Salar Doosti; Farzaneh Hooman; Saeed Bakhtiarpour; Sasan Bavi
Abstract
Background: Raising disabled children can lead to significant strain and psychological distress within families, particularly for mothers as primary caregivers. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of parenting stress in the relationship between quality of life and social support in mothers ...
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Background: Raising disabled children can lead to significant strain and psychological distress within families, particularly for mothers as primary caregivers. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of parenting stress in the relationship between quality of life and social support in mothers of disabled children.Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 2022. The study population comprised all mothers of disabled children in Kermanshah, Iran. A purposive sampling method was utilized, selecting 379 individuals for the research sample. Data collection tools included the Quality of Life Scale, Social Support Inventory, and Parental Stress Questionnaire. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 27, AMOS version 25, and structural equation modeling (SEM).Results: The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between social support and mothers’ quality of life (r=0.37; P<0.01). Conversely, a significant negative correlation was observed between social support and parenting stress (r=-0.63; P<0.01), as well as between parenting stress and mothers’ quality of life (r=-0.41; P<0.01). Moreover, the indirect pathway from social support to quality of life, mediated by parenting stress, was significant (P=0.010). The model fit results showed a good fit for our model (CFI=0.98; NFI=0.97; RMSEA=0.065).Conclusion: The proposed model showed a good fit. Consequently, enhancing social support and reducing parenting stress may improve the quality of life for mothers of disabled children.
Sedigheh Sakkaki; Farah Naderi; Fariba Hafezi
Abstract
Background: The diagnosis of cervical cancer significantly affects the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of women. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and experiential avoidance (EA) with HRQOL, mediated by depression in women with cervical cancer.Methods: ...
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Background: The diagnosis of cervical cancer significantly affects the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of women. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and experiential avoidance (EA) with HRQOL, mediated by depression in women with cervical cancer.Methods: This descriptive-correlational study selected 261 cervical cancer cases in Mashhad, Iran in 2021, using purposive sampling from October 10, 2021 to December 24, 2021. The research tools include the SF-36 Questionnaire, the Chalder Fatigue Scale, the Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory. Data analysis was done using Pearson correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling in SPSS version 27 and AMOS version 24.Results: The results indicated that all direct paths, with the exception of CFS, significantly correlated with HRQOL (P<0.001). Depression mediated the significant indirect paths of CFS to HRQOL and the significant relationship between EA and HRQOL (P<0.001).Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed that CFS and EA were negatively related to HRQOL in women with cervical cancer. Moreover, depression mediated the relationship of CFS and EA with HRQOL.
Khadija Kahlout; Aymen Elsous; Aseel Alshorafa; Mariam Ghazal; Rima Yaghi; Ezat Askari
Abstract
Background: Menopause is accompanied with symptoms that could be bothersome to the point that quality of life can be affected. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and quality of life among women in their peri- and post-menopausal phase.Methods: This quantitative ...
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Background: Menopause is accompanied with symptoms that could be bothersome to the point that quality of life can be affected. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and quality of life among women in their peri- and post-menopausal phase.Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2022 on 332 peri-menopausal (n=162) and post-menopausal (n=170) women aged 45-55 years. They were recruited from the women who visited primary health centers in the East Gaza governorate using convenience sampling. The menopausal rating scale and a validated Arabic World Health Organization Quality of life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) were used. Descriptive and inferential analysis were applied and P<0.05 was considered as the level of statistical significance.Results: The mean (SD) of the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS) score was 2.27±0.49 vs 1.90±0.55 in the post-menopausal and peri-menopausal women, respectively. The most prevalent symptom was joint and muscle problems in peri-menopause (45.7%) and post-menopause (67.6%). The mean score of Quality of Life (QoL) dimensions, namely physical, social, environmental, and psychological domains was lower among the post-menopausal women compared to that among the peri-menopausal ones (3.19±0.73 vs 3.44±0.80, 3.46±0.72 vs 3.62±0.71, 3.50±0.60 vs 3.52±0.62, and 3.59±0.75 vs 3.68±0.77, respectively). Quality of life as well as the associated physical and social aspects were found to be significantly associated with menopausal symptoms (P=0.003 and P=0.048, respectively). Age (51–55 years; P<0.001), marital status (widowed/divorced; P=0.044), income (<300USD; P<0.001), and post-menopausal status (P<0.001) were significantly associated with severity of menopausal symptoms.Conclusions: Menopausal symptoms are common in the post-menopausal status. Their severity was found to increase as menopause status progressed. Psychological symptoms were the most severe symptoms reflecting the need for proper psychological supporting efforts. Menopausal symptoms with severe manifestations impair the quality of life and are associated with socio-demographic and clinical variables.
