Comparison of child abuse history in patients with and without functional abdominal pain: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are ranked first amongst medical diseases as a trigger of requests for mental health counselling. Child abuse has been regarded as one of the main causes of the development of functional abdominal pain (FAP) in children. This study aimed, therefore, to compare the prevalence of child abuse experience among two groups of patients with and without FAP. METHODS: A case-control study of children in Arak, Iran, in which experience of child abuse was compared in children with (n = 100) and without functional abdominal pain (n = 100). Three categories of child abuse - emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect - were assessed using the Child Abuse Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Stata software. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, there were group differences in emotional abuse (96% vs. 81%, aOR = 5.13, 95% CI: 1.3-20.3, p = 0.017), neglect (28% vs. 8%, aOR = 4.27, 95% CI: 1.8-11.8, p = 0.001) and total child abuse score (98% vs. 84%, aOR = 8.2, 95% CI: 1.5-43.8, p = 0.014) but not in physical abuse (57% vs. 46%, aOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.81-2.60, p = 0.728). CONCLUSIONS: As the prevalence of child abuse is higher in patients with FAP, child abuse appears to be related to the occurrence of FAP in children. However, the results of this study cannot be generalized to Iranian society generally and further longitudinal studies are recommended.

Effects of relaxation on self-esteem of patients with cancer: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cancer is usually associated with decreased self-esteem. Relaxation is one of the most effective methods to promote self-esteem of patients with chronic diseases. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of relaxation on self-esteem of patients with cancer. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 80 patients with cancer. The samples were selected by convenience sampling method and were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, the patients implemented relaxation techniques once a day for 30 min during 60 consecutive days in addition to receiving routine care, while patients in the control group received only routine care. Before and after the intervention, the Persian version of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) was completed. RESULTS: After the interventions, significant differences were observed between groups in favor of the relaxation group in total score of CSEI and all its subscales (P = 0.0001). In the experimental group, a significant increase in total score and all subscales of CSEI was observed after the intervention (P = 0.001), whereas in the control group, a significant decrease was found in all dimensions (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The relaxation seems to be potentially effective in promoting self-esteem of patients with cancer. Further studies, particularly randomized clinical trials with higher sample size and more power, are needed to confirm the obtained findings.

Correction to: Effects of relaxation on self-esteem of patients with cancer: a randomized clinical trial.

Cancellation of Open Access.

The effect of progressive muscle relaxation on cancer patients' self-efficacy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Self-efficacy is considered as one of the influential parameters affecting the health of patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of relaxation techniques on self-efficacy of patients suffering from cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a clinical trial in which 80 patients suffering from cancer were randomly assigned to two groups of experimental and control. Data collection instruments consisted of demographic information and Strategies Used by People to Promote Health questionnaires. In the experimental group, the patients performed relaxation techniques once a day for 30 min over two months. In the control group, the patients received the routine care. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed between the mean self-efficacy indices in the experimental group (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the control group (p = 0.3). CONCLUSION: Muscle relaxation can enhance self-efficacy of cancer patients. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative method for patients who are willing to use this technique.