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Background: Primary dismenorrhea or painful menstruation, in the absence of any specific pelvic diseases, is one of the most common complaints in women’s medicine. The main goal of this study is to examine the effect of isometric trainings on primary dismenorrhea. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental Stud, 30 female students from Payame-noor and Azad Universities in Golpaygan were randomly assigned into two exercise and non-exercise groups. The exercise group did 8 weeks of isometric exercises under the supervision of a physical education expert. The trainees were examined based on the intensity and duration of pain, the amount of bleeding, and consumption of drugs in the first period of menstruation (pre-test), the second period of menstruation (mid-test) and the third period of menstruation ( post-test ). Results: Intensity of pain in the exercise group decreased after 4 weeks (p<0.05) while the duration of pain declined after 4 weeks (p<0.05) and 8 weeks (p<0.01). Also, the amount of taken drugs decreased after 8 weeks of exercise (p<0.05), but the degree of bleeding did not change significantly (p>0.05). Conclusion: Isometric exercises decreased intensity and duration of pain, and the amount of drugs taken in primary dismenorrhea. Therefore, such exercises can probably be used in the treatment of primary dismenorrhea.

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Background: Labor pain, which is a natural, unique and multi- factorial pain, is considereds a major part of women's anxiety at reproductive ages. There are two pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches for reducing this pain. Since the pharmacological approach involves side effects, lots of attention has recently been given to the non-pharmacological methods. One of these methods, is use inc birth ball the, which includes sitting and rocking on the birth ball. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of using birth ball on labor pain, the duration of active phase and contractions of physiologic labor. Materials and Methods: In this randomized control-clinical trial, sixty primiparous women (18-35 year old) were selected and randomly assighed into birth ball and control groups. The severity of pain was measured through Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the pain score, interval between contractions and duration of active phase were compared between the two groups. Results: The average pain score in the birth ball group was significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05). In terms of interval between the contractions, duration of active phase and uterine contractions, there were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: Although use of birth ball did not have any effects on the duration of active phase, uterine contractions and interval between uterine contractions, this complementary therapy reduced the severity of pain during the active phase of delivery. Therefore, this safe method is suggested to be used during normal vaginal delivery and physiologic labor. Also, conducting a study, which examines the effects of using a combination of complementary methods, is recommended

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Background: Inappropriate feeding is one of the major causes of malnutrition in children. This study was carried out to get an insight into mothers’ views and beliefs about the role of complementary feeding in children under the age of two. Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study, data were collected through 11 focus-group discussions (FGDs) with mothers, who had children under the age of two, in urban and rural areas of Damavand in 2007. Each FGD was held in the presence of a moderator, two note takers, and an observer. At the end of field work, all notes were collected and coded according to the objectives of the study. Then the subgroups for each objective were obtained, and emerging themes were extracted and reported. Results: In the study, six general themes were identified:(1) The mothers viewed complementary feeding as simple, soft, light foods which are especially made for children (2) the best time for introducing complementary feeding was 6 months of age (3) there were no complementary local foods in Damavand (4) for children under the age of one, a different type of food was separately prepared (5) home-made complementary food was preferred over the ready made type, and (6) children were fed with table food from the first year of life. Conclusion: Despite their sufficient knowledge about the advantages of complementary feeding, the majority of mothers, due to some socio-cultural limitations, had a weak performance. In this regard, in addition to making revisions in current training programs and protocols, providing effective and goal-oriented educational programs for mothers and others who take care of children is strongly recommended.

