Can yoga be considered as an effective supportive psychological intervention with an impact on the quality of life for breast cancer survivors?

Introduction: The aim of this study was to address the current lack of knowledge regarding the effects of yoga, an ancient oriental science, on reduction of stress and increase of Quality of Life [QoL] for breast cancer patients

Patients and methods:27 breast cancer patients, who had completed their standard medical therapies, including surgery [modified radical mastectomy], chemotherapy and radiotherapy, were recruited from the Mehrane Charity Centre. The patients were randomly assigned to a yoga intervention group [n: 16] or a wait list [control group] [n: 11] for 32 sessions [16 weeks] of a yoga program. The pre- and post-yoga quality of life assessments for the patients were conducted using the Iranian Version of the EORTC QLQ-BR23 questionnaire

Results: After 16 weeks of yoga intervention and evaluation of physical, social, emotional, functional, sexual and body image well-being, it was revealed that our experimental group [mean age of 48.5 +/- 6.6 years old] had a significant decrease in emotional and sexual disturbance and experienced an improvement in positive body imaging compared with the control group [mean age: 46.9 +/- 8 years old] [P value<0.05]. Furthermore, significant improvement in functional, emotional, and body image well-being was observed after yoga intervention in the experimental group in comparison to baseline condition [P value<0.05]

Conclusion: Results of this study provide evidence for beneficial effects of a yoga program on the quality of life among breast cancer survivors

Seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women and bioassay of IgM positive cases in Zanjan, Northwest of Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the Toxoplasma antibodies in pregnant women in Zanjan, by ELISA method. Blood samples were taken from 500 pregnant women referred to the health centers of Zanjan City, North West Iran, IgM and IgG titers were primarily evaluated. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS 11.5 using Chi-Square test. Anti Toxoplasma IgM and IgG were positive in 1.4% and 37.2% respectively. Seropositive subjects were more frequently seen in those with >30 years old compared to younger women [<20 years old]. No significant relationship was found between the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and level of education, residence area, history of abortion and gestational age. The rate of IgM positive was low; however, a large number of the studied population were IgG positive, indicative of having a latent infection due to the past exposure to Toxoplasma parasite in this region

Evaluation of Anti-Toxoplasma IgG, IgM, and IgA in Mothers with Spontaneous Abortion in Zanjan, Northwest Iran

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the major agents of infectious abortions and due to its worldwide distribution can threat healthy pregnant women who had no previous exposure to this parasite. The present study was designed to investigate the contribution of T. gondii to spontaneous abortions in Zanjan, Northwest of Iran, using ELISA method. Blood Samples were collected from 264 mothers referred to the provincial hospitals of Zanjan due to spontaneous abortion. The sera were isolated and subjected to evaluate the anti-Toxoplasma IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies. The results showed IgG positive (IgG+) in 99 cases (37.5%). A total of 68 women (25.8%) showed seroconversion with IgM or IgA or both IgM and IgA. They included: IgM+ in 21 (8.0%), IgA+ in 23 (8.7%) and both IgM+ and IgA+ in 24 (9.1%) subjects. In 23 cases, positive titers of IgM and IgG were accompanied. In general, the analysis of anti-Toxoplasma antibody patterns, showed that about 17% of the spontaneous abortions were associated with serological patterns of acute infection. According to these findings, a considerable proportion of spontaneous abortions can be attributed to T. gondii in the study area.

