Restless legs syndrome variants: A systematic review.

Introduction: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a clinical syndrome that may manifest itself in non-leg parts of the body as well, called RLS variant, which is considered a distinct entity by some researchers. In this systematic review, we tried to evaluate various clinical features and effective treatments of RLS variants and compare them with that of typical RLS. Methods: This study was conducted following the PRISMA guideline. The primary search was performed in the data resources of Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, and Scopus, as well as the Google Scholar search engine. The required data were extracted from the studies. Results: In this review, 1565 studies were initially identified and finally 39 studies were selected. The most common RLS variants were observed to involve hands, head, abdomen, and genitalia. These patients mostly complained of sleep disturbance and feelings of itching, tingling and twitching. Supportive diagnostic criteria of RLS including familial history of RLS, periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) and response to treatment with dopaminergic agents were assessed. Conclusion: It seems that patients with RLS variant can undergo the same diagnostic and therapeutic work-up as patients with conventional RLS. It is suggested that these two disorders fall into the same syndromic spectrum.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of musculoskeletal disorders among firefighters.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the nature of their job, firefighters face many ergonomic risk factors and are exposed to several musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the prevalence of MSDs among firefighters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted based on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The literature search was conducted in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SID, ISC and Google Scholar without applying a time limitation until the end of July 2022. The random effects model was used for meta-analysis, and the I2 index was used to check heterogeneity among studies. The data were analyzed using STATA version 14 software. RESULTS: The primary literature searches in the databases identified 1,291 articles, 26 of which were entered the meta-analysis stage after screening, study selection, and quality assessment, including 36,342 firefighters. Based on the results of a meta-analysis, the overall prevalence of MSDs among firefighters was 46.39% (95% CI: 32.45-60.32, I2 = 99.7%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of MSDs was also investigated at neck (18.36%), low back (34.32%), shoulder (18.68%), hands (7.43%), upper back (10.15%), knee (19.97%) and foot (6.66%). CONCLUSION: Considering the relatively high prevalence of MSDs among firefighters and their higher exposition to specific job-related risk factors of MSDs compared to other professions, it is suggested to provide firefighters with appropriate training, implement ergonomic interventions, and regularly screen them to reduce MSDs.

Attenuation of cannabis withdrawal symptoms by Prosopis farcta extract, its luteolin and melatonin in mice: Involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and dopamine.

The aim of this study was the identification of luteolin in Prosopis farcta extract (PFE) and melatonin to evaluate its effect on THC withdrawal syndrome in mice. Luteolin was identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPCL). Signs of toxicity of mice in PFE and luteolin were monitored for LD50 calculation. The behavioral symptoms of THC withdrawal (stereotypies, ambulation, and inactivity time) induced by the rimonabant challenge were illustrated in THC-dependent mice receiving PFE, luteolin, and melatonin. The expression of mature BDNF (mBDNF) was evaluated by Western blot analysis. The dopamine concentrations were measured using HPLC. PFE and luteolin LD50 were 650 and 220 mg/kg, respectively. PFE (300 mg/kg), all doses of luteolin, and melatonin increased significantly the mBDNF expression and decreased the dopamine concentration. The findings suggest that PFE, luteolin, and melatonin are mighty in reducing the signs of THC withdrawal. It seems these effects were due to a decrease in dopamine concentration level and an increase in mBDNF protein expression in mice brains.

Death Trends and Years of Life Lost Due to Social Harms Such as Suicide, Homicide, and Addiction, Ilam Province, 2009-2019.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the death trend and years of life lost (YLL) caused by social harm in Ilam province. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Ilam province from 2009 to 2019. To estimate YLL, all deaths caused by suicide, homicide, and addiction were included in the study. The data were collected from the Forensic Medicine Organization. The analysis was carried out using SPSS software (version 23.0). A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Between 2009 and 2019, there were 1712 occurrences of suicide, homicide, and addiction, which resulted in a total of 62,605 years of lost life (53,934 per 100,000 people). The highest frequency was related to the age group of 15-29 years, while the lowest was related to the age group of 0-14 years (p<0.001). During the studied period, men were more likely than women to commit suicide, homicide, and addiction in Ilam (p>0.439). Between 2009 and 2019, the number of suicides and homicides in Ilam province started a decreasing trend for both sexes, while the number of deaths caused by addiction was increasing. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the age groups of 15-29 years had the highest rate of YLL caused by suicide, homicide, and addiction for both sexes. Furthermore, the findings showed that YLL decreased for suicide and homicide, but increased for addiction.

