Women’s Health Bulletin
Volume:8 Issue: 1, Jan 2021

Raising a child diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) is a major challenge for parents and may greatly change the family’s lifestyle. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of metacognitive therapy (MCT) and compassion-focused therapy (CFT) on anxiety in the mothers of children with cerebral palsy. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design and a control group. Selected by convenience sampling, the sample consisted of 45 mothers of children with cerebral palsy who referred to Bahar Rehabilitation Center, Shiraz, Iran, in 2020. We randomly divided the participants into two experimental groups (metacognitive therapy and compassion-focused therapy) and a control group (n=15 per group). The research instrument included the Beck Anxiety Inventory. The first experimental group underwent 12 sessions (60-minute sessions per week) of metacognitive therapy and the second experimental group underwent eight sessions of compassion-focused therapy (60-minute sessions per week). The mean±SD of the anxiety for metacognitive therapy, compassion-focused therapy, and control groups in the posttest stage were 24.30±6.21, 25.10±2.44, and 42.70±4.46, respectively. Based on the results, both metacognitive therapy (MTC) and compassion-focused therapy (CFT) were effective in reducing anxiety in the mothers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) (P=0.0001); also, there was no significant difference between the effects of MCT and CFT on anxiety in this group of mothers. Metacognitive therapy and compassion-focused therapy can be employed to reduce anxiety in mothers of children with cerebral palsy.

Breast Neoplasms is one of the most prevalent cancers in women. In the early stages, the disease can be diagnosed and controlled by Breast Self-Examination(BSE).But sometimes attitude barriers avoiding women to BSE. The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes barriers of breast self-examination from the perspective of women who refer to health centers affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences(SUMS). the research was conducted as a cross sectional method in August to September 2019 on women 20-60 years referring to health centers affiliated to SUMS. Participants were selected by simple Random sampling and 101 complete questionnaires were returned. Data collection tool was the researcher-made questionnaire included 5 comonents(12 items) in Likert scales. Data were analyzed by SPSS22 software using One sample T-test, Independednt T-test and Pearson correlation. Except for the component of mental beliefs(P=0.92), all other components, were significantly lower than expected (p <0.001).The mean scores were for embarrassment (2.85±0.48), previous knowledge(2.93±0.69), negligence(3.03±0.49), and fear of breast mass (3.05±0.43)respectively. Attitudinal barriers decreased with increasing education(p=0.01). Also, in evaluating the correlation between the components, the highest correlation was between previous knowledge effect and Negligence(r=0.66), Embarrassing(r=0.52), fear of breath mass(0.50) respectively. Also correlation between negligence and fear of breast madd was 0.52. Because some factors such as incorrect previous knowledge, embarrassment, fear and forgetfulness are barriers to BSE, designing educational programs at different age and educational levels is essential especially for adolescents.To eliminate previous misconceptions and attitudes, creating good culture through public media and social networks can be effective.

The latest recommended psychological choice for the treatment of OCD is a therapeutic intervention. The metaanalytic study has found that the strongest degree of scientific evidence for CBT is the effect of OCD psychiatric therapies. We conducted the present study to examine the efficacy of group cognitive-behavioral therapy in patients with enhanced obsessivecompulsive disorder. The study was a quasi-experimental with a manipulate group, pre-test, and post-test. 32 women were referred to counseling offerings and psychological services in Bandar Abbas province from November 2019 to April 2020, who were purposefully chosen from the 80 individuals narrowed down according to the inclusion criteria. Afterwards, they were randomly (by envelopes) assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group (n=16) was treated with cognitivebehavioral therapy for 12 weekly 90-minute sessions while the control team (n=16) obtained no treatment. At the beginning of the study, after 10 weeks, all the participants were tested with the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Questionnaire. In addition to descriptive statistics, standard deviation, and the mean and inferential statistics, we employed one-way analysis of covariance and LSD. For the statistics analysis SPSS software program model 18 was used. In the current study, the mean and standard deviation of the ages were 26.78±2.80 in the experimental team and 28.50±3.56 in the control group, respectively. We discovered a significant effect in the experimental group’s obsessive-compulsive signs following the cognitive-behavioral therapy (P=0.005). In addition, the suggested ratings for the participants in the experimental team were significantly lower than those in the control group (p <0.001). According to the findings, it could be inferred that cognitive-behavioral therapy could significantly reduce OCD symptoms. It is recommended that the therapists, particularly in Iranian clinicians, apply this method.

Research has shown that the incidence of psychological well-being problems among students is on an increasing trend. According to the Pennsylvania State University Center for Public Health Psychology, the number of students seeking mental health help rose by 50% between 2015 and 2016. The present study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of group acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) matrix with group Behavioral Activation Therapy on quality of life and Alexithymia in depress mood females. In a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group, 45 students with mood depressive disorder were selected following initial clinical evaluation and research conditions. They were randomly divided into three groups of Behavioral Activation Therapy (n=15), ACT matrix (n=15), and control (n=15). The experimental group received six sessions of weekly treatment based on acceptance and commitment employing matrix method with group Behavioral Activation Therapy. All the participants completed the Hamilton Depression Scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Alexithymia Scale (AAS-26), in three stages: pre-test, post-test, and one-month follow-up. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS V. 23 The results revealed that weekly treatment based on acceptance and commitment employing matrix method with group Behavioral Activation treatment positively affected the quality of life F=6.324; P=0.004), and reduced Alexithymia-associated symptoms (F=1.780; P=0.181). The results were maintained in the one-month follow-up phase. Group psychotherapy based on acceptance and commitment through matrix method with group Behavioral Activation Therapy had a significant effect on increasing the quality of life and reducing the symptoms associated with Alexithymia in depressed females.