Predictors of outcome in in-hospital cardio-pulmonary resuscitation

Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation [CPR] is performed to restore life after clinical death. CPR was formerly being used for out- of- hospital arrests. Nevertheless, it is increasingly applied for in-hospital arrests. Due to differences in speed of action of in-hospital and out- of-hospital CPRs and also numerous disease features, there are striking differences in their success rate and indexes. Attendance of expert CPR team in hospital also affects success. This study was conducted to evaluate the factors related to the success rate of CPR in Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Zanjan, Iran. In this cross-sectional study data was collected from in-hospital CPRs in Vali-e-Asr Hospital of Zanjan during 2008. The correlations between the success rate of CPR and some factors including age, sex, illness background, the first rhythm in monitoring, the admitting ward, and time intervals [including the time intervals elapsed between patient admission and cardio-vascular arrest and between collapse and initiation of CPR, the attendance of CPR team, intubation, and cardioversion] were analyzed. 302 cases [46% male and 54% female] were included in this study. 72 [23.8%] indicated a primary success and 10 [3.3%] subjects experienced a full success and then discharged from the hospital. After adjustment for confounding variables only three factors were found to be independently associated with a successful CPR; the time necessary for the attendance of CPR team, lack of monitoring of the patients before the arrest and the first cardiac rhythm at the time of cardiovascular collapse. Extremely experienced CPR team and their timely prompt attendance on the CPR scene was the most important factor to increase the efficiency of in-hospital CPRs. The rate of success in CPR was not dependent on cardiac monitoring and was not increased in intensive care units. It seems that delayed use of the intensive care units decreases their efficacy in the success of CPRs

Outcome of conservative and surgical methods in the management of early incomplete abortions

Abortions are the most common complications of pregnancy. This study was conducted to figure out primary outcomes of surgical and conservative management of incomplete abortions in early pregnancy. This study was carried out in Mousavi and Vali Asr hospitals of Zanjan in 2008-2009. 48 women with incomplete abortions were divided into two groups based on their own preferences: conservative management [n=25] and surgical management [n=23]. In the conservative group, the patients were granted with a two-week interval for spontaneous resolution and then a sonoghraphy was performed. In the surgical group curettage was done and after two weeks patients were visited. In both groups, we compared satisfaction, time taken to do normal activities, bleeding days, pelvic pain and the need for follow up care after two weeks. In the conservative group, spontaneous resolution occurred in 19 patients [76%] after two weeks. In this group satisfaction was higher and time taken to return to the normal activities was shorter than the surgical group, but bleeding days was longer in the conservative group and more patients needed follow up care after 2 weeks. There was no significant difference in pelvic pain between two groups. Conservative management is a superior alternative method in the management of incomplete abortions in early pregnancy. However, further researches are necessary in order to attribute these results to all patients

[Outcome of conservative and surgical methods in the management of early incomplete abortions]

Abortions are the most common complications of pregnancy This study was conducted to figure out primary outcomes of surgical and conservative management of incomplete abortions in early pregnancy. This study was carried out in Mousavi and Vali Asr hospitals of Zanjan in 2008-2009. 48 women with incomplete abortions were divided into two groups based on their own preferences: conservative management [n=25] and surgical management [n=23]. In the conservative group, the patients were granted with a two-week interval for spontaneous resolution and then a sonoghraphy was performed. In the surgical group curettage was done and after two weeks patients were visited. In both groups, we compared satisfaction, time taken to do normal activities, bleeding days, pelvic pain and the need for follow up care after two weeks. In the conservative group, spontaneous resolution occurred in 19 patients [76%] after two weeks. In this group satisfaction was higher and time taken to return to the normal activities was shorter than the surgical group, but bleeding days was longer in the conservative group and more patients needed follow up care after 2 weeks. There was no significant difference in pelvic pain between two groups. Conservative management is a superior alternative method in the management of incomplete abortions in early pregnancy. However, further researches are necessary in order to attribute these results to all patients

[Predictors of outcome in in-hospital cardio-pulmonary resuscitation]

Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation [CPR] is performed to restore life after clinical death. CPR was formerly being used for out-of-hospital arrests. Nevertheless, it is increasingly applied for in-hospital arrests. Due to differences in speed of action of in-hospital and out-of-hospital CPRs and also numerous disease features, there are striking differences in their success rate and indexes. Attendance of expert CPR team in hospital also affects success. This study was conducted to evaluate the factors related to the success rate of CPR in Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Zanjan, Iran. In this cross-sectional study data was collected from in-hospital CPRs in Vali-e-Asr Hospital of Zanjan during 2008. The correlations between the success rate of CPR and some factors including age, sex, illness background, the first rhythm in monitoring, the admitting ward, and time intervals [including the time intervals elapsed between patient admission and cardio-vascular arrest and between collapse and initiation of CPR, the attendance of CPR team, intubation, and cardioversion] were analyzed. 302 cases [46% male and 54% female] were included in this study. 72 [23.8%] indicated a primary success and 10 [3.3%] subjects experienced a full success and then discharged from the hospital. After adjustment for confounding variables only three factors were found to be independently associated with a successful CPR; the time necessary for the attendance of CPR team, lack of monitoring of the patients before the arrest and the first cardiac rhythm at the time of cardiovascular collapse. Extremely experienced CPR team and their timely prompt attendance on the CPR scene was the most important factor to increase the efficiency of in-hospital CPRs. The rate of success in CPR was not dependent on cardiac monitoring and was not increased in intensive care units. It seems that delayed use of the intensive care units decreases their efficacy in the success of CPRs

