Editorial
Mark K. Huntington
Randomized Clinical Trials (RCT)
Marziyeh Ziya; Farzaneh Saki
Abstract
Background: Low back pain is a significant musculoskeletal condition which leads to limitations in physical function and a poor quality of life in older adults. This study aimed to investigate the impact of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) exercises on the quality of life, lower extremity strength, ...
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Background: Low back pain is a significant musculoskeletal condition which leads to limitations in physical function and a poor quality of life in older adults. This study aimed to investigate the impact of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) exercises on the quality of life, lower extremity strength, and pain levels in elderly women.Method: This clinical trial was designed as a single-blind randomized controlled study. A total number of 30 female participants, aged between 60 and 80, who had experienced persistent lower back pain and voluntarily participated in this study. The allocation method using Random Number Generator software with block randomization involves dividing participants into smaller blocks and randomly assigning them to study groups (control, n=15 and dynamic neuromuscular stabilization, n=15). The group performing DNS exercises engaged in sessions three times weekly over an eight-week period, whereas the control group did not participate in any physical activity. This study was registered with the code of IRCT20180626040244N2 in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials. The study took place in Hamedan, Iran during September -December 2024. All participants received assessments, including the 30-second sit-to-stand (STS) test for measuring lower limb strength, SF-36 questionnaire for measuring quality of life (QOL), and visual analog scale (VAS) for measuring pain, three days prior to the first intervention session and one to three days following the last intervention session after eight weeks. The data were analyzed using a paired-sample t-test and covariance analysis (ANCOVA), with statistical significance established at P<0.05.Results: The results of ANCOVA indicated that an 8-week DNS exercise program significantly decreased pain (DNSE: baseline=8.64±1.22, week eight=4.79±1.58; Control: baseline=8.07±1.16, week eight=7.33±1.05) (P=0.009), and significantly increased QOL (DNSE: baseline=32.38±4.86, week eight=68.74±6.45; Control: baseline=32.90±8.39, week eight=30.66±6.92) (P=0.004), as well as 30-Sec STS (DNSE: baseline=6.57±1.09, week eight=9.10±1.04; Control: baseline=6.67±1.01, week eight=6.33±0.62) (P=0.004).Conclusions: These findings implied that DNS exercises may elevate the overall well-being in older women with chronic low back pain by reducing pain and enhancing lower limb strength.
Research Article
Bahram Rostami; Fahime Khaleghi; Yadolah Kasirloo; Saeideh Jabbari; Elahe Saadati; Zarrintaj Hoseinzadeh
Abstract
Background: In recent years, the growing divorce rate in Iran has emerged as a pressing social issue, and one of the predictive factors in this regard is marital conflict. Therefore, the present study aimed to design a women’s empowerment training program based on Sternberg’s theory and evaluate ...
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Background: In recent years, the growing divorce rate in Iran has emerged as a pressing social issue, and one of the predictive factors in this regard is marital conflict. Therefore, the present study aimed to design a women’s empowerment training program based on Sternberg’s theory and evaluate its effect on reducing marital conflict.Methods: This quasi-experimental study included 20 women with mild or moderate marital conflict, as determined by the Marital Conflict Questionnaire (MCQ). The study participants were evenly divided into two groups experimental (n=10) and control (n=10). The intervention included six 60-minute training sessions. Data were collected using the Marital Conflict Questionnaires and Sternberg’s Triangular Love Scale before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, employing independent t-test, and ANCOVA. A significance level of less than 0.05 was considered.Results: The mean score of marital conflict before the intervention was 71.49±22.80, which reduced to 65.04±45.08 after the intervention (P=0.050). Similarly, the mean score of triangular love reduced from 316.08±55.14 to 285.30±92.57 (P=0.030). Significant reductions were observed in intimacy (P=0.040) and commitment (P=0.030), while passion showed no significant changes.Conclusions: The women’s empowerment training program, developed based on Sternberg’s theory, had a positive effect on reducing marital conflict among women with mild or moderate marital conflict.
Research Article
Mitra Hayati; Fardin Fatahi; Abdolhossein Taheri Kalani
Abstract
Background: Factors secreted from hepatocytes, such as hepatokines, play a role in regulating intra and extrahepatic metabolic processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of combined aerobic-resistance training (CT) and calorie restriction (CR) on hepatokines alteration in women with ...
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Background: Factors secreted from hepatocytes, such as hepatokines, play a role in regulating intra and extrahepatic metabolic processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of combined aerobic-resistance training (CT) and calorie restriction (CR) on hepatokines alteration in women with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) disease.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out using a pretest-posttest design in Ilam, Iran during the spring of 2023. A convenience sample of 37 participants was selected and randomly divided to one of four groups: control, CR, CT and CR+CT. The CT program was performed for eight weeks and three sessions per week. The CR groups, alleviate 400- 500 kcal/day from total daily calorie intake. Fatty liver was measured by ultrasound. Serum level of leukocyte-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2), angiopoietin-dependent growth factor (AGF) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in pre- and postintervention. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc test were used to analyze between-group alterations.Results: After CT and CR+CT, LECT2 (P=0.011, P=0.006, respectively) and AGF (P=0.041, P=0.032, respectively) level significantly decreased than the control group, and in CR group decreased compared with the pre-intervention (P=0.037, P=0.018, respectively). Also, SHBG level in the CT and CR+CT groups significantly increased than the control group (P=0.013, P=0.006, respectively), and in CR group increased than the pre-intervention (P=0.004).Conclusions: CR has limited effects on the level of hepatokines in obese women with NAFL disease. In order to create favorable alterations in the level of hepatokines, this intervention should be implemented with CT.