Association of Serum Vitamin D Levels with the Risk of Suicidal Behavior in Ilam, Iran: A Brief Report.

There are conflicting reports on the effect of serum vitamin D (VD) levels on the development of suicidal behavior. VD deficiency is prevalent in Ilam province, and this region has the highest suicide mortality rate in Iran. The present study aimed to evaluate a possible association between serum VD levels and the risk of suicide among the inhabitants of Ilam province. A total of 157 suicide attempters (case group) and 314 age- and sex-matched individuals (control group) without a history of suicide attempts were recruited into the study. Suicide attempters were admitted to the Emergency Department of Ilam Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital (Ilam, Iran) between March 2018 and March 2019. The individuals in the control group were randomly selected from those referred to various medical laboratories in Ilam during the same period. The participants in both groups were aged 18-35 years, and none had a history of kidney, liver, or endocrine diseases. Serum VD levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Categorical and continuous variables were compared using the Chi square test and independent samples t test, respectively. Serum VD level in the control group (31.5±0.2 ng/mL) was significantly lower than in the case group (43.1±0.1 ng/mL) (P<0.001). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that an increase in serum VD score was associated with an increase in the likelihood of suicide attempts (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.03-1.06, P<0.001). Our findings confirmed the role of VD deficiency in the development of suicidal behavior. However, it is not a significant factor in its pathogenesis.

Comparison of machine learning algorithms to predict intentional and unintentional poisoning risk factors.

Introduction: A major share of poisoning cases are perpetrated intentionally, but this varies depending on different geographical regions, age spectrums, and gender distribution. The present study was conducted to determine the most important factors affecting intentional and unintentional poisonings using machine learning algorithms. Materials and methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted on 658 people hospitalized due to poisoning. The enrollment and follow-up of patients were carried out during 2020-2021. The data obtained from patients' files and during follow-up were recorded by a physician and entered into SPSS software by the registration expert. Different machine learning algorithms were used to analyze the data. Fit models of the training data were assessed by determining accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F-measure, and the area under the rock curve (AUC). Finally, after analyzing the models, the data of the Gradient boosted trees (GBT) model were finalized. Results: The GBT model rendered the highest accuracy (91.5 ± 3.4) among other models tested. Also, the GBT model had significantly higher sensitivity (94.7 ± 1.7) and specificity (93.2 ± 4.1) compared to other models (P < 0.001). The most prominent predictors based on the GBT model were the route of poison entry (weight = 0.583), place of residence (weight = 0.137), history of psychiatric diseases (weight = 0.087), and age (weight = 0.085). Conclusion: The present study suggests the GBT model as a reliable predictor model for identifying the factors affecting intentional and unintentional poisoning. According to our results, the determinants of intentional poisoning included the route of poison entry into the body, place of residence, and the heart rate. The most important predictors of unintentional poisoning were age, exposure to benzodiazepine, creatinine levels, and occupation.