Shahin Tabarzan; Farzaneh Hooman; Saeed Bakhtiarpour
Abstract
Background: Cyberspace has attracted sizeable audience thanks to its broad range of topics, diverse content, and audio and visual attractions. However, Internet addiction is believed to be a salient phenomenon as the consequence of improper use of cyberspace, which leads to mental and personality-related ...
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Background: Cyberspace has attracted sizeable audience thanks to its broad range of topics, diverse content, and audio and visual attractions. However, Internet addiction is believed to be a salient phenomenon as the consequence of improper use of cyberspace, which leads to mental and personality-related disorders. The present research aimed to investigate the mediating role of sexual satisfaction in the correlation among the quality of married life, Internet addiction, and mindfulness in patients with breast cancer.Methods: This is a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population herein comprised all the women with breast cancer in Tehran, Iran in 2022, out of whom a sample of 250 was conveniently selected. The research tools included the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Internet Addiction Test, the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills, and the Index of Sexual Satisfaction. The research model was evaluated with structural equation modeling in AMOS-25 and SPSS version 27.Results: Based on the obtained results, the mean and standard deviation (SD) of quality of married life, Internet addiction, mindfulness, and sexual satisfaction were 47.90±6.71, 59.18±8.88, 53.09±8.73, and 66.25±7.14, respectively. The results revealed the significance of all the direct paths (P<0.001), except for the path of mindfulness to the quality of married life. The indirect paths from Internet addiction to the quality of married life mediated by sexual satisfaction (P=0.010), and the association between mindfulness and the quality of married life mediated by sexual satisfaction (P=0.015) were also significant. Furthermore, the final model was found to have good fit (RMSEA=0.027).Conclusions: The research model herein had a desirable fit. It is an appropriate model, according to which different programs can be developed and designed in order to improve the quality of married life of patients with breast cancer.
Parvaneh Bahmani Makvandzadeh; Amin Koraei; Seyedeh Zahra Alavi; Seyed Esmaeil Hashemi
Abstract
Background: Depression could negatively impact the mood, behavior, attitude, and efficiency of women and massively harm family performance. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of the self-esteem in the association of attachment behaviors with depression and marital quality in women ...
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Background: Depression could negatively impact the mood, behavior, attitude, and efficiency of women and massively harm family performance. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of the self-esteem in the association of attachment behaviors with depression and marital quality in women in Ahvaz, Iran.Methods: The study was descriptive-correlational estimated through structural equation modeling. The statistical population was made up of married women with at least high school education in Ahvaz, Iran in 2021. Convenience sampling was used to choose 340 individuals. The instruments included the Quality Marriage Index (QMI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI- 13), the Brief Accessibility, Responsiveness, and Engagement (BARE) Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). A path analysis approach was adopted to evaluate the proposed model and the indirect relationships were examined through bootstrapping in AMOS version 24.Results: The mean and standard deviation (SD) of depression, marital quality, and self-esteem were 5.78±2.86, 28.58±6.48, and 7.22±2.93, respectively. Depression was negatively correlated with marital quality (r=-0.78) and self-esteem (r=-0.72) in women. The direct paths from attachment behaviors to self-esteem (P<0.001) and from self-esteem to depression (β=-0.53, P<0.001) and marital quality (β=0.18, P<0.001) were significant. The indirect paths from attachment behaviors to depression and marital quality through self-esteem were also significant (P<0.05).Conclusion: The suggested model suited the data well. The relationship between attachment behaviors, depression, and marital quality in women was mediated by self-esteem. Workshops on boosting self-esteem and outlining its advantageous effects on women’s mental health are advised.
