Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy based on religion on depression and quality of life in patients with HIV/AIDS

Background and Objective: Cognitive behavioral therapy based on religion can increase the religious mind. This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy based on religion on depression and quality of life in patient with HIV/AIDS

Methods: In this quasi -experimental study with pretest, post test and follow up with control group, 30 patients with HIV were non-randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Patients in intervention group were received 12 sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy based on religion, but patients in control group did not receive any intervention. Beck depression test [BDI-II] and quality of life questionnaire [WHOQOL-Brief] were used

Results: The rate of depression in intervention group significantly reduced in compared to controls [P<0.05]. The rate of quality of life significantly increased in intervention group in comparision with controls group [P<0.05]. These results significantly persisted after follow- up period [P<0.05]

Conclusion: The cognitive behavioral therapy based on religion is effective on decrease of depression and increase of quality of life in patients with HIV/AIDS

Effects of stress management training on glycemic control in women with type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is the most complicated disease, which often leads to some psychological disorders especially stress, anxiety and depression. Complete treatment of this disease requires psychological assessment and cognitive behavioral therapy. The purpose of this research was to study the effects of stress management training on glycemic control, stress, depression and anxiety on women with type 2diabetes. The sample consisted of 46 type 2 diabetic women, aged between 32-65 years, who were matched for age and the some other criteria considered in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups, the experimental [n=23] and the control [n=23]. Using the DASS scale, depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed, and HbA1c levels for all patients were measured before the intervention. Then the experimental group underwent 12 sessions of stress management, based on the cognitive-behavior method 2 hours weekly, after which patients were again assessed for DASS and HbA1c and after 6 months as follow up period in both groups. There was a significant difference between experiental and control groups in HbA1C. The rate of HbA1C in experimental group significantly decreased compared to control [p<0.001]. Also There was a significant difference between two groups in DASS scale scores [depression, anxiety, stress] and HbA1c test after final session of intervention and after the 6 month follow up [P<0.001]. It is recommended to consider cognitive behavior therapy as an addition to treatment programs for type 2 diabetic patients

[ investigation of the brain-damaged patient's function in the visual-motor Bender-Gestalt test in comparison with their brain MRI portraits and normal subjects]

In this research, the brain-damaged patient's function in the visual-motor Bender-Gestalt Test was compared with their brain MRI portraits and normal subjects. Thirty patients with brain-damaged from neurosurgery department in Ahvaz Golestan Hospital were selected. Using matching method, 30 normal subjects were selected as control. The instruments used for this study were the Bender-Gestalt Test and brain MRI portraits. In order to analysis the data, t-test and correlation tests were used. The results revealed that there was a significant difference between the performance of brain-damaged patients and normal subjects [control group] in the Bender-Gestalt Test. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the conclusions of the Bender-Gestalt Test and brain MRI portraits of patients. The qualitative performance of patients in the Bender-Gestalt Test was associated with their Brain MRI portrait. There was a positive relationship between the performance of brain-damaged patients in the Bender-Gestalt Test and their Brain MRI portrait. Therefore, as the previous studies showed, the Bender-Gestalt Test as a neuropsychological test can be confidently used to studying the visual-motor performance of brain-damaged patients

[ correlation between social support and immune system in managers of high schools of Khozestan province]

Stress in managers will affect and destroy the immune system on mental health. Clinical studies have revealed that, social support is one of the moderating factors of negative effect of stress on immune system. The aim of this research was study the correlation between social support and immune system of high school managers in Khozestan province. An experimental study was conducted on 360 male and female managers who were participated. Then randomly two groups [n=80 in each group] of low and high social support were selected. Subjects who suffered from disorders that affected the immune system were excluded. Number of T-helper cells [CD4], T-suppressor cytotoxic cell [CD8], Natural killer cells [CD56+CD16], Complement system [C3,C4,CH50], Immunoglobulin M and G [IgM and IgG], cortisol hormone, Eosinophils, Neutrophils and Lymphocytes were measured. There was a significant positive correlation between social support and CD4, CD4/CD8, NK cell [CD56+CD16], CH50, IgM and Neutrophils. Also there was a significant negative correlation between social support and CD8, cortisol and Eosinophils. There was a significant difference between high and low social support managers in CD4, CD4/CD8, CD8, cortisol, CH50, C4, C3 and Lymphocytes. The results indicated that social support has a positive significant correlation with those immune cells that improve the immune system and has a negative correlation with those immune cells that decerase the immune system. In fact the social support is a moderating factor against stress and its negative effects on immune system