Background and Aim: Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) is a technique widely used in developing marketing strategies and improving products or service quality. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of rehabilitation services in two aspects of importance and satisfaction with performance in four selected centers in Tehran by using IPA and also examine the relationship between demographic variables and dimensions of the service quality.

Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which was done among the 196 patients who visited four selected rehabilitation centers in Tehran (Helal­-e­-Ahmar, Molavi, Emam Khomeini and Shafa). A questionnaire was used to assess the quality of services in these centers. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 17.

Results : According to the results, the quality of services in selected centers took place in the first quarter of Importance-Performance Analysis that means they are in desirable situation. In addition, no significant difference was observed among importance and performance of dimensions of service quality and age and sex variables (P>0.05). But there was a correlation between importance (P=0.04) and satisfaction with performance (P=0.03) in tangibles dimension and also between importance and level of education variable in assurance dimension (P=0.01).

Conclusion : Although the selected centers were in the favorable situation, but the managers should be aware of strengths and weaknesses of the organization so that they provide quality improvement and increase customer’s satisfaction.

Key words : Customer satisfaction, Quality of services, Rehabilitation services, Importance-Performance Analysis

Background and Aim: Children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) represent some difficulties in their socio-communicative and play skills, and also have restricted interests and stereotyped patterns of behaviors that effect on their daily living. Floor-time technique is a play–based intensive intervention that deals with communication, emotion, play, and imagination. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of Floor-time technique in emotional functions of children with ASD.

Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on children with ASD (2.5-4 years-old) who were selected by non-randomized sampling. Ten children, as case group, received Floor-time and 10 subjects were matched with them as control group. Pretest and posttest were conducted using Functional Emotional Assessment Scale (FEAS) to measure emotional functions with an interval of six months. The data were analyzed by paired and independent samples T-test.

Results: Statistical analysis indicated a significant difference between pre and posttest of FEAS in the case group (P=0.017). But the difference between pre and post test in the control group was not significant. In addition, the differences of pre and posttest scores between two groups were showed significant difference (p=0.041).

Conclusion: This study provided preliminary evidences for the use of Floor-time technique for increasing communicative, emotional, imaginative, and play skills in the children with ASD.

  Key words: Autistic spectrum disorders, Floor-time, Play.

Background and Aim: The aim of the Community-Based Rehabilitation program is to enhance the quality of life of people with different disabilities including those affected by hearing impairment. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of CBR program on the quality of life of people of 15-65 years old with severe and profound hearing loss old who lived in the city of Sabzevar.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional, the quality of life of people of 15-65 years old with severe and profound hearing loss who lived in the city of Sabzevar were assessed by using a standardized questionnaire SF36 in two groups consist of case group(those who were covered by Community Based Rehabilitation) and control group(those who were not covered by the Community Based Rehabilitation ). Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 17.

Results: The number of both groups of cases and controls was equal (each one 46 persons). In this study 63.04 percent of participants were hearing loss and 36.96 were deaf. There was a significant difference between case group and control group in general health perception, social functioning and role limitation due to emotional problems aspects. Overall quality of life scores in case group were higher than control group. Quality of life scores by age, gender, and education were not significantly different between case and control groups.

Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed that the effectiveness of community-based rehabilitation program on quality of life of people with hearing impairment.

Key Words: Quality of life, Community-Based Rehabilitation, Severe and profound hearing loss