The effects of prevalence of inequalities in mental disorders between groups using Blinder- Oaxaca decomposition.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of inequalities in sociodemographic factors in some mental disorders (MDs) has been shown in previous reports. The aim of this study was to assess the main contributors that affected prevalence of inequalities in MDs between groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on adults in 10 cities from Ilam province. We selected participants using cluster sampling; clusters were cities (n1 = 10), geographical area (n2 = 153), and households (n3 = 382). Screening tools and clinical interview were applied through standardized and validated questionnaires, namely, GHQ-28 and DSM-IV-TR, respectively. Participants were divided into socioeconomic groups via principal composition analysis (PCA). Blinder-Oaxaca approach was applied to distinguish the gap in inequalities between groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of MDs in the advantage group was 22.6% and, in disadvantages was 35.6%. The concentration index (CI) of the MD prevalence rate was -0.013 (95% CI: -0.022, -0.004) which indicated that MDs were more common in the disadvantaged groups. The odds of MDs in advantaged people was 81% more compared to the disadvantaged group (OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.28, 2.57), also in females compared to males (1.60; 95% CI: 1.21, 2.24). Analysis of gap inequality between groups showed that the gap in prevalence rates of MDs between groups was 12%. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a socioeconomic inequality in MD rates in the adult population. Therefore, results of this study provide contributors in MDs inequality in order to control and reduce the prevalence of MDs in the community.

The Effect of a Non-Pharmacological Multicomponent Pain Management Program on Pain Intensity and Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Elderly Men With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Improving the level of care for the elderly with musculoskeletal pain requires pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain control methods. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a non-pharmacological pain management intervention on pain intensity and quality of life in community-dwelling older men with musculoskeletal pain who were referred to comprehensive healthcare centers in the city of Ilam, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study with pre and post-test design was performed on 65 older men with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The samples were selected regarding inclusion criteria as available and randomly assigned to either the control (usual care) or the experimental group (educational intervention plus physical exercises). Baseline characteristics of participants, the Visual Analogue Scale, and the CASP-19 Quality of Life were used to collect data. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using the ANCOVA, independent and paired t-test, and chi-square test at the statistically significant level of 5 %. RESULTS: According to the findings, there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of quality of life (p < .05) and pain intensity (p < .05) after the intervention. No relevant differences were found between groups regarding demographic characteristics at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: A six-week physical activity and education program for community-dwelling older men with chronic musculoskeletal pain could improve quality of life and decrease pain intensity after a one-month follow-up compared with usual care. Therefore, it seems necessary to consider pain management programs in the elderly care program and familiarize health care professionals with these pain control methods.

The frequency, related cause of disease, and treatment of hepatitis B virus infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis in Iran.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most dreadful viruses causing high mortality rates and serious damages to hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency, related causes/risk factors, and treatments of HBV infection in Iran by systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: The data were obtained by a literature search in the PubMed, Scopus, SID, and Web of Sciences databases. Keywords included prevalence, risk factors, causes, treatment, and HBV. The Persian equivalents of these keywords were also searched. The time span included 2004 to2021. The Q and I 2 statistics were used to check heterogeneity among studies. The data were analyzed using Stata (version 14). Results: The frequencies of HBV infection and its pharmaceutical therapy were P = 6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4-9, I 2 = 95.2%, P < 0.001) and 19% (95% CI: 18%-30%, I 2 = 98.9%, P < 0.001), respectively. The most common risk factors/causes of HBV were narcotic consumption, blood-related factors, and transmission from infected individuals with the respective frequencies of 27% (95% CI: 16%-38%, I 2 = 88.7%, P < 0.001), 32% (95% CI: 11%-53%, I 2 = 99.8%, P < 0.001), 25% (95% CI: 10%-41%, I 2 = 99.3%, P < 0.001), and 15% (95% CI: 7%-22%, I 2 = 98.4%, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: The most important causes of HBV infection were transmission from infected people, narcotic consumption, and blood-related factors. The main therapeutic intervention for HBV was pharmaceutical therapy.

Years of Life Lost (YLLs) Due to Suicide and Homicide in Ilam Province: Iran, 2014-2018.