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Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most prevalent disorders in women which results in their decreased efficacy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of pressure on the third liver point on involved liver channel symptoms in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 194 students that met the inclusion criteria. In the first cycle, symptoms of involved liver channel were identified. Accordingly, participants were randomly allotted to either treatment or control groups. In the second, third and fourth cycles, acupressure was applied to the third liver point and placebo point for 20 minutes 3-7 days before menstruation. With bleeding in the fourth cycle, the symptoms of involved liver channel were determined. Results: In the first cycle, there were no significant differences in symptoms of involved liver channel between the two groups however, in the fourth cycle, the results of Chi2 test showed significant differences between the two groups in all symptoms of involved liver channel except the tongue with red spots (p<0.05). In the treatment group, a comparison of the first and the fourth cycle revealed significant differences in all symptoms of involved liver channel except for tongue with red spots (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, applying pressure to the third liver point was effective in the improvement of the majority of involved liver channel symptoms therefore, acupressure is suggested as a practical, effective, non-expensive, and available method in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

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Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BMI and reproductive histories (age, age at menarche, the number of parities, reproductive years and years since menopause, and serum levels of estradiol, testosterone and SHBG) on bone densitometry of spine and femur in healthy postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 190 healthy postmenopausal women, aged 40-64, who did not have a history of co-existing diseases, diseases affecting the quality of life, bone diseases, and using drugs affecting the bone metabolism, were randomly selected. Bone densitometry, T score, Z score, and bone marrow density (BMD) were determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at lumbar spine and femur. Correlation co-efficients were, then, measured for the relationship between bone density and the intended factors. Results: BMI presented significant positive relationships with T score and BMD of spine and BMD, T score, and Z score of femur, whereas age, the number of years since menopause, and the serum level of testosterone had negative relationships with T score and BMD of spine. The serum level of testosterone showed a negative relationship with Z score reduction in spine. The number of years since menopause had a positive relationship with reductions in Z score and BMD of femur. In addition, significant positive relationships were observed between the number of reproductive years and T score and BMD of spine. Conclusion: Bone loss in postmenopausal women is intensified with increases in age, the number of years since menopause, and the serum level of testosterone, whereas BMI has a bone-protective effect.

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Background: Dysmenorrhea is seen in nearly 5% of women with regular menstruation. In this regard, different methods have been proposed for treatment of dysmenorrhea, and drugs with fewer side effects are preferred. Hence, this study was done to detect the effect of echinophora- platyloba on primary dysmenorrhea. Materials and Methods: In a single-blind clinical trial, 60 students with primary dysmenorrhea were evaluated at Shahr-e-Kord University of Medical Sciences. The students were randomly divided into two groups of 30 each: Echinophora-platyloba extract and placebo. Data collection was done through visual analogue scale for detecting the intensity of pain. At the end of first and second months after treatment, the intensity of pain was determined in the two groups and compared with that before the intervention. Eventually, the data were analyzed through Chi square, t-test and Mann-Whitney test. Results: The means of dysmenorrhea severity scores two months before administering the drug in echinophora-platyloba and placebo groups were 8.46±2.75 and 8.80±2.53, respectively. Here the difference was not significant however, after administering the drug, the mean scores in intervention and non-intervention groups were 3.41±1.12 and 7.82±2.60, respectively, which indicated a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.001) . Conclusion: Both echinophora-platyloba extract and the placebo could reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea during the treatment, yet the effect of echinophora-platyloba was much greater than the placebo. Thus, the use of echinophora-platyloba extract is suggested in treatment of dysmenorrhea.

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Background: Bacterial vaginosis is one of the most common infections in women at reproductive age. Although metronidazole is recommended as the first-line treatment, it has various side effects which make it difficult for patients to continue the treatment. Thus, the need is felt for finding a medication with fewer side effects. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of micosin vaginal cream (made of garlic) and metronidazole vaginal gel on treatment of patients with bacterial vaginosis. Materials and Methods: This study was a clinical trial which was conducted on 100 married women, aged 18-44, whose infection with bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed through clinical Amsel criteria. The participants were randomly divided into two groups of 50 persons each: Micosin vaginal cream and metronidazole vaginal gel. Patients identified with tricamona or candidiadis infections were excluded from the study. Treatment period in each group lasted for seven days. Clinical Amsel criteria and patient complaints were again checked 2 to 7 days after completion of the treatment period, and the side-effects were registered. Results: Following the treatment with micosin vaginal cream and metronidazole vaginal gel, patient complaints and clinical Amsel criteria showed a significant decrease (p<0.05), in a way that clinical recovery rates in micosin and metronidazole groups were 80% and 70%, respectively. Conclusion: Micosin vaginal cream seems to be an appropriate alternative for metronidazole vaginal gel in treatment of bacterial vaginosis.

