Ali Dehghani, Simamohammadkhan Kermanshahi, Robabeh Memarian,
Volume 15, Issue 6 (November 2012)
Abstract
Background: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic and degenerative disease of the central nervous systemthat due to such reasons as its chronic nature, no prognosis, and absence of a definitive treatment causes stress in patients. Thus, this study was designed to examine the impact of peer educational program on stress in patients with multiple sclerosis in 2011.
Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 110 patients with multiple sclerosis were randomly allocated to test and control groups (each group including 55 patients). After preparing 5 multiple sclerosis patients as the peer group, six training sessions forthe test group were held by the peer group over two months. Data collection tool was DASS 21 questionnaire that assessed patients’ stress before and after 4 months which was completed by both groups. In order to analyze the results, SPSS software 16 was used.
Results: The results showed that before intervention, there was not astatistically significant difference between the two groups in stress score(p=0.24) while a statistically significant difference was seen between the two groups after intervention (p=0.001). Also, stress score in test group was statistically significant (p=0.001) but there was not a statistically significant difference between the stress scores of the patients in the control groups (p=0.39).
Conclusion: Peer group educational program caused stress reduction in patients with multiple sclerosis. Hence, it is recommended that peer groups be used for education of multiple sclerosis.
Fatemeh Kermanshahi, Mehdi Zare Bahramabadi, Hasan Heidari, Hossain Davoodi,
Volume 25, Issue 2 (June & July 2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim Old age is a critical period in life. Due to advances in technologies and improvement in healthy conditions, the number of aged population is increasing. Hence, it is necessary to pay attention to their life satisfaction and attitudes towards aging. The present study aims to assess the effectiveness of a psychological empowerment program on life satisfaction and attitude towards aging in older women living in Tehran, Iran.
Methods & Materials The study population consists of all women aged 60-70 years referred to a charity foundation in Tehran, Iran in 2020. Of these, 24 women were selected by a convenience sampling method. They were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. Using a pre-test/post-test design, the elderly first completed the life satisfaction index-Z and the attitude towards aging questionnaire. Then, the experimental group received the psychological empowerment program at 8 sessions. After the intervention, the questionnaires were completed again by both groups. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to analyze the collected data in SPSS software, version 19.
Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University of Arak Branch (Code: IR.IAU.ARAK.REC.1400.027).
Results There was a significant difference in life satisfaction (F=9.673, P=0.006) and attitudes towards aging (F=8.385, P=0.009) between the two groups. The psychological empowerment program significantly improved life satisfaction and attitudes towards aging in older women.
Conclusion The psychological empowerment program is effective in improving life satisfaction and attitude towards aging in older women living in Tehran. It can be used by experts in the fields of counseling, geriatrics, psychology, and health.
