[Evaluation of comparison of hamstring and rectus femoris muscles stiffness and peak torque between anterior knee pain patients and healthy subjects]

This study was performed to compare the stiffness of hamstring and rectus femoris muscles in subjects with anterior knee pain and normal subjects. In this non experimental and case-control study, 20 persons with anterior knee pain were selected simply from convenient sample and 20 healthy persons were selected by matching method. proximal and distal stiffness of hamstring and rectus femoris muscles were measured using an isokinetic device in the passive mode. Also, maximal concentric peak torque during flexion and extension movements of hip and knee, in two groups were compared by independent T-test and correlation analysis. There was no significant difference between anterior knee pain and proximal compartment of rectus femoris [P=0.320] and hamstring [P=0.125] stiffness, but there was significant difference between anterior knee pain and distal compartment of rectus femoris and hamstring stiffness [P<0.001]. Significant relationship was found between anterior knee pain and muscles strength [P<0.001]. No correlation was found between strength and stiffness of rectus femoris [P=0.356] and hamstring muscles [P=0.643] in patients group, but in healthy subjects this relationship was found [P<0.001]. In patients with anterior knee pain, hamstring and rectus femoris muscles stiffness increased and muscle strength decreased. Increasing of muscle strength was effective on stiffness in healthy subjects, but there was no relation between them in patients group. Also rectus femoris and hamstring muscles possibly have different proximal and distal neuromuscular compartments

[Effect of custom molded functional brace on balance in patients with anterior cruciate ligament tearing]

Knee joint is a complex structure and anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] tear is one of the most common injuries of it. Anterior cruciate ligament, because of its proprioceptive function, has an important role in balance control and its tearing may tend to balance control deficiency. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of functional brace on the balance in patients with anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Method: In this quasi-experimental study, 20 patients with anterior cruciate ligament tear, with the age of 18 to 44 years, were recruited. Patients were selected by simple sampling method. Force plate was used for testing the postural balance, as a dependent variable. Data were analyzed using paired-t and chi-square tests. The velocity of center of pressure in x and y directions was not statistically significant comparing the bracing position with bare feet. The difference between pre and post orthotic intervention testing of displacement was not statistically significant in with/without brace position [P>0.05]. According to the results, it seems that the functional brace is not effective in improvement of postural balance in patients with anterior cruciate ligament tear

[Association between perceived social support and quality of life in patients with heart failure]

Patient with heart failure have a low quality of life because of experiencing emotional, financial, and physical pressures. Perceived social support plays an important role in health maintenance and reducing negative effects of environmental and social related stressors. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the association between perceived social support and quality of life in patients with heart failure. It was cross- sectional, correlational study. The study sample consisted of heart failure patients admitted to Hamedan city educational heart centers from 2008. Sixty patients were recruited by purposeful sampling. Data was collected by Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire [MLHFQ] and perceived social support in heart failure questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS-PC [v.13]. The finding indicated that%46.7 of the patients have enjoyed moderate levels of quality of life and%61.7 have enjoyed low levels of perceived social support. There was a significant relationship between perceived social support and quality of life [r=0.721, p=0.00]. The results reveals the importance of health sector professionals' attention to perceived social support. Therefore nurses should pay more attention to designing supportive and effective care programs to help to promote the quality of life of these patients

[Effect of reconstruction surgery on hamstring reflex in patients with anterior cruciate ligament tear in acute phase]

Anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] tear is one of the most common injuries at knee joint. This study was done to evalute the effect of reconstruction surgery on hamstring reflex in patients with ACL tear. In this Quasi- experimental study, 30 patients [16 males, 14 females] with ACL tear, with mean age of 26.52 +/- 8.72 years old were recruited during 2007. Patients were selected in a non probability sampling manner. The Kinsiological Electromyography and trauma mechanism were used for testing the hamstring reflex. Muscle activity were measured as a dependent variable. Data were analyzed with Paired T-Test, ICC, SEM and K-S tests. Hamstring reflex in affected knee and after reconstruction surgery was 73.25 +/- 3.22 and 47.35 +/- 3.85, respectively. This difference was significant [P<0.05]. Reconstruction surgery in patients with ACL tear at acute phase is effective in improvement of hamstring reflex

