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Background & Aim: Self-care education is one of the effective ways to improve the quality of life and health in patients with heart failure. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of applying the specific situation theory on the quality of life in patients with heart failure.
Methods & Materials: In a clinical trial study, 80 patients with class 2 or 3 heart failure, referred to 12 Farvardin hospital in Kahnooj in 2018 were included. Data collection tool included a three-part questionnaire: demographic variables, Left Ventricular Dysfunction Scale to assess patients' quality of life, and Self-care Heart Failure Index. The questionnaires were completed at the first visit and three months after follow-up. Data was analyzed using independent and paired t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation through the SPSS software version 20.
Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the scores of quality of life and self-care between the two groups. After the intervention, the mean score of quality of life and self-care dimensions increased (P<0.001). Regarding self-care after the intervention, the highest score was related to self-care confidence with mean and standard deviation of 21.43 and 3.30 respectively, and the lowest score was related to self-care management with mean and standard deviation of 17.45 and 5.5 (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Paying attention to the dimensions of self-care based on a specific situation theory can lead to a better understanding of these patients’ problems and appropriate planning, and in turn improvement of the quality of life. Since in this study, most of the participants were illiterate, using visual teaching aids, adjusting the schedule according to the patient's conditions and readiness, and if necessary, family involvement can have positive results. It appears necessary to consider the underlying factors in the implementation of self-care programs, especially in people with lower levels of education and income.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20141109019862N6
 

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Background & Aim: Pre-hospital emergency staff, as the first responder group at the scene of emergencies and disasters, should be able to cope with, and maintain their physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between resilience and self-efficacy of pre-hospital emergency staff with their professional quality of life.
Methods & Materials: The present study is a cross-sectional, descriptive study that was conducted in 2019. A total of 200 pre-hospital emergency operational staff from Alborz province participated in the study using proportional and convenience sampling. Data collection tools were a demographic form and three standardized questionnaires including the emergency medical services resilience scale, the Schwartz and Jerusalem self-efficacy scale, and the Stamm professional quality of life scale. Data were analyzed through the SPSS software version 20 using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and analytical statistics (Spearman correlation, one-way ANOVA and linear regression) at the significance level of P less than 0.05.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of self-efficacy (29.67±5.82), resilience (123.14±17.07), compassion satisfaction (39.81±8.09), burnout (12.06±4.76), and secondary traumatic stress (23.61±7.27). There was a significant correlation between self-efficacy and three components of professional quality of life (P<0.05). Self-efficacy was positively related to compassion satisfaction and negatively related to burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Self-efficacy and resilience were also predictors of compassion satisfaction and burnout (P<0.05). The effect of self-efficacy and resilience on compassion satisfaction was positive. The results of stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that five components of resilience including self-management, stress outcomes, communication challenges, maintaining peace of mind and job motivation had an effect on compassion satisfaction (P<0.05). The effect of all resilience components on compassion satisfaction was positive.
Conclusion: Alborz pre-hospital emergency operational staff were at an acceptable level in terms of resilience, self-efficacy and professional quality of life.
 

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Background & Aim: Caring for children with congenital heart disease is very challenging for their parents, and the mothers of these children have a low quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of discharge planning on quality of life among mothers of children with congenital heart disease undergoing surgery.
Methods & Materials: In this quasi-experimental study, 72 mothers of children with congenital heart disease referred to Shahid Rajaie Cardiovascular center in Tehran in 2019 were included in the study using the continuous sampling method and non-randomly allocated to experimental or control groups (36 in each group). Data collection tool included demographic questions and the SF-36 questionnaire, which was completed before and two months after the intervention. The intervention was performed in six thirty-minute training sessions at the time of admission, during hospitalization and discharge. The training follow-up continued for two months after discharge. Data was analyzed by the SPSS software version 20 using Chi-Square test, independent t-test and Fisher's exact test.
Results: The mean score of quality of life before the intervention was 58.93±19.35 in the experimental group and 64.93±16.78 in the control group, and there was no significant difference between groups (P=0.165). Two months after the intervention, the mean score of quality of life was 73.44±17.81 in the experimental group and 73.67±16.49 in the control group, and there was no statistically significant difference between groups (P=0.956).
Conclusion: The discharge planning did not improve the mothers’ quality of life. It is suggested that in addition to educating about proper care of the child, psychological support be provided for mothers while implementing discharge planning.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20180501039489N3
 

