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Background Learning disabilities occur in very young children, yet they are usually not noticed until the child reaches school age. These issues can affect the child's ability to perform activities of daily living and their ability to learn including academic activities. Occupational therapy can assist with improving their ability to learn which will also help their performance at school. Aims and objectives The present study was designed to investigate the impact of interoceptive programs on improving academic self-regulation and reducing behavioral problems among children with learning disabilities. The objectives of the study were to determine a learning disability through the use of the Learning Disability Checklist. The Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire for Learning Disability (SRQ-A LD) was used to assess the degree of academic self-regulation, while the Behavior Rating Inventory for Executive Functioning-2 (BRIEF-2) was used to assess the degree of behavioral problems. The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of interoceptive programs to enhance academic self-regulation and lessen behavioral issues in the experimental group, as well as to find out the impact of conventional occupational therapy for children with learning disabilities in the control group. Methodology This was a quasi-experimental design with convenience sampling and selected samples (n=50), which were then split into two groups, an experimental group (n=25) and a control group (n=25), based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The experimental group received intervention based on interoception activities, while the control group received conventional occupational therapy. A pre-test and post-test were conducted to measure the changes. The study assessed 50 children in the range of 7 to 11 years, using an initial Madras Dyslexia Association Checklist. Academic self-regulation was assessed using SRQ-A LD. Behaviors were assessed using BRIEF-2. The duration of the study was six months, three sessions per week, lasting 45 minutes to an hour each. The statistical analysis was done with significance at a 1% alpha level using IBM SPSS version 29.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). Results The pre-test and post-test data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Mann-Whitney test. The study found that the interoceptive program had an impact on academic self-regulation and behavioral problems among children with learning disabilities. The p-value of academic self-regulation was <0.001, and the p-value of the behavior rating inventory was <0.001, the alternate hypothesis was accepted. Thus, the results showed significant improvement in academic self-regulation and behavioral problems in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion The results of the study showed that the Interoceptive program helped children with learning disabilities improve their academic self-regulation and have fewer behavioral issues. Interoception can positively regulate their behavior. For this reason, the primary therapeutic approach for children with learning disabilities can be the implementation of Interoceptive activities.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism is known to affect a wide range of physiological systems, including menstrual function, in women of reproductive age. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the association between hypothyroidism and menstrual irregularities in women attending a tertiary care center. METHODS: The study included 120 women aged 18-45 who presented with menstrual abnormalities. Convenience sampling was used to select participants from the outpatient department of obstetrics and gynecology. Thyroid function tests were conducted in the hospital's biochemistry laboratory, including assessments of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb). The study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism and its association with various menstrual irregularities, such as oligomenorrhea, polymenorrhea, menorrhagia, and amenorrhea. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, applying descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation for continuous variables, and Chi-square tests for categorical variables. A significance level of p<0.05 was set for the analyses. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 33.1 years (SD ± 7.2). The distribution of menstrual irregularities was 60 (50%) oligomenorrhea, 24 (20%) polymenorrhea, 24 (20%) menorrhagia, and 12 (10%) amenorrhea. Elevated TSH levels (>4.0 mIU/L) were observed in 42 (35%) of the participants, low FT4 levels (<0.8 ng/dL) in 18 (15%), low FT3 levels (<2.5 pg/mL) in 12 (10%), and elevated TPOAb levels (>55 IU/mL) in 24 (20%). A significant association was found between elevated TSH levels and oligomenorrhea (66 (55%), p<0.05) and between reduced FT4 levels and menorrhagia (78 (65%), p<0.05). Additionally, elevated TPOAb levels were significantly associated with amenorrhea (60 (50%), p<0.05). The correlation analysis showed a moderately positive correlation between TSH levels and the severity of menstrual irregularities (r=0.35, p<0.01). Subclinical hypothyroidism was detected in 25% of the participants, while 15% had clinical hypothyroidism. CONCLUSION: This study underscores a notable link between hypothyroidism and menstrual irregularities in women of reproductive age. The results highlight the necessity of routine thyroid function screenings for women experiencing menstrual abnormalities, facilitating precise diagnosis and suitable treatment.