Iranian Rehabilitation Journal
Year:2019 | Volume:17 | Issue:2|Papers Count:12

Objectives: The follow-up treatment or rehabilitation and monitoring of patients with drug abuse disorders require an efficient tool with a convenient and short-time implementation to measure psychological aspects of dependence. The Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ) has such features; thus, the present study aimed at evaluating the validity and reliability of its Persian version. Methods: The current validation study explored the data obtained from 142 substance dependent patients selected from drug addiction treatment centers in Tehran City, Iran. The criterion-related validity of the Persian version of the LDQ was evaluated by measuring its correlation with the Substance Dependence Severity Scale (SDSS). The construct validity of the Persian version of the LDQ was evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Moreover, the internal consistency and reliability of this scale were calculated by Cronbach’ s alpha coefficient and test-retest reliability methods, respectively. Results: The correlation coefficients between the LDQ and SDSS and GHQ were 0. 773 and 0. 780, respectively; the correlations were statistically significant (P<0. 001). A Cronbach’ s alpha coefficient of 0. 809 was obtained by investigating the internal consistency of the tool. Test-retest reliability for a two-week interval was 0. 963. Discussion: The criterion-related validity, construct validity, internal consistency, and testretest reliability values of the Persian version of the LDQ are approvable; therefore, it can be applied as a valid and reliable tool on the Iranian population.

Objectives: Physical disability affects individual’ s life and increases anxiety and depression. For this purpose, the present study aimed at investigating the efficacy of group emotion regulation training in reducing depression in students with physical disabilities. Methods: The current international quasi-experimental study had a pre-test and post-test design with experimental and control groups. The study population comprised high school male students (n=26) with physical disabilities studying at Soroush High School, Tehran, Iran a special school for students with physical disabilities. The sample size was 26. Accordingly, 26 male students were selected from institutions serving children with physical disabilities using purposive sampling method based on the inclusion criteria, which having normal IQ (90 to 110) based on school records, physical disability for the secondary school students, no history of psychiatric or other disorders, and no history of hospitalization in psychiatric hospitals (based on medical records available at the school), and no history of attending therapeutic programs except for emotion regulation training. The selected individuals were randomly divided into two intervention and control groups each had 13 subjects. The intervention group attended eight sessions of emotion regulation training twice a week. Each session lasted 60 minutes. The scores of Beck depression inventory before and after the intervention were compared in both the groups. Results: Mean age of the participants was 15. 8± 3. 47 years. ANCOVA test was used to examine differences between the two groups. ANCOVA results showed that emotion regulation training could significantly reduce depression in students with physical disabilities (P<0. 05). Discussion: Data analysis showed that emotion regulation training could effectively reduce depression in students with physical disabilities. Therefore, the intervention used in the current study is a suitable counseling and therapeutic approach for students with physical disabilities.

Objectives: The present review study aimed at investigating the vocational rehabilitation of individuals with drug dependence disorders. Methods: Based on the research method, a comprehensive search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, EBSCO, ProQuest and Google Scholar. All keywords synonymous with vocational rehabilitation and substance abuse were considered in search. Then related studies with vocation rehabilitation were selected and included in the study. Results: Job is a protective and major factor in effective treatment, and ignoring vocational counseling and rehabilitation leads to a significant defect in addiction treatment. Discussion: Individuals receiving vocational services along with drug abuse treatment would experience reduced drug abuse and a more productive life.

Objectives: Many families in Iran fail to adapt to their new role of being a stroke caregiver and experience high levels of distress; thus, they may need some form of support. The present study aimed to develop a discharge planning program for the family caregivers of stroke patients in Iran. We also determined the program efficacy on their level of stress and preparedness for caregiving. Methods: A post-test only randomized controlled trial design was conducted on 60 family caregivers of stroke survivors. The study participants (n=30) in the experimental group received a family caregiver-oriented discharge planning program consisting of 3 phases; assessing families’ educational needs, educating families, and follow-up calls. The routine hospital care was provided to the controls (n=30). The data were collected using Kingston Caregiver Stress Scale and the Preparedness for Caregiving scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS. Results: The level of preparedness for caregiving was significantly higher in the experimental group. The experimental group experienced lower levels of stress, compared to the control group members (P<0. 001). Discussion: To enhance family preparedness for caregiving and decrease their stress, it is necessary to use a discharge planning program with an emphasis on individualized education and post-discharge follow-up. This program could be implemented in Iranian hospitals at a low cost. The findings of this study may provide a reference for specialist nurses who cope with stroke caregivers in Iran.