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Background & Aim: Self-care and self-management, as two effective strategies play an effective role in controlling pain and quality of life. Therefore, considering the characteristics and dimensions of these two concepts, this study aimed to compare the effect of self-care education and pain self-management on the nature of pain and quality of life in patients with sickle cell disease.
Methods & Materials: In this clinical trial study, 75 patients with sickle cell disease, referred to the thalassemia clinic of Baqaei hospital 2 in Ahvaz and Shahid Beheshti hospital in Abadan, were selected and randomly divided into three groups of 25 people (self-care, pain self-management and control groups). The two intervention groups (self-care and pain self-management) were divided into groups of five people, and received specific training during four sessions for three months. The nature of pain and quality of life of patients were assessed four times (before the intervention, one month, two months and three months after the intervention) using the McGill Pain Questionnaire and Quality of Life Questionnaire. The SPSS software version 22 was used to analyze the data.
Results: The results showed that pain self-management and self-care programs were effective in improving the quality of life and pain of patients with sickle cell. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two intervention groups in the nature of pain and quality of life.
Conclusion: Self-care and pain self-management have similar effects on reducing patients’ pain and improving their quality of life.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20160726029086N5
 

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Background & Aim: Reduced quality of life and self-efficacy are among problems of mothers of children with chronic diseases. This study aimed to determine the effect of empowerment based on the Gibson model on self-efficacy and quality of life in the mothers of children with thalassemia.
Methods & Materials: In this quasi-experimental study, the study population were the mothers of children with thalassemia referred to rare disease clinics in Rafsanjan and Kerman in 2020. The sample size was 25. Mothers were selected by the convenience sampling method and divided into two groups. In the intervention group, mothers participated in five training sessions based on the Gibson model, and in the control group, mothers received routine care. Data collection tools included the Zhang’s self-efficacy questionnaire and the SF-36 which were completed before the intervention and six weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed using chi-square test, independent and paired t-test via the SPSS software version 18.
Results: Before the intervention, the mean score of self-efficacy (P=0.31) and quality of life (P=0.47) were not statistically significant between the groups, but after the intervention, the mean score of self-efficacy in the intervention group (68.81±9.36) was significantly higher than that of in the control group (44.69±6.87) (P<0.001). But there was no significant difference in the mean score of quality of life between the intervention (60.64±10.08) and control (56.19±11.41) groups after the intervention (P=0.19).
Conclusion: According to the results, empowerment based on the Gibson model is an appropriate method for improving self-efficacy in the mothers of children with thalassemia. However, further studies are recommended about its effect on quality of life.

 

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Background & Aim: Identifying the factors affecting the quality of life in postmenopausal women will help to design and implement the quality of life-improving interventions tailored to these women’s needs. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the educational phase of the PRECEDE model and the quality of life among postmenopausal women.
Methods & Materials: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 240 postmenopausal women in Asadabad in 2021. The data collection tool included demographic information, the menopause-specific quality of Life questionnaire (MENQOL), and a questionnaire based on educational phase constructs of the PRECEDE model about menopause and behaviors related to the control of menopause complications. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 16.
Results: The mean score of quality of life in the women was 72.72±23.15. Perceived self-efficacy (β=-0.367, P<0.001) and attitude (β=-0.155, P=0.009) were significant predictors of quality of life. The educational phase constructs of the PRECEDE model explained about 33.6% of the variance of quality of life among the postmenopausal women in Asadabad.
Conclusion: Educational phase constructs of the PRECEDE model are useful for identifying the factors affecting the quality of life in postmenopausal women, and designing educational interventions in this area. It is recommended promoting self-efficacy (to perform behaviors related to the control of menopause complications) and improving attitude toward menopause to be integrated into all educational interventions designed and implemented to improve the quality of life in postmenopausal women.

 

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Background & Aim: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort and altered bowel habits and can significantly impair quality of life (QOL). Personality has an important effect on health-related quality of life. However, its effect on the quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome is yet unknown. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship of quality of life with neuroticism, extroversion, conscientiousness, and their subcomponents in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Methods & Materials: This is a descriptive-correlational study. The studied population was IBS patients referred to a private gastrointestinal clinic in Tehran in 2021.The sample size was 223, and subjects were selected through the consecutive sampling method. The data were collected using NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality Of Life (IBS-QOL) questionnaire. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used at the confidence level of 95% through the SPSS software version 24.
Results: The mean score of IBS-QOL was 57.68±20.55. Regression analysis suggested that personality subcomponents such as self-reproach (β=-0.376, P<0.001) and positive affect (β=0.160, P=0.020) were the most important predictors of the score of IBS-QOL. The scores of self-reproach and positive affect explained 22.6% of the variance score of IBS-QOL.
Conclusion: The results of current study suggested that the scores of some personality subcomponents including self-reproach and positive affect significantly predict the score of IBS-QOL. Hence, it seems that in addition to common pharmaceutical treatments for IBS patients, considering personality subcomponents (particularly self-reproach and positive affect) is effective in improving these patients’ quality of life.

 

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Background & Aim: The COVID-19 survivors are prone to psychological distress due to their experience of illness and severe conditions. Diseases can also affect patients’ quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between mental health and quality of life among the COVID-19 survivors one year after the infection.
Methods & Materials: This is a descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study that was conducted from February, 2020 to July 2020. A total of 276 patients who survived from COVID-19 were included to the study through the convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a demographic and clinical information form, the 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the 36 item short form survey (SF-36). Data analysis was performed through the SPSS software version 16 using independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression.
Results: The mean score of mental health and total score of quality of life were 6.26±2.75 and 59.2±18.30, respectively. There is a significant relationship between the score of mental health and the score of quality of life (P<0.001), so that with the increase of the mental health score, which indicated the worsening of the mental health status of the participants, their quality of life score decreased.
Conclusion: Paying attention to the mental health and quality of life of the survivors of COVID-19, as well as adopting supportive strategies for them are recommended. Providing psychological and psychiatric services can improve their mental health and quality of life.

 

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Background & Aim: Many factors affect the hypertensive patients’ quality of life. Identifying the factors related to the quality of life can help to promote the quality of life in hypertensive patients. This study aimed to determine the predictive role of illness acceptance and social, individual factors in the hypertensive patients’ quality of life.
Methods & Materials: This correlational, cross-section study was conducted in 2020-2021 on 245 hypertensive patients referred to a hypertension clinic in Lahijan selected by the convenience sampling method. Data were collected by a questionnaire, including demographic information, Acceptance of Illness Scale and the WHO's Quality of Life-Brief questionnaire. Data were analyzed by multiple linear regression at a 95% confidence level using the SPSS software version 23.
Results: The mean score for the quality of life was 65.32±12.18 (0-100) and for the acceptance of illness was 31.83±4.98 (8-40). Age, sex, employment status, marital status, monthly income, family arrangement and the acceptance of illness were identified as the predictors of quality of life in hypertensive patients (P<0.001). According to the coefficient of determination (R²=0.401), the variables of the final regression model explained about 40% of the quality-of-life changes among hypertensive patients.
Conclusion: Given that the acceptance of illness and some social, individual factors can affect the hypertensive patients’ quality of life, focus on the strategies to promote the acceptance of illness and paying attention to social, individual factors can help improve the quality of life among hypertensive patients.

 

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Background & Aim: Postoperative care presents diverse needs that affect the quality of life in children with congenital heart disease. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of a family-based care transition program on the health-related quality of life of children with congenital heart disease undergoing corrective surgery.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study involved 78 mother-child dyads diagnosed with congenital heart disease and undergoing corrective surgery at the Shaheed Rajaie Cardiovascular Hospital in Tehran. The samples were divided to one of two groups: an intervention group (n=40) and a control group (n=38). Convenience sampling was employed to select participants during the 2023-2024 period. Data were collected using the TNO-AZL Preschool Quality of Life Scale across four assessment stages. The intervention group participated in 11 sessions of the family-based care transition program, while the control group followed routine discharge protocols. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22, employing independent t-tests, the Bonferroni test, and both one-way and two-way repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results: Within-group comparisons showed a significant increase in quality of life scores for both the intervention and control groups (P<0.001), with the intervention group indicating a more pronounced improvement. However, between-group comparisons showed no significant differences in quality of life scores at baseline, immediately post-intervention, or one month post-discharge. Notably, a significant difference was observed three months post-discharge (P=0.003).
Conclusion: The implementation of a family-based care program may improve the health-related quality of life of children with congenital heart disease undergoing surgery. These findings suggest that pediatric nurses can utilize family-centered interventions to improve the health-related quality of life of these children.