Setareh Mohammadipour; Zahra Dasht Bozorgi; Farzaneh Hooman
Abstract
Background: A mother’s distress tolerance is her ability to withstand negative emotions, which can alleviate her child’s behavioral disorders. This study was conducted to investigate the association of distress tolerance and mother-child interaction with children’s behavioral disorders ...
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Background: A mother’s distress tolerance is her ability to withstand negative emotions, which can alleviate her child’s behavioral disorders. This study was conducted to investigate the association of distress tolerance and mother-child interaction with children’s behavioral disorders through the mediating role of marital quality in mothers of children with learning disabilities.Methods: In this descriptive correlational study, the statistical population included all the mothers of students with learning disabilities from Andimeshk, Khuzestan Province, Iran, in 2021. The convenience sampling method was employed for recruiting 210 participants. The research instruments included the Children’s Behavior Questionnaire, the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scales, the Distress Tolerance Scale, the Mental Health Questionnaire, and the Child-Parent Relationship Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was adopted to evaluate the proposed model.Results: The results indicated that the direct paths from distress tolerance and mother-child interaction to marital quality were significant (P<0.001). Moreover, the indirect paths from distress tolerance to children’s behavioral disorders and the association between mother-child interaction and children’s behavioral disorders were significant through the mediating role of marital quality (P<0.001). However, the direct paths from distress tolerance and mother-child interaction to children’s behavioral disorders were not found to be significant.Conclusions: The proposed model had good fitness. It could be considered as a major step towards identification of the factors affecting behavioral disorders of students with learning disabilities.
Kamelia Abdi; Fatemeh Beigom Hosseini; Zahra Chaharbaghi; Saeed Ghorbani
Abstract
Background: Living with a better quality is considered as the main challenge for the elderly in new century. Therefore, examining the wellbeing and quality of life of the elderly has become a necessity. The purpose of this study was to test a conceptual model that examines the associations between social ...
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Background: Living with a better quality is considered as the main challenge for the elderly in new century. Therefore, examining the wellbeing and quality of life of the elderly has become a necessity. The purpose of this study was to test a conceptual model that examines the associations between social support with wellbeing and health-related quality of life in elderly women while considering physical activity as a mediator.Methods: The present study used a structural equation modelling approach. Participants were 384 elderlies (mean age of 62.22±10.55 years) from Golestan province, Iran in 2020. They were over 60 years old without any physical or mental disabilities. The participants fulfilled standard questionnaires (Perceived Social Support Scale, Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity, and Adult Well-Being Assessment). Spearman correlation test and structural equation modelling using Lisrel were employed to analyze data.Results: Findings showed that perceived social support directly affected physical activity (β=0.409, T=6.631), wellbeing (β=0.429, T=7.701), and health-related quality of life (β=0.473, T=7.927). Moreover, physical activity directly affected wellbeing (β=0.231, T=3.217) and health-related quality of life (β=0.627, T=10.649). Finally, physical activity acted as a significant mediator in the associations between perceived social support with wellbeing (Z=5.449, p <0.001) and health-related quality of life (Z=5.930, p <0.001).Conclusion: Social support and physical activity are critical concerns for elderly women. Appropriately, it is essential to embrace fitting procedures to increase social support and an active lifestyle among this population.
َArezoo Koohestani; Mehrdad Fathi; Keyvan Hejazi
Abstract
Background: Addiction not only causes social and behavioral disorders but also affects various aspects of physical health, causing huge financial damages to individuals, families, and societies. Addicts have lower health and physical activity than the general population. The objective of this study was ...