OBJECTIVE: To provide detailed of suicide and homicide mortality and calculate of years of life lost (YLLs) in Ilam province Iran, during 2014-2018. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, all deaths due to suicide and homicide were enrolled to estimate YLLs, in Ilam province between 2014-2018. The source of data was legal medicine organization (LMO). All analysis was performed at 0.05 significant levels using statistical software package STATA for Windows version 11.2 and SPSS 21 software. RESULTS: The total YLLs of suicide and homicide were 15685 and 5317, respectively. 522 per 100,000 populations were suicide and 117 for homicide. The YLL and 95% confidence interval form suicide was 34.4 (32.8-36.1) for both sexes that 33.7 (31.6-35.8) for men, and 35.5 (32.7-38.3) for women. In this study period, YLLs rate began to increase over the years in both injury-related in 2016. CONCLUSION: Results of this study disclosed the most prominent contribution of men and peoples aged 15-29 to the YLLs. Also our results indicate a recent increase in suicide and homicide YLLs for both genders.

Association between common stressful life events and coping strategies in adults.

BACKGROUND: As shown in previous persons that used the effective coping strategies are more aware to recent stressful life events in their live, this study conducted to investigate the main stressful life events and common coping styles in adult's population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018. In overall, 345 persons aged 18 years and more by stratified cluster sampling were enrolled in the study. The valid questionnaires including the coping inventory for stressful situations-21, the Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory, and 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to interview. The analysis of variance and t-student (t-test) was used to determine the association between the two variables. The statistical significance level was considered <0.05. RESULTS: The top three importance events among 43 stressful items in our study were change in financial state, gain of a new family member, and death of close family member. We found that task-oriented coping (P < 0.001) and avoidance-oriented coping (P = 0.021) significantly more used in males compered to females. According to Holmes-Rahe life stress inventory instructions only 4.7% of participants are prone to getting ill in next 2 years. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed a positive relationship between coping styles and lower risk of mental health problems and stressful life events. Hence, activities and training programs aiming to enhance personal approach coping skills is important to reduce of side effects of stressful life events especially those recently exposed to negative life events and stresses.

The effectiveness of mindfulness training on coping with stress, exam anxiety, and happiness to promote health.

BACKGROUND: Mindfulness as an intervention approach in mental health has been increasingly used to promote health in young people. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness training on coping with stress, test anxiety, and happiness to promote health in female high school students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The design of this study was quasi-experimental with control group, with pretest and posttest. The statistical population of the study included all the female students studying in the secondary high school in the city of Sanandaj in Iran with 2890 students, 40 of whom were selected by simple random sampling method and were randomly assigned to the experimental (20 individuals) and control groups (20 individuals). Participants completed the Oxford Happiness (0.79), Sarason Exam Anxiety (0.87), and Andler and Parker Stress Management (0.81) Questionnaires. The method of intervention was training based on mindfulness. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that in the posttest, a significant difference was seen between the mean scores of the participants of the experimental and control groups in the variables of problem-oriented, emotion-oriented, and avoidant coping variables (P < 0.05). In addition, the results showed that in the posttest, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of test anxiety; happiness; and happiness components including life satisfaction, self-esteem, active well-being, satisfaction, and positive mood (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the present study, it can be said that mindfulness training is an effective intervention to improve coping styles, test anxiety, and happiness in students.

The association between nurses' moral distress and sleep quality and their influencing factor in private and public hospitals in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Nurses in their workplace, for a variety of reasons, always face moral distress that is an underlying issue in the nursing profession, which can lead to problems such as reduced quality and quantity of care and sleep disorder. Besides, given the increased privatization of hospitals, this study aimed to explore the association between nurses' moral distress and sleep quality and its comparison among nurses in private and public hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive-analytical study involving 150 nurses working in Ilam Province hospitals. Sampling conducted using a multistage random sampling method. Data were collected through the questionnaire of sociodemographic characteristics, the Corley's Moral Distress Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, ANOVA, independent t-test, multiple linear regression, and Pearson correlation coefficient at the significant level of P < 0.05 were calculated. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that moral distress was positively associated with sleep quality. Furthermore, the scores of nurses' moral distress and sleep quality were different in private and public hospitals, so that the level of moral distress in the public hospital and sleep quality in the private hospital was higher and lower, respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, sleep quality, and the type of employment was the most important predicting variables of moral stress (B = 1.86) and sleep quality (B = 2.39), respectively. CONCLUSION: According to the study results, a positive and significant association was found between moral distress and nurses' sleep quality. It is recommended that appropriate strategies and training program be formulated by the health-care system to increase nurses' ability to combat moral distress adverse effects.

