Iranian Rehabilitation Journal
Volume:21 Issue: 55, Sep 2023

Today, with the increase in the elderly population and life expectancy, the need to use care services for this significant part of the population is increasing [1]. Beliefs, cultures, and social norms among different ethnicities and races are vital in the extent and nature of care. Two types of care exist, informal and formal. According to statistics by the Secretariat of the National Council on Aging, almost 0.2% of the elderly receive formal care. Therefore, a significant percentage of the elderly live with their families.

This review aimed to explore inspiratory muscle training (IMT) use in patients with mechanical ventilation (MV). The topics were related to its effect on the duration of MV or weaning, respiratory symptoms or lung function, inspiratory muscle strength (IMS) or endurance, functional ability, and quality of life (QoL).

Articles published in the last ten years were reviewed narratively to obtain data about how inspiratory muscle training (IMT) can affect breathing muscle strength in prolonged mechanically ventilated patients.

Eleven articles were relevant to the topic, including seven original articles and four systematic reviews. We also found one practical guide on IMT in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Inspiratory muscle weakness is found in most intensive care unit (ICU) patients which further causes difficulty in weaning from MV. No standard protocol exists for the use of IMT in patients who failed to wean from MV. The use of IMT was found to be safe with the incidence of side effects or unexpected events was very rare. Several studies found various effects on the success of weaning after IMT administration, such as decreased MV and weaning duration or no effect on these parameters. Studies also found various effects on IMS or endurance although most investigators found increased IMS after IMT administration. These effects vary with exercise intensity and baseline maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP). The IMT program improves lung function thereby reducing symptoms, leading to improved functional abilities and QoL.improved functional abilities and quality of life (QoL).

Cerebellar infarction is an ischemic or hemorrhagic type episode involving the three main cerebellar arteries. An infarction in each of these arteries causes different but common symptoms, requiring a particularly important contribution of physiotherapy to its treatment. This overview aimed to investigate the effectiveness of physiotherapy programs on the symptoms of patients with cerebellar infarction.

A literature search was performed using eight databases and the keywords, including physiotherapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation, therapeutic exercise, exercise, cerebellar infarct, cerebellar infarction, and cerebellar blockage. The selection process of the final studies was carried out after setting inclusion and exclusion criteria and separately by two reviewers. 

Out of 1477 initial records, six studies met the inclusion criteria for this overview. Interventions focused on a balance training program and walking training, as opposed to a treadmill training program, seem to improve symptoms in these patients. Also, task-oriented approach was a promising method of rehabilitation.

Physiotherapy has a beneficial effect on the symptoms of patients with cerebellar infarction and should be considered for the overall recovery of the patient. However, future research is needed due to the small number of studies and to find therapeutically proven forms of intervention.

Accurate scientific planning and societal macro policies require reviewing and evaluating research output. Scientometrics offers a valuable approach for assessing the activity of journals that publish a majority of scientific productions. This study aims to analyze the scientific activity of the Iranian Rehabilitation Journal (IRJ) by examining its publication history in the Scopus database.

This bibliometric analysis adopts a scientometrics approach and includes all documents published in IRJ indexed in the Scopus database. Data collection and analysis were performed using VOSviewer and Excel software.

IRJ has been active since 2003, initially publishing seven articles in the Scopus database. The journal boasts an H-index 11 and has produced 701 documents over 20 years. The citation score for the journal in 2022 was approximately 0.6. The University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences had the highest number of affiliated articles (n=395). The most productive author was “Dadkhah” with 42 documents; the most cited author was “Masah”. Most documents are articles written in English, and the most frequently used keyword is “Rehabilitation”.

This study offers an overview of the status of IRJ, indicating an increasing trend in the number of documents published and citations received since its establishment. The research findings can serve as a road map for researchers in the field of rehabilitation, providing valuable insights for future studies.

To determine the impact of Kendall versus Gong’s intervention according to pain sensation, range of movement, function, strength, and posture in cases with text neck syndrome.