Exergames (exercise and gaming) or virtual exercises have been reported to improve balance and functional mobility in older adults. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of virtual reality exercise, on the static balance, postural stability, and functional mobility among older women. In this quasi-experimental pilot study, 15 older women aged 65 years old and above were divided into control and experimental groups. Our participants were recruited from Gorgan Neighborhood House in Tehran-Iran in June and July 2020. Following the pre-test, the experimental group completed three weeks of virtual training three times per week via Xbox Kinect Software, and the effects were measured after three weeks. The Biodex Balance System was employed to measure the fall risk index and postural stability index. Moreover, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test were used for functional mobility. One-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed a statistically significant difference in post-test between the groups concerning fall risk index in open eye conditions, (p <0.001), fall risk index in close eye conditions (p <0.001), overall stability index (p <0.001), and TUG (p <0.001). This study demonstrated that virtual reality exercise could improve the fall risk index and functional mobility of healthy older women. Consequently, these types of exercise could be recommended as practical exercises for elderlies to be done at home or health care institutions.

Hospital stress is one of the most important factors in nurses’ mental health. So, this study aimed to investigate the effects of self-actualization and life orientation on hospital stress.

This research was a correlational study. We analyzed the data via multiple regression and SPSS version 22. Participants included 178 female nurses from Borujerd city, Lorestan Province, Iran, selected by simple random selection method. They completed hospital stress, self-actualization, and life orientation scales.

Results showed that self-actualization (β=-0.29, P=0.001) and optimistic orientation (β=-0.28, P=0.001) were significant negative predictors of hospital stress, but pessimistic orientation was not a predictor. Also, the results showed that 29% of variable hospital stress was explained by the proposed model.

According to the results of this study, increased self-actualization and optimism reduced hospital stress in female nurses.

Increasing breastfeeding rates around the world is one of the most important goals of the World Health Organization. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of smart phone-based education and regular delivery of designed messages on breastfeeding self-efficacy in primiparous mothers.

This study was an educational intervention in which 120 primiparous breastfeeding mothers were randomly allocated into two groups from March 2018 to March 2019. The control group received routine counseling interventions and the intervention group received a smart phone messaging program. We collected the data using demographic questionnaire and Dennis short form breast feeding questionnaire. Self-efficacy levels were compared in the two groups before and after the study procedures. We analyzed the data utilizing Student t-test, chi square, and one way – ANOVA.

In this study, 60 mothers were studied in each group, and then the collected data were analyzed. The mean posttest scores in the intervention group (60.40±4.92) and the control group (50.10±7.60) were compared. The results indicated a statistically significant difference between the groups (P<0.001). Working mothers and mothers with a higher level of education had significantly higher self-efficacy score following the intervention (P=0.04 and P=0.05, respectively).

Breastfeeding counseling through text, audio, and video messages may increase maternal self-efficacy, particularly in high educated mothers and working ones.

 Breast cancer as the most common cancer and deadliest malignancy among women is one of the most important health concerns in the world. Therefore, the present study was conducted in response to the question of whether the Pilates training method affects the memory, attention, and balance of women with lymphedema after modified mastectomy.

 In this quasi-experimental clinical trial, we studied 20 women with an average and standard division in (age, 43.03±5.61year), height (163.85±4.63 cm) and weight (67±3.95 kg). Our subjects referred to Shahid Motahari clinic, Shiraz, Iran in 2019 with lymphedema after modified mastectomy. They were randomly divided into two groups: Pilates and control. The experimental group performed Pilate’s exercises for 2 weeks, 3 days a week with 60 minutes long each session. Memory, attention, and balance before and after the training program were assessed using one-way analysis of covariance and paired t-test at a significance level of 0.05.

 Statistical analysis of age, height, and weight showed no differences between the two groups. Statistical analysis of paired t-test indicated a significant difference in pre-test and post-test scores of the training group, yet this difference was not significant in the control group. Moreover, one-way analysis of covariance revealed a significant difference between the two groups in pre to post- tests in the tests of Stroop test [exercise (pre): 449.70±45, (post): 421.30±58.13; Control (pre): 461.30±23.17, (post): 457.10±22.20, P=0.014), n-back [Exercise (pre): 69.50±19.69; (post): 88.00±13.23; Control (pre): 79.40±17.48, (post): 82.00±10.74 P=0.016), and Flamingo [Exercise(pre): 18.49 ±18.92; (post): 51.57±43.02; Control (pre): 10.85±4.36, (post): 10.83±3.91, P=0.001]. Attention: (431.30±33.59), (461±11.12), memory: (72.50±17.34), (90±8.27), and static balance: (9.96±4.23), (29.39±7.00). In control group, the mean and standard deviation of the scores were as follows: attention: (465.90±10.56), (462.60±6.99), memory: (79.40±17.48), (85.90±4.45), and static balance: (10.85±4.36), (10.83±3.91).

 According to our findings, it could be concluded that women with breast cancer can use the benefits of Pilates along with other treatments.