[Effect of functional brace on threshold of motion sense in patients with Anterior Aruciate Ligament tear]

Anterior Cruciate Ligament [ACL] tear is one of the most common injuries at knee joint. Threshold of motion sense included inputs that are received by mechanical receptors at dynamic position. The objection of present study was to find the effect of functional brace on the Kinesthesia motion sense in patients with ACL rupture. In this Quasi- experimental study, 20 patients with ACL tear, with aging range between 18 to 44 years old were recruited. Patients were selected in a simple non probability sampling manner. Using Continuous passive motion for testing the Kinesthesia motion sense, as a dependent variable. Data was analyzed with Paired t-test and Colmogrof-Smirnof tests. Threshold of motion sense at affected knee before and after bracing was 3.93 +/- 1.67, 4.45 +/- 1.86 in open eyes and 3.82 +/- 1.61, 4.13 +/- 1.96 in closed eyes [P<0.05]. This study showed that the functional brace did not play in important role in the improvement of threshold of motion sense in patients with ACL tear

effect of patellar taping on knee joint proprioception in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Proprioception has been found to have a relation to subjective knee function and patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome [PFPS] seem to have larger deficits than asymptomatic individuals little is known about whether taping can restore defects in proprioception or by which mechanisms it can improve anterior knee pain. To determine the effect of patellar taping on knee joint proprioception a pre and post intervention repeated measures design was conducted on 25 male with PFPS [23.6 +/- 3.04 years] and 25 healthy male [23.5 +/- 3.1 years]. Active angle reproduction, passive angle reproduction, and threshold to detection of passive movement tests were measured. Each of the tests was done under taped and no-taped conditions in 20 and 60 degree of knee flexion. We found significant difference between taped and no-taped conditions in active angle reproduction test for both groups [P < 0.05]. The other tests did not show any significant difference [P > 0.05]. Obtained results suggest that patellar taping may improve knee proprioception during active angle reproduction. Two groups could benefit from taping but further researches are needed to determine whether the present results are applicable to other situations or not

[Implicit motor learning after unilateral stroke using serial reaction time task]

Motor skills and learning after stroke are of a great importance. This study aimed at studying implicit learning in unilateral stroke patients using affected hand and comparison with normal subjects. A serial reaction time task by using a software was applied for studying implicit motor learning in 15 stroke patients and 15 matched normal subjects. In this task 4 squares with different colors appeared on the monitor and subjects were asked to press its defined key immediately after observing it. In the first day subjects practiced 8 motor blocks [4 patterned blocks, then 2 random blocks and finally 2 patterned blocks]. The next day subjects practiced a retention test consisted of 2 patterned blocks. Subjects were not provided with any explanation about the sequence of squares. All subjects were right handed and impaired hand in patients was right side and they practiced with their impaired hand. Task performance of patients was slower than normal subjects. Age, sex and educational level had no significant effects on task performance. Block time differences of second block with fourth, eight and tenth blocks [next day] were significant in both groups. Similar motor learning [defined as stable decrease of block times] in stroke patients and normal subjects shows the capability of stroke patients in implicit motor learning during using the affected hand and this is not affected by age, sex and educational level

[Psychological effects of blood donation on repeat and first time donors in Tehran Blood Transfusion Center]

