Showing 24 results for Azadeh
Hossein Sarmadian, Nader Zarinfar, Ali Fani, Fateme Marjan Mousavi, Farshideh Didgar, Mohsen Khaki, Azadeh Mohammad Bagheri, Maryam Karimi,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (9-2008)
Abstract
Background: Metronidazole has antibacterial and antiparasitic action. Therefore it can use for treatment inflammatory diseases as Crohn. The effect of metronidazole on human’s blood lipids to reducing levels of LDL and VLDL and increasing level of HDL is under investigation. Target of this research is consideration effect of metronidazole on hyperlipidemia case of death such as coronary artry disrase. Methods and Materials: This study is a triple blind clinical trial was done on 100 voluntaries between 25-65 years old. with hyperlipidemia. Samples divided in two equal groups. The first group received metronidazol, 500mg, BID, for 10 days, and control group received placebo with the same dose. Lipids of serum were measured before and after using drugs, then data analyzed by SPSS software. Results: In metronidazol group amount of total cholesterol, LDL and Triglyceride were significantly less than placebo group. HDL’s amount in metronidazole group was significantly more than placebo group. Conclusion: Significant effect of metronidazole on reducing harmful blood lipids and increasing useful blood lipids. It can be suggested a probable candidate in treatment of hyperlipidemia. Maybe it can use with this application. Although it needs to more study by meta analysis to validate this effect.
Mohammad Reza Palizvan, Hajar Rajabian, Elahe Mirzazadeh, Yahya Jand, Ehsan Alah Ghaznavi Rad,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (12-2008)
Abstract
Background: Although the roles of steroid hormones in the activation and maintenance of reproductive function are proved well, emerging evidence indicated that these steroids influence on performance of learning and memory. These effects are complex and vary with task, gender, and age, as well as the regimens of steroid exposure. This study was carried out in order to assess the role of progesterone administration in newborns rats on Morris water maze learning ability after adolescence.
Methods and Materials : This experimental study was carried out on 36 newborns Wistar rats. Rats were divided randomly into 6 groups female progesterone, male progesterone, female sesamoide, male sesamoid rats and male and female control rats. Progesterone groups were treated with a single injection of progesterone (100 mg/kg) and sesamoid groups were received the same volume of sesamoid oil as the progesterone vehicle in day 1 or 2 after brith, 60 days later, spatial memory ability was determined in Morris water maze.
Results : The results of this study show that water maze learning can enhance by administration of sesamoid oil in newborn female pups in compared to progesterone and control groups (p<0.05). In addition, adding progesterone to sesame oil reduce water maze learning to control level.
Conclusion: The hypothesis that progesterone impaired spatial reference memory in female rats was supported by this experiment.
Fardin Faraji, Afsoon Talaie, Azadeh Saeidi,
Volume 13, Issue 4 (1-2011)
Abstract
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of central nervous system which has different clinical manifestations. Noticing the role of vitamin B12 in synthesis of myelin tissue and the existence of different views about its pathogenesis and causes, we decided to evaluate B12 serum levels in MS patients. Materials and Methods: In a case-control study, 40 patients with definite clinical diagnosis of MS and 80 traumatic patients hospitalized in the emergency ward of Vali-asr Hospital of Arak (the control group) were chosen. The level of blood vitamin B12 was measured for all the subjects through the same type of kit and clinical checklist. Data were analyzed through t-test. Results: The mean vitamin B12 serum level in case and control groups were, respectively, 295±133.3 pg/dl and 257.73±91.3 pg/dl which did not indicate a significant difference(p> 0.05). However, in terms of the type of clinical manifestations, the mean vitamin B12 serum level in MS patients showed at least one sensory, motor, or sphinctery symptom lower than the control group. This difference turned out to be significant(p< 0.05). In terms of MRI findings, patients with brainstem and vertebra plucks respectively had the maximum and minimum vitamin B12 serum levels. Conclusion: Although a significant difference was not observed between the mean vitamin B12 serum levels, based on the significant decreases in the serum levels of this vitamin in some of the patients with subtypes of MS, further studies with larger sample sizes and over longer periods of time are suggested.
