Different measurements of objective, subjective and combined natures have been used for programming speech processors. The aim of this study was to evaluate Electrically Evoked Stapedius Re ex Test (ESRT) and Neural Response Telemetry (NRT) as objective tests for programming speech processors in implanted children. Thirteen pre-lingually deaf patients who had been implanted with Nucleus Freedom cochlear implant system in the Amir Aalam Hospital during the period of November 2008 to July 2009 participated in this assessment. We found that both ESRT and NRT alterations followed a parallel progressive decrease over the first year of implantation. Meanwhile, both of them showed a significant difference when compared to the first measurement (P<0.05). The thresholds of ESRT and NRT were determined intra-operatively and in three stages after the implantation (3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively). It seems that the changes of the thresholds of ESRT and NRT can be a considerable factor as suitable objective measurements for programming, especially for the "objective offset method".

Background: Stress, anxiety, and depression have been reported as very common comorbidities in smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of smoking cessation on stress, anxiety, and depression in smokers with COPD. Methods: Three block-randomized controlled trial groups with a block size of 6 and 9 including guided self-change (GSC) (n = 19), nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (n = 19), and combined GSC-NRT (n = 19) with a follow-up of 29 weeks were considered in this research. Participants included elderly adult smokers with COPD. The patients carried out 5 weekly GSC counseling sessions and NRT for smoking cessation. Transtheoretical Model (TTM) questionnaire, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as well as the exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) were evaluated over the baseline and 12 and 29 weeks following treatments. Findings: COPD participants with mean of 23 daily cigarette smoking completed the current study. The odds ratio (OR) of smoking cessation in GSC and GSC-NRT groups decreased more than NRT group. In addition, DASS, FTND, and the exhaled CO in GSC and GSC-NRT groups showed a better performance compared with the NRT group. Conclusion: The results showed that GSC and combined GSC-NRT therapy were significantly more effective than NRT alone. Also, the findings showed that GSC, NRT, and combined GSC-NRT were effective on stress, depression, and anxiety decreasing in smoking cessation. It seems that reducing smoking is associated with recovery in stress, anxiety, and depression in smokers with COPD.

Context: Guided self-change (GSC) is theory-driven based on cognitive-behavioral change models such as transtheoreticlal model (TTM) and can be applied with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for behavioral change of smoking in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) smokers. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the individual GSC, NRT, and GSC-NRT on smoking cessation of COPD patients. Settings and Design: This randomized clinical control trial study was carried out in Imam Khomeini Hospitals in Mazandaran province in 2016– 2017. Materials and Methods: Three-group block randomized controlled trial, comparing GSC (n = 20), NRT (n = 20), and GSC-NRT (n = 20) in smoking cessation and other related variables COPD smokers with follow‑ up to 29‑ week. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and repeated measures ANOVA test were used to analyze the data. Results: The GEE model revealed that GSC reduced the odds of quitting smoking rate compared to the NRT group (odds ratio = 0. 31, 95% confidence interval: 0. 022– 0. 545, ES = 0. 20). Furthermore, the TTM questionnaire, the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence, and spirometry variables were evaluated in the three groups. The recovery in nicotine dependency, the exhaled carbon monoxide and spirometry variables was more pronounced in the GSC and GSC‑ NRT groups than in the NRT over 29 weeks after the treatments. Cons (PV = 0. 009, ES = 0. 52), pros (PV = 0. 04, ES = 0. 12), experiential process (PV = 0. 005, ES = 0. 18), counterconditioning (PV = 0. 04, ES = 0. 12), stimulus control (PV = 0. 004, ES = 0. 19), environmental‑ reevaluation (PV = 0. 0001, ES = 0. 30), and habitual craving (PV = 0. 004, ES = 0. 19) were significant across the three groups. Conclusion: The interventions in the GSC and combined GSC-NRT groups were significantly more effective than in the NRT group in TTM variables, and GSC and combined GSC-NRT were equally effective in smoking cessation rate.

This correlational research used the association between norm-referenced (NRTs) and criterion-referenced tests (CRTs) to predict CRT scores on the basis of NRT scores, homogenize English proficiency of university students, and design a structural equation modeling approach between NRTs and CRTs. The participants were 210 allied health EGP (English for General Purposes) students who were assigned to three levels of language proficiency using Cambridge Placement Test. Researcher-made midterm and final exams, focusing on grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension were conducted. Results showed significant positive correlations between the NRT and CRTs. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis indicated significant paths from NRT as the dependent latent variable to CRTs as independent latent variables. The scores on the components of the three latent variables including vocabulary, grammar, and reading, within three assessments (placement, midterm, and final) were considered as observed variables. Significant paths between NRT and CRTs suggested that complex interrelations between components of NRT and CRTs can be used to homogenize university students’ proficiency in academic English courses using NTR scores to overcome problems related to the individual differences. Consequently, in academic English courses, groupings based on university students’ language ability using NRT scores would override groupings solely based on students’ academic majors.

Background: Treatment for tobacco dependency involves a combination of behavioral therapy, antidepressants, and nicotine replacement therapy. This study was conducted in order to compare the outcome of smoking cessation by using each of the four forms of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) among participants using Trazodone tablet 50 mg. Materials and Methods: In this non-randomized quasi-experimental study the efficacy of four mentioned forms of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) including patches, gums and microtabs and two forms of NRT together was evaluated. Smoking cessation while using Trazodone was also studied. All the smokers who referred to the smoking cessation clinic of Iranian National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Tehran, Iran from Oct. 2005 to Oct. 2007 entered the study. They attended 4 weekly sessions followed by 2 sessions in the next 12 months. Results: A total of 286 subjects participated in this study. Trazodone was prescribed for them and 253 used at least one form of NRT. There were 181 (74.6%) males. The mean age was 42.43±13.4 yrs.Thirty three cases selected nicotine patches, 99(39.4%) used nicotine gums, 64(25%) chose microtabs and 57(23%) preferred using two types of NRT simultaneously. A total of 152 participants (60%) quit smoking at the fourth session. At the fourth session, it was proved that nicotine patches had the highest success rate and were most efficient for quitting smoking (94%). Also, after 6 and 12 months follow-up it was found that nicotine patches were most effective for abstinence. Conclusion: Nicotine patches used in combination with Trazodone tablets could result in higher success rates for smoking cessation.