nutrient broth media was used. It was found that the addition of 1000 mg/ml of Niclosamid had paralyzed and killed worms within 5 min, while C. sativum killed them within 30 min. Our results showed that extract of C. sativum has good effect against H. nana and could be use in traditional medicine for treatment of parasitic disease.