Akram Eidi , Sara Moghadam-Kia , Jalal Zarringhalam Moghadam, Shamsali Rezazadeh, Maryam Eidi,
Volume 14, Issue 4 (9-2011)
Abstract
Background: In traditional medicine, Olive oil (Olea europaea L.) from Oleaceae family is known as a remedy for alleviating pain. This study investigates the antinociceptive effects of olive oil on male adult NMRI mice.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, using the acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin tests, the anticipative effects of olive oil were evaluated. Olive oil (1, 5, and 10 ml/kg bodyweight), morphine (10 mg/kg bodyweight), and indomethacin (10 mg/kg bodyweight), as standard drugs, were injected intraperitoneally. The control group did not receive any treatment. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey test.
Results: Olive oil significantly decreased acetic acid-induced abdominal writhes (P<0.001). Olive oil could only decrease the induced pain in the second phase of the formalin test (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Olive oil decreases inflammatory pain (the second phase of the formalin test and acetic acid-induced writhing tests), but it has no significant effects on neurogenic pain (the first phase of the formalin test). Further studies are required to elucidate the antinociceptive effects of olive oil.
Ameneh Alaeen, Azadeh Alaeen, Hurieh Alaeen,
Volume 14, Issue 4 (9-2011)
Abstract
Background: Mycobacterium marinum is an atypical mycobacterium that causes a type of skin infection known as fish tank granuloma affecting people who are exposed to aquatic environments and manifests with erythematous, papulonodular or plaque-like lesions of the extremities.
Case: A 15 year-old woman working in a tropical aquarium in Khomein referred with a non-tender nodule on the dorsum of fourth finger of left hand for 4 months. There were no specific findings in physical examination. Routine laboratory tests were normal. Skin biopsy was obtained which revealed suppurative granulomas, but staining of PAS and Ziel-Nelson were negative. The patient was treated with doxycycline 100 mg P.O. BID for 2 months with complete improvement of the lesions.
Conclusion: In patients with a history of work in aquatic environments who manifest erythematous, papulonodular, or plaque-like lesions of the extremities should be checked in terms of fish tank granuloma and infection with mycobacterium marinum and skin biopsy and culture should be done for lesions.
Maryam Delphi, Mahsa Bakhit, Mojtaba Tavakoli, Ali Nikkhah, Azadeh Saki,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (4-2013)
Abstract
Background: ASSR is the latest threshold detection technology in pediatric audiology. The aim of this study is to investigate the degree to which ASSR thresholds correlate with click-ABR thresholds.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 32 children ranging in age from birth to 7 years were evaluated by ASSR and ABR in moderate to severe and severe to profound hearing loss groups.
Results: The correlation coefficients for frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000, mean of 2-4 and mean of 1-4 kHz were between 0.68- 0.90 in moderate to severe hearing loss and 0.79-0.96 in severe to profound hearing loss.
Conclusion: Strong correlations were found between ASSR and click-ABR thresholds in all frequencies. This correlation was greater for higher degrees of hearing loss.
Mohsen Rezazadeh, Rasoul Yousefi Mashouf, Hossein Sarmadyan, Ehsanollah Ghaznavi-Rad,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (5-2013)
Abstract
Background: Staphylococcus aureus is considered a common pathogenic factor in infections. Increase in infections caused by this bacterium in developing countries has led to many problems. The aim of this study is to identify the antibiotic patterns of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients in the central hospital of Arak.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 100 samples were isolated from hospital patients during one year. The isolates sensitivity to cefoxitin and oxacilin disks were evaluated through disk diffusion. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the isolates were tested for the presence of mecA gene. Finally, antibacterial resistance patterns of the isolates to 13 antibiotics were determined.
Results: In this study, 80 samples in a total of 100 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were methicillin-resistant. Evaluation and assessment of antibiotic resistance showed the greatest resistance to penicillin (100%), tetracycline (88.50%), levofloxacin (85.70%), and ciprofloxacin (85.70%), respectively, while the lowest levels of resistance were observed to antibiotics chloramphenicol (5.70%), netilmicin (5.70%), and mupirocin (0%), respectively.
Conclusion: This study showed increased resistance to different antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus that is a serious warning to the treatment of infections caused by this bacterium in the region. Therefore, in order to prevent increased resistance to other antibiotics, it is essential to withhold prescriptions and unessential use of available antibiotics.
