< The> effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on psychological symptoms and quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a randomized controlled trial

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy [MBCT] on psychological symptoms and quality of life [QoL] in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]

Methods: We conducted a randomized single-blind clinical trial in patients with SLE referred from the Imam Ali Clinic in Shahrekord, southwest Iran. The patients [46 in total in two groups of 23 each] were randomly assigned into the experimental and control groups. Both groups underwent routine medical care, and the experimental group underwent eight group sessions of MBCT in addition to routine care. The patient's QoL was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-28 and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey before, after, and six months after intervention [follow-up]

Results: A significant difference was seen in psychological symptoms and QoL between MBCT and control groups immediately after the intervention and at follow-up [p /= 0.050]

Conclusions: MBCT contributed to decreased psychological symptoms and improved QoL in patients with SLE with a stable effect on psychological symptoms and psychological components of QoL, but an unstable effect on physical components

[Efficacy of hypnotherapy in conjunction with pharmacotherapy and pharmacotherapy alone on the quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome]

This study assessed the effects of hypnotherapy in conjunction with pharmacotherapy versus pharmacotherapy on the quality of life in patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]. This clinical trial used the convenience sampling method to enroll 34 IBS patients. Patients were selected according to Rome III criteria and divided into two groups: i] hypnotherapy plus standard medical treatment and ii] standard medical treatment. The QOL-IBS scale assessed patient quality of life at baseline, post-treatment and at the six month follow-up. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance [ANCOVA]. There were significant differences observed between both groups at the post-treatment and follow-up stages in terms of quality of life [p<0.05]. Standard medical treatment in addition to hypnotherapy can be used to improve quality of life in IBS patients

[Comparison of homesickness among freshmen students, half and one year after their entrance to Shahrekord university of medical sciences]

Student life in dormitories comprises of new conditions which may bring about complications such as homesickness, particularly for freshmen. The purpose of the present study was to determine the level of homesickness in freshmen residing in Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences [SKUMS] dormitories in 2008-2009. In this descriptive study, all students admitted to SKUMS at 2008 were included. For data gathering, an authenticated 36-item, five-construct questionnaire for homesickness assessment was used. The questionnaire was filled by participants at three different times: upon entering university, six months, and 12 months after admission. Data were analyzed by repeated measures [RM] ANOVA, t-independent, cross-kalvalis, and Spearman, using SPSS 16 software. A total of 121 students were included in the study, of whom 63.6% were female. The average homesickness score for females was 44.35 +/- 11.70, which was significantly higher than 37.36 +/- 13.62 in males [p< 0.05]. According to RM ANOVA, no significant difference in mean scores for homesickness constructs was seen when scores of first time, 6[th] month and 12[th] month were compared with each other [p > 0.05]. Due to the higher homesickness scores of female students and the crucial importance of mental health among them as mothers-to-be, it is important to introduce recreational and educational programs along with expanding access to social support as well as training them about coping skills so as to decrease their feelings of homesickness

[Relationship between substance abuse and mental disorders of family [2001]]

Background and aim: one of the consequences of substance abuse is psychiatric disorder in the society and family. The aim of this study was to find the possible relationship between substance abuse and mental disorders of the other family members

Method: this descriptive and study was performed on 724 [514 female and 210 male] outpatients referred to counseling center of the Kashani clinic, Shahrekord. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square, Fishers test and adds Ratio

Results: the results showed that 49.4% of the patients stated that at least one of their family members was substance abuser. Chance of a depressive person to have a family member abuser was 1.97 times more than patients with other mental disorders. This chance ratio for anxiety was 0.45, for conversion disorder was 2.77, and for interpersonal problems and conduct disorders was 0.38. These differences were statistically significant. But the odd ratios for social phobia, sleep disorder and impotence were nonsignificant

Conclusion: there was a significant deference between patient mental disorders with members family substance abuse and dependent