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Background: Addiction not only causes social and behavioral disorders but also affects various aspects of physical health, causing huge financial damages to individuals, families, and societies. Addicts have lower health and physical activity than the general population. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of aerobic training (in the morning and afternoon) on some cardiovascular indices and quality of life in drug addicted women.Methods: In this semi-experimental study, we selected 30 addicted women in Bojnourd city in 2016 by convenience and purposeful sampling method and divided them into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The training protocol comprised six weeks of aerobic training (three sessions per week in the morning and afternoon) with each session lasting 45-60 minutes with an intensity of 50-70% of maximal heart rate reserve. All participants were briefed on all study procedures and potential risks; they signed a written consent form after having read and understood the details of the experiments. We used paired sample t-test and ANCOVA to compare within and between-group variance changes;p Results: Weight (66.93±3.23 vs 65.89±3.13), body mass index (24.23±1.95 vs 23.86±1.97), body fat percentage (18.84±2.00 vs 17.96±2.03), fibrinogen (345.80±36.46 vs 338.06±38.74), and serum C-reactive protein (167.40±7.66 vs 159.80±13.96) decreased significantly at the end of the six-week aerobic training period (p <0.05). There were significant differences between the experimental and control groups regarding the mean changes of weight (P=0.001), body mass index (P=0.001), body fat percentage (P=0.005), maximal oxygen consumption (P=0.01), physical restraint (P=0.001), general health (P=0.001), vital force (P=0.004), social activity (P=0.001), physical performance (P=0.001), emotional performance (P=0.001), and life satisfaction (P=0.001).Conclusion: Six weeks of aerobic training in the morning and afternoon is likely to improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis in female drug addicts.
setareh derakhshanpour; zahra yazdanpanahi; Marzieh Akbarzadeh
Abstract
Background: In recent years, for the purpose of proper planning, the quality of life has been considered by researchers and clinical experts as one of the most important outcomes of chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life and its dimensions in women and men with Human ...
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Background: In recent years, for the purpose of proper planning, the quality of life has been considered by researchers and clinical experts as one of the most important outcomes of chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life and its dimensions in women and men with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the high-risk behaviors center of Shiraz. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we selected 224 patients (112 man and 112 woman) with HIV / AIDS from Behavioral Counseling Center of Shiraz through convenience purposive sampling method; we gathered data using quality of life Short-Form 36 (SF36) and a demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a t-test. Results: The mean score of general health (55.31±17.82) (P=0.367), physical health (287.85±81.16) (P=0.168), and psychological health of women (255.40±74.80) (P=0.207) was more than those with HIV/AIDS. The mean score of other quality of life dimensions in women was more than that of men; however, no significant differences were observed in other dimensions. Conclusion: The average score of quality of life in women was better than in men, hence the necessity of promoting calm adherence to treatment.
Chidozie Mbada; Julitta Oseghale Ehinomen; Kikelomo Aboyowa Mbada; Olabisi Aderonke Akinwande; Adebanjo Babalola Adeyemi; Okechukwu Ernest Orji; Esther Kikelomo Afolabi; Moses Makinde; Adaobi Okonji
Abstract
Background: Pregnancy-related changes in women’s body shape and size predisposes to negative body image. However, the nexus between pregnancy-related body image and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is still controvertible. This study assessed the relationship between body image and HRQoL ...
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Background: Pregnancy-related changes in women’s body shape and size predisposes to negative body image. However, the nexus between pregnancy-related body image and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is still controvertible. This study assessed the relationship between body image and HRQoL among Nigerian nulligravid, pregnant, and postpartum women.Methods: 385 women volunteered for this cross-sectional study between November 2016 and January 2017 from two selected clinics in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Body image was assessed using the Body Attitude Questionnaire (BAQ) and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), respectively. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-12 questionnaire. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics including Chi-square test was used to test the associations between body image and HRQoL in pregnant and postpartum women. Alpha level was set at p <0.05.Results: Body attitude satisfaction and pregnancy-related women status was significantly associated with respect to abdomen (P=0.021) and genitalia (P=0.005). Postpartum women were most satisfied with their abdomen (95.2%). There was significant correlation between BAQ score and health perception (P=0.001), emotional functioning (P=0.001), and mental health (P=0.040) scales of the SF-12. There was significant correlation between BSQ score and bodily pain (P=0.020), health perception (P=0.001),and emotional functioning (P=0.003) scales of the SF-12.Conclusions: Postpartum women had better body attitude and body shape perception than their pregnant and non-pregnant counterparts. Body attitude is related to HRQoL in non-pregnant, pregnant and postpartum women. Body shape perception is only correlated with bodily pain, health perception and emotional functioning scales of the HRQoL.
Masoumeh Dehdashti Lesani; Behnam Makvandi; Farah Naderi; Fariba Hafezi
Abstract
Background: Quality of life is a multidimensional and dynamic concept that can be assessed based on the differences between expectations and reality level. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of social anxiety in the causal relationships of alexithymia and social intelligence with ...
