Perceived Social Isolation Among Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Suffering From Disease-Induced Pain and Disability.

BACKGROUND: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) face a wide range of symptoms, including physical disability, imbalance, motor disorders, and acute and chronic pain. The psychosocial consequences of these symptoms may limit social well-being and quality of life in these patients. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess self-perceived social isolation among patients with MS and its relationship with pain intensity and disability status. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 patients with MS referred to neurology wards and clinics, the MS Association, and rehabilitation centers. Data collection tools used included a demographic information form, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Expanded Disability Status Scale, and Social Isolation Questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean scores of 4.66 ( SD = 1.15) for disability and 4.18 ( SD = 2.22) for pain intensity both indicated moderate levels of both. Of the sample, 21.5% (43 patients) reported no pain, 22.5% ( n = 45) reported mild pain, 35% ( n = 70) reported moderate pain, and 21% ( n = 42) reported intense pain. The average social isolation score was 63.52 ( SD = 3.32), which is higher than the theoretical average. Of the sample, 44.5% reported low social isolation, whereas 55.5% indicated high social isolation. Gender, duration of MS, economic status, disability status, and pain intensity were all found to be significantly associated with social isolation in patients with MS (all p s < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings, comprehensive support plans are necessary to improve psychosocial well-being, social life, and quality of life in patients with MS.

Effect of auricular acupressure on postpartum blues: A randomized sham controlled trial.

AIM: To investigate the effect of auricular acupressure on the severity of postpartum blues. METHODS: A randomized sham controlled trial was conducted from February to November 2021, with 74 participants who were randomly allocated into two groups of either routine care + auricular acupressure (n = 37), or routine care + sham control (n = 37). Vacaria seeds with special non-latex adhesives were used to perform auricular acupressure on seven ear acupoints. There were two intervention sessions with an interval of five days. In the sham group, special non-latex adhesives without vacaria seeds were attached in the same acupoints as the intervention group. Severity of postpartum blues, fatigue, maternal-infant attachment, and postpartum depression were assessed. RESULTS: Auricular acupressure was associated with significant effect in reduction of postpartum blues on 10th and 15th days after childbirth (SMD = -2.77 and -2.15 respectively), postpartum depression on the 21st day after childbirth (SMD = -0.74), and maternal fatigue on 10th, 15th and 21st days after childbirth (SMD = -2.07, -1.30 and -1.32, respectively). Also, maternal-infant attachment was increased significantly on the 21st day after childbirth (SMD = 1.95). CONCLUSION: Auricular acupressure was effective in reducing postpartum blues and depression, reducing maternal fatigue, and increasing maternal-infant attachment in the short-term after childbirth. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered prospectively in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (ID: IRCT20180218038789N2).

Daytime Napping and Nighttime Sleep During Pregnancy and Preterm Birth in Iran.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the relationship between sleep quality during pregnancy and preterm birth. METHODS: This longitudinal study was conducted between August 2018 and May 2019. The participants were 150 pregnant women who had been referred to 7 healthcare centers in the city of Qazvin, Iran and met the inclusion criteria. The Petersburg Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and 2 questions about daytime sleep status and a demographic questionnaire were administered at 14-18 weeks and 28-32 weeks of gestation. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test, the Fisher exact test, and univariate and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: In the present study, poor sleep quality affected 84.7% of the participants at 14-18 weeks and 93.3% at 28-32 weeks of gestation. The final model for preterm birth prediction incorporated age and the Petersburg Sleep Quality Index score in the second and third trimesters. Preterm birth increased by 14% with each unit increase in age. With each unit increase in the Petersburg Sleep Quality Index score in the second and third trimesters, preterm birth increased by 42% and 28%, respectively, but the p-values of these factors were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Although a significant percentage of pregnant women had poor sleep quality, no significant relationship was found between sleep quality during pregnancy and preterm birth.

Spiritual Intelligence and Post-abortion Depression: A Coping Strategy.

Loss of pregnancy is a major stressor which can cause mental disorders. In stressful conditions, spiritual intelligence can be used as a coping strategy to manage and cope with the stressor. It may also produce positive outcomes in spontaneous abortion. This study aimed to assess the relationship of spiritual intelligence with depression after spontaneous abortion. This cross-sectional descriptive-correlational study was done in 2015-2016 on 185 women with spontaneous abortion who were hospitalized in the postnatal care ward of Kowsar teaching hospital, Qazvin, Iran. Data collection was performed in two steps. In the first step, a demographic and obstetric characteristics questionnaire and the Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory were completed by participants during their hospital stay. In the second step, i.e., 7 days after spontaneous abortion, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was completed for each participant over the phone. Variables which were found in univariate analysis to have a significant correlation with depression were entered into multiple logistic regression analysis to assess their roles in predicting depression. Most women were depressed (54%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the significant predictors of depression were women's educational status (OR 0.419; CI 0.18-0.93), gestational age at the time of abortion (OR 1.121; CI 1.02-1.22), and the personal meaning production dimension of spiritual intelligence (OR 0.82; CI 0.73-0.91). Spiritual intelligence is significantly correlated with post-abortion depression. Developing and following strategies for promoting spiritual intelligence can alleviate depression, stress, and anxiety after spontaneous abortion and also help manage complicated pregnancies.

Domestic Violence Among Iranian Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

CONTEXT: Violence against women, or domestic violence, is both a physical and mental health issue that is rampant in many societies. It undermines the personal health of those involved by inflicting physical, sexual, and psychological damage. The purpose of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the prevalence of domestic violence in Iranian society. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A total of 31 articles published between 2000 and 2014 in Iranian and international databases (MagIran, IranMedex, SID, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Pre Quest, and Scopus) were examined. The data collected from the articles were analyzed through a meta-analysis using a random effects model. The heterogeneity of the articles was examined using the I2 index, and the analyses were performed with STATA software version 11.2. RESULTS: Based on the 31 articles, which represent a sample size of 15,514 persons, we estimated the prevalence of domestic violence to be 66% (CI 95%: 55 - 77). The geographical classification showed that the prevalence of domestic violence was 70% (CI 95%: 57 - 84) in the east of the country, 70% in the south (CI 95%: 32 - 100), 75% in the west (CI 95%: 56 - 94), 62% in the north (CI 95%: 37 - 86), and 59% in the center (CI 95%: 44 - 74). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed a high prevalence of domestic violence in Iran, which requires the adoption of appropriate measures and the initiation of effective interventions by the legal authorities. These measures and interventions should aim to determine the causes of domestic violence and to develop ways of controlling and reducing this destructive phenomenon.