Showing 46 results for Therapy
Faeze Mohammadi, Sakineh Taherkhani, Maryam Zamanian, Elaheh Elahy,
Volume 30, Issue 3 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background & Aim: The coping strategies employed by women in facing violence can influence the frequency and intensity of violence or related stress. Life skills training may serve as a way for improving these coping strategies. This study aims to determine the effect of life skills group counseling, using a cognitive-behavioral approach, on the coping strategies of abused women.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study involved 120 abused women who attended health centers affiliated to Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2022. Participants were assigned to an intervention group or a control group (60 people each). The intervention group participated in eight group counseling sessions focused on life skills training through a cognitive-behavioral approach. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Conflict Tactics Scale, and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Coping strategies were assessed at the end of the intervention and again 12 weeks later. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted to analyze the data.
Results: The intervention led to a significant increase in mean scores for the subscales “distancing” (P<0.001), “planning” (P<0.001), “seeking social support” (P=0.002), and “problem-solving” (P<0.001) in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conversely, there was a significant reduction in the mean score for the “wishful thinking” subscale (P<0.001). The most substantial effect of the intervention was observed in the “planning” subscale, while the “seeking social support” subscale exhibited the least effect. Specifically, the mean±standard deviation scores for the “planning” subscale in the intervention group were 8.95±3.61 pre-test and 14.82±2.40 post-test. For the “seeking social support” subscale, the scores were 5.28±3.21 pre-test and 7.03±1.77 post-test.
Conclusion: Life skills group counseling, utilizing a cognitive-behavioral approach, significantly increased the adoption of coping strategies, such as distancing, planning, seeking social support, and problem-solving, while reducing reliance on wishful thinking among abused women. Therefore, this method can serve as a means to promote coping strategies for abused women.
Tahere Momeni-Ghale Ghasemi, Amir Musarezaie, Shahnaz Alikhah, Amir Hossein Saeidi,
Volume 30, Issue 4 (1-2025)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Postoperative pain, anxiety and sleep disturbances are common among patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, often leading to increased physical complications and substantial healthcare costs. Given the rising interest in non-pharmacological methods such as aromatherapy, this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of lavender inhalation aromatherapy in alleviating pain, anxiety and enhancing sleep quality in patients post-orthopedic surgery.
Methods & Materials: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in 2022 at a trauma center in Isfahan, involving 80 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Eligible patients were recruited through consecutive sampling and were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=40) or the control group (n=40). The intervention included inhalation of 100% pure lavender essential oil over a period of three days, while the control group received standard postoperative care. The study employed the Standard Spielberger anxiety questionnaires, the St. Marry’s Hospital Sleep Questionnaire (SMHSQ), and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for data collection. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and one-way repeated measures analysis of variance, utilizing SPSS software version 26.
Results: Post-intervention analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the average scores of anxiety and sleep quality between the intervention and control groups (P<0.001). Additionally, the average pain scores exhibited significant differences at all time points across both groups (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The findings show that lavender aromatherapy significantly reduces pain and anxiety while improving sleep quality in patients following orthopedic surgery. Given these positive effects, the integration of this cost-effective and easily accessible intervention is recommended as a complementary treatment, alongside conventional methods.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20111002007692N3
Atye Babaii, Mohammad Abbasinia, Bahman Aghaei, Maryam Karimi, Ali Javadzadeh, Fatemeh Aliasl, Seyed Kazem Mousavi,
Volume 31, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Sleep disorders are common among patients hospitalized in cardiac care units (CCUs), potentially impeding treatment outcomes and recovery processes. Aromatherapy has historically been employed to alleviate sleep disorders. This study aimed to determine the effect of geranium aromatherapy on sleep quality in patients hospitalized in CCUs.
Methods & Materials: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2022 at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Qom. Seventy-two patients were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either the control group (n=35) or the intervention group (n=35). The intervention involved inhalation of geranium scent for three consecutive nights, whereas the control group received no such intervention. Data collection utilized the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ), administered pre- and post-intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21, employing descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
Results: No significant differences were observed between groups regarding baseline demographic characteristics (P>0.05). Prior to the intervention, the mean sleep quality scores were 48.26±6.89 in the control group and 53.20±14.15 in the intervention group (P=0.110). Post-intervention, scores were 50.18±35.43 and 84.21±28.86, respectively, with the changes within groups being statistically significant (P<0.001). Across all dimensions of sleep quality, the intervention group demonstrated significantly better outcomes than the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that geranium aromatherapy appears to effectively improve sleep quality among CCU patients. Therefore, it is suggested that this method be used alongside existing treatments to enhance sleep quality in these patients.