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Background: Nowadays, many Iranian families, depending on the family members’ level of interest, tend to keep pet animals. Psychological studies have rarely dealt with the impact of pets on family performance and individuals’ mental health. The purpose of this study was to compare family performance and mental health in individuals who own pets and those who do not. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 152 participants (80 pet keeping and 72 non-pet keeping) living in Isfahan were selected through stratified random sampling and completed Family Assessment Device (FAD), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and a demographic questionnaire. Data analysis was done through multivariate regression and covariance analysis. Results: The results indicated significant differences between the pet keeping and non-pet keeping groups in terms of anxiety, sleep disorders, relationships, and emotional involvement therefore, it can be concluded that non-pet keeping individuals have more anxiety and sleep disorder symptoms, whereas pet keeping individuals present more problems in terms of emotional involvement and their relationships(p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, it is suggested that in keeping pets, greater attention should be to cultural factors. Also, in some circumstances keeping pets should be recommended for reduction of anxiety and elevation of sense of security and relaxation.

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Background: The theory of mind acts as an umbrella which covers the perception of children of others’ mental conditions under its banner and paves the way for child’s social cognition. This study was designed to compare the effects of different variables such as intelligence quotient (IQ), sex, age, and mental maintenance on the theory of mind development levels in autistic and normal children. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 19 autistic and 19 normal children were selected based on the in-reach sampling procedure and were also matched by age. The participants completed Wechksler intelligence scale for children, Stimman theory of mind task, and mental maintenance task. Results: In comparison to normal children, autistic children showed a clear deficiency in their theory of mind development levels however, age did not have a significant effect in this regard. Conversely, IQ and sex had significant impacts on the development of theory of mind. In addition, mental maintenance, alone, had a significant effect on the theory of mind. Conclusion: Noticing the existence of some primary levels of theory of mind in autistic children, some aspects of theory of mind can be compensated for through the provision of basic instructions and guidelines for development of intellectual and cognitive abilities in early childhood and primary stages of diagnosis.

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Background: Lead (Pb) brings about a variety of cognitive, mental, renal, and blood system disorders by inducing oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to compare blood and urine parameters in the workers exposed to Pb and zinc (Zn) with those in the control group. Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with a total number of 134 subjects. The case group included 67 male workers with the age range of 22-65 who had at least worked a minimum of one work shift for two years in the Zn-Pb mine located in the southwest of Arak, Iran. Control subjects consisted of 67 farmers of a village near the mine who had no history of occupational exposure to Pb, Zn, and other metals. Mental disorders were evaluated through the standard Scl-90-R while cognitive disorders were evaluated via the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE). Results: The mean level of blood and urine parameters did not reveal significant differences between the two groups. The mean scores of physical complaints, anxiety, and aggression scales were significantly higher in the case group than the control (p<0.05), whereas the mean scores on MMSE did not reveal a significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The oxidative stress of Pb led to mental disorders as a result, the mine workers suffered from more psycho- pathology and are in need of greater care. Due to the impacts of Pb and Zn, the proper use of safety equipments and taking daily showers can reduce the risk of absorption of toxic agents and their subsequent hazards for workers.