Objectives: Mouse is one of the most important data entry devices for computers. Undesirable and prolonged postures during work with the computer mouse increase workload, muscle aches and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare muscle activity during the use of 4 types of mouse, including trackball, trackpad, slanted and standard by Electromyography (EMG). Methods: This experimental study included 15 subjects (7 men and 8 women). The electrical activity of EDC, ECU, ECR, FDS, PQ, and FDL muscles was recorded by EMG while performing a standard task with each mouse. The order of using each mouse was randomized. The obtained results were analyzed by SPSS using the measures of central tendency, Friedman’ s test, and Independent Samples t-test. Results: The results of assessing the electrical activity level of muscles suggested no statistically significant difference in the recorded EMG between FPL, FDS, and PQ muscles while working with the 4 mice. The electrical activity reduced in EDC, ECR, and FPL muscles with the use of slanted mouse, compared to that of other mice (P<0. 05). Discussion: There was no significant differences between the electrical activity of FDS, FPL, and PQ muscles during work with the studied mice. Furthermore, the activity of EDC, ECR, and FPL muscles reduced during work with a slanted mouse, compared to the other types. The habit of using a new mouse can affect the level of muscle activity; thus, the use of a slanted mouse may reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders in the wrist and hand of users in the long run.

Objectives: Successful aging is an interdisciplinary concept. Despite the great body of literature on successful aging, few studies have focused on its subjective and multidimensional measurements. Thus, the present study aimed to develop an instrument to measure selfperceived successful aging. Methods: We used a mixed method approach. The successful aging dimensions were explored through an integrative review and qualitative study among 64 older adults. Based on the obtained qualitative data, initial item pool was designed and its content validity was evaluated. A quantitative survey among 600 older adults and exploratory factor analysis was applied to test the structural validity of the instrument. Results: The EFA results indicated that the instrument loaded into seven factors; “ psychological well-being” , “ social support” , “ financial and environmental security” , “ spirituality” , “ physical and mental health” , “ functional health” , and “ health-related behavior” . In addition, the instrument had a high degree of reliability coefficients. Discussion: The obtained results indicated methods of measuring successful aging, as well as the importance of generating social policy in the area of aging well; researchers should consider all dimensions of successful aging at individual and social levels.

Objectives: Physical activity in late life may be a continuity of activity pattern in the early stages of life. The current study aimed to assess physical activity levels in former Iranian sportsmen and athletes, in 2016. Methods: This cross-sectional study used convenience sampling method to select 223 former Iranian sportsmen and athletes living in Tehran City, Iran. Informed consents were obtained from all study participants before the study. The short-form Persian version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used for assessing physical activity. To achieve demographic information, a demographic data Questionnaire was used. For analyzing the obtained data, SPSS was used. Results: The Mean± SD age of the study participants was 70. 81± 8. 29 years. In total, 5. 8%, 42%, and 52. 9% of the former athletes had less than 10 minutes of walking, moderate-and vigorous-intensity physical activity, respectively. About 4. 9% of the individuals reported walking on a regular basis and none of them reported daily moderate-and vigorousintensity physical activity. Moreover, 8. 5% of the individuals failed to report walking for at least 10 min/d. Totally, 43. 5% of the individuals reported no moderate-intensity physical activity and about 56. 1% of them did not participate in any vigorous-intensity physical activities. Furthermore, 31. 4, 8. 5, and 5. 8 of the athletes reported walking, moderate-and vigorous-intensity physical activity for more than 150 minutes per week, respectively. According to the three types of activity defined by the IPAQ, 49% of the athletes were inactive, 36. 3% were minimally active and about 15% were physically active. Physical activity decreased with increasing age (P<0. 01; r=-0. 529) and had a direct relationship with educational level (P<0. 01; r=0. 278). Discussion: The findings highlight the importance of considering active intervention programs at younger ages to ensure better leisure participation of the elderly, especially in physical activity.

Objectives: The current study aimed at investigating the impact of SHOFER computer game on visual-motor coordination in children with hearing impairments. Methods: The current pre-test, post-test experimental study was conducted in Ahvaz, Iran in 2018. Sixteen preschool children with hearing impairment were randomly assigned into two groups of experimental (n=8) and control (n=8). The experimental group subjects played the SHOFER computer game (driving/racing genre) two 45-minute sessions per week for a five consecutive weeks, but the control group did not receive any intervention. Before and after the intervention, visual perception and attention, as visual-motor coordination components, were measured by the advanced Frostig test of visual perception and continuous performance test in both groups. Using SPSS version 21, the performance of the two groups was compared by running the Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. Results: The analysis of findings with the effect size indicator showed that the computer game increased attention and spatial perception in the experimental group. However, no significant difference was found between the groups, except in the sub-test of figure-ground perception. Discussion: The present study showed that commercial computer games can be used to improve visual-motor coordination of children with hearing impairments.