Mehdi Hooshmandi, Narges Hosseinmardi, Mahyar Janahmadi, Fereshteh Motamedi, Azadeh Elahi Mahani, Fatemeh Sadat Aghamiri,
Volume 17, Issue 6 (9-2014)
Abstract
Background: Considering the increased activity of hypothalamic orexinergic neurons due to morphine administration, and its extensive projections to the hippocampus, it is probable that morphine effect on CA1 neuronal function is mediated by orexinergic system. So the effect of hippocampal orexin-1 receptors (OX1R) blockade on CA1 baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity was investigated.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, animals received morphine 10 mg/kg/12h/(SC) for 10 days. SB-334867-A, OX1R antagonist (0.5&mug/0.5 &mul), was microinjected intrahippcampally for OX1R inhibition before each morphine injection. Baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity were evaluated by field potential recording. fEPSP was recorded from CA1 following Schaffer collaterals stimulation. After Input/Output construction, short term synaptic plasticity was induced by paired pulse stimulations.
Results: Chronic use of morphine did not affect the baseline synaptic response (p>0.05). SB- 334867-A microinjection in CA1 did not have any effect on baseline synaptic response in morphine dependent rats. Morphine increased paired pulse index (PPI) at 80 ms inter pulse interval (IPI, p<0.05). SB-334867-A pretreatment did not affect this morphine induced PPI change.
Conclusion: The results suggest that orexin-1 receptors (OX1R) do not mediate the effect of morphine on baseline synaptic response and short term synaptic plasticity in CA1 area of the hippocampus.
Azadeh Najarzadeh, Hadi Atarod, Hasan Mozaffari-Khosravi, Ali Dehghani, Foad Asjodi,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (7-2015)
Abstract
Background: Delayed muscular soreness after resistance exercises or eccentric trainings is probably because of muscle damage and injury. Nutrition by playing a crucial role in both protein synthesize and catabolism can influence the extent of muscle injury. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of single portion of Glutamine supplement consumption on injury indices of muscle after a session eccentric resistance exercise.
Materials and Methods: This study used a randomized, double blind design that consisted of 80 volvnteer non-athletic males (aged 22.2±2.2 years, height 175±5 cm, weight 71.64±9 kg, body mass index 23.2±2.2 kg/m2, and body fat 17.5±2.4%). A total of 40 participants were divided randomly into 2 groups, supplement group (receiving 0.1 g/kg Body weight/day Glutamine) and placebo group (receiving 0.1 g/kg Body weight/day Maltodextrin). Serum keratine kinase (CK) was determined by photometric method, muscle pain and knee joint range of motion were measured using, respectively, a standard scale of PAS and goniometer before, 24 and 48 hours after a resistance test involving knee flexion.
Results: Glutamine supplement consumption caused no significant differences in CK levels reduction in none of the measured times, but it reduced the muscle pain at the times of 24 and 48 hours in comparison with the placebo group. In addition, the knee joint range of motion was significantly improved at 24 hours after the test.
Conclusion: It seems that this dose of Glutamine supplementation can reduce the apparent signs apart from muscle injury indices reduction.
Seyyed Kazem Shakouri, Bina Eftekhar-Sadat, Farzaneh Johari, Morteza Ghojazadeh, Salar Hemmati, Ghader Ghaffari,
Volume 18, Issue 9 (12-2015)
Abstract
Background: Lateral epicondylitis may cause pain and functional disability in many daily activities. Steroid injection or phonophoresis are the recommended treatments in this regard. In this study, we aim to compare the effect of ultrasound guided local injection of dexamethasone with dexamethasone phonophoresis for treatment of lateral epicondylitis.
Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, patients with lateral epicondylitis were randomely assigned to injection (n=18) and phonophoresis (n=18) groups. Three patients in phonophoresis group dropped out from the study. In injection group, dexamethasone with lidocaine was injected once with the guide of sonography at the base of common extensor tendon. Phonophoresis group received 5 minutes treatment with ultrasound using dexamethasone gel for 10 sessions. Patients’ pain in total and in specific and usual activities according to PRTEE questionnaire before, one and three months after treatment was calculated.