This randomized clinical trial recruited a sample of 24 patients with text neck syndrome from Fatima Hospital, Sargodha, Pakistan from January to April 2021. The samples were randomly divided into 2 groups using the envelope method. Group A received Kendall’s intervention while group B received Gong’s mobilization. The intervention was performed in 18 sessions for each patient during 6 weeks i.e. 3 per week. Neck disability index, numeric pain rating scale, cervical range of motion (ROM), cranio-vertebral angle (CVA), rounded shoulder angle (RSA), and modified sphygmomanometer test were used to collect data. All outcomes were measured at baseline and six weeks after intervention and analyzed using SPSS software, version 23. T-test was used to analyze within and between-group differences, and P<0.05 was considered significant. 

A significant difference with P<0.05 was observed for within and between group statistics. Gong’s mobilization showed more effectiveness (P<0.001) for all output measures depending on differences between mean scores.

The study concluded that both Kendall’s exercise and Gong’s mobilization were useful in the reduction of pain and functional disability; improvement in cervical range and strength of cervical muscles. However, Gong’s mobilization was superior to Kendall’s exercise in improving text neck syndrome for outcome measures, including neck pain, disability, craniovertebral angle, rounded shoulder angle, cervical range of motion (ROM), and cervical muscle strength.

The mother’s knowledge and attitude about the child’s developmental norms can affect their practice and the quality of parent-child interaction. The quality of a child’s development in the early years significantly impacts their personality and future success. Therefore, this study aims to develop and investigate the psychometric characteristics of the Iranian mother’s knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questionnaire about the development of communication, language, speech, and swallowing of Persian-speaking children aged 18 to 36 months and comparing them.

This study was a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study conducted on 280 mothers with typically developed children aged 18 to 36 months from different provinces of Iran. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the implementation of the study, the participants were selected as available, and then the snowball completed the questionnaire in both face-to-face and online methods. To check the validity of the questionnaire, face validity was calculated using the opinion of speech therapy experts and ten mothers, and content validity was calculated using the Lawshe method. To check the reliability of the questionnaire, the test re-test method was used in a two-week interval.

The results indicated that this questionnaire has high validity (content validity index [CVI] >0.79) and reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.90). The multiple linear regression model showed that only the mother’s age has a significant positive relationship with knowledge ([B=0.082] P=0.04) about the development of communication, language, speech, and swallowing of children aged 18 to 36 months. Socioeconomic status and the mother’s education had no significant relationship with the mother’s KAP. Also, this study showed that the mother’s knowledge, attitude, and practice about a child’s development were high (mean=16.5), positive (mean=56.44), and good (mean=60.27).

This study showed that the designed questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to investigate the mother’s KAP about the development of communication, language, speech, and swallowing of Persian-speaking children aged 18 to 36 months. On the other hand, speech and language pathologists can use this questionnaire in related studies and clinical evaluations to have better and more knowledge of the child’s environment and the factors affecting it in Persian-speaking society.

In recent years, various treatment programs have been implemented in Iran aimed at rehabilitation and improvement of drug-dependent patients but so far, few studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of different treatment programs in terms of different outcomes. This study was conducted to determine the differences among patients participating in three therapeutic programs, outpatient, mid-term residential program, and therapeutic community (TC) in terms of social, psychological, economic, and therapeutic outcomes.

The present study was conducted using a descriptive design and ex post facto method. Data were collected from patients participating in three treatment plans (outpatient treatment=49; mid-term residential treatment=49; and TC plan=49). Patients participating in the TC program were all enumerated and patients participating in the outpatient and mid-term residency treatment plan were selected by random sampling. Data collection tools were a socio-demographic characteristics checklist, researcher-made questionnaire for relapse, a general health questionnaire (GHQ), a world health organization quality of life (WHOQOL) questionnaire, and a family relationship index (FRI). The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square, and Scheffe’s post hoc test.

