Comparing the effects of group and home-based physical activity on mental health in the elderly

The present study focuses on comparing the effects of home based [HB] and group based [GB] physical activity on mental health in a sample of older adults in Shahr-e-kord. In this quasi-experimental study, a twice weekly physical activity program for 2 months was provided either individually at home or in a group format for 181 people who were divided into two groups [HB and GB]. The outcome, mental health, was measured with the 28 item General Health Questionnaire [GHQ 28]. Mental health status improved after participation in the physical activity program. The decrease in GHQ 28 total score in GB group, 3 months after intervention, was 3.61 +/- 2.28 [P < 0.001]. In HB group, this reduction was 1.20 +/- 2.32 during the same period [P < 0.001]. The difference of these "before-after differences" between the two groups in the GHQ 28 and all its subscales was statistically significant [P < 0.001]. Also, the effects of GB physical activity on mental health compared with HB physical activity, adjusted for related baseline variables, were significant. These findings reveal the probable effects of GB rather than HB physical activity on mental health among the elderly.

[Social capital among medical students of Tehran university of medical sciences in 2011]

Social capital is defined as norms and networks which provide conditions to people's participation in social activities in order to profit mutually. Considering the importance of social capital and having less studies done in this area, this research is aimed to study the social capital and factors affecting it among students of Tehran University of medical sciences [TUMS]. This study is a cross-sectional study. 200 medical students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, with a mean age [2.34] 22.55 participated in the study. Participants were selected randomly. 36-item Bullen's questionnaire having 8 dimensions was used for data collection. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS 18. Data analysis was performed with T-Test, Pearson correlation and ONOVA. Total means score for social capital was calculated 46.87. Minimum and maximum mean was measured for "participation in local community" and "family and friends connections" dimension, respectively. The study also showed a relationship between social capital with gender, age and language [ethnicity] of participants. According to the results, there exists a relationship between social capital, in some concepts, with age, gender and Place of Residence. As a guideline, authorities can use it to increase social capital through having appropriate interventions

Factors Influencing Physical Activity Behavior among Iranian Women with Type 2 Diabetes Using the Extended Theory of Reasoned Action

BACKGROUND: Findings of most studies indicate that the only way to control diabetes and prevent its debilitating effects is through the continuous performance of self-care behaviors. Physical activity is a non-pharmacological method of diabetes treatment and because of its positive effects on diabetic patients, it is being increasingly considered by researchers and practitioners. This study aimed at determining factors influencing physical activity among diabetic women in Iran, using the extended theory of reasoned action in Iran. METHODS: A sample of 352 women with type 2 diabetes, referring to a Diabetes Clinic in Khoy, Iran, participated in the study. Appropriate instruments were designed to measure the desired variables (knowledge of diabetes, personal beliefs, subjective norms, perceived self-efficacy, behavioral intention and physical activity behavior). The reliability and validity of the instruments were examined and approved. Statistical analyses of the study were conducted by inferential statistical techniques (independent t-test, correlations and regressions) using the SPSS package. RESULTS: The findings of this investigation indicated that among the constructs of the model, self efficacy was the strongest predictor of intentions among women with type 2 diabetes and both directly and indirectly affected physical activity. In addition to self efficacy, diabetic patients' physical activity also was influenced by other variables of the model and sociodemographic factors. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the high ability of the theory of reasoned action extended by self-efficacy in forecasting and explaining physical activity can be a base for educational intervention. Educational interventions based on the proposed model are necessary for improving diabetics' physical activity behavior and controlling disease.