Investigating the sexual quality of life and its relationship with general health in older men in Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual problems in elder people are considered as a public health concern and can affect their overall health and quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the sexual quality of life and its relationship with general health in older men in the west of Iran. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study among 362 older men aged 60 years or older attending Comprehensive Health Care Centers in Ilam, Iran. Samples selected through Quota sampling method and simple random sampling. Data were collected using the Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire-Male and General Health Questionnaire-28. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of age was 69.9 ± 8.1 years. The mean ± SD score of sexual quality of life and general health of older men was 46.6 ± 14.6 and 19.2 ± 9.7, respectively. A positive and significant association was found between sexual quality of life and general health (P < 0.001, r = -0.41). Moreover, general health, age, sleep problems, and the level of education were the important predictors for sexual quality of life in elder men (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results, the sexual quality of life of participants was at a moderate level. Since only some factors influencing the sexual quality of life were ascertained, further studies are required to investigate all factors influencing older men's sexual quality of life.

The effect of performance feedback and educational video on endotracheal-suctioning practices of critical care nurses.

INTRODUCTION: Majority of critical care nurses do not have desirable skills in performing endotracheal tube suctioning (ETS) despite related training taught in the curricula. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effect of education through video and performance feedback (PF) on nurses' skills in performing ETS. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study. The sample size comprised of all nurses (n = 49) working in the intensive care unit of one of the educational hospital located in one of the western cities of Iran. Nurses were assigned to either one of educational video (EV) and PF groups. Data were collected using a 25-item structured best practices information sheet. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: After the interventions, no significant difference was found in the total mean score of nurses' practice in ETS between those who received education through EV and those who received through PF (16.3 vs. 15.1) (P > 0.05). Before and after the intervention, a significant improvement was observed in the total mean score and other dimensions of nurses' practice in endotracheal suctioning (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that both of methods through feedback and EV are useful in improving nurses' ETS practice. However, further studies are required to examine the effects of such interventions in the long term.

Investigating the Relationship between Iranian EFL Teachers' Empowerment and their Self-Efficacy as a Consequence for their Educational Improvement.

INTRODUCTION: Teacher empowerment is thought to improve student learning by fostering teaching quality. Therefore, the purpose of this study is investigating the relationship between empowerment and self-efficacy of Iranian English as Foreign Language teachers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is an experimental study; the population of the study includes all the English language teachers of the universities of Ilam, Iran. Among whom by random sampling, the sample which was consisted of 60 teachers were selected. Participants in this study answered the School Participant Empowerment Scale questionnaire (Short and Rinehart, 1992) as the instrument of the study. The Pearson product-moment correlation was computed to determine the relationship between teacher empowerment and teacher self-efficacy. RESULTS: The results showed that there was a positive correlation between teacher empowerment and their self-efficacy (r = 0.55, P < 0.01) and differences among teachers' self-efficacy is not significant according to age (r = -0.14, P = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the study, empowerment and self-efficacy have interactive relationships; i.e. self-efficacy in teachers leads to empowerment and empowerment in teachers leads to self-efficacy.

Relationship between aggression and individual resilience with the mediating role of spirituality in academic students - A path analysis.

BACKGROUND: The importance of spirituality and spiritual growth in humans has been increasingly taken to attention by psychologists and mental health professionals. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the tendency to aggression and individual resilience also considering the role of mediator of spirituality in academic students by path analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using structural equation method (SEM). The target population consisted all of undergraduate academic students in Ilam, Iran University of Applied Sciences, in 2018. Participants included 200 people whom were selected by stratified random sampling. Data collection tools were demographic, Buss and Perry aggression, spirituality assessment, and resiliency of Connor and Davidson questionnaire. In this study, bivariate analysis was used to determine the directionality correlation between the study variables. RESULTS: The results showed that there was a significant and positive correlation between spirituality and resilience (r = 154% r = 83%). Furthermore, there was a negative and nonsignificant relationship between aggression with resiliency (r = -122% P = 101). In addition, there was no significant correlation between the aggression and spirituality (r = 0.05%, P = 0.942). The results of SEM showed that spirituality and aggression can predict about 20% of the variations in the degree of resilience in academic students. Accordingly, the results of SEM spirituality in an indirect path reduce the aggression and thus increase the resilience (r = 0.102). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed the effect of spirituality on increasing the level of resilience and also positive mediator role of spirituality between aggression and resiliency.