Significant differences were observed between the three treatments in terms of the rate of relapse (P<0.01), participation in criminal activities (P<0.01), changes in drug use in the treatment process or after treatment (P<0.01), employment status (P<0.01), mental health (P<0.01), quality of life (P<0.01), and family relationships index (FRI) (P<0.01).

The TC program showed more positive outcomes in terms of the rate of relapse and quality of life compared to the other two therapeutic programs. The outpatient treatment program was more effective in terms of participation in criminal activities, changes in drug use, employment, and quality of family relationships. The mid-term residency program showed a low or negative impact on all studied outcomes. Therefore, it is necessary to reevaluate the programs presented in the mid-term residential program. 

Among the foot orthoses prescribed to improve postural control in chronic ankle instability, foot orthoses designed to affect both types of mechanical and functional instability have a limited research background. In the present study, a type of foot orthosis named the custom mold with a raised ridge around the perimeter was designed, and manufactured, and its effect on the dynamic posture control of the subjects was investigated. 

This study was a quasi-experimental type in which 30 active young people with chronic ankle instability were selected from sports clubs and divided into two groups. One of these groups used custom mold foot orthoses (CFO) and the other group used custom mold with a raised ridge around the perimeter foot orthoses (CRFO). Dynamic postural control of the participants was evaluated before and after one month with the star excursion balance test (SEBT). A repeated measured statistical test was used to evaluate the obtained data.

Both types of foot orthoses increased the reaching distance of the SEBT, but the result of CRFO was significant in this field, so that after one month in medial (P=0.045), posteromedial (P=0.002), and anteromedial (P˂0.001) directions, significant differences were observed between the two groups.

The CRFO can put the subtalar joint in optimal conditions and change the amount of input resulting from the stimulation of the mechanoreceptors in the plantar area of the foot, thus increasing the improvement of dynamic postural control; however, more studies are needed to prove this claim.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of a family-based sensory diet on the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in students.

This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental method with a control group and a pre-test and post-test design. The statistical population included all children with ADHD between the ages of 6 and 12 years who were referred to the Hasti, Bahar, and Masir Sabz clinics in Tehran City, Iran in 2021. Using the convenience sampling technique, 30 kids were selected and randomly divided into the experimental and control groups. The Wilbarger sensory protocol was used in the experimental group, which underwent a family-based sensory diet intervention (3 times a week, 45 minutes per session). The Conners’ parent form scale and the Wechsler intelligence scale for children 4th edition (WISC-IV) were used to measure the study variables. The SPSS software, version 20 was used to conduct the statistical tests, which included the analysis of covariance.

The results of the covariance analysis showed that the family-based sensory diet program had a substantial impact on the mean post-test scores for the two groups (P=0.001).

For students with attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder, and impulsivity caused by ADHD, implementing a family-based sensory diet can be useful in lowering these symptoms.

This study aims to identify the burdens among wives of disabled people in the light of some independent variables.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 197 domestic wives were surveyed using a standardized questionnaire to measure the burden among wives of disabled people. Data were collected using the independent variables and Zarit caregiver burden scale (ZCBS) for burden. The study was conducted using interview techniques and analyzed via SPSS software, version 20 using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

The study results showed that the average age was 35 years old, 30-39 years old, 52.3% were secondary school graduates, 68.5% were families with 1-4 children, 43.1% had insufficient income, and 61.4% were employed. Significant differences were observed in wives’ burdens in terms of their age, education level, family size, income, occupation, disability types, reasons, and duration (P<0.05).

Wives of disabled people live under significant burdens influenced by different independent variables depending on individual differences. Decision makers should give employment priority to the wives of the disabled to protect the family and fulfill its needs, as well as the need to focus on societal awareness of disability and what the wife and family of the disabled suffer.

We assessed the effect of change in core isometric strength and endurance on upper limb isometric strength in female athletes.

In this experimental study, 32 female athletes aged 18-25 years were recruited based on the inclusion criteria. (17 cases in the experimental group and 15 cases in the control group). Before and after the core stabilization knockdown protocol, participants were assessed for isometric core strength (abdomen/back rehab 5310; rehab line), core endurance (curl-up test), and upper limb isometric strength (push up/pull down rehab 5120; rehab line). 

The results showed a significant reduction in abdomen, back, push-up, pull-down isometric strength, and curl-up test scores in the experimental group and no significant differences in these parameters in the control group after the protocol. The experimental and control groups showed significant differences in the aforementioned parameters after the protocol.

This research suggests that performing extensive and exclusive core exercises to relieve fatigue prior to upper limb training can decrease the potential for core activation. This can ultimately lead to reduced effectiveness of upper extremity exercises or rehabilitation sessions, which can lead to upper body injuries. These exercises can be useful to enhance the knowledge regarding the sequencing of core and upper limb exercises in an athlete’s training protocols.

Specificity impairment is a memory alteration that occurs in people with major depressive disorder (MDD). In this investigation, we intended to shine a light on obscure aspects of executive resource and capture and rumination frameworks to determine whether these theories are reliable in predicting underlying mechanisms for specificity impairment.

In this correlational research, we used the convenience sampling method over two months, between January and February 2021. We administrated the digit span working memory test, ruminative response scale (RRS), and autobiographical memory interview to indicate whether working memory capacity and subtypes of rumination can predict memory specificity in people with MDD. Using RRS enabled us to determine the correlation between subtypes of rumination and memory specificity. 

Our samples consisted of 105 adults (53 males (50.5%) and 52 females (49.5%)) with MDD. The participants’ mean age was 33.38 years with a range of 22-43 years. The results no significant difference between gender, marriage, and age groups in terms of memory specificity (P>0.05). The results of the Spearman correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis showed that only working memory capacity can predict memory specificity (r=0.216, p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between brooding and reflection, as two subtypes of rumination and memory specificity.

In line with our results, it should be stated that depression is accompanied by executive deficits, which result in memory impairments. These impairments are due to the structural and functional alterations in the brain in the depressed group. As the Carfax model emphasized, working memory capacity is not only required to maintain, define, and hold the optimal retrieval model but it is also crucial to inhibit interfering autobiographical information. Nonetheless, neither brooding nor reflection rumination can predict memory specificity. Therefore, memory capacity is probably occupied due to ineffective search strategies, not rumination.

Stroke is one of the most important neurological diseases in the world. Anxiety is one of the most common mental disorders associated with stroke that can disrupt the daily functioning of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of foot baths on physiological parameters and anxiety in patients with stroke. 

The present study was a single-blind clinical trial that was performed on 60 patients with stroke admitted to Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj. The available method was used for sampling and the samples were randomly divided into two groups of test and control (30 people in each group). For the patients of the experimental group, between 2 and 5 PM., a foot bath was performed for 15 minutes by a researcher colleague. For patients in both the experimental and control groups, blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, SpO2, and anxiety in the supine position were measured before and half an hour after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 19 by the independent and paired t-tests at a significance level of P<0.05.

The mean age of the subjects was 60.98±9.53 years. After the intervention in the experimental group, the mean scores of systolic (159.73 vs. 149.87) and diastolic (90.87 vs. 89.03) blood pressures, heart rate (86.47 vs. 85.37), and anxiety (51.8 vs. 48.4) significantly reduced and the amount of SpO2 (96.2 vs. 97.67) significantly increased (P<0.05). Based on the independent t-test, no statistically significant difference was observed between the experimental and control groups in terms of physiological parameters and anxiety (P>0.05).

