Significant Difference In Total Score Research Articles

Age-related Changes in Word Defining Abilities in Concrete and Abstract Nouns with Normal Elderly

본 연구는 일반노년층을 대상으로 단어정의하기 과제를 실시하여, 노화에 따른 구체명사와 추상명사의 단어정의하기 능력 변화를 살펴보았다. 대상자는 55~64세, 65~74세, 75~84세, 85세 이상의 네 개 연령집단으로 분류된 총 382명의 일반노인들이었다. 5개의 구체명사와 5개의 추상명사로 구성된 단어정의하기 과제를 실시하여, 단어정의 점수, 주요의미/부수의미의 개수 및 비율, 오류유형을 분석하였다. 연구 결과 구체명사의 정의점수, 주요의미/부수의미의 개수 및 비율은 네 집단 간 차이가 모두 유의하였다. 추상명사의 경우, 높은 연령집단인 75~84세와 85세 이상 집단 간 차이를 제외한 모든 연령집단 간 차이가 통계적으로 유의하였다. 오류의 산출빈도는 85세 이상 집단에서 급격한 증가를 보였으며 오류유형의 산출비율은 55~64세, 65~74세 집단에서 개인적 경험 오류, 75~84세 집단에서 목표어휘 반복 오류, 85세 이상 집단에서 무반응 오류가 가장 높았다. 이러한 결과는 구체명사와 추상명사 모두 노화가 진행됨에 따라 의미망 내에서의 어휘 및 의미자질들의 확산적 활성화가 제한되어 주요의미와 부수의미의 개수가 감소하고 이로 인해 단어에 대한 정의 내용 또한 빈약해진다는 것을 의미한다. 또한 연령이 높은 집단일수록 의미망 내에서 목표어휘와 가까운 거리에 있는 주요의미의 비율이 증가하였다. 본 연구는 다양한 연령대의 노인집단을 대상으로 단어정의하기 능력을 살펴보아, 노화에 따른 언어능력 특성을 제시하였다는 점에 의의가 있다.The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of defining concrete and abstract nouns for the elderly. A total of 382 elderly participated in this study and they were classified into four age groups (i.e., over 55 to under 64, over 65 to under 74, over 75 to under 84, and over 85 year-old group). They performed the word definition task, composed of five concrete and five abstract nouns. The total scores and numbers and ratio of core/supplementary meanings were compared among four elderly groups. The frequency and ratio of error types were also examined. The results showed that all four groups had statistically significant differences in total scores, numbers and ratio of core and supplementary meaning of concrete noun definition task. In addition, abstract noun definition performances revealed group differences except the two groups (over 75 to under 84 and over 85-year-old group). The oldest group showed a sharp increase in error production. The highest ratio of error types were personal experience in over 55 to under 64-year-old group, and over 65 to under 74 year-old groups; and for the target word repetition in over 75 to under 84 year-old group; and no response in over 85 year-old group. In conclusion, both concrete and abstract word defining abilities had age-related deterioration. This decline results from impairment in spreading semantic knowledge within semantic network, which is vulnerable to aging. Characteristics of word definition for elderly can provide basic information to understand various neurolinguistic disorders associated with age.

Pre-professional students’ explicit syntax knowledge: Preliminary analysis

Existing research concludes that educators have varying levels of language knowledge. Educators’ varying levels of language knowledge may be related to the type of content knowledge they received while in school. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of pre-professional speech-language pathology (SLP) students who have taken language development coursework to pre-professional students who have not taken language development coursework on an explicit syntax knowledge task. Forty-four undergraduate and graduate students from speech language pathology, early childhood education, and education majors completed a 52 question explicit syntax knowledge task comprised of matching, counting, expressive, and receptive subtests. Pre-professional students performed the best on the expressive subtest, followed by the matching subtest, the receptive subtest, and the counting subtest. There was not a significant difference in total score, matching/counting composite score, or express/receptive composite score between pre-professional SLP students who have taken language development coursework and pre-professional students who have not taken language development coursework. The results suggest that language development coursework may not provide enough direct instruction about the structure of language, or at least not at the level that could provide pre-professional students with explicit syntax knowledge. This study contributes to the growing body of research investigating pre-professional students’ and educators’ explicit knowledge of language and the effects of coursework on that knowledge.

