[Effectiveness of training in improving attention and working memory on continuous performance in ADHD children]

Background: ADHD [attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder] is a developmental disorder that has been attracting the attention of psychologists and psychiatrists for a long time. The purpose of this research was to study the effectiveness of training in improving attention and working memory on continuous performance in ADHD children

Materials and methods: This was a semi-expremental study performed on 44 ADHD children referred to psychiatric clinics in Babol city. They were equally divided into the experimental and the control groups. The performance of the members belonging to both groups was assessed using the continuous performance test in the pretest stage. Each member of the experimental group was then individually trained for 20 half-hour sessions [three half-hour sessions per week for a period of seven weeks] using attention and working memory improvement software. After the training period, post-test was conducted on members of both groups using the mentioned software

Results: Results of ANCOVA indicated that despite increased continuous performance in both the experimental and the control groups in the post-test stage, the increased continuous performance in the experimental group was greater compared to the control group. Therefore, training in improving attention and working memory was effective in increasing continuous performance in ADHA children

Conclusion: Training in improving attention and working memory, and similar trainings, can be considered as complementary treatment method, or a substitute method for medicines

[Effectiveness of biofeedback on quality of life in patients with dyssynergic defecation disorder]

Dyssynergic defecation disorder [DD] has recognized as the main factor for chronic functional constipation. This was a debilitating disease effective on diverse aspects of physical, psychological and social functions as well as patients' quality of life generally. Modern studies show positive impact of biofeedback therapy on dyssynergic defecation. This study was evaluated the efficacy of biofeedback on quality of life in patients with dyssynergic defecation. A total of 30 patients with dyssynergic defecation disorder visited tertiary care centers who were selected. Among them, 15 subjects underwent 8 biofeedback therapy sessions as experimental group and remaining subjects were placed into control group without biofeedback intervention. Both groups participated in pre-test and post-test of 36-item short form survey [SF-36] of quality of life. Data were analyzed and compared by analysis of covariance [ANCOVA]. Findings shows that biofeedback therapy was effective on quality of life patients with dyssynergic defecation [p= 0.001] Also, index effect suggested that 53% increased of QOL patients with dyssynergic defecation in experimental group can be related to biofeedback therapy. Also in 8 cases, results indicated that biofeedback therapy was effect on quality of life in patients with DD [p<0.05]. Given the results in this study, biofeedback is a long-term effective method to treat with limited side effects in dyssynergic defecation and patients QOL

[ relationship between sexual function and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome]

Sexual dysfunction is common in chronic diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]. Sexual function is an important aspect of quality of life. The present study seeks to determine the relationship between sexual function and quality of life in patients with IBS. In this cross-sectional study, 47 female patients with IBS who referred to the one of gastroenterologist clinics in Tehran and gastroenterologist clinic at Imam Khomeini Hospital selected via the available sampling method. Patients completed the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality Of Life questionnaire [IBS-QOL] and Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI]. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation models. According to the IBS-QOL, patients' mean score for quality of life [121.9] was poor. The FSFI mean score was indicative of sexual dysfunction. We observed a significant correlation between sexual function and quality of life in patients with IBS [p<0.05]. There was a significant correlation between dyspareunia and quality of life in patients with IBS [p<0.05]. This study showed the presence of a relationship between sexual function and quality of life in patients with IBS. Therefore appropriate strategies for education and counseling should be adopted, as well as referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist for sexual health promotion to improve the quality of life in patients with IBS.

[Predicting quality of life on the basis of type d personality in patients with irritable bowel syndrome]

Quality of life is a main outcome in psychosomatic disorders. Several psychological factors are mentioned for predicting the quality of life in patients who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between type D personality and quality of life in patients with IBS. This study enrolled 90 [52 women] IBS patients who referred to the gastroenterology clinics of Imam Khomeini and Laleh hospitals from September to December 2012. We used the Type D Personality and IBS Quality of Life questionnaires to evaluate patients. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation and multi-variable regression models. Overall, 61% of patients were H. pylori positive. The mean anti-Thyroid peroxidase level in the H. pylori positive group We observed a relationship between type D personality and quality of life in patients with IBS [r=0.504, p<0.01]. The results showed a 26% variation in quality of life predicted by type D personality [p<0.01, R[2]=0.26]. According to the results, type D personality is one of the predictors of quality of life in patients with IBS. Therefore, it is important to consider psychological factors when choosing the appropriate treatment for IBS patients.

[Predicting quality of life on the basis of illness perception in patients with irritable bowel syndrome]

Irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] is a disorder of the gastrointestinal system that presents with special gastrointestinal signs and lack of an organic etiology. Quality of life [QOL] is one of the most important outcomes of IBS. Several psychological factors are mentioned as effective in determining QOL in IBS patients. The goal of this study is to determined the relationship between illness perception and QOL in patients with IBS. This study enrolled 96 patients, 40 males[41.7%] and 56 females[58.3%] who referred to the gastroenterology clinics of Imam Khomeini and Laleh hospitals from September to December 2012 Tehran, Iran. Participants completed a Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire [Brief- IPQ] and an IBS-specific QOL [IBS-QOL-34] questionnaire. Information collected by the questionnaire were analyzed with Pearson'scorrelation and regression analysis. Results of the analysis performed by Pearson's correlation showed a significant association between patient's illness perception and QOL among those with IBS. Among the subscales of illness perception, the Consequence [p<0.01, r=0.63], Emotion [p<0.01, r=0.55], Concern [p<0.01,r=0.31], Timeline[p<0.01,r=0.30], and Identity [p<0.01,r=0.20] subscales showed the most significant correlation with QOL. There was no relation observed between Illness Comprehensibility, Treatment Control, and Personal Control subscales with QOL. Patient's illness perception seems to play a role in determining QOL among IBS suffers. Therefore psychological intervention based on the patient's illness perception is recommended for IBS patients