Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2023 | Volume:22 | Issue:6|Papers Count:9

Background and Objectives: Ethanol has shown strong neurodegenerative consequences in brain that are associated with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of silymarin on oxidative stress, anxiety, and learning disorder induced by ethanol in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 35 male Wistar rats with 200gr average weight were divided into five groups. The control group and four groups that received 4 gr/kg ethanol for 14 days. Three treatment groups were treated with doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg silymarin for 14 days, respectively. Cognitive impairment and anxiety were assessed. The average activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes and glutathione (GSH) level in the hippocampus were also assessed. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Turkey’s post hoc test. Results: Ethanol consumption significantly decreased the discrimination index (p<0. 001), the percentage of open arm time (%OAT) (p<0. 001), and the percentage of open arm entry (%OAE) (p=0. 007) compared to the control group. Also, it reduced the activity of antioxidants catalase (p<0. 001), superoxide dismutase (p=0. 002), and glutathione level (p<0. 001) compared to the control group, while silymarin consumption with dose 150 mg/kg significantly increased the discrimination index, OAE (p=0. 022), and OAT (p=0. 023) compared to the ethanol group. Also, it increased antioxidant activity of catalase (p=0. 008), superoxide dismutase (p=0. 030), and glutathione (p<0. 001) compared to the ethanol group. Conclusion: Silymarin may protect the hippocampus against behavioral disorder induced by ethanol consumption by increasing the level of antioxidants.

Background and Objectives: Patients with dyspepsia suffer from psychological problems that require therapeutic interventions. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of cognitive therapy based on mindfulness on cognitive flexibility and psychological disturbance in patients with dyspepsia. Materials and Methods: The current research was quasi-experimental with a pretest and posttest design and a control group. The statistical population included patients aged 25 to 50 years with dyspepsia diagnosed at Tuba Gastroenterology Clinic in Sari and Qaim Shahr Cities in 2020. Thirty patients were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly (lottery) assigned in an experimental group (15 people) and a control group (15 people). The experimental group received cognitive therapy based on mindfulness (8 sessions), once a week for 90 minutes, and the control group did not receive training. Data collection was done using Dennis and Vander Wal's Cognitive Flexibility Questionnaire and Lovibond's Psychological Disturbance Questionnaire. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze the data. Results: According to the results of this research, cognitive therapy based on mindfulness had an effect on cognitive flexibility and psychological disturbance in patients with dyspepsia (p<0. 001). The mean and standard deviation of the experimental group's cognitive flexibility in the pretest was 47. 53±5. 11 and in the posttest 61. 80±7. 23 and the psychological disturbance of the experimental group in the pretest was 59. 40±6. 38 and in the posttest 44. 35±4. 28 (p<0. 001). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that cognitive therapy based on mindfulness is effective on cognitive flexibility and psychological disturbance in patients with dyspepsia. Therefore, the use of cognitive therapy approach based on mindfulness is recommended by counselors and therapists to reduce the psychological problems of patients with dyspepsia.

Background and Objectives: Suicidal thoughts have been increasing in recent years, and having multiple intelligences, including spiritual intelligence and aesthetic intelligence, can be effective in reducing them. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between spiritual intelligence and aesthetic intelligence and suicidal thoughts in the students of Asadabad School of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the academic year 2022-2023 on the students of the School of Medical Sciences of Asadabad City. The statistical population included 267 students of Asadabad School of Medical Sciences, who were investigated by census. Data collection tools were Beck's Suicidal Thoughts, King's Spiritual Intelligence and Aesthetic Intelligence Questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Tukey's post hoc test, and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results: A total of 165 people participated in the study. The results showed that the mean scores of all variables in the group with suicidal thoughts were significantly lower than the group without suicidal thoughts (p<0. 05). No significant difference was observed between male and female students in terms of suicidal thoughts (p=0. 155). Also, in the examination of the average scores of aesthetic intelligence and dimensions of spiritual intelligence, only the average of the personal meaning generation dimension among students had a significant difference (p=0. 046). Conclusion: The results showed that the higher aesthetic intelligence and spiritual intelligence people have, the less self-harming behaviors they probably have. Therefore, it is recommended to apply preventive policies in the form of educational workshops in the university in order to strengthen the spiritual intelligence and aesthetic intelligence of students.