The compare of early maladaptive schemas, emotion regulation and general health in offender prisoner men and normal group men

ObjectThe aim of this study was to compare early maladaptive schemas, emotion regulation and general health in offender prisoner men and normal group men.MethodsThe study method was causal – comparative (ex post facto). Participants included two groups: (1) all of offender prisoner men (n = 47) in Fooman jail and (2) normal group men (n = 47) in Fooman. Both groups were matched for age, occupation and education. All of the participants completed Young maladaptive schema questionnaire (Y MSQ), cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire (CERQ-P) and general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) individually. Data were analysed using independent t-test and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).FindingThere was significant difference between two groups in total score of early maladaptive schema questionnaire and also in its subscales included abandonment, impaired autonomy/performance, impaired limits, other – directedness, over vigilance/inhibition, emotional inhibition (P < 0/01). The general health was different between groups, too. In addition, while groups showed significant difference in total score of emotion regulation and one of the subscales (rumination), no significant difference was explored between groups in self-blame, acceptance, positive refocusing, planning refocusing, positive re-evaluation, perspective taking, catastrophizing and others blame.ConclusionSignificant differences between the two groups in terms of general health, schema dimensions and emotional regulation dimensions suggest that dysfunctional schemas, maladaptive emotional strategies and low general health could be involved in criminal behaviour.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

M61. Data-Driven Approach Identified Functionally and Physiologically Distinct Psychosis Subtypes

Background: Unlike diagnoses in other branches of medicine, current classification of psychiatric disorders relies on phenomenological observations, despite the increasing evidence pointing to superior characterization by physiological-based markers. Common risk genes, symptoms, and medications had been found between patients traditionally diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective, and bipolar disorder with psychosis. To address this issue, and to ultimately achieve customizable treatment plans for illnesses with psychotic features, identification of biomarkers for psychosis and their criteria is essential. Methods: Part of Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes (B-SNIP), the present study was conducted in continuation of previous work that identified psychosis Biotypes (Clementz et al., 2016), and it included 709 probands with psychotic features and 342 control subjects. In addition to the biomarker panel used in Clementz et al. (2016), this iteration included additional biomarkers capturing variance in ocular motor performance, inhibition, and cognitive control. Similar multivariate analysis procedures were used. Birchwood Social Functioning Scale and structural MRI characteristics from Freesurfer analyses were used as validators of cluster membership. Results: On average, probands showed lower cognitive performance, lower accuracy to motor tasks, and lower EEG power to auditory stimuli than controls. Interestingly, these anomalies were not ubiquitous among the probands. From within-task principle component analysis (PCA) and k-means clustering, 4 (rather than 3 as previously reported by Clementz et al.) phenotypically distinct proband groups emerged: Group 4 had hyperactive motor response and low cognitive control; Group 3 showed normal cognition and motor control but abnormally low EEG amplitude in response to auditory stimuli; Group 2 was slow in motor tasks combined with poor cognitive control, and Group 1 performed more similarly to controls across tasks. Social functioning scale confirmed with these findings: a significant difference in total score was found between groups, with Group 1 scoring similarly to control subjects, higher than the other 3 (F(3, 560) = 3.882, P = .009). Various cortical regions involved in motor and executive functions, including middle temporal and superior frontal areas, showed drastic differences in volume and thickness across groups (all Ps < .001). Conclusion: Four clusters within probands showing non-unified structural differences, increments in cognitive deficits, and low reactivity to auditory inputs in only one group suggested a high degree of heterogeneity among psychotic populations that does not necessarily conform to traditional diagnoses. Investigation to psychosis phenotypes at network and circuit level will help further discern disease subtypes and refine diagnoses and prescription guidelines.

Comparison of Risperidone and Melatonin Effects in Methylphenidate Treated Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder for Treatment of Sleep Disorders