Given the importance of the role of nurses in the rehabilitation of patients with stroke, complementary medicine methods, such as foot baths can be considered safe, inexpensive, and uncomplicated methods in patients with stroke to reduce anxiety and improve physiological parameters.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common peripheral entrapment neuropathy with squeezing of the median nerve and the patient is unable to function properly. There are different physiotherapy interventions for the management of these patients and recently, shock wave therapy and low-power laser (LPL) have been widely used, but there is no strong evidence comparing the effect of shock wave therapy and LLLT. Therefore, this trial was designed to compare the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), LPL, and routine interventions on clinical outcomes and electrophysiological parameters in patients with moderate CTS.

Fifty-four patients were randomly assigned to the control (routine interventions), ESWT, and LPL therapy groups. All participants received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapeutic ultrasound, hot pack, mobilization, and stretching for ten sessions over two weeks. Additionally, the ESWT group received radial ESWT in four sessions, and the LPL therapy group received laser in ten sessions. The primary outcomes were pain (assessed by the visual analog scale), function (assessed using the Boston questionnaire (BQ)), hand grip, and finger pinch strength. Secondary outcomes were electrophysiological parameters (distal motor and sensory latency and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of the median nerve. 

Time group interactions were significant for pain, the symptom severity subscale of BQ, finger pinch, and hand grip strength (p<0.001). Significant improvements were seen in clinical and sensory latency and motor NCV of the median nerve (p<0.05). The ESWT group experienced significant improvements with a large effect size in pain, function, and finger pinch strength compared to the control group (p<0.01). Additionally, the LPL therapy group showed significant changes in the function and finger pinch and hand grip strength compared to the control group. There were no significant differences between the LPL therapy and ESWT groups except for pain in favor of the ESWT group. No significant differences were found among the three groups in electrophysiological parameters (p>0.05).

Although laser therapy increased the efficacy of routine interventions, it seems adding ESWT to the routine treatment may be superior for the management of moderate CTS patients.

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder that causes many problems for the affected person and his or her family. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of resilience training on the stress of mothers of students with DS. 

This study is a non-randomized clinical trial conducted on 36 mothers of students with DS studying at Shahid Rajaieh School, Tehran. They were selected by a convenience sampling method and divided into the control and intervention groups. Resilience skill training intervention was performed in ten sessions for the intervention group. The instruments used in the present study included a demographic questionnaire and a parenting stress index. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 18. 

Before training resilience skills, no significant difference was observed between the mean stress scores in mothers of the intervention and control groups. After the training program, there was a significant difference between the mean stress scores of the two groups.

Training resilience skills can reduce stress in mothers of children with DS.

Restriction of the rights of patients in a psychiatric hospital, isolation and fixation, compulsory treatment, and round-the-clock monitoring are negatively perceived by them, contribute to the stigma of a psychiatric hospital, and prevent timely access to psychiatric help We assessed the opinions of patients in psychiatric hospitals and psychiatrists about coercion and violence in the provision of psychiatric care for recommendations on their prevention.

An anonymous survey of psychiatrists and patients was conducted in psychiatric hospitals in three regions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and non-parametric statistical methods.

Psychiatrists and patients were positive about the coercive measures in the psychiatric hospital. Physical restraint was considered the prerogative of orderlies by 64.5% of psychiatrists and 35.4% of patients. According to 19.6% of doctors and 28.4% of patients, a psychiatrist can independently apply physical restraint to aggressive patients. Injections of sedative drugs by a psychiatrist personally were considered justified by 81.3% of physicians and 64.6% of patients. Most patients and physicians noted that the psychiatrist needed to be involved in the application of physical restraint to an aggressive patient.

Psychiatry is currently dominated by an archaic paternalistic model of doctor-patient relations and the delegation of additional functions of social control to psychiatrists. The introduction of a contractual model is required for more effective interaction between the psychiatrist and the patient.

The self-determination theory (SDT) posits that basic psychological needs (BPNs) are indispensable and vital nutrients for well-being. The present research was done to apply SDT to understand students’ well-being, which proposes that the realization and fulfillment of BPNs and subjective vitality significantly influence the overall well-being of an individual. Therefore, the current study analyzed the mediational effect of subjective vitality in the BPN satisfaction and well-being relationship.