Background and Objectives: Infertility is a difficult crisis in life, which is psychologically threatening and emotionally stressful, and couples' compatibility, intimacy, and sexual performance are exposed to damage. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of emotion-oriented therapy with reality therapy on increasing compatibility, marital intimacy, and sexual performance of infertile women. Materials and Methods: The present study was a qusai-experimental group-based study (two experimental groups and one per-control group) in the form of a pretest-posttest design. A number of 45 infertile women in Isfahan Province in 2022 were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly placed in 15 groups of emotionally oriented therapy, reality therapy, and control. The experimental groups received emotional therapy in 8 sessions of 90 minutes once a week and reality therapy in 8 sessions of 60 minutes once a week, respectively. The control group did not receive any intervention. In order to collect data, the questionnaires of the Spanier's Marital Compatibility, Rozenhan’s Sexual Performance, and Walker's Intimacy were used. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results: The results showed that in comparison with the control group, each treatment method had a significant effect on compatibility, intimacy, and sexual performance of infertile women (p<0. 001). Also, emotional therapy had a greater effect on the research variables than reality therapy (p<0. 001). Conclusion: The results showed that in addition to emotion-oriented therapy, reality therapy also had an effect on increasing the compatibility, intimacy, and sexual performance of infertile women. Therefore, health professionals can use the two mentioned methods along with other effective methods to improve health-related characteristics.

Background and Objectives: Long-term pain experience and pain-related time beliefs are key factors for understanding pain experience and patients' psychological distress. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between mental health and chronic pain in children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: In this review research, using the English keywords chronic pain, chronic back pain, chronic headache, abdominal pain, neck pain, multiple pain, musculoskeletal pain, children, adolescents, and mental health, databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ISI, Scopus, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched in the period 2000 (from January) to 2022 (until November). Results: The studies conducted showed that the prevalence of chronic pain was 4%-60% in children and adolescents, and abdominal pain, headache, back pain, and multiple pains were more common. Patients with depression, anxiety, fear, stress, pain catastrophizing, emotional ataxia, psychological distress, aggression, behavioral problems, and cognitive disorders had more severe chronic pain. On the other hand, factors such as favorable socio-economic status, quality of life related to health, good sleep quality, social communication, physical activity, resilience, and cognitive flexibility reduced pain and accelerated the treatment process of patients with chronic pain. Conclusion: The obtained results indicated a significant association between mental health and chronic pain in children and adolescents. In this context, psychology and counseling centers of schools should provide training to increase the quality of life-related to the health and resilience of children and adolescents.

Due to the age of information bombardment, and the amount of information entering into the brain, there may be problems in processing information and organizing it, leading to a decrease in concentration, forgetting, and its loss. The power of decision making and problem solving will also be affected. Therefore, a software called iMindMap has been designed and invented regarding how to remember information better and learn better. The mind mapping technique is one of the new educational strategies that can increase thinking and problem solving skills, and by using images, colors, communication, and structured display, it forces the mind to be creative and thoughtful. When drawing a mind map, both hemispheres of the brain are used. This work not only reduces distraction, but also increases creativity and causes deeper learning. Also, drawing a mind map with the help of visual memory, an extraordinary performance is created in learning and memorizing, and active learning occurs. This article has been written with the aim of informing teachers and students about mind maps, their benefits and applications, and how to draw them manually using iMindMap Software.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the level of anxiety and depression in clinical residents who worked in the COVID-19 ward of Afzalipour Hospital of Kerman in 2020. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study. The statistical population was all assistants working in the COVID-19 center of Afzalipur Hospital (n=50). Data collection was done through the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) in a self-reported manner. Data was analyzed using independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson’s correlation test. Results: There was a statistically significant association between the total CDAS score (p=0. 041) and HADS anxiety score (p=0. 033) and gender. A statistically significant association was found between the HADS anxiety score (p=0. 045) and the HADS depression score (p=0. 030) and a history of psychiatric diseases. Conclusion: The mean score for coronavirus anxiety was moderate, and the mean score for hospital anxiety and depression was low. It seems necessary to implement appropriate policies to reduce the psychological problems of clinical assistants.