A comparison of the effectiveness of action potential simulation and low-level LASER in reducing pain and improving function of the knee: a randomized controlled trial of women with knee osteoarthrosis

Background: Osteoarthrosis is one of the most common joint disorders at the old age. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of action potential simulation with low-level LASER in reducing pain and improving function of these patients

Materials and methods: This double-blind, randomized, clinical trial was carried out in Zahedan in 2009. After taking written voluntary informed consent, 30 women with knee osteoarthrosis were randomly assigned to two equal groups through a lottery. In LASER group, a low-level Ga-As LASER was applied with a dosage of 9 J/cm2 for 6 minutes, and in Action Potential Simulation group, APS was applied with an intensity of 1 mA for 16 minutes. A 16-session treatment program was performed for both groups. Before and after intervention, we measured pain through Visual Analogue Scale, function with Knee and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], and range of knee flexion with goniometer, physical function with WOMAC, muscle atrophy and swelling with tape measure. Paired and independent t-tests were used for data analysis

Results: Knee pain decreased from 7.75 +/- 1.58 to 5.37 +/- 1.5 in LASER group and from 7.5 +/- 1.19 to 6.75 +/- 1.38 in APS group and total score of WOMAC decreased from 42 +/- 6.54 to 39.12+/-6.53 in LASER group and from 43.37 +/- 11.21 to 39.62 +/- 8.86 in APS group [p<0.05]. Pain reduction was significant in LASER group compared to APS [p<0.05]

Conclusion: The results showed that low-level LASER therapy and APS could decrease pain and improve function of the knee. However, LASER is more effective than APS in decreasing pain

[Traditional beliefs and behaviors of mothers and teachers related to oral health of children in rural districts of Qazvin: a qualitative study]

Traditional Beliefs as part of people's culture can influence the general wellbeing of communities. In order to promote healthy behaviors, it is important to be aware of people's traditional background. This study was performed to identify beliefs, traditions and practices of mothers and teachers related to oral and dental health of children in the rural Qazvin areas. A qualitative study [ethnographic] was conducted in three villages of Qazvin province. Data was collected through interviews, observations, and focus group discussions. Data was coded and classified according to main study findings. Information was classified into 6 categories: tooth eruption and exfoliation, diet and oral health, oral hygiene, dental caries, oral and gum diseases as well as dental trauma. Beliefs such as consuming a great amount of milk can be useful while others like putting un-cooked meat on top of tooth for relief of toothache can be harmful. Beliefs like rubbing onion on the gum during tooth eruption may have unknown or less important outcomes. The identified beliefs, traditions and practices were classified as useful, harmful and unknown effects. It was suggested to organize appropriate training classes for mothers and teachers in order to update their knowledge and improve their behavior regarding the proper oral health care of children based on the findings of this study

[ study of educational intervention on knowledge, attitude, practice about iron deficiency anemia in female adolescent students]

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in the world, The prevalence rate in developing countries is higher than developed countries, and also affecting a large number of child and women. The main purpose of this study was to promote the knowledge, attitude and practice of girl student in Ghaemshahr in order to prevent iron deficiency anemia. This study was an educational intervention to evaluate the effect of education on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice [K.A.P] in intervention and control groups [each group: 300] among female students in Ghaemshahr. The data was gathered using a questionnaire [include the demographic information, some of question related to knowledge, attitude, practice. K.A.P were assessed before and also 1.5 month after implementation of educational program using the questionnaire, collected data was analyzed by SPSS [11.5], STATA [8.0]. There was not significant difference between K.A.P in study group before implementation of educational intervention, but there is a significant increase between K.A.P after interventional education in intervention group. Educational intervention was promoted knowledge mounting to 15 score, 5 score to promote attitude and 1.6 score to improve the practice. There was significant relation between mother education, father job with their knowledge and class with their attitude, also mother education with their practice. The results indicated that improvement of knowledge could prevent iron deficiency anemia, thus emphasis on the health education in adolescent age is necessary to promote K.A.P

Training effect on the improvement of nutritional behaviours of the pregnant women referring to kermanshah health care centers

This is an interventional research. Its objective was to survey the effect of educational intervention on improvement of nutritional behaviours in pregnant women referring to kermanshah health care centers in 1384. This study was conducted on 180 pregnant women selected randomly [90 in intervention group and 90 in control group] and their gestational health services were provided in 9 urban health centers. Their nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice were assessed before implementation of educational program by using questionnaire. These variables were evaluated and analized one month after implementation of the program in intervention group. The results indicated no significant difference between control and intervention groups regarding the variables. Also the mean score of knowledge attitude and practice in control and intervention groups before education showed no significant difference. However the relationship between knowledge attitude and practice in the two groups before and after education was statistically significant. The mean of knowledge, attitude and practice scores increased significantly after education in intervention group [P<0/0001]. Regarding these results, positive effects of gestational nutrition education for pregnant women can be regarded as important. So we recommend a nutritional education program for pregnant women in the health care system