Relationship between internet addiction and mental health in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Internet addiction (IA) currently is the major public health concern, especially in adolescents, although the results of previous reports are not generally uniform. This study was conducted to determine IA in adolescents and to examine the correlation of IA with mental health in adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 in Ilam city. In this study, 362 persons were included using stratified cluster sampling; clusters were geographical area and schools. The valid questionnaires including Internet Addiction Test and 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to interview. The correlation statistical technique was used to determine the association between the two variables. The significance level was considered <0.05. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation age of the responders was 16.40 ± 2.47 years; the total score of IA and mental health was 43.02 ± 16.50 and 19.27 ± 9.72, respectively. We found that 5.5% of the adolescents had a severe level of IA. The lack of control with anxiety, neglect work and social dysfunction, and neglect social life and severe depression in internet users were found to be statistically significant: r (365) = 0.151, P < 0.033; r (365) = 0.126, P < 0.021; and r (365) = 0.125, P < 0.033, two-tailed, respectively. CONCLUSION: According to the results, the excessive use of internet, lack of control, and neglect social life are significantly correlated with mental health in adolescents; these results could be contribute to improve the theoretical models for IA in adolescents.

The effectiveness of an intervention program -barton intervention program- on reading fluency of Iranian students with dyslexia.

BACKGROUND: Difficulty with reading fluency has been increasingly acknowledged as a significant aspect of reading disabilities which is called dyslexia. To investigate this important issue, this research aims to examine the impact of an intervention program on reading fluency of dyslexic students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research is an experimental one. The population of the study included all the second- and third-grade male and female students in the city of Ilam, Iran, among whom 68 students were recognized to be dyslexic using a screening inventory reading test (IRT) developed by Shafiei et al., in 2009, they were selected using purposeful sampling method. The students were equally divided and assigned into a control and an experimental group. The experimental group received the Barton intervention program for 10 weeks. The reading fluency test was administered for the measurement of reading fluency in pre- and post-tests. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and paired t-test. RESULTS: The analysis of the finding through t-test found a statistically significant difference between the control and experimental groups after the intervention program at P < 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that the students who received the intervention program of the experimental group were improved in terms of their reading fluency.

Investigation the relationship between internet dependence with anxiety and educational performance of high school students.

BACKGROUND: Internet is one of the most advanced modern communication technologies. Despite the positive uses of internet, the existence of extreme behaviors and its harmful consequences has attracted the attention of all. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between internet addiction with anxiety and educational performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research is a descriptive correlative study. The statistical population of the study includes a total number of 4401 female students in the high school in the city of Ilam-Iran in the academic year of 2017-2018. The sample size includes353 students estimated using Cochran's formula. They were selected by random cluster sampling. For data collection, the Young's Internet Dependency Questionnaire, Academic Performance Inventory, and Marc et al., anxiety Scale were used. Data were analyzed at the significant level of α = 0.05. RESULTS: The results showed a positive and significant correlation between internet dependency and students' anxiety (P < 0.01). There is also a negative and significant correlation between internet dependency and academic performance of students (P < 0.01), and also a negative and significant correlation between anxiety and educational performance of students (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: On the one hand, the results indicate a high prevalence of internet dependency and its significant relationship with anxiety and academic performance in students, and on the other hand, the negative effect of internet dependency on the students' educational performance. Therefore, it is necessary to design some intervention programs to prevent harm to students who are increasingly interacting with internet. In addition, raising the level of the students' awareness on the complications of internet addiction and the proper use of the internet seems to be necessary.