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Background: Quality of life is a multidimensional and dynamic concept that can be assessed based on the differences between expectations and reality level. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of social anxiety in the causal relationships of alexithymia and social intelligence with the quality of life in women-headed household in Ahvaz.Methods: The research design was causal-correlational and had a field type. A total of 261 women-headed household were selected from Ahvaz City by convenience sampling. The research instrument included World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Short Form, Ahvaz Alexithymia scale (AAS- 26 questions), Tromso Social Intelligence Scale (TSIS), and Jerabek Social Anxiety Scale. Analysis of the data involved both descriptive and inferential statistics including mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation, and path analysis. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 24.Results: A direct and positive relationship was observed between social intelligence and quality of life (β=0.152, P=0.003) and between alexithymia and social anxiety (β=0.245, P=0.001). There was a direct and negative relationship between social anxiety and quality of life (β=-0.618, P=0.001). There was no direct and significant relationship between alexithymia and quality of life (β=0.043, P=0.417). The path analysis results indicated that social anxiety had a mediating role in the relationship between alexithymia and quality of life (β=-0.246, P=0.001) as well as the relationship between social intelligence and quality of life (β=-0.275, P=0.001).Conclusion: Social anxiety plays an important role in the relationship between social intelligence, alexithymia, and quality of life.
Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada; Hamdalah A Adesunkanmi; Okechukwu Ernest Orji; David Olakorede; Adebanjo Babalola Adeyemi; Esther Kikelomo Afolabi; Chidiebele Petronilla Ojukwu; Abolaji Blessed Adeyemi; Olabisi Aderonke Akinwande; Moses Oluwatosin Makinde; Dolapo Adeola Ojo
Volume 6, Issue 3 , July 2019, , Pages 22-30
Abstract
Background: Physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are significantly affected in pregnancy.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess these constructs among Nigerian pregnant women and also examine the relationship between them.
Methods: A total of 140 pregnant women ...
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Background: Physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are significantly affected in pregnancy.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess these constructs among Nigerian pregnant women and also examine the relationship between them.
Methods: A total of 140 pregnant women were recruited from four selected antenatal clinics in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, who participated in this cross-sectional study. The pregnancy physical activity questionnaire (PPAQ); consisting of 33 questions aimed at evaluating different day to day activities and SF-12 health survey; an eight scale grouped questionnaire were used to assess PA and HRQoL, respectively. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage) and inferential statistics (Pearson product moment correlation and one-way ANOVA) were used for data analysis. Alpha level was set at P < 0.05.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.4±4.33 years. Household (347.0±452.1) and vigorous intensity (14.3±30.8) PA constituted the highest and least forms of PA. On the other hand, role limitation-physical (82.0±18.3) and health perception (82.0±18.0), and role limitation-mental (54.2±50), respectively were the highest and least rated scales on SF-12. The HRQoL scores were not significantly different (P > 0.05) across the three trimesters of pregnancy except for physical functioning (P = 0.023). However, there were significant differences in PA across the three trimester of pregnancy (P < 0.05), except for vigorous intensity (P = 0.072), sport (P = 0.057), and occupational activity (P = 0.057). There were significant correlations among HRQoL sub-scales and each household, occupational, and moderate intensity PA only (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Light to moderate intensity and household PA are predominant among Nigerian pregnant women than vigorous intensity, occupational, and sports-related PA. Higher health perception and physical role limitation in HRQoL were mostly demonstrated by the pregnant women. There was a significant inverse relationship between HRQoL and each of moderate intensity, occupational, and household PA.
Nooshin Zarei; Hassan Joulaei; Mohammad Fararouei
Abstract
Background: Quality of life (QoL) is a broad construct and can be influenced by many factors. Perceived stigma is inevitable in patients with HIV. Therefore, it is an important factor to understand their QoL.
Objectives: The current study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the perceived ...
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Background: Quality of life (QoL) is a broad construct and can be influenced by many factors. Perceived stigma is inevitable in patients with HIV. Therefore, it is an important factor to understand their QoL.
Objectives: The current study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the perceived stigma among HIV-positive women and their QoL in Shiraz, Iran.