Seyedeh Maryam Seyedi, Soheila Bakhtiari, Mahboubeh Valiani,
Volume 31, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Back pain is highly prevalent among operating room technologists, and conventional treatments—such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs—are often associated with adverse long-term side effects. This study aims to evaluate the effect of Tuinatherapy massage with chamomile oil extract on the severity of back pain in female operating room technologists.
Methods & Materials: This double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial included 105 female operating room technologists selected via convenience sampling from several hospitals in Isfahan. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups of 35 individuals each: (1) Tuinatherapy massage with liquid oil supplemented with chamomile oil extract, (2) Tuinatherapy massage with liquid oil alone, and (3) a control group receiving no intervention. The Tuinatherapy massage sessions consisted of 10 sessions, each lasting 20 minutes and conducted every other day. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) both before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests.
Results: Significant reductions in pain intensity were observed in groups one and two following the intervention compared to baseline (P<0.001). The control group showed no significant change. Prior to the intervention, there were no significant differences in pain scores among the three groups (P=0.230); however, post-intervention, pain intensity in group one was significantly lower than that in groups two and three (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Tuinatherapy massage effectively reduces back pain severity among female operating room technologists. Moreover, the inclusion of chamomile oil extract enhances this therapeutic effect. As an alternative to pharmacologic treatments, Tuinatherapy massage with chamomile oil may serve as a method for alleviating back pain in this population.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20220725055548N1
Sorour Torfi, Nahid Hossein Abbasi,
Volume 31, Issue 3 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Intimacy and satisfaction in marriage, along with psychological well-being, are crucial for maintaining healthy marital and family relationships. The present study aims to examine the effectiveness of Gottman couple therapy on marital intimacy, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being among working couples.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study with a control group and a follow-up period was conducted on 40 working couples in Ahvaz in 2023. The sample was selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to intervention (20 couples) and control (20 couples) groups. Data were collected using demographic questionnaires, the Bagarozzi Marital Intimacy Scale (MINQ), the Diener et al. Life Satisfaction Scale (SWLS), and the Ryff Psychological Well-being Scale (RSPWB). After obtaining pre-test data, the Gottman couple therapy protocol was implemented over 14 sessions of 60 minutes each, held two to three times per week for the intervention group. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with SPSS version 25.
Results: The results showed a significant increase in mean scores for the intervention group compared to pre-intervention scores and to the control group in marital intimacy (from 128.45±13.04 to 178.90±30.55), life satisfaction (from 13.60±2.70 to 17.77±5.01), and psychological well-being (from 55.85±6.12 to 64.95±7.83) (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Gottman couple therapy is effective in enhancing marital intimacy, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being among working couples in Ahvaz. Therefore, this intervention can be applied to strengthen and enrich marital relationships.
Hadiseh Arab, Sakineh Taherkhani, Mahmoud Rajabi, Amir Hamta,
Volume 32, Issue 1 (4-2026)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Violence against women is associated with adverse outcomes. Resilience can be associated with reducing the amount of harm experienced by abused women. The solution-focused approach has been considered as an intervention to promote resilience. This study aimed to determine the effect of short-term solution-focused group counseling on the resilience of women experiencing spousal abuse.
Methods & Materials: In this randomized clinical trial, 60 women experiencing spousal abuse were selected through multistage sampling from health centers affiliated with Arak University of Medical Sciences in Arak, Iran in 2024 and were divided into intervention and control groups using the block randomization method (30 people in each group). For the intervention group, six group counseling sessions with a solution-focused approach were conducted. The control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Personal and Health Characteristics Questionnaire, the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale before the intervention. The Resilience Scale was then completed again by both groups at the end of the intervention, four weeks, and 12 weeks after the end of the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 25 with descriptive and inferential statistics. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of the resilience score for the intervention group increased from 34.64±8.91 before the intervention to 63.03±6.30, 71.78±4.78, and 75.25±10.52 in the post-test and first and second follow-up periods. For the control group, these values were 33.66±8.65, 35.30±7.31, 38.83±6.39, and 40.50±5.99, respectively. Based on the results of two-way repeated measures ANOVA, there was a statistically significant difference in the mean resilience score between the two groups and across the four time points examined (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The implementation of short-term solution-focused group counseling can improve the resilience of women experiencing spousal abuse. Therefore, this intervention can be used in mental health promotion programs for women who have experienced spousal abuse.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20240704062329N1
