Effect of resistance training and high-intensity interval training on metabolic parameters and serum level of Sirtuin1 in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The present study analyzes the influence of resistance training (RT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on metabolic indices and serum levels of Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) in postmenopausal women who suffer from the metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: 45 postmenopausal women aged 45-65 years with MetS were divided into two intervention groups (RT and HIIT) and one control group, each consisting of 15 people. The RT group performed resistance training for both the upper and lower body, while the HIIT group completed 3 min(min) of high-intensity training at 80-90% of their maximum heart rate (HRmax), followed by moderate walking for 3 min at 55-65% of HRmax. These sessions were conducted for a duration of eight weeks and three times a week, with the samples being collected at the baseline and at the end of the treatment, i.e., week 8. RESULTS: The results showed that weight, waist circumference, body mass index, fat mass, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, cholesterol, fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased, and SIRT1 increased significantly in both training groups. Systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, HbA1C, and FBS decreased more in the HIIT group. Skeletal muscle mass and 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) increased more in the RT group. CONCLUSIONS: RT and HIIT serve as one of the most effective strategies for therapeutically treating patients with metabolic syndrome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT, IRCT20221120056548N1. Registered 23 November 2022 - Retrospectively registered.

Impact of a spiritual care program on the sleep quality and spiritual health of Muslim stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Stroke patients often experience poor sleep quality and spiritual health due to complications and limitations. In this situation, implementing spiritual care may reduce these problems. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of a spiritual care program on sleep quality and spiritual health of Muslim stroke patients. METHODS: This was a two-group randomized clinical trial conducted in Hamadan, Iran, in 2021, with 117 stroke patients. The samples were selected by convenience sampling and assigned to experimental (N = 59) and control (N = 58) groups based on random permutation blocks. The data were collected using the demographic information form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Paloutzian and Ellison Spiritual Well-Being Scale, and the Modified Rankin Scale before and one month after the intervention. The experimental group received five daily sessions of spiritual care for 45-60 min based on standard and local methods, including patient orientation and identification of spiritual needs, religious care, supportive spiritual care, and beneficial evaluations. Data were analyzed by chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test, and paired t-test at 0.05 significance level in SPSS 21. RESULTS: The socio-demographic characteristics were similar between the groups (p > 0.05). At baseline, there was no significant difference in sleep quality and spiritual health between the experimental and control groups (p > 0.05). However, after the intervention, the sleep quality and spiritual health of patients in the experimental group improved significantly compared with the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The spiritual care program improved sleep quality and spiritual health of stroke patients; therefore, nurses should consider these aspects to provide holistic care.

Evaluation of new injection and cavity preparation model in local anesthesia teaching.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a recently developed preclinical injection and cavity preparation model in local anesthesia. Thirty-three dental students administered an inferior alveolar nerve block injection in the model, followed by preparation on a tooth. The injection was evaluated by three observers, and the feedback from the model was registered. After completion of the practical session, the opinion of the dental students was explored with a ten-item questionnaire. Thirty dental students (91 percent) performed the injection correctly according to the feedback of the model, and twenty-eight students (85 percent) did so according to the expert opinion. The agreement between feedback from the training model and the expert opinion was high. The students were very satisfied with the opportunity to practice with the training model, as indicated by the high scores on each item of the questionnaire. These results suggest that use of this preclinical training model in anesthesia teaching may have beneficial effects on the administration of local anesthetics by dental students.