[Zanjan Islamic Azad university students' attitudes towards emergency contraception]

Unwanted pregnancy is a common health problem worldwide. Emergency contraception [EC] is the best effective approach for solving this problem. For reorganizing and correcting misunderstandings about the use of these methods, the present study was carried out on Zanjan Islamic Azad university students' in order to assess their attitudes towards emergency contraception. The attitudes of 1019 students towards EC was investigated using a self administered questionnaire including questions about demographic data and their attitude status. The data analyzed using appropriate software. About one third of the students [35.2%] had positive attitude, over half of them [64.1%] had impartial and less than one percent [0.7%] had negative attitude towards emergency contraception. Over half of them tended to use it and about one third believed that EC was very effective. 36% wished to obtain it from private health sectors and 35% cited that they did not do anything for the reason of modesty and shyness. Over one third of the subjects believed that using these methods is confronted with their religion. The most important obstacles for obtaining these devices were modesty, shyness and religious reasons which created a negative attitude. Consulting sessions can solve many of these barriers and will support a positive attitude

[ effect of sitting pelvic tilt exercise on physical disability in primigravidas with low back pain during the third trimester]

Low back pain is one of the most common complaints in pregnancy which interferes with work, daily activities and sleep. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Sitting Pelvic Tilt Exercise on physical disability in primigravidas with low back pain during the third trimester. This quasi-experimental study was carried out on 60 primigravidas who attended in 3 prenatal clinics of Zanjan university of medical science. At first, 60 primigravidas were selected by simple sampling and randomly divided into two groups: case and control. Only the experimental group did the sitting pelvic tilt exercise program for 8 weeks during the third trimester. Data was collected for both groups by interview using VAS scale and Disability Rating Index [DRI] on the days 0 and 56 [pre and post intervention]. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, occupation, education and BMI and intensity of physical disability before the intervention. However, intensity of physical disability significantly decreased [p<0.0001] in the experimental group after the exercise program. Adversely, the intensity of physical disability increased in the control group as pregnancy proceed [p<0.0001]. Intensity of low back pain was also reduced in the experimental group after the sifting pelvic tilt exercise program comparing to pre treatment stage and also in comparison with the control group [P<0.0001]. It seems that use of exercise programs such as "sitting pelvic tilt exercise" is an effective method in pregnant women who suffer from low back pain and related disabilities but do not want to use aggressive treatments and chemical pain relief drugs

[Knowledge level attitude and performance of women on diet and exercise and their relation with cardiovascular diseases risk factors]

Nowadays cardiovascular diseases have affected more women than men. A healthy diet and physical activity are two essential factors in life style Unhealthy life style have direct effect on these risk factors. A survey of women's lifestyle due to their important role in family life style can help to recognize problems as well as to establish guidelines for society family health Promotion programs. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, life style and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases was evaluated by standard Monica questionnaire in Zanjan. In this study 997 women older than 20 years were analyzed. The majority of the subjects had a good knowledge about the effect of exercise [66/7%] and the attitude [4/62%] on cardiovascular disease prevention. But a few of them had appropriate performance [24/1%]. There was a significant statistical difference in the level of blood cholesterol [P=0/02] fasting blood sugar [P=0/03] and blood pressure [P=0/02] and physical activity and exercise. But there was no significant statistical difference in the level of knowledge about diet with the level of blood cholesterol, sugar, hypertension and their performance. Knowledge alone doesn't guarantee the performance of individuals. An intervention in order to improve the health behaviors is necessary