Objectives: Some studies reported a significant improvement in sleep parameters by melatonin therapy in children with ADHD. Utilizing risperidone along with stimulants is another pharmacologic approach for ADHD treatment. In this study we investigated the effect of melatonin and risperidone on sleep disorders in children with ADHD and compared their effectiveness as well. Methods & Methods: 29 patient aged 6 years to 12 years old with ADHD were randomly divided into two groups based on file number: either received melatonin (3 mg to 6 mg) combined with Ritalin or received risperidone (0.25mg to 0.5 mg) combined with Ritalin in a single blind randomized clinical trial. Assessments were performed at baseline and were repeated at 2 and 4 weeks after beginning of the treatment. Results: In risperidone group significant differences has been found in total score of sleep disorders (P=0.000), sleep onset and maintenance score (P=0.000), Sleep-wake transition disorders (P=0.000), but no significant differences in breathing (P=0.104), and hyperhidrosis (P=0.105) and excessive daytime sleepiness score (p=0.065), and in arousal group after 2 weeks (p=0.027) and after 4 weeks (p=0.150). comparison of melatonin group in different weeks (Base line with 2 and 4 weeks after treatment), show significant differences in total score of sleep disorders (P=0.000), sleep onset and maintenance score (P=0.000), Sleep-wake transition disorders (P=0.003), excessive daytime sleepiness (P=0.004), but no significant differences in breathing (P=0.068) and arousal (P=0.218) and hyperhydrosis score (P=0.336). Conclusion: The results showed the equal effect of risperidone and melatonin. It can be concluded that the risperidone has the same effect of melatonin in the treatment of sleep disorders in children with ADHD.

La teoría de la mente como proceso mediador del funcionamiento social. Evaluación en el Síndrome de Turner.

The theory of mind is the ability to infer other people´s mind. Turner´s Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder characterized by an atypical development of certain brain areas involved in social cognitive processes, existing empirical evidence that support woman with this diagnosis present impairments in specific aspects involved in social functioning. Aim: characterize Theory of Mind in women with diagnosis of Turner´s Syndrome. Sample: 20 women with diagnosis of Turner´s Syndrome and its respective control cases. Methods: Metaphoric Communications and Strange Stories of Happe. Results and discussion: statistically significant differences were found between women with diagnosis of TS and their control group in many of the sub dimensions of strange stories, obtaining, significant differences in total score, with high effect magnitude. The social difficulties in women with diagnosis of Turner´s Syndrome may be associated to an impairment in Theory of Mind related to recognition of non-literal senses, implying a dephasing in the pragmatic aspects of social communication.

The effect of reflexology on quality of life in Iranian patients with breast cancer.

90 Background: Breast cancer is one the most prevalent cancers among Iranian women. One of the complementary therapies is reflexology. The extant paper has been provided with the objective of determining the effect of reflexology on quality of life of patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in the breast disease center. Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial which has been applied to 60 patients suffering from breast cancer under chemotherapy in breast diseases center, in 2012. The patients were selected randomly in three test, control and placebo groups. In test group, reflexology was implemented for 3 weeks and each session lasted half an hour. In placebo group, only relaxation techniques were implemented for 3 weeks, each session lasted 20-30 minutes. Control group received the routine therapies of breast cancer center. Results: Data were collected by standard questionnaires of EORTIC QLQ-C30.V.3 and EORTIC QLQ-BR23.V.3. The questionnaires were filled before intervention and two weeks after applying study. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics or quality of life score of three groups, before intervention. Total score of quality of life was higher in interventional group compared to placebo group before and two weeks after intervention (p &lt; 0.001) Results also indicated a significant difference in total score of quality of life between three test, placebo, and control groups after intervention (p &lt; 0.001). A considerable improvement was noticed in the different aspects of quality of life in the test group compared to two other placebo and control groups. Conclusions: Reduction of pain, anxiety, nausea, and other symptoms related to cancer in patients suffering from cancer are assumed as the important cases of nursing cares focus, and precise nursing may diminish these symptoms considerably. Using reflexology in patients suffering from breast cancer may improve the quality of life as an effective method, and can be recommended for use in patients with breast cancer if it is supervised by health system personnel.

Organizational Commitment of Para-Medical Staff with reference to Marital Status

&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;The commitment of Para-medical employees contributes significantly to the success of hospital organization. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;The present study attempts to analyze an organizational commitment marital status of Para-medical employees. The data have been collected from eight cities, comprising of four zones of India. The study uses a stratified sampling method in which 219 Para-medical employees from 32 hospitals have responded. This study uses the well known instrument - ACN scale developed by Allen and Meyer (1997). &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;The result indicated that there is no significant difference in total score of commitment, affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment with reference to marital status. The reasons have been discussed subsequently. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

Body Dysmorphic Symptoms Scale for patients seeking esthetic surgery: cross-cultural validation study.

