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Background: Postpartum depression is a major psychiatric disorder that affects the mother-baby attachment and may impair cognitive development of the child. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of curcumax (including ginger, turmeric, and black pepper) on postpartum depression in reproductive-aged women. Material and methods: This was a randomized controlled trial in which 124 women were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups of curcumax (n=62) and placebo (n=62)who consumed curcumax or placebo for 8weeks (one capsule each day). Postpartum depression wasmeasured using Edinburgh Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, independent t-test, and GEE. Results: The mean (SD) score of depression score was 15.83 (2.77) and 15.45 (2.97) before intervention, which reduced to 3.48 (4.29) and 7.22 (3.98) in the intervention and control groups, respectively after 4 weeks (p<0.0001). After eight weeks of intervention, these scores reduced to 1.72 (3.30) and 5.85 (3.67) in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that curcumax significantly reduced the mean score of postpartum depression among reproductive-aged women. Because it is the first time this herb was used as an anti-depressant, its effective dose was not available. Therefore, further studies with higher doses of this herb are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Sexual self‐efficacy refers to a woman's belief that she can be sexually active and attractive for her sexual partner and has acceptable sexual function. One of the issues that may negatively affect sexual self‐efficacy is HIV infection. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of counseling based on mindfulness on sexual self‐efficacy of women affected with HIV. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial involving 62 HIV‐positive women in their reproductive age. Women in the intervention group were further divided into four groups. Each group received eight sessions of counseling based on mindfulness, while the control group received no intervention. A demographic questionnaire and sexual self‐efficacy questionnaire were used to collect the data. The independent t test, χ2, and repeated measure tests were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean change of total score of sexual self‐efficacy in Week 8 compared with before intervention was 37.04 (95% CI: 31.38–42.70, p < 0001) and in Week 12 compared with before intervention was 36.97 (95% CI: 31.59–42.34, p < 0.0001), while in the control group, it almost remained unchanged. The score of readiness for sexual relationship, sexual self‐stimulation, intimacy without sexual intercourse, and orgasm improved significantly 8 and 12 weeks after intervention (p < 0.0001), whereas no significant differences were observed in these dimensions in the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that 8 weeks of counseling based on mindfulness could significantly improve all dimensions of sexual self‐efficacy and its total score in women affected with HIV. Thus, this method of counseling is recommended for HIV‐positive women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic inflammation may contribute to the initiation and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through diet and lifestyle. We examined the association of dietary inflammation score (DIS), lifestyle inflammation score (LIS) and dietary and lifestyle inflammation score (DLIS) with T2DM and cardiometabolic risk factors among Iranian adults. In this study, we identified and recruited 619 patients with T2DM and 2113 without T2DM from 35 to 75 years old men and women in the baseline phase of the Sabzevar Persian Cohort Study. Using a validated 115-item semi-quantitative FFQ, we calculated a 19-component DIS and a 3-component LIS weighted by circulating inflammation biomarkers. The DIS, LIS and DLIS associations with diabetes were assessed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The average age of the participants was 48·29 (sd 8·53) (without T2DM: 47·66 (sd 8·42); with T2DM: 50·44 (sd 8·57)). Individuals in the highest compared with the lowest tertiles of DLIS (OR: 3·40; 95 % CI 2·65, 4·35; P trend < 0·001), DIS (OR: 3·41; 95 % CI 2·66, 4·38; P trend < 0·001) and LIS (OR: 1·15; 95 % CI 0·90, 1·46; P trend = 0·521) had an increased risk of T2DM. For those in the highest relative to the lowest joint DIS and LIS tertiles, the results were OR: 3·37; 95 % CI 2·13, 5·32; P interaction < 0·001. No significant associations were found between DLIS and cardiometabolic risk factors, including blood pressure, liver enzymes and glycaemic and lipid profiles, except for waist circumference (P < 0·001) and waist-to-hip ratio (P = 0·010). A higher DIS and DLIS score was associated with a higher risk of T2DM, while the LIS score was not associated with T2DM risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of group prenatal care (GPNC) on the empowerment of pregnant adolescents. Methods: In this trial, 294 pregnant adolescents (aged 15-19 years) were randomly assigned into the GPNC (n = 147) and individual prenatal care (IPNC; n = 147) groups, where they received 5 sessions of GPNC (90-120 min) and IPNC, respectively, between the 16th and 40th weeks of pregnancy. The empowerment of participants in the two groups was measured using the Empowerment Scale for Pregnant Women. Data were analysed using various tests. Results: The mean total score of pregnant women's empowerment in both groups after the intervention was 86.46 ± 4.95 and 81.89 ± 4.75, respectively (β = 6.11, 95% confidence interval: 4.89, 7.33; P <0.0001). Conclusion: GPNC can improve pregnant adolescent empowerment. The current study's results can provide a foundation for implementing the GPNC model in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with knee osteoarthritis have a low quality of life due to joint pain and stiffness, severely limiting their daily activities. This study aims to investigate the impact of self-acupressure on the pain, joint stiffness, and physical functioning of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 78 patients aged 50 to 70 with knee osteoarthritis, referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital and private orthopedic clinics in Ahvaz City, Iran, in 2018. The patients were recruited based on the inclusion criteria and then randomly assigned to three groups: self-acupressure (n=26), sham (n=26), and control (n=26). Patients in the intervention group applied daily self-acupressure to 5 specific points around their knees for 8 consecutive weeks. The sham group applied pressure on the points different from those used by the intervention group. The control group received no intervention. The study data were collected using the Western Ontario and McMaster osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), visual analog scale (VAS), and a checklist for daily recordings of pain medication. The obtained data were analyzed using the chi-square test and analysis of variance in SPSS software, version 20. The significance level was set at P<0.05. Results: The comparison of changes within the group showed that the intensity of pain in the intervention group decreased over time (P<0.0001). Also, the joint stiffness, physical functioning, and total WOMAC score significantly decreased in the intervention group (P<0.0001). The frequency of analgesic use was also reduced in the intervention group over time (P=0.026). Conclusion: According to the results, self-acupressure effectively reduces the intensity of pain and joint stiffness and improves the physical performance of older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Overall, this easy and affordable intervention is recommended for this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a theory of goal attainment–based care plan on quality of life among patients with myocardial infarction. One hundred two patients were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group received a theory of goal attainment–based care plan during their hospital stay and a two-month follow-up assessment after hospital discharge. Quality of life was assessed using the Persian version of the MacNew Heart Disease Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaire. Despite no significant difference between the groups with respect to the pretest mean scores of quality of life and its dimensions (p >.05), the posttest mean scores of quality of life and its dimensions in the intervention group were significantly greater than those of the control group (p <.001). Moreover, while the mean scores of quality of life and its dimensions significantly increased in the intervention group (p <.001), they did not significantly change in the control group (p >.05), except for the mean score of physical functioning (p =.032). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]