This study included a sample of 219 (165 females and 54 males) university students with a mean age of 25 years. The basic psychological needs satisfaction and frustration scale (BPNSFS) was used to assess BPNs. Subjective vitality was assessed using a 6-item individual difference version subjective vitality scale by Ryan and Frederick, and well-being was evaluated by the WHO well-being index. Correlational and multiple regression analysis was done and mediational analysis was done using Hayes PROCESS macro.

The results indicated that fulfillment of BPNs (β=0.413, P<0.01) and subjective vitality (β=0.208, P<0.01) are significant predictors of students› well-being. Mediation analysis showed that subjective vitality completely mediated the relationship between BPN satisfaction and well-being. Furthermore, the measures of BPNS (t=2.242) and well-being (t=2.154) differed significantly, while no significant differences were found in subjective vitality (t=0.108) with respect to gender.

The findings of this study highlighted the role of BPN satisfaction and subjective vitality in the promotion of students’ well-being. Moreover, the present study highlighted the underlying mechanism, through which BPNs influences students’ well-being. This study contributes to the theoretical literature by emphasizing the vital role played by BPNs and subjective vitality in students’ well-being.

This study sought to learn more about psychiatric nurses’ experiences working in Iraq because it has been reported that the field of mental health nursing is challenging and has low job satisfaction. 

This research is a qualitative study and draws on lived experience conducted on 24 nurses working at Al-Rashad a special hospital in Baghdad that included psychiatric wards selected via purposeful sampling in, 2021-2022. Data were gathered using smartphone-recorded interviews. The seven steps of Colaizzi’s data analysis were used by Husserlian phenomenology. To aid in the bracketing and reflection process, each nurse’s interview was verbatim recorded, along with their thoughts, feelings, and past experiences in this hospital.

Three themes were identified as the root reasons for participants’ dissatisfaction (DSS) with their jobs in mental hospitals; insufficient training for providing psychiatric treatment, a negative reputation for psychiatric nurses in the public, and concerns of nurses. These findings were collected during the interview sessions, and notes and ideas were classified and assorted. Analysis of the qualitative data provided insights into the barriers to psychiatric nurses’ satisfaction.

The present research contributes to the experiences of clinical nurses concerning clinical intervention and care processes in Iraqi psychiatric hospitals. Confrontation of mental patients by nurses in the work environment remains crucial. The findings emphasize the importance of listening to psychiatric nurses and considering how the name of the hospital and patient type and contexts affect nursing satisfaction. Understanding the challenges in the nursing workplace has increased the quality of care providers and satisfaction in the nursing and psychiatric field.

This study aims to develop and create a tool based on factor analysis to assess safety culture in the processing industry.

This study was conducted in the petrochemical industry in 2021. The questionnaires were distributed among 312 employees, supervisors, and managers, and 308 of them were completed. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed by content and construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis), and its reliability was determined by calculating the internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach’s α) and conducting a pilot study. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the relationship between the dimensions of safety culture and the dimensions themselves.

The results showed that 62.4% of participants were under 45 years old and 71.2% of them had more than 10 years of work experience. The obtained content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR) were 0.88 and 0.91, respectively. The results of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed that six questions were assigned to each dimension of safety culture in the questionnaire. The results of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with a P of 0.001 and the overall goodness index of root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) of 0.07 and the goodness indices of adaptive fit, including good fit index (GFI), comparative fit index (CFI), and normal fit index (NFI) were 0.95, 0.97, and 0.95, respectively. 

Based on the results, a safety culture assessment instrument was developed, including 10 dimensions and 60 items. The results of factor analysis showed that the built-in instrument is highly useful to assess safety culture. In addition, these results showed that safety culture has the strongest relationship with the priority of focusing on health, safety, and environment (HSE) and the weakest relationship with the dimension of collaboration and involvement.