Rhinoplasty is one of the most sought-after esthetic operations among individuals with body dysmorphic disorder. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate the Body Dysmorphic Symptoms Scale. Cross-cultural validation study conducted in a plastic surgery outpatient clinic of a public university hospital. Between February 2014 and March 2015, 80 consecutive patients of both sexes seeking rhinoplasty were selected. Thirty of them participated in the phase of cultural adaptation of the instrument. Reproducibility was tested on 20 patients and construct validity was assessed on 50 patients, with correlation against the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. The Brazilian version of the instrument showed Cronbach's alpha of 0.805 and excellent inter-rater reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.873; P < 0.001) and intra-rater reproducibility (ICC = 0.939; P < 0.001). Significant differences in total scores were found between patients with and without symptoms (P < 0.001). A strong correlation (r = 0.841; P < 0.001) was observed between the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale for Body Dysmorphic Disorder and the Body Dysmorphic Symptoms Scale. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.981, thus showing good accuracy for discriminating between presence and absence of symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder. Forty-six percent of the patients had body dysmorphic symptoms and 54% had moderate to severe appearance-related obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The Brazilian version of the Body Dysmorphic Symptoms Scale is a reproducible instrument that presents face, content and construct validity.

Laser acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for spastic cerebral palsy in children.

Laser acupuncture is widely used as an alternative line of treatment in several chronic pediatric diseases. To investigate whether biostimulation by low-level laser on acupuncture points adds a clinical benefit to conventional physiotherapy in hemiplegic spastic cerebral palsy (CP) children. Forty spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy children by age 1-4years were chosen from the pediatric outpatient clinic of the National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences (NILES), Cairo University, and Menofyia University hospitals. They were randomly divided into control and study groups; 20 children each. Both groups received physiotherapy for 3months, while only the study group also received laser acupuncture (low-level laser 650nm with 50mW power was applied at each acupoint for 30s giving an energy density of 1.8J/cm(2)). Preassessment and postassessment of muscle tone, the range of motion (ROM), and gross motor function measurements (GMFMs) were obtained, and the results were statistically analyzed. Comparison between posttreatment measures for the control vs. study groups showed significant difference in muscle tone (wrist flexors and plantar flexors) in favor of the study group, while range of motion showed no significant differences. GMFM showed no significant difference in total score while there was a significant difference in goal total score (sum of % scores for each dimension identified as goal area divided by number of goal areas) in favor of the study group. Laser acupuncture has a beneficial effect on reducing spasticity in spastic cerebral palsy and may be helpful in improving their movement.

Sexual dysfunction in infertile women

Sexual problems have different effects on the life of people by influencing their interpersonal and marital relationships and satisfaction. Relationship between sexual dysfunctions and infertility can be mutual. Sexual dysfunction may cause difficulty conceiving but also attempts to conceive, may cause sexual dysfunction. This paper compares sexual dysfunction in fertile and infertile women. In this cross-sectional study, 110 infertile couples referring to Montasarieh Infertility Clinic and 110 fertile couples referring to five healthcare centers in Mashhad were selected by class cluster sampling method. Data collection tools included demographic questionnaire and Glombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction. Data were analyzed through descriptive and analytical statistical methods by SPSS. There was no significant difference in total score of sexual problems and other dimensions of sexual problems (except infrequency) in fertile 28.9 (15.5) and infertile 29.0 (15.4) women. Fertile women had more infrequency than infertile women (p=0.002). There was no significant difference between fertile and infertile women in terms of sexual problems. Paying attention to sexual aspects of infertility and presence of programs for training of sexual skills seems necessary for couples.

