Comparing the Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy with Emotion Regulation Treatment on Quality of Life and Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Objective: Irritable bowel syndrome is a common gastrointestinal disorder. The perception of stress and GI-specific anxiety play a key role in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The present study aims at comparing the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy with emotion regulation on the quality of life and severity in patients IBS. Method: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in 3 phases: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. Follow-up was performed 2 months after the last intervention. The study population consisted of 24 IBS patients who were randomly selected according to Rome-IV Criteria and were then divided into 3 eight-member groups: (1) mindfulness-based stress reduction, (2) emotion regulation, and (3) control group. IBS-QOL34 and IBS-SSS were administered as assessment tools to all the 3 groups. The experimental groups were subjected to MBSR and ER psychotherapy, while the control group received no psychological intervention. After the 2-month follow-up, the 3 groups were evaluated again. Results: The results revealed that MBSR improved the quality of life of IBS patients and dicreased severity of their condition. The findings of between and within subjects design revealed that the difference between MBSR and control groups was significant in IBS at follow-up (p = 0.01). Conclusion: MBSR could be considered as a new, effective, and stable method in psychotherapy, in irritable bowel syndrome

Sleep Hygiene Pattern in Medical Residents

Background and Objective: Medical residents have a crucial role in the development of the healthcare system and medical services. This study aimed to determine the quality of life, job satisfaction, and sleep hygiene pattern of the medical residents of various specialties working in teaching centers affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, before and after the beginning of the residency period. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study with a convenience sampling method assessed 162 medical residents who filled out the research questionnaires twice during a six-month period from September 2018 to March 2018. The required data were collected using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment, Job Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Sleep Hygiene Index. Results: The results of the study revealed that the quality of life (P=0.000), job satisfaction (P=0.000), and sleep hygiene pattern (P=0.000) significantly decreased in medical residents six months after starting the residency program. Quality of life was found to be lower in men than in women (P=0.000); however, in the field of specialty, no significant difference was found in terms of the relevant variables six months after starting the residency period (P>0.05). Furthermore, having more than 15 shifts per month was significantly related to decreased quality of life in medical residents (P=0.01). Conclusion: Considering the results of the present study, there is a necessity to provide programs in medical universities to improve the quality of life, job satisfaction, and sleep hygiene pattern among medical residents during their academic period