The Effect of Positive Thinking Training on Psychological Well-being and Perceived Quality of Marital Relationship on Infertile Women

The aim of the research was to investigate the effect of positive thinking training on psychological well-being and perceived quality of marital relationship on infertile women. The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest- posttest and 3 months follow up, with a control group. Among the population of infertile women, twenty infertile women (10 persons in experimental group, 10 persons in control group) were selected by purposeful sampling method and were assigned in experimental and control groups. The experimental group received 8 session (1 ½ hours for each) of positive thinking training. For data collection, Ryff Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire and Fletcher Perceived Quality of Marital Relationship Scale were used. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used for analyzing the data. The results showed the positive thinking training was effective on the psychological well-being and quality of marital relationship among infertile women. Also, the training was effective in a 3 months follow up. Therefore, positive thinking skills can be used in prevention actions

The Effect of Repeated Transfusions on Active Cytomegalovirus Infection, in the Presence of IgM, in Patients with Thalassemia Major in Iran

Background: With due attention to the prevalence of thalassemia in Iran and patients' importunate needs for blood intake, this study aimed to inspect contaminations due to repeated blood transfusion which does not sift in blood donation. One such contamination is cytomegalovirus infection, which is an important pathogen in immunosuppressive patients or receivers of transplanted organs.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 311 thalassemia patients under age of 15 yr who was receiving blood from Hospitals in Tehran and Noorabad Mamasani repeatedly. To determine active infection (presence of IgM antibodies) of cytomegalovirus, ELISA method was used. In addi­tion, 225 healthy people under age of 15 yr were studied as testified group and finally all data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 11.5.Results: 12.9 % of patients were positive from the view point of active infection. Regional separation of patients showed that the patients resided in Tehran are more contaminated to this virus than patients of other cities.Conclusion: The range of cytomegalovirus active infection in thalassemia patients is high. One reason might be the infected blood intake or immunosuppressant (weakness of immune system) in patients, there­fore immunity care of these patients and negative serologic blood intake with respect to and also he­matic parents (parents with the same blood) are important

A narrative review on haptic devices: relating the physiology and psychophysical properties of the hand to devices for rehabilitation in central nervous system disorders

Purpose. This paper provides rehabilitation professionals and engineers with a theoretical and pragmatic rationale for the inclusion of haptic feedback in the rehabilitation of central nervous system disorders affecting the hand.Method. A narrative review of haptic devices used in sensorimotor hand rehabilitation was undertaken. Presented papers were selected to outline and clarify the underlying somatosensory mechanisms underpinning these technologies and provide exemplars of the evidence to date.Results. Haptic devices provide kinaesthetic and/or tactile stimulation. Kinaesthetic haptics are beginning to be incorporated in central nervous system rehabilitation, however, there has been limited development of tactile haptics. Clinical research in haptic rehabilitation of the hand is embryonic but initial findings indicate potential clinical benefit. Conclusions. Haptic rehabilitation offers the potential to advance sensorimotor hand rehabilitation but both scientific and pragmatic developments are needed to ensure that its potential is realised.<br/

Quality of work life among primary health care nurses in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia: a crosssectional study

Background: Quality of work life (QWL) is defined as the extent to which employee is satisfied with personal and working needs through participating in the workplace while achieving the organisation’s goals. QWL has been found to influence the commitment and productivity of employees in healthcare organisations, as well as in other industries. However, reliable information on the QWL of PHC nurses is limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the QWL among PHC nurses in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive research design, namely, a cross-sectional survey was used in this study. Data were collected using Brooks’ survey of quality of nursing work life (QNWL) and demographic questions. A convenience sample was recruited from 143 PHC centres in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. The Jazan region is located in the southern part of Saudi Arabia. A response rate of 91% (N = 532/585) was achieved (effective RR = 87%, n = 508). Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, t-test and one way-analysis of variance. Total scores and sub-scores for QWL Items and item summary statistics were computed and reported, using SPSS version 17 for Windows. Results: Findings suggested that the respondents were dissatisfied with their work life. The major influencing factors were unsuitable working hours/shifts, lack of facilities for nurses, inability to balance work with family needs, inadequacy of family-leave time, poor staffing, management and supervision practices, lack of professional development opportunities, and inappropriate working environment in terms of the level of security, patient care supplies and equipment, and recreation facilities (Break-area). Other essential factors include the community’s view of nursing and inadequate salary. More positively, the majority of nurses were satisfied with their co-workers, satisfied to be nurses and had a sense of belonging in their workplaces. Significant differences were found according to gender, age, marital status, dependent children, dependent adults, nationality, ethnicity, nursing tenure, organisational tenure, positional tenure, and payment per month. No significant differences were found according to education level and location of PHC. Conclusions: These findings can be used by PHC managers and policy makers for developing and appropriately implementing successful plans to improve the QWL. This will help to enhance the home and work environments, improve individual and organisation performance and increase nurses’ commitment