Nona Fazlollazadeh, Masoumeh Habibian, Babison Askari,
Volume 25, Issue 2 (June & July 2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim Evidence shows that vitamin D deficiency and obesity are associated with impaired physical and mental health. This study aims to investigate the effect of Pilates and vitamin D supplementation on quality of life and mental health of overweight men.
Methods & Materials This is a randomized clinical trial with a pre-test/post-test design. Fifty overweight men were selected by a convenience sampling method and were randomly divided into four groups of control, exercise, supplementation, and exercise+supplementation. The exercise and combined groups performed 8 weeks of Pilates at an intensity of 50-75% of heart rate reserve, three sessions per week. The supplementation and combined groups received 50,000 IU vitamin D capsule once per week. Assessment tools were the 36-item Short Form survey (SF-36) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The data were analyzed by paired t-test, one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test. P˂0.05 was statistically significant.
Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the research ethics committee of Islamic Azad University, Babol Branch, Iran (Code: IR.IAU.BABOL.REC.1398.088).
Results Vitamin D status in subjects was lower than normal (<30 ng/mL) at baseline. Eight weeks of Pilates alone, vitamin D intake alone, and the combined intervention led to a significant increase in SF-36 (10.57%, 9.26% and 15.75%, respectively) and GHQ (12.66%, 10.72% and 17.90%, respectively). However, the effect of combined intervention was higher on the SF-36 (P<0.001) and GHQ (P<0.001) scores compared to two other interventions.
Conclusion It seems Pilates alone, vitamin D supplementation alone, and their combination can improve the quality of life and mental health in overweight people with vitamin D deficiency, where the combined intervention is more effective.
Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe, Fereshteh Rezazadeh Khalkhali,
Volume 25, Issue 5 (December & January 2022)
Abstract
Ryu S, Nam HJ, Jhon M, Lee JY, Kim JM, Kim SW. Trends in suicide deaths before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea. PLoS One
Dr Azadeh Khazaei Zadeh, Dr Afrooz Nakhostin, Dr Mahsa Kianifar,
Volume 26, Issue 5 (December & January 2023)
Abstract
Introduction: The academic failure of students is one of the major problems of higher education centers in the country, which not only wastes time and running costs of these centers, but also causes mental-psychological, family and social problems for students. The purpose of this study was to investigate and explain the various causes of academic failure in dental students of Arak city.
Methods: The present study was of a descriptive-analytical type, which was conducted with the participation of 120 dental students of Arak Medical Sciences. Sampling was by census method and all students were included in the study. The data collection tool of this study was a questionnaire containing demographic characteristics, questions related to various factors of academic failure in students. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods (frequency, mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression) in SPSS software version 22.
Results: The sample consisted of 30 individuals (10 males and 20 females) with generalized anxiety disorder, selected purposefully and randomly assigned to a treatment group based on virtual reality and mindfulness (15 individuals) and a control group (15 individuals). Pre-test, post-test, and follow-up cortisol levels were measured, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) was used as the entry criterion. Subsequently, the experimental group received an eight-session, 17-minute weekly treatment based on virtual reality and mindfulness. Participants in this group, while immersed in a virtual environment, watched 360-degree virtual reality videos, "Walking by the Beach" and "Pebbles in the Lake," accompanied by mindfulness audio contemplation, "Being Present and Breathing," and "Wise Mind," using a VR headset and VR-ARBOX. The control group received no treatment.
Conclusions: According to the findings of this research, it was found that factors such as student's individual characteristics, inappropriate educational environment, inappropriate family environment and dealing with non-curricular issues had a significant effect on the event of students' academic decline, so paying attention to these factors in the design and implementation University educational programs can play an effective role in avoiding academic failure.
Davoud Shamsi, Mohsen Mohammadian Saravi, Khalil Ali Mohamadzadeh, Azadeh Ashrafi,
Volume 28, Issue 2 (4-2025)
Abstract
Introduction: Good governance, as one of the fundamental concepts in healthcare system management, plays a key role in enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of healthcare services. This concept, Emphasizing principles such as transparency, accountability, participation, and legality, has been considered as a framework for improving policymaking and management in Iran's healthcare system.
This study conducted in 2024 aimed to design and present a model of good governance in the healthcare system using a mixed approach of thematic analysis and Partial Least Squares (PLS) method.
Methods: The research method included both qualitative and quantitative components. The qualitative phase, involved managers, health policy experts, specialists from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and academic scholars. Sampling was done using purposive and snowball sampling methods, with 17 participants selected until theoretical saturation was reached. In the quantitative phase, the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method was used for model fitting. The statistical population for this section included all experts and managers in Iran's healthcare sector, with a minimum sample size of 384 determined based on Cochran's formula.
Results: The results of thematic analysis of the qualitative data and model fitting showed that the final good governance model in the healthcare system consists of seven main dimensions: effectiveness, efficiency, equity, transparency and accountability, participation, legality, and leadership. Each dimension comprised specific components, and the importance of each was confirmed in strengthening good governance.
Conclusions: This study presents a comprehensive good governance model for the healthcare system, offering a framework for improving policymaking, management, and performance in this sector. The proposed model can be used as a strategic decision-making tool and improving management structures.