Provision of adequate and safe blood is the main purpare of Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization. One of the most important and vital strategies to deal with the issue is to replace once donors by repeat donors. Psychological effects of blood donation on frequent and infrequent clients having referred to different blood collection centers in Tehran were considered to be the aim of this study. In the course of this analytic cross-sectional study the standard questionnaire of GHQ was utilized to measure mental health of the participants. All of the donors who had referred to blood collection centers in Tehran during 2004-2005 formed the participants of this research. Data were analyzed with Chi-square, t-test and Man Withney test. Nine hundred thirty five frequent and 749 infrequent donors filled the questionnaire. The level of anxiety and depression in repeated donors was also lower than the other group. The individuals who attempt on blood donation for the first time report their health and physical conditions at a completely acceptable level in order to be accepted as an eligible candidate; however, it is not the same for constant donors, as they do not benefit from this. The return rate of blood donors is very low in case of individuals suffering from high stress. Religious beliefs and the feeling of being beneficial to the society are considered to be important factors both in motivating people to repeat blood donation and protecting against depression. The results of the present study upon publication will also encourage donors to repeat their behavior

Mandibulo-Canine index value for sex identification

The value of the mandibulo-canine index [MCI] in gender identification has been proved in some studies in various countries. The goal of our study was to determine the utility of MCI in gender identification in Iran. This descriptional survey was performed on a group of 18- to 25-year-old Iranian students at the Tehran University of Medical Science. We included 50 males and 50 females that were selected using a single sampling method. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS [v. 13] and t-test. No statistically significant difference was found between the mean ages of the two groups. Among men, the MCI ranged from 0.209 to 0.293, with a mean of 0.252. Among women, the MCI ranged from 0.202 to 0.276, with a mean of 0.245. There was significant statistical difference between the two means, [0.007; P value = 0.04]. The standard MCI of 0.247 was compared to that of each gender, after which no significant statistical difference was found between the two genders [P value = 0.8]. Despite some studies performed in other countries displaying the usefulness of MCI in sex determination, our data did not support this conclusion. Perhaps this difference can be explained because of the variety ethnic groups from various cities of Iran represented in this research had some influence on the results

[Validation of geriatric depression scale [GDS-15] in Iran]

Depressive disorders are quite prevalent among the old population of developed countries, therefore, validated scaling systems are necessary for screening purpose. The present study was designed to develop and validate GDS-15 in Iran. The Persian version was prepared using translation, reverse translation and comparing technique. Then, 204 adults aged >59 years were randomly selected to fill the questionnaire. Standard Clinical Interview using Composite International Diagnostic Interview [CIDI] was applied as the gold standard for depressive disorders diagnosis. Results revealed satisfactory reliability coefficient. Depression-associated factor [including 11 questions] could be considered as a brief form with alpha and correlation coefficient of 0.92 and 0.58 with the original form [p<0.001]. Having applied ROC analysis, cut off points of 8 and 6 were determined for 15- and 11-question forms, respectively, with sensitivities of 0.9 and 0.9 and specificities of 0.84 and 0.83, respectively. Our results revealed that 11- and 15-question forms of GDS are quite reliable and valid for epidemiological and screening studies, especially among urban population

Effect of relaxation program on the rate of ventricular arrhythmia in patients with myocardial infarction

Relaxation is one of the efficient methods in decreasing the occurance of ventricular arrhythmia. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of relaxation methods on the rate of ventricular arrhythmia in patients swith myocardial infarction. This study is a clinical trial in which 60 patients with myocardial infarction have been randomly divided into two, experimental and control groups. Data collecting tools were a demographic characteristics form and also a ventricular arrhythmia checklist. In order to assess the effect of relaxation, relaxation method was performed on experimental and control groups and the rate of occurance of ventricular arrhythmia was compared before and after relaxation in both groups. Most of the studied cases were married with primery education level and their monthly income was more than 2000000 Rials. The findings of this study showed that the rate of ventricular arrhythmia in the experimental group was lower in comparison with the control group and this difference was statisticaly significant. Relaxation can be used as an efficient element in decreasing ventricular arrhythmia in patients with myocardial infarction

[Comparison between heat and cold in basic excitatory responses inhealthy subjects]