Objectives: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive brain damage that leads to movement and balance disorders. One of the new rehabilitation approaches for such children is Kinesio taping. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of lower limbs kinesio taping on static and dynamic balance in children with CP. Methods: In this pilot randomized clinical trial, 30 children with CP were randomly classified into two control and intervention groups each containing 15 subjects. In the intervention group, Kinesio tape was applied with 30% tension on anterior muscles of lower limbs. However, in the control group, Kinesio tape was used just in a sham mode. In both groups, Kinesio tape was used along with occupational therapy interventions for two weeks. Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and forward Functional Reach (FR) tests were used before, two days, and two weeks after intervention. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to study the intervention effects, within-group data were analyzed with the paired t-test, and between-group effects were assessed using independent t-test. Results: Short term results (two days after intervention) indicated no significant difference between the scores of BBS (P=0. 7) and FR (P=0. 08) in the intervention group, and BBS (P= 0. 8) and FR (P=0. 1) in the control group. Long term results indicated a significant change in BBS (P<0. 001) and FR (P<0. 001) in the intervention group, however, no significant changes were observed in FR (P=0. 1) and BBS (P=0. 8) in the control groups. Discussion: Application of Kinesio tape on lower limbs of children with CP improved their balance. Therefore, this method can be used in rehabilitation clinics for functional improvement of children with Cerebral Palsy.

Objectives: The Micro Manual Muscle Tester (MMMT) is a Hand-Held Dynamometer (HHD). The current study aimed to evaluate the intra-and inter-rater reliability of this device. Methods: To determine the reliability of the MMMT, two previously trained assessors to work with HHD performed HHD measurements on 7 muscle groups of the lower extremities (hip flexors, hip extensors, hip abductors, knee extensors, knee flexors, ankle plantar-, and dorsiflexors) using the make-test method. The study participants were evaluated thrice by two occupational therapists in 10 separate days. Results: All the inter-and intra-correlations were reported as excellent (ICC>0. 90), except for ICC2, 3 in the hip flexor muscles; and ICC2, 3 in the dorsiflexor muscles that were similarly good (ICC=0. 75-0. 89) at a high significance level (P˂ 0. 001). Discussion: The MMMT had an acceptable reliability. Furthermore, this device is useful for investigating changes in strength after rehabilitation interventions.

Objectives: The current study mainly aimed at studying the effect of Knowledge of Result (KR) feedback timing and result-estimation opportunity before receiving delayed KR on learning a new speech motor skill in monolingual healthy adults. Methods: Thirty-nine Persian healthy adults were randomly divided into three groups. Each group received immediate KR, delayed KR (after eight seconds), or delayed KR (after eight seconds) with self-estimation of the result in the delay interval. All three groups received verbal KR feedback. Participants were trained to produce a French phoneme (/ɪ n/) in the context of words in four training sessions. The correct production of the target phoneme was judged by a bilingual Persian-French examiner holding an academic degree in French language teaching. Later, a transfer test and two retention tests were administered. The two retention tests were administered one day and two weeks after the last training session respectively. Results: The effect of feedback timing on motor performance and motor learning was examined by repeated-measures ANOVA. Performance in both acquisition and retention phases was significantly different between groups (P=0. 04 for both phases). One-way ANOVA was used to investigate the transfer of learning (P=0. 001). Tukey test results indicated that the groups 1 and 2 were different in both acquisition and retention phases and all three groups were different in transfer test. Discussion: The results showed that the immediate KR is beneficial for the acquisition phase, and delayed KR is more beneficial for the retention and transfer tests compared with immediate KR.

Objectives: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) can adversely affect ones’ life and coping with it is very important. The present study reported the effects of reinforcing coping strategies using Motivational Interviewing (MI). Methods: This was a case report of 5 males with SCI, with the Mean± SD age and time passed since the SCI of 34± 15. 9 years and 20. 6± 16. 6, respectively. The study participants were examined as part of routine clinical services at the Physiotherapy Department of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Fifteen minutes of MI was individually provided to the study participants two times a week and for three weeks. Data were collected using the American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASCIA) impairment scale, COPE inventory, and Spinal Cord Injury-Quality of Life (SCI-QoL) questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The obtained results revealed that all participants gained scores ranging from 3-4 on the satisfaction domain of quality of life at the baseline, which increased to 5 at the postintervention phase. For the importance domain of quality of life, all patients had a maximum score of 5 at the baseline, which remained unchanged at post-intervention. Discussion: People living with SCI can benefit from MI in terms of improved coping strategies. However, these findings are limited due to the nature of the study design and the sample size. Therefore, more rigorous study designs are required to further investigate the findings of this study.