Patients and Methods: In this quantitative study, 110 HIV-positive women were selected by simple random sampling method. A questionnaire was designed and used as a tool for data collection. The questionnaire included demographic information, internal stigma scale, and the ACTG short form-21 (SF-21) for measuring QoL. Data were collected from March to August 2015 and analyzed using t- test, Pearson’s correlations, and the multiple regression test with the SPSS software version 21.
Results: The mean age of the women was 37.86 ± 9.03 years. Most of the participants were infected with HIV/AIDS through sex with their spouse (78.2%). About one-third of the women had physical symptoms (29.1%) of the HIV disease. The prevalence rate of perceived stigma in the sample was 69.7%. Quality of life was significantly different in terms of employment status, emotional support and physical symptoms (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: A higher level of perceived stigma among HIV-positive women is associated with a considerable decrease in all QoL dimensions. Thus, more efforts should be considered to reduce the perceived stigma and improve the QoL of such patients.
Neil Harris; Asiyeh Salehi; Elisabeth Coyne; Bernadette Sebar
Abstract
Background: Satisfaction with life indicates an individual’s overall evaluation of life, which is influenced by a range of factors including socio-demographic characteristics, psychological issues, and life experiences.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the main determinants of ...
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Background: Satisfaction with life indicates an individual’s overall evaluation of life, which is influenced by a range of factors including socio-demographic characteristics, psychological issues, and life experiences.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the main determinants of life satisfaction among young Iranian women.
Patients and Methods: 391 young Iranian women (18 - 35 years) were recruited through cluster convenience sampling to participate in this cross-sectional study. Satisfaction with life (SwL) was used as the dependent variable. Demographic characteristics together with the individual items of the Persian version of the WHO QoL-BREF (World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire-brief version) were used as the independent variables and/or the determinants of SwL.
Results: The analysis showed that young Iranian women’s satisfaction with life was average (19.9 ± 6.4), ranging from 5 to 35. The regression analysis identified higher income, better living conditions, higher level of leisure activities, and satisfactory sexual life as the main predictors of higher satisfaction with life. Satisfaction with life diminishes with increased age, being divorced and/or widowed and being of Lor ethnicity (vs. Fars and Tork ethnicities). On the other hand, those with higher education and/or level of religiosity had a higher satisfaction with life.
Conclusions: In transitional countries, particularly those with different social and cultural situations, identifying and enhancing the main determinants of SwL is of importance in order to improve socially cohesive and robust community.
Negin Hadi; Esmaeel Shabaninezhad; Zahra Shabgard Shahraki; Ali Montazeri; Sedigheh Tahmasebi; Zinab Zakeri; Abdolrasoul Talei
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies all over the world. The rate of survival of the patients with cancer has increased due to developing diverse treatment methods, as a result of which the treatment-related side effects have become the focus of attention more than before. ...
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Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies all over the world. The rate of survival of the patients with cancer has increased due to developing diverse treatment methods, as a result of which the treatment-related side effects have become the focus of attention more than before. Lymphedema related to breast cancer is one of the frequent side effects which has significantly affected the patient’s quality of life.
Objectives: The purpose of this research was to assess the effect of complete or complex decongestive therapy on breast cancer-related lymphedema and the patients’ quality of life.
Patients and Methods: The present study was conducted from January 2013 to January 2014 and comprised 119 patients with breast cancer, related lymphedema, who had undergone complete or complex decongestive therapy (CDT). The patients’ volume and grade of lymphedema were measured and determined before and after treatment, using the direct volumeter device to measure the lymphedema volume. To determine the quality of life, the European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire (EQRTC BR-23) was completed before and after the treatment.
Result: The volume of lymphedema was significantly reduced after CDT (P < 0.001). The scores of quality of life were significantly increased regarding body image (BI) (P < 0.001), future prospective (FP) (P = 0.008), sexual functioning (SF) (P = 0.006), systemic therapy side effect (STSE) (P = 0.008) and arm symptoms (AS) (P < 0.001) which was clear indication of improved quality of life.
Conclusions: It is concluded that not only CDT causes reduction in lymph edema volume but also it improves the life quality of patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema