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Background: Nowadays, scientific religion studies using the commonly accepted methods in human sciences is one of the new, interesting research areas in scientific and academic research. Noticing the importance of religion in student’s mental health, this study was designed and conducted. Materials and Methods: In this Cross-Sectional study, 310 students at Arak University of Medical Sciences were randomly surveyed through demographic, Khodayary Fard’s religious attitude, and GHQ-28 questionnaires. Data were analyzed via descriptive statistics, Chi square, and Pearson-product correlation through SPSS software. In all stages of the research, ethical issues in research were taken into consideration. Results: The mean and standard deviations of age, GHQ, and religious attitude were 21.29±2.22 years, 24.04±9.41, and 81.04±11.9, respectively. In terms of religious attitude, 1.4% (4 students) had weak, 12.5% had moderate, and 86 % (240 students) had strong attitudes. A positive relationship was observed between religious attitude and mental health. Also, there was a significant inverse relationship between religious attitude and age, major, place of living, and mother’s level of education (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the majority of the students had strong religious attitudes and a significant positive correlation was found between the students’ religious attitude and mental health. Improving religious attractions through educational, religious, cultural programs for enhancing the religious attitudes of students is suggested.

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Background:Today, in spite of quick and amazing human advancements in prevention treatment, and control of diseases and their positive effects on the community, lack of reliance on the instructions of prophets on spirituality and ethics of human relationships has led to health, social, ethical, and environmental crises that have resulted in spread of emerging diseases such as AIDS. Therefore, the way out of this crisis is the return to the instructions of prophets and religions, especially Islam. This article explains the role of Islam instructions in achieving millennium development goals in the fight against malaria and AIDS. Materials and Methods: In this review article, through access to reliable sources in the form of a descriptive article, practical strategies of Islam for achieving millennium development goals for fighting diseases, AIDS, and malaria are investigated. In so doing, by applying appropriate keywords to electronic and manual search in reliable Islamic and medical resources, data were collected and the central research question was addressed. Results: Based on the results of the reviewed studies, instructions and ideas of Islam on reconstructing the environment, preservation of natural resources, observing personal health, priority of health to treatment, abstinence from risky sexual behaviors, and so forth have practical implications for malaria and AIDS control and prevention so that if there had been commitment to Islam, AIDS as an emerging disease might never have developed. Conclusion: Noticing the availability of resources and instructions in Islam on health and medicine for prevention and fight against diseases, such ideas can be utilized for preventing the emergence and development of other new diseases. Hence, Islamic instructions can be presented to the world as practical strategies for achieving millennium development goals.

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Background: Quran views sleep as a divine sign with deep meaning and interpretation. The aim of this study was to investigate the content of dreams from the perspective of Quran and psychology, as an appropriate method for understanding human characteristics and presenting a proper treatment approach. Materials and Methods: The present study is a descriptive, content analysis one. First a collection of psychology and interpretation books on this issue were considered. Then 75 students at Arak University of Medical Sciences were asked to report their dreams on daily or weekly basis which totaled 5688 dreams over a 6.5 month period. The dreams were analyzed using content analysis method and descriptive statistics, including the number of dreams, age, mean, and frequency of the reported parameters. Results: Noticing the nature of dreams, the interpretation of their content and concepts is of significance to the understanding of human traits and provision of treatment methods. The content of the reported dreams were, respectively, indicative of a high percentage of ethnic (93.33%), university and professors (89.33%), family (88%), religious beliefs (86.66%), friends (86%), nightmares (66.66%) returning to the past (61.33%), lucid dreaming (42.7%), and neurosis (41.33%). Conclusion: In the view of commentators on divine verses and psychologists, the elements present in the content of dreams can be utilized in obtaining a better understanding of the unconscious stream of human mind, knowing more about human beings, and treating mental disorders. The difference between these two perspectives, religious and psychological, is in dreams known as "true dreams" which are emphasized in Quran and Islamic sources, while psychology has failed to recognize them.