Results: Injection group compared to phonophoresis had significantly better improvement in pain (p=0.04), but there was no significant difference in serial changes of functional subscale and total score of PRTEE between groups. Injection group compared to phonophoresis had also better pain and total score one month after treatment (p=0.003 and p=0.01, respectively).
Conclusion: Dexamethasone injection compared to phonophoresis had significant improvement in patients’ pain which was more apparent one month after treatment, but the results were similar between groups three months after treatment.
Fatemeh Sadat Seyedaghamiri, Narges Hosseinmardi, Mahyar Janahmadi, Azadeh Elahi Mahani,
Volume 18, Issue 9 (12-2015)
Abstract
Background: Considering the increased activity of hippocampal glial cells due to chronic morphine administration and the involvement of hippocampus in restoration of the addictive drug-associated experience, the role of these cells on morphine induced conditioned place preference (CPP) was investigated.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, four groups of animals were evaluated. After habituation to CPP apparatus on the first day, conditioning was done by injection of morphine (5 mg/kg) or its vehicle (saline) during three consecutive days. On the fifth day, the time spent in each compartment of CPP cage and locomotor activity was recorded for 20 min. To investigate the role of hippocampal glial cells in CPP, these cels were inbibited by bilaterally injecting fluorocitrate (1nmol/1ml), before each morphine injection. CPP testing in this group and animals received fluorocitrate vehicle (Phosphate buffer saline) was done before morphine injection.
Results: Fluorocitrate pretreatment reduced morphine induced conditioned place preference acquisition, so that a significant decrease was observed in conditioning score (unpaired t-test, p<0.01) in this group (n=8) compared to animals received morphine (n=9). Neither morphine nor fluorocitrate pretreatment did not affect locomotor activity (ANOVA, p>0.05).
Conclusion: The results suggest that glial cells in the hippocampus are involved in morphine induced conditioned place preference.
Farhad Fatehi, Azadeh Riyahi, Rahmatolah Moradzadeh, Hamid Dalvand, Leila Dehghan,
Volume 19, Issue 10 (1-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: With regards to importance of the role of parents in children's life, imbalance in the roles of parents can lead to serious mental, emotional and physical damages of the child. The purpose of this study was to determine how to do parenting role's tasks in parents of children with disability (physical- mental) younger than 7 years in the city of Arak in 2016.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the parenting role's tasks questionnaire for 120 parents of children with disability was completed. The effect of demographic characteristics on how to perform the role of parents was studied.
Results: Based on data collected and analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient for the relationship between the parents and other factors, we have found no significant relationship between role of parents with the child's age. In disabled children, between parent's role and maternal age was significant difference which its correlation coefficient was -0.18, represented the inverse association between maternal age and the parent's role with disabled children. In comparison of parent's role based on child's gender, significant difference was not seen in any of cases. The impact of the seizure on performance of parenting role's tasks implied no relationship between history of seizure and performance of parenting role's tasks. Economic situation as well as on how to do tasks was ineffective.
Conclusion: Imbalance in performance of parenting role's tasks in primary care, education, leisure and cognition promotion showed that existence of a disabled child in the family had negative impact on the parenting role's tasks in different aspects, for example further focus on one of the domains lead to ignorance of other domains. Total score confirmed the negative impact of disabled children on efficient implementation of parenting role's tasks.
Majid Amiri Motlagh, Mohammad Ali Atlasi, Zeinab Vahidinia, Sayyed Alireza Talaei, Zeinab Rezazadeh Lavaf, Abolfazl Azami Tameh,
Volume 20, Issue 5 (8-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Glutamate is the most widespread excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and plays major role in the pathogenesis of ischemia brain injury.Glutamate transporters have a major role in glutamate removal and maintain its concentration below excitotoxic levels. Although estrogen’s and progesterone’s neuroprotective effects were well-described, the exact molecular mechanism has yet to be determined. This study has investigated estrogen and progesterone effect on glutamate transporters expression in the ischemic penumbra/peri-infarct region in rat.
Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 1 h. Estrogen and progesterone combination was immediately injected after tMCAO subcutaneously. Sensorimotor functional tests for evaluating behavioral deficits and TTC staining for measurement of infarct volume were performed 24 h after MCAO. Real-time PCR technique was used for gene expression analysis of glutamate transporters EAAT2 and EAAT3.
Results: The combination of estrogen and progesterone could significantly reduce lesion volume. Also, hormone therapy could improve ischemic neurological disorders. After hormone therapy, gene expression of glutamate transporters EAAT2 and EAAT3 did not show significant changes.
Conclusion: Combined estrogen–progesterone treatment significantly reduces neurological deficits and infarct volume; these effects are independent of the glutamate transporters signaling pathways.
Azadeh Agahi, Gholamali Hamidi, Mahmoud Salami, Azam Alinaghipour, Reza Daneshvar Kakhaki, Masoud Soheili,
Volume 20, Issue 12 (3-2018)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a most common neurodegenerative disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of probiotic on cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer disease.
Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted among 48 AD patients. The patients were randomly divided into two groups (n=23 in control group and n=25 in probiotic group) treating with capsules 500mg containing maltodextrine (control group) and probiotic supplementation (probiotic group) for 12 weeks. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and TYM test score was recorded in all subjects before and after treatment.
Results: After 12 weeks intervention, compared with the control group, the probiotic treated, patients with mild degree of Alzheimer disease showed an improvement in the MMSE, TYM score
(p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: Our current study demonstrated that probiotic consumption for 12 weeks positively affects cognitive function in mild degree of AD.
Azadeh Safari, Mehdi Moradi, Mojtaba Khansooz,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (June & July 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic exercise and the consumption of kefir dough on anthropometric indices, plasma lipid profile and blood pressure in overweight non-athletic women.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 32 non-athletic women with overweight in Arak, Iran (mean age= 33.94±8.58 years, mean height= 1.59±0.05 cm, mean weight= 70.15±6.88 kg, and body mass index= 27.35±1.50 kg/m2) who were voluntarily selected and randomly divided into four groups of 8 (control, exercise, exercise + supplement, and supplement). The control group had a normal diet without exercise; the supplement group received 100 ml kefir dough three meals a day for 8 weeks; the exercise group performed aerobic exercise for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, each for 50 minutes. The exercise + supplement group received both aerobic exercise and kefir dough. Blood and anthropometric variables were measured at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. Paired t-test was used to examine the within-group variations and one-way ANOVA to examine the between-group variations. All statistical tests were performed at the significant level of P<0.05.
Ethical Considerations: This study has obtained its ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee of Qom University (Code: IR.QOM.REC.1398.01).
Results: The combination of kefir dough supplementation and aerobic exercise significantly reduced the mean blood pressure (P=0.003) and BMI (P=0.03) but had no significant effect on total cholesterol (P=0.27), triglycerides (P=0.61), high-density lipoprotein (P=0.16), low-density lipoprotein (P=0.30) and waist-to-hip ratio (P=0.24).
Conclusion: Overweight women can benefit from the aerobic exercise combined with kefir dough supplementation to reduce their blood pressure and BMI. Further studies are recommended to determine the effect of aerobic exercise and kefir supplementation on serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low- and high-density lipoproteins, and waist-to-hip ratio.
Seyedeh Sara Azadeh, Hoda Keshmiri Neghab,
Volume 24, Issue 5 (December & January 2021)
Abstract
In December 2019, a new type of coronavirus called COVID-19 was identified as an unknown cause of pneumonia in Wuhan, China. The pandemic virus was transmitted to humans from a type of seafood that could spread significantly among humans in a short time. Clinical signs of coronaviruses include fever, severe sweating, cough, pneumonia, and a weakened immune system, with acute cases leading to death. One of the most important coronavirus receptors in the host cell is the angiotensin 2 converting enzyme. It is noteworthy that the patient’s recovery process increases during the inhibition of angiotensin 2 converter enzyme. Therefore, the administration of drugs that inhibit this enzyme can be effective in recovering a patient with coronavirus. Flavonoids are one the inhibitors of the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which is abundant in fruits and vegetables. Fistula, a type of flavonoid known in nature as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of many, can be effective in the treatment of coronavirus by inhibiting the enzyme converter angiotensin 2.
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.
