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Background: studies in adults have shown that external focus of attention is better than internal focus in motor learning. So, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of focus of attention- self talk on balance of women with multiple sclerosis.

Materials and Methods: In this semi- experimental study, statistical population included women with MS referred to MS Society of Arak. Whereas balance disorder in patients was diagnosed by neurologyist, they were invited to the study. Patients were accidentally divided into 3 groups each of 15 concluding control, self tak-external focus of attention and self talk- internal focus of attention groups and were evaluated by Berg balance scale. 42 samples completed executive steps of study. ANOVA and Tukey tests were used to compare balance score between groups with significant level of less than 0.05. All patients practiced balance tasks for 9 days and then they were undergone post test.

Results: Balance was improved in all groups. Although the external- self talk group was better than the two other groups, there was no significant difference between external and internal- self talk groups.

Conclusion: The findings of this study showed the effect of practice on improvement of balance skill and superiority of the experimental groups in comparison with control group. Probably, focus of attention with self talk has effect on balance of women with MS.

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Background: Migraine is one of the prevalent disabling disorders. Considering geographical differences in reported epidemiology and improving patients care, the aim of the present study was to evaluate epidemiologic, demographic and clinical characteristics in patients with migraine headache in Arak.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional and descriptive study was conducted on patients with migraine headache referred to the neurology clinics of Vali-Asr and Imam Reza hospitals of Arak for 6 months. A questionnaire containing the demographic, epidemiologic and clinical data was filled by patients.  Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS 18.

Results: Among 820 patients with headache, 92 (11.21%) subjects were confirmed to have migraine headaches. Of the 92 patients, 54.3% were women and 45.6% were men. The mean age was 36.9±9.2 years old and 50% were married. The most common migraine triggers were stress (78.2%), sleep disturbances (65.2%), and fatigue (63%). The mean frequency of headaches was 6.9±3.5 attacks per month with an average duration of 11.1±4.5 hours per attack.

Conclusion: According to our results, the prevalence of migraine in women is more than in men. Dizziness, visual disturbances, nausea, no aura, headache is one-sided and pulsating are significantly accompanied by migraine. The number of consumed sedative pills in the month, brain imaging and a monthly fee of headache were significant. In total, clinical characteristics of migraine headaches in our patients were nearly compatible with the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria.

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Abstract

Background: Melatonin regulates the sleep-wake cycle and is protected against oxidants. Vitamin E has antioxidant effect. The aim of this study was to investigate effect of melatonin and/or vitamin E on the EEG, sleep quality and quality of life of female nurses working in hospitals in Arak.

Materials and Methods: 60 female nurses were randomly selected from hospitals in the Arak city. Participants divided into three groups (melatonin3 mg/day, vitamin E 200 IU/day and melatonin and vitamin E groups) and a control group. Before and two months after the baseline, PSQTI and the quality of life of 26 questions questionnaire were completed and EEG was recorded. Finally, the findings for both groups before and after the intervention were compared with each other.

Results: The average of sleep quality showed an improvement in groups receiving melatonin and melatonin+vitamin E (p>0.05). While data of life quality did not show any significant change between groups. In EEG activity, α waves in the range of 8-10 Hz showed maximum increase in melatonin group and minimum increase in vitamin E group. Also, α wave in the range of 10-12 Hz revealed the most decrease in the melatonin group.

Conclusion: It seems simultaneous administration of melatonin and vitamin E is able to improve sleep quality. In addition, melatonin could improve alpha-waves of brain activity.

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Background and Aim: Musculoskeletal disorders are mainly prevalent among college students who experience direct contact with patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal pains among Rehabilitation, Dentistry, and Nursing students at Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2017-2018.
Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 538 students of Arak University of Medical Sciences were recruited using the convenience sampling approach. Variables included age, sex, body mass index, study field, hours of using smartphone per day, and nine symptom sites being neck, shoulders, upper back, elbows, low back, wrist/hands, hips/thighs, knees, and ankles/feet. The researchers assessed the musculoskeletal pain by using the Nordic questionnaire and demographic questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS V. 18.
Ethical Considerations: The Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences approved this study (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.253).
Results:  In this study, 538 students (205 males and 333 females) were studied with Mean±SD age of 22.04±2.53 years old. The results showed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the spine (neck 29.4%, upper 24.3%, and lower back 37.2%) was higher than in upper and lower extremities. Musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder, upper, lower back, and thigh were significantly different based on sex. Also, musculoskeletal pain in the neck and ankle, and foot were significantly different based on age (P<0.05). There was a significant difference between musculoskeletal pain of back and ankle based on smartphone use hours per day.
Conclusion: This study suggested that rehabilitation, nursing, and dentistry students are at risk for musculoskeletal pain, especially in the lumbar, cervical, and upper back.