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Background: The holy Quran is the curative that after its cure, there is no fear of disease anymore. One of the miracles of Quran is its effect on service and medical care duties. Noticing the key role of nurses in offering health service to patients and the importance of the nurses’ mental health, this study was conducted. Materials and Methods: This educational trial was done on 55 nurses at educational hospitals of Arak University of Medical Sciences through randomized simple-sampling. Before and after intervention, the GHQ-28 questionnaire was completed by the participants. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and Chi square. Results: The mean age of the nurses was 34.45±6.3 years, and 68.2% (30 participants) of them were married and the rest were single. The mean mental health scores before and after intervention were 27.75±9.76 and 22.34±7.83 which indicated a significant difference (p<0.014). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that this intervention has been effective in reducing mental health scores and somehow, in improving the nurses’ mental health status. On the other hand, participation in the familiarity with Quran workshop can improve the nurses’ mental health.

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As the world is moving at the fastest possible speed toward industrialization, great technical developments, and becoming a place devoid of difficulties and troubles, the issue of illnesses and mental problems still persists as an unpleasant matter which is quite noticeable. This study was done through reviewing the available Quranic books and resources. In such matters, Quran and Hadith are rich in both content and foundation and play a vital role in decreasing and alleviating mental pressures and enhancing and establishing mental health in the society. In this regard, Islam (Quran and Hadith) enjoys and offers recommendations and solutions for fortifying the individual’s mental and spiritual basis in the society in a way that it eliminates the peoples’ economic and mental pressures and strengthens or establishes their economic mental hygiene. In this regard, the solutions and recommendations of Quran and Hadith can be applied to the treatment of the majority of economic mental diseases and their consequences.

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Background: Allah descended the holy Quran to guide the human and for instructing him the principles of life. The holy Quran always guides the human in the best of ways. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to explore the manifestation of Quran reading in the life of faculty members, students, and clerks’ at Arak University of Medical Sciences (AUMS). Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was done through content analysis method, and the data were collected through interviews. The study was initiated with purposive sampling and continued by theoretical sampling 30 individuals were interviewed over a 2 month period at AUMS. The data were analyzed based on the content analysis method. Continuous-comparative analysis was utilized for data analysis. Results: Data analysis showed the manifestation of miracles in life, achieving internal peace, having humanistic communication, decision making based on Quran instructions, being patient and tolerant, behaving based on Quran instructions, and saving as secondary codes of the effect of Quran reading on participants’ life, and “the effect of holly Quran on the whole dimensions of life” as the main code or theme. Conclusion: In this qualitative study, using triangulation sources, the effects of Quran reading on the faculty members, students, and clerks’ life at AUMS were identified more profoundly than the quantitative methods. On the other hand, the effect of Quran reading on all dimensions of the participants’ life, as the theme of this study, is a very important finding which is completely in accordance with Allah’s words in Quran. Therefore, in order to achieve more divine benefits from Quran, reading the holy Quran is recommended to academians and all people, in general, so as to compete for using Quran more.

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Background: Sex life is one of the most important aspects of quality of life which is affected by a multitude of factors which can disrupt it. This study compares the effects of two different hormonal therapeutic regimens on sexual performance of postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, a total of 111 healthy postmenopausal women with no absolute contraindication for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were divided into two groups that received GI-Tibolone 2.5mg/day (N=57) and GII-continuous conjugated estrogen (CE) 0.625mg/day plus medroxyprogestrone acetate (MPA) 2.5mg/day (N=54) for six months. At baseline and after 6 months of treatment, blood samples were collected for determining sexual hormones level. Sexual function was assessed by Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Data were analyzed using Spss 16. Results: Of all the participants, 45 women in the tibolone group and 32 women in HRT completed the study. Compared with the baseline values, the tibolone group significantly improved on all the six FSFI domains however, in the HRT group, just two of the six domains, lubrication and pain, got improved. The increase in mean total score and the score of each domain of FSFI except for satisfaction domain in the tibolone group was significantly greater than the HRT group (p<0.05). In the tibolone group, testosterone (p=0.003), FTI (p=0.002), and FEI (p=0.021) increased in comparison to the baseline, whereas SHBG decreased (p<0.001). In GII group, SHBG (p=0.001) significantly increased and tibolone was tolerated better than HRT. Conclusion: In post menopausal women, tibolone is more effective than HRT in improving sexual function scores, especially the desire, arousal, and orgasm domains. Its side effects are also much more acceptable.

