RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Craving is one of the diagnostic criteria for nicotine dependence. The aim of this study was Translating and Validating of Tobacco Craving Questionnaire-Short Form (TCQ-SF) on Persian. METHODS: Fifty smokers aged 15-65 years participated through a public invitation. The forward and backward translation was done according to Beaton's guideline, then all smokers completed questionnaire, in non-deprived and deprived states with a 1-week interval. After expert committee confirmed forward and backward translation, construct validity evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), mean craving scores Independent sample T-tests between high and low Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependent (FTND), and also, deprived and non-deprived smokers. The reliability assessment was done by Intraclass coefficient (ICC) and mean craving scores paired sample t test between two deprived states. The Cronbach's alpha was conducted for internal consistency. RESULTS: The consensus Persian version of the questionnaire was obtained. The CFA indicated a significant (P < 0.001) association of four latent variables with questionnaire structure. The significant (P < 0.001) difference between craving scores in Independent sample t tests indicated the construct validity as concurrent validity. There was no significant difference (P = 0.063) between two deprived states' scores and ICC = 0.97, indicated questionnaire reliability. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.89, shows good internal consistency. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirmed the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Tobacco Craving Questionnaire-Short Form.
RESUMO
This research provides an overview of the historical advances of the maze tests that are widely used to assess the cognitive impairments in rodents. Particularly, this study focuses on the issue of learning and memory behavioral tests, including dry and water mazes. Several types of mazes have been used in this setting, but their real advantages and applications depend on the type selected by the researcher. We answered some of the basic questions that any interested researcher in such studies may be faced with. The reviewed topics are as follows: the definition of maze learning, the role of the memory in the maze learning, the differences between several types of mazes, and foremost the rationale behind the maze constructions and designs.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Current treatments for smoking cessation are not effective for most smokers. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on smoking cessation. METHODS: In this randomized, sham-controlled trial study, tobacco-dependent (by DSM-5) male participants were recruited from the general public invitation. Participants were randomly allocated to 5 groups; (A), treatment with 300 mg bupropion for 8 weeks; (B), active tDCS (20 sessions for 4 weeks); (C), sham for group B ; (D), active tDCS (20 sessions for 12 weeks), and (E), sham for group D. The electrode montage was anode F3 and cathode F4. Study outcomes include salivary cotinine, Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence, and smoked cigarette per day, were examined on three time points. Repeated-measures analysis of variances and the generalized estimation equation (GEE) model were employed for data analysis. RESULTS: Among 210 volunteers, 170 participants completed the study. Mean age of participants was 42.9 years, ranging from 21 to 64 years. The 6-month point abstinence rates in groups A, B and D were 20%, 7% and 25.7%, and in C, D sham groups were 3.1% and 3% respectively. Results of the GEE model showed that although group D was not different from group A in abstinence rate, i.e., salivary cotinine >4 (p = 0.266), nicotine dependency by Fagerstrom test was lower in this group compared to group A (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The 12-week tDCS had a clinically good therapeutic effect on smoking cessation and its dependency. It may be a substitute for bupropion treatment.