Heat and Cold are among the most important and effective methods inrehabilitation of neuromusculoskeletal disorders. However there has been a controversy concerning thephysiological and clinical effects of heat and cold. In this article, the physiological effects of heat and coldhave been assessed. Furthermore, the effect of these modalities on electrical stimulation thresholds has beenstudied.This research that is a semi-experimental study, has been performed on 30 healthymale and female students aged 20-30. After changing the skin temperature to 20 and 44°C by ice and hotpacks respectively, all 4 stimulation thresholds [sensory, motor, pain and max pain] were recorded by the useof electrical stimulation.The present research indicated that heat modalities had no effect on stimulation thresholds but thecold caused a considerable increase in all of the electrical thresholds and the effect sustained for momentsafter removing cold modality.Cold modalities change stimulation thresholds and in this regard they can be considered aseffective ways for treating musculoskeletal disorders

[ effect of sterile gauze bandage on preventing of phlebitis and local infections due to using intravenous catheter]

Background and Objective: one of the most current aggressive methods to access to blood vessels intravenous peripheral catheters that contains excess complications and prevention of it is one of important medical goals. Therefore, this study was done to determining influence dressing with gauze sterile using in complication appearance rate of side effects patients in CCU and having venous catheter

Materials and Methods: this clinical trial accomplished on 64 patient's hospitalization in CCU and post CCU of Malayer Hospital. 32 of patients in the experimental group [Use of dressing with gaze sterile] and 32 of patients shelled in the control group [Routine] randomly. For data collecting was used checklist and laboratory reports, the method was according to following

Form: in beginning, questionnaire which contained demographic information completed and then venous catheter was enclosed sterility in patient's hand by one person, after the catheter was replaced, placed the gauze sterile on catheter site for the experimental group [Routine] then every 12 hours considered the place in aspect of phlebitis and infection to 72 hours duration, since phlebitis appearing and or finished 72 hours, the angiocat plastical tip detached from trunck by sterile bisturi and transferred to laboratory tube containing nutritive materials and sent the laboratory during minumm time possible time it was cultured in a culture environment growing 15 colony number on every platelet was considered as positive

Results: 65% of 2 groups are among 61-70 years old 53.1% of both group are illiterate. The majority of both groups [59.4%] had myocardial ischemic heart disease. Catheter situation in the experimental group 53.7% was in the left hand and the control group 63.1% was in the right hand in aspect of type of used drug 44.1% individuals of the 2 groups used 2 drugs heparin and vasodilators. Study's result about phlebitis with [P<0.05] showed that the gauze sterile dressing has effected in preventing of it's appearance, therefore statistical fisher test showed that gauze sterile dressing is not effected in preventing of venous catheter's local infection

Conclusion: the use of the sterile gauze dressing can effect in preventing of phlebitis and colonization

Development, validation and reliability of child abuse self report scale [CASRS] in Iranian students

Diagnosing and assessing child abuse is a critical and difficult process in clinical psychology, because this phenomenon has several negative behavioral and psychological consequences on victims. The aim of this research is to create a scale for assessing child abuse and neglect. Through a multiclustral sampling, 3042 secondary school students [boys and girls] were selected to fill [1] a list of 54 items [Child Abuse and Self Report Scale, CASRS] which assess four categories of child abuse and neglect, after approving through content validity and [2] Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children [TSCC-A] in order to assign construct validity and comorbid psychopathology. Then, we did a clinical interview with a sample group who were diagnosed as abused children according to CASRS and TSCC-A. In addition, these scales were completed by a group of abused children as criterion group, for assigning criterion validity. In order to assign the reliability of CASRS and TSCC-A, after 3 weeks test-retest was done. Through a factor analysis, the best items were assigned. The results showed that CASRS and TSCC-A have excellent reliability and validity. Also, its stability was at an appropriate level. In addition, factor analysis showed that 38 items were the best questions for assessing child abuse. We believe that CASRS is an instrument which measures child abuse during the current life. It is brief [6 to 8 minutes for the core scales] and practical for epidemiological researches on child abuse, maltreatment and clinical screening. Methodological issues inherent in child self-report measures of abuse are discussed