Objective. Instrumental activities of daily livings are important for independent living and active participation in the community. The present study is aimed at determining factors predicting instrumental activities of daily living performance in patients with stroke. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, a convenient sample of 90 patients with stroke entered from five occupational therapy centers, which were selected based on the cluster randomization method. Lawton IADL scale, Barthel Index, Trail Making Test (A and B), Digit span subtest of Wechsler memory scale, Motorcity index, and Beck Depression Inventory-II were used to investigate the study’s aim. Statistical analyses were performed using independent sample t -test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results. Age ( r = − 0.384 , p < 0.001 ), memory ( r = 0.565 , p < 0.001 ), basic activities of daily living ( r = 0.818 , p < 0.001 ), depression ( r = − 0.758 , p < 0.001 ), Trial Making Test (B-A) ( r = − 0.614 , p < 0.001 ), and motoricity index ( r = 0.670 , p < 0.001 ) were significantly associated with instrumental activities of daily living performance. Conclusions. Basic activities of daily living were the strongest predictor of IADL’s performance. Age, TMT (B-A), and depression were orderly the next strongest predictors. Stroke patients with more dependency in basic activities of daily living, older age, cognitive impairment, and depression are more opted to be dependent in instrumental activities of daily living and as a result, less participation in home and community affairs.

Background/Aims Breast cancer, one of the most common cancers among Iranian women, affects the physical, psychological and cognitive dimensions of patients' lives. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of neurofeedback training on short-term memory and quality of life in patients with breast cancer. Methods In a randomised, controlled pilot trial, a convenient sample of 20 Iranian women with breast cancer who had received chemotherapy and radiotherapy were randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. The intervention group received 4 weeks of neurofeedback training. Assessment tools in pre- and post-test sessions included the Wechsler short-term memory scale and SF-36 quality of life questionnaire. Data were analysed by a biostatistician blinded to the study. Results Short-term memory and quality of life scores improved significantly in the intervention group after neurofeedback training compared to the control group (P=0.001). Conclusions Findings indicate that neurofeedback training is an effective technique for improving short-term memory and quality of life alongside occupational therapy interventions in women after breast cancer treatment.

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Objective. This study is aimed at exploring the relationship between the work-related quality of life and job satisfaction among Iranian occupational therapists. Methods. In an analytical-descriptive, cross-sectional study, 322 occupational therapists were recruited through a convenient sampling. Inclusion criteria consisted of age between 22 and 50 years, at least one-year work experience, 24 hours of working per week as an occupational therapist, and membership of Iranian Occupation Therapy Association. After signing the informed consent and completing demographic information, each participant completed the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire- Short Form (MSQ-SF) and work-related quality of life scale. Results. The highest quality of working life belonged to occupational therapists who were female, married, with an annual salary of more than 40000$ (compared to below 20000 $), and those with work experience between 5 and 12 years. There was a positive and significant relationship between work-related quality of life and job satisfaction. Work-related quality of life scores could significantly predict MSQ-SF scores ( β 1 = 0.54 , p < .001 ). Conclusions. The significantly positive relationship between work-related quality of life and job satisfaction suggests the importance of organizational programs for enhancing factors of work-related quality of life in order to improve job satisfaction and quality of life among Iranian occupational therapists.