[ role of relaxation training to pregnant mothers on health index of infants]

Investigations have shown that the emotional stress during the pregnancy period could have sustainable effects on the embryo. Different factors such as family members, spouse, supporting friends could relive these effects, but coping skills especially relaxation could be more effective on stress. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of relaxation training to pregnant mothers on health index such as Apgar index, weight, height, and cowlick grade in infants. This is a clinical trail in which 100 pregnant women who referred to health center of Yasuj [2006-2008] were selected using simple sampling method and assigned randomly to case and control groups. The relaxation was taught to the case group whereas nothing was taught to control groups. At the time of delivery the above mentioned indices were assessed. The gathered data was analyzed using SPSS software. The results showed a significant difference between two groups in weight, height, cephalic index, and colic grade [with better situation in case group]. There was no significant difference between two groups in Apgar scores. Considering the results of this study, it seems that teaching of relaxation to pregnant women could be effective in health index of children especially in the time of delivery. Therefore attention should be paid to different methods for reducing the stress in this group of mothers

[ effect of Benson relaxation technique on anxiety level and quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome]

Irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] is the most common functional bowel disorder which both the bowel and the brain are involved in this syndrome. Combined medical- relaxational therapy has been suggested to decrease anxiety and relieve symptoms, make better feeling of self health and improve the quality of life in these patients. This study was designed to determine the effects of Benson relaxation technique on anxiety level and quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. In a clinical trial, 30 patients with irritable bowel syndrome were selected and randomly placed into two groups: case and control. The control group was treated by only usual medical therapy but the case group was treated by combined medical - relaxational therapy. The two groups continued therapy for three months. The anxiety of patients was measured by Spielberger test [State and Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]]. The quality of life of patient with regard to irritable bowel syndrome, was measured by BS-QOI with subscales 8, before intervention, 1 week and 3 months after intervention in both groups. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive and Mann-whitney, repeated measurement test and chi-square statistical methods. State and trait anxiety mean of the case and control groups two weeks before and one week after intervention didn't show any significant differences. But after three months the results showed a significant difference between the two groups [p<0.05]. There wasn't significant difference in scales of quality of life before intervention. One week after the intervention, differences of both group in four scales of dysphoria, health worry, social reaction and relationship were meaningful and the function of case group was more undesirable than that of the control group. Three months after completing the process, there wasn't a meaningful increase in sex function in case group in comparison with the control group but there was a significant recovery in the case group in other performance scales [p<0.001]. The quality of life of patients in control group compared to case group decreased or did not change significantly after 3 months. Performing Benson relaxation therapy is effective in reducing anxiety level coinciding with improvement quality of life; therefore relaxation therapy can be recommended as an effective care program

[Determination of peroxide value of edible oils used in restaurants and sandwich shops in Yasuj in 2006]

Nowadays the extensive changes in lifestyle resulted in an increase in consumption of fast food. This type of food, because of using deep-fat frying, may contain some toxic or unfavorable substances which have adverse effects on consumers' health. The aim of this study was to determine the peroxide value of edible oils which are used in restaurants and sandwich shops in Yasouj city. This descriptive study was carried out on all sandwich shops [n=36] and restaurants [n=12] in Yasuj city in 2006. All samples and questionnaire data in restaurants and sandwich shops were collected at 11:30am and 12:30pm respectively based on a national standard protocol, number 493, by a food expert. The peroxide value was determined based on national standard procedure, number 4179, in a food laboratory and the acceptable limit was defined as 7 meq/kg. Findings of this study showed that in terms of health rules and regulations, at least 50% of oils used in restaurants and 70% in sandwich shops were unfavorable. Peroxide value of 58.3% of oils in restaurants and 97.3% in sandwich shops was greater than the acceptable limit. These findings have shown that the health rules and regulations for the oils are not exercised in Yasouj restaurants and sandwich shops and this can have adverse effects on consumers' health