한국어판 사회적 의사소통 설문지 타당화 연구

Objectives : The purposes of this study were to examine the reliability and validity of the Korean version of Social Communication Questionnaire (K-SCQ) and to determine cut-off scores for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods : A total of 166 subjects with ASD and their 186 unaffected siblings were recruited through child psychiatry clinics of university hospitals. Board certified child psychiatrists screened all probands suspected to have ASD based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition. To confirm the diagnoses, the Korean versions of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (K-ADI-R) were administered to all the subjects. All parents completed the K-SCQ and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). The non-ASD siblings were evaluated with the same instruments as the probands with ASD. We performed a factor analysis to examine the structure of K-SCQ. For testing the validity of K-SCQ, we compared the difference in Lifetime and Current scores of probands with ASD and their non-ASD siblings using t-test and analysis of covariance. Correlations between the K-SCQ and other measurements of ASD symptomatology, including K-ADI-R totals and domain scores and SRS, were examined. Receiver operation characteristic curve analysis was performed to extract cutoff scores discriminating affection status. Results : Four factors were extracted through factor analysis of K-SCQ ; 1) social relation and play, 2) stereotyped behavior, 3) social behavior, and 4) abnormal language. Cronbach's internal consistency was .95 in K-SCQ Lifetime, and .93 in K-SCQ Current. There were significant differences in total score of K-SCQ, both in Lifetime and Current between the ASD group and non-ASD siblings group (p<.05). K-SCQ scores were significantly correlated with K-ADI-R subdomain scores and SRS total scores (p<.05). The best-estimate cut-off scores of K-SCQ for diagnosis of ASD were 12 for 48 months and over, and 10 for below 47 months. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that the K-SCQ is a reliable and valid instrument for screening autistic symptoms in the Korean population. Lower cut-off scores than the original English version might be considered when using it as a screening instrument of ASD.

In vitro and in vivo assessment of the genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of the Filipendula hexapetala and Filipendula ulmaria methanol extracts

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe two species of Filipendula genus, Filipendula hexapetala Gilib. and Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim are a traditional herbal medicine widely used to treat haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, fever, rheumatism and arthritic pain, kidney problems, to stop bleeding, and the common cold, as well as food supplements. However, no scientific study has been performed to validate genotoxic and/or antigenotoxic potentials of these two Filipendula species. Aim of the studyThe aim of the present study was to examine the genotoxic and possible in vitro and in vivo DNA protection potential of methanol extracts of F. hexapetala and F. ulmaria. Materials and methodsThe genotoxicity of different concentrations of F. hexapetala and F. ulmaria methanol extracts from roots and aerial parts (20, 40 and 80mg/ml), mixed with standard food for Drosophila, was evaluated in vivo in the anterior midgut of Drosophila melanogaster using a modified alkaline comet assay. The protective effects of the highest dose of extracts were observed in somatic cells of third-instar larvae against ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS)-induced genotoxicity. Also, DNA protection activity of methanol extracts from F. hexapetala and F. ulmaria (100, 200, and 400μg/ml) against hydroxyl radical-induced DNA damage was determined under in vitro conditions. ResultsThe results showed that methanol extracts from the root and aerial part of F. hexapetala at a concentration of 20mg/ml indicated the absence of genotoxicity. Also, there were no statistically significant differences in total scores between any of the groups treated with F. ulmaria root extract and the negative control group, while F. ulmaria aerial part extract possess weak genotoxic effects depending on the concentrations. The percentage reduction in DNA damage was more evident in the group of larvae simultaneously treated with EMS and the highest dose of F. hexapetala root or aerial part extracts and F. ulmaria root extract (91.02, 80.21, and 87.5%, respectively) and less expressive in the group simultaneously treated with F. ulmaria aerial part extract (54.7%). F. hexapetala root and aerial part extracts and F. ulmaria root extract possess strong capabilities to protect DNA from being damaged by hydroxyl radicals. ConclusionsIt can be concluded that F. hexapetala root and aerial part extracts and F. ulmaria root extract demonstrated the absence of genotoxic activity. The extracts appeared to have antigenotoxic effect, reducing the levels of DNA damage induced by EMS by more than 80%. Also, F. hexapetala root and aerial part extracts and F. ulmaria root extracts could effectively protect against hydroxyl radical-induced DNA damage.

Cognitive distortion among psychiatric patients

The aim of the current study was to identify the level of cognitive distortions among the patients suffering from psychiatric disorder according to age, gender and educational qualification. Cross sectional survey method was followed, using Bangladesh Cognitive Distortion Scale (BCDS, Siddika and Chowdhury, 2013) on 239 patients, suffering from anxiety and depression for assessing cognitive distortion. Among the psychiatric patients 86.2% respondents found to have clinical level of cognitive distortion. Analysis revealed that there is no significant difference in cognitive distortion according to different age groups and gender. But regarding educational qualification, there is significant difference of total score of Bangladesh cognitive distortion scale (p &gt; 0.01) and it is higher among low literate respondents (non institutional to class 5) than high literate.&#x0D; Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 24(2): 191-198, 2015 (July)

Longitudinal Impact on Quality of Life for School-aged Children with Amblyopia Treatment: Perspective from Children