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Background: There is inconsistent evidence indicating that serum Zn deficiency in pregnant women may adversely affect fetal growth. In order to survey this matter in Iran, a study was conducted with the aim of determining the association between serum Zn in pregnant women of Kashan and anthropometric factors of their neonates in 2008-2009. Materials and Methods: In this eross-secrional study, of all the pregnant women referring to Naghavi Polyclinic of Kashan University of Medical Sciences, 128 women and their neonates were selected. Serum Zn concentration in 6-9 month pregnant women and anthropometric factors of their neonates (weight, height, and head circumference) were measured. Then the relationship between the prevalence of Zn deficiency and the neonates’ anthropometric factors was reported. T-test and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results: Mean weight and height of the infants whose mothers had low serum Zn concentration (below normal) were 130.1g and 0.6 cm less than the infants whose mothers had high Zn concentrations. A significant positive correlation was found between birth size height of the neonates and serum Zn concentration of the mothers (P=0.02). Conclusion: The results suggest that maternal serum zinc level affects neonates’ height.

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Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common causes of loss of mental function broadly known as “Dementia”. Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 2% (6.5 Million) of people in the developed countries and responsible for over 100,000 death per year in USA Alzheimer’s disease usually occurs between sixth to ninth decade and its progressive deterioration comprised of gradual destruction of memory, judgment, language, reasons in addition to behavioral alterations. Microscopic biopsy shows cortical atrophy along with ventricular enlargement of the brain. These clinical manifestations reflect the neurotic degeneration in cerebral cortex, especially, the temporo-parietal cortex and the hippocampus. Pathological abnormalities of Alzheimer’s disease include brain deposition of two fibrillary proteins. These two are known as Beta-amyloid proteins containing Apolipoprotein E and Tau proteins. Alzheimer’s disease affects primarily cholinergic neurons, therefore, treatment is followed by specific drugs that inhibit the degradation of acetylcholine within synapses. Current medications only treat the cognitive symptoms but not the underlying disorder. Several lines of ongoing research are showing promising scientific results. These include, uncovering the biological markers for early detection and developing new effective drugs. Also, new approaches have been employed to block the molecular processes that lead to this disease. Moreover, many clinicians are exploring alternative pathways for Alzheimer’s disease treatment, such as good diet along with mental and physical exercise as preventive methods.

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Background: Noticing the importance of measuring physical activity in medical investigations, this study was conducted to analyze the validity and reliability of the researcher-made Physical Activity Questionnaire (AFPAQ) of Azad and Fesharaki, so as to achieve a suitable tool. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the sample population all army men selected through two-stage cluster sampling according to Morgan samples table. After investigating content validity, confirmatory and explanatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation (using general health questionnaire (GHQ) and test-retest coefficient were used to examine construct and predictive validity, respectively. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 15 and Amos version 16. Results: This study was done on 724 subjects including 54 (7.3%) women and 685 (92.7%) men. The CVR coefficient was 60% for this study. Also, explanatory factor analysis showed three factors, including physical activity at work, physical activity at leisure time, and exhaustion with 45% total variance and 71% Kaser-Meyer-Olkin Index. These factors were also confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis (AGFI=0.963, RMSEA=0.053). The reliability of the questionnaire was %40 and %70 using Cronbach's Alpha and test-re-test method, respectively. Conclusion: Since validity and reliability indexes of the questionnaire were reported desirable, AFPAQ can be considered a valid and reliable questionnaire for measuring physical activity