[ relationship between the flexibility of calf muscles and functional status of athletes with ankle injuries]

One of the risk factors in sports injuries is inappropriate flexibility of muscles, which leads to pain, decrease range of motion and functional limitation in sport or daily activities and affects the athletes' quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between flexibility of calf muscles and functional status of athletes with ankle injuries. Thirty male athletes with ankle injuries [mean age +/- SD, 22.63 +/- 3.94; range: 18-40 years] participated in this study. Ankle dorsiflexion of affected and non-affected sides were measured with a goniometer. FAOS [Foot and Ankle Outcome Score] questionnaire was used to evaluate the functional status of ankle. The relationship between flexibility of calf muscles in the affected extremity, and total score of the functional questionnaire, was not statistically significant [P>0.05]. While the relationship between the flexibility of muscles and functional questionnaire's total score in the non injured extremity was significant [P = 0.004, r = 0.51]. This study revealed that although the athletes who have more flexibility of calf muscles, show better functional status of ankle; but there is not necessarily a relationship between inflexibility of the muscles and lowered functional status

[ targeted implementation of teaching in small group discussion for second- year students in physiotherapy: a comparative assessment of teaching effect on satisfaction and learning level]

One of the main problems in learning is ignoring the teaching in small group discussion. So, today, teaching in student-based methods such as work in small group is emphasized. Nevertheless, this method is not used for teaching physiotherapy students. This study was performed to determine the effect of teaching in small group on satisfaction and learning level of second- year students in physiotherapy in comparison with lecture teaching. An experimental study was performed on 29 physiotherapy students. The students were randomly classified into two groups; lecture [14 people] and work in small group [15 people]. Students were educated for 4 sessions. Two separate questionnaires were used to assess learning and satisfaction levels. Overall satisfaction in small group was significantly greater than lecture group [P<0.0001]. However, there was no significant difference between learning levels of the methods [p>0.05]. 86.7% of students in small groups preferred to be educated in the future semesters using this teaching method. This study showed the role of small group teaching on increasing students' satisfaction level. Due to increased satisfaction in small group, despite the lack of significant difference between the two methods of learning, learning process can be facilitated .Thus this method is recommended for education of the undergraduate students

[ effects of hope promoting interventions on cancer patients. A case study in Sanandaj, Iran, in 2007]

Cancer occurs when cells divide uncontrollably. These abnormal cells can invade nearby tissues or travel to distant sites by entering the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. Cancer Incidence rate in the last 50 years has been constantly increased. Hope is a significant factor and essential element in cancer disease treatment that has many effects on compatibility with conditions, especially in suffering and disappointing period's. Hope has a significant role in increasing the quality of life and effects different stages of the disease. The aim of this study was to increase and promote the hope factor in cancer patients. This is a controlled randomized trial study which was carried out at the chemotherapy section at Qods Hospital in Sanandaj, Iran, in 2007 on 50 cancer patients. The HHI questionnaire was used and completed both before and after the intervention on both the case and control groups [each group consisted of 25 patients]. The Hope promoting intervention for patients in the case group was a face-to-face method and was individually conducted by the PBL method. There was no significant difference between the case and control group before the hope intervention promotion [p=0.78]. Significant difference was found after promoting the hope intervention in the mean score of both groups [p<0.008]. Mean score of the case group increased by 4.32 after the intervention. Significant difference was found between the hope mean score in the case group, before and after the intervention [p< 0.000]. The hope promoting interventions were effective in increasing hope in cancer patients. So, for cancer patients, increasing the quality of life, giving educational services, and hope promoting programs are needed, which should b accomplished by suitable methods, for instance, PBL or by patients active participation in the programming process

Evaluatin and comparison of the complications rate and the number of epley and semont maneuvers needed in treatment of benign positional vertigo

Introduction: Benign positional vertig in one of the most common causes of patient referrence to the otolaryngologist. Maneuver therapy [Epley and Semont] was effective and with few complications. The object of this study was evaluation and comparison of the complications and the number of maneuver needed for recovery in BPPV patients

Methods: Center from April 2001 to September 2002 in 130 patients with The study performed in Ayatollah Kashani Medical confirmed diagnosis of posterior canal Benign positional vertigo with history taking and hall pick testing . The patients were randomely placed in two groups of 65 cases. For these groups respectively Epley and Semont maneuver performed by researcher and during a three months of follow up, each week the patients evaluated for recovery by performing hall pick maneuver and history taking

Results: [P < 0.05]. Theses two groups were matched for gender and age The recovery rate of Epley and Semont group at the end of follow up Were respectively [93.84% - 76.92%] [P = 0.01]. 0.082]. The complicaion rate were respectively [4.61% - 0%][P = The mean number of maneuver implemented were respectively [1.93 +/- 1.09 and 2.1 +/- 0.88] [P = 0.09]

Conclusion: This study showed that both maneuvers were effective, with more efficacy of Epley. These maneuvers have no meaning full difference in complication rate / and the number of maneuvers needed for recovery