Background: To evaluate the longitudinal impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) during amblyopia treatment for school-aged children from children’s perspective.Methods: School-aged children prescribed amblyopia treatment for the first time were recruited into the current study. Using a questionnaire, subjects’ HRQOL was assessed before patching treatment, and at 8 weeks and 16 weeks after the commencement of patching treatment. Evaluation of visual function and psychosocial aspect was included in the questionnaire. Visual acuity and demographic data of the subjects were recorded.Results: Forty-four children, aged 7–12 years, with anisometropic amblyopia were included in the study. Visual acuity in the amblyopic eye improved 1.90 (0.41–3.74) and 3.98 (2.22–5.11) lines at follow-up weeks 8 and 16, respectively. Both the total score and subscales of the questionnaire were reduced at the first follow-up and recovered at the second follow-up. Scores at week 16 were higher than those before treatment in the psychosocial aspect (p = 0.003), and lower in the visual function aspect (p < 0.001), without significant difference in total score (p = 0.207). Visual acuity in the amblyopic eye and psychosocial expectations for treatment were the most important factors that influenced HRQOL during treatment.Conclusions: From the children’s perspective, the impacts on visual function and psychosocial aspect were significant in the first two months of treatment, and could be adapted during therapy for school-aged children. More attention should be paid to negative effects of treatment on daily life and study at the stage of amblyopia treatment for school-aged children. Meanwhile, necessary precautions should be taken to help reduce the impacts.

The Effect of Swedish Massage on Relieving Fatigue of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Undergoing Chemotherapy

Background: Fatigue is the most annoying side effect of cancer treatment in children who experience it from the time of diagnosis till conclusion of therapy. About 75% to 90% of children undergoing chemotherapy suffer from this complication. To relieve this problem, massage therapy is recommended which is the most widely applied adjuvant therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Swedish massage on fatigue relieve in children aged 7-12 years suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who are undergoing chemotherapy at the Children’s Medical Center of Tehran, Iran. Methods: In this clinical trial, 50 children with ALL undergoing chemotherapy were assigned into 2 groups of intervention and control. First, the severity of fatigue in both groups was measured employing a child fatigue scale questionnaire. Then, in the intervention group, the Swedish massage with the effleurage technique was applied by the child’s mother daily for 4 weeks. The fatigue in both groups was measured at the end of each week. The obtained data were analyzed, using descriptive and inferential statistics (repeated measures analysis). Results: Indicated a significant difference in total score of quality of life and the mean score of fatigue between two groups after intervention (P<0.001). The mean score of fatigue intensity and total score of quality of life, had significant decrease in experimental group than control group after intervention. Conclusion: Considering the results of this study, applying the Swedish massage by the mother as a supplemental and non-invasive intervention can be effective in reducing fatigue in children suffering from ALL who are undergoing chemotherapy. A B S T R A C T

Iminodibenzyl class antipsychotics for schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of carpipramine, clocapramine, and mosapramine.

BackgroundWe conducted a meta-analysis of the iminodibenzyl antipsychotics carpipramine, clocapramine, and mosapramine, which are classified as second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) for schizophrenia treatment.MethodsWe searched data that had been published in PubMed, the Cochrane Library databases, PsycINFO, CiNii, and the Japan Medical s Society up to August 29, 2014. Randomized controlled trials that compared iminodibenzyl antipsychotics with other antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia were included. Odds ratios and standardized mean differences were evaluated.ResultsWe included four randomized controlled trials on carpipramine (number of patients [n]=290), six on clocapramine (n=1,048), and five on mosapramine (n=986) in the meta-analysis. There were no significant differences in the response rates or in the discontinuation rates either between carpipramine and the other pooled antipsychotics or between clocapramine and the other pooled antipsychotics. On the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, mosapramine’s positive subscale scores were superior to those of the other pooled antipsychotics (standard mean of difference =−0.22); however, on that same scale, there were no significant differences in total scores, negative scores, general subscale scores, response rates, or the discontinuation rates between mosapramine and the other pooled antipsychotics. Furthermore, the incidences of extrapyramidal symptoms and of hyperprolactinemia were significantly greater with mosapramine than with the other pooled antipsychotics.ConclusionThe pharmacological profiles of carpipramine and clocapramine, which are classified as SGAs, were similar to those of first-generation antipsychotics because there were no significant differences in efficacy and safety outcomes. However, mosapramine was associated with a greater risk of extrapyramidal symptoms and hyperprolactinemia than the other SGAs were, although it may be beneficial for the improvement of positive symptoms.

Effect of hypnotherapy on smoking cessation among secondary school students

Background: Hypnotherapy is widely promoted as a method for aiding smoking cessation. It is proposed to act on underlying impulses to weaken the desire to smoke or strengthen the will to stop. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of hypnotherapy on smoking cessation among secondary school students. Method: A random sample of 59 male smokers was selected from two governmental secondary schools. Design: A quasi- experimental design was used. Tools: Data were collected using; A- an Interview Questionnaire included; I- smoking assessment tool to determine the smoking rate among males students. II-Characteristics of studied students regarding smoking pattern. III- Smoking Cessation Questionnaire. B- Wisconsin smoking withdrawal scale. The hypnotherapy was implemented after assessing the rate of male smokers, the researchers trained the students in practicing self hypnosis, and asked them to practice it at home and to document the frequency of daily smoked packs for nine weeks. Results: The present study findings indicated that the rate of male smokers among secondary school students in Beni-Suef city was 52.4%, about two third of studied students (65.4%) stopped smoking after nine weeks of practicing hypnosis and the percentage of smoked packs of cigarettes/ day decreased after implementing the program. Conclusion: The present study findings showed that hypnotherapy has a therapeutic effectiveness in achieving a high rate of smoking cessation among secondary school students. There was a highly significant difference in total score of smoking withdrawal index before and after intervention. Recommendation: Community and school education programs should include sessions on quitting smoking, implementing school-based interventions in combination with antitobacco mass media campaigns.

Physiotherapy and physical functioning post-stroke: Exercise habits and functioning 4 years later? Long-term follow-up after a 1-year long-term intervention period: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Physical activity is mandatory if patients are to remain healthy and independent after stroke.Objective: Maintenance of motor function, tone, grip strength, balance, mobility, gait, independence in personal and instrumental activities of daily living, health-related quality-of-life and an active lifestyle 4 years post-stroke.Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial.Results: Four years post-stroke, 37 of the 75 participating persons were eligible for follow-up; 19 (54.3%) from the intensive exercise group and 18 (45%) from the regular exercise group. Both groups were performing equally well with no significant differences in total scores on the BI (p = 0.3), MAS (p = 0.4), BBS (p = 0.1), TUG (p = 0.08), 6MWT (p = 0.1), bilateral grip strength (affected hand, p = 0.8; non-affected hand, p = 0.9) nor in the items of NHP (p > 0.005). Independence in performing the IADL was 40%, while 60% had help from relatives or community-based services.Conclusion: This longitudinal study shows that persons with stroke in two groups with different exercise regimes during the first year after stroke did not differ in long-term outcomes. Both groups maintained function and had a relatively active life style 4 years after the acute incident. The results underline the importance of follow-up testing and encouragement to exercise, to motivate and sustain physical activity patterns, to maintain physical function, not only in the acute but also in the chronic phase of stroke.

Psychosocial and contextual determinants of health among infertile women: A cross-cultural study

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of emotional intelligence, social support and contextual factors on the general health of infertile women. A sample of involuntarily childless women aged 25–45 living in the UK (n = 148) and Pakistan (n = 164) completed a self-administered questionnaire. Although there were no significant differences in total scores on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), British women reported greater anxiety, insomnia and social dysfunction, and Pakistani women reported greater depression and somatic symptoms. Important differences in putative correlates of GHQ scores were found between the samples. British women reported significantly greater emotional satisfaction, greater satisfaction with medical information, greater satisfaction with medical care, and greater actual received support Pakistani women reported greater emotional intelligence. Regression analysis to identify correlates of higher GHQ scores revealed that greater received social support was a common correlate of better GHQ scores among British and Pakistani women. Additional correlates of better GHQ scores among British women were greater emotional intelligence and more emotional satisfaction in their relationships (overall R2 = 0.41). Additional correlates among Pakistani women were greater education, greater perceived available social support and a nuclear family system rather than an extended family (overall R2 =0. 40). Results suggest that psychological facets of infertility should be addressed as part of a holistic approach to the care of infertile women. They highlight a need to improve social support and to incorporate emotional intelligence training in therapeutic interventions to improve the psychological well-being of infertile women.