The findings support the feasibility and efficacy of a simple and inexpensive resistance training program to improve lower-limb muscle strength and dynamic balance among the institutionalized older adults.

Background: Health care education is an important issue in the development of countries, and student’s academic achievement plays an important role in this respect. Test anxiety can affect the academic performance of students. This study aimed to investigate the effect of study preparation on test anxiety and performance of public health students. Methods: This quasi-experimental study investigated the effect of study preparation on reducing test anxiety and improving the performance of public health students at Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran, in the academic year 2016–2017. All second- and third-year bachelor’s students in public health major were assigned into the intervention (n=20) and control groups (n=25). The assignment was based on the study preparation items and the defined benchmark. Data on general stress and test anxiety were collected by subjective self-assessment via paper-and-pencil surveys in the first week of the semester and before the final exam, respectively. Results: No significant difference was found in the level of general stress between the two groups at the beginning of the semester ( p =0.55) based on the study preparation items. The level of test anxiety in the intervention group (47.90) was lower than in the control group (34.64) at the end of the semester ( p =0.001). The mean value of exam scores was higher in the intervention group ( p =0.015). Conclusions: The intervention reduced the level of test anxiety and improved the performance of students. Faculty members and heads of the departments should help students learn about the study preparation over the semester with engagement in learning-oriented approaches and class activities.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESNutrition is a determinant factor of health in elderly people. Independent living in elderly people can be maintained or enhanced by improvement of nutritional behavior. Hence, the present study was conducted to determine the impact of Health Belief Model (HBM)-based intervention on the nutritional behavior of elderly women.SUBJECTS/METHODSCluster-random sampling was used to assess the sample of this clinical trial study. The participants of this study attended a 12-week nutrition education program consisting of two (2) sessions per week. There was also a follow-up for another three (3) months. Smart PLS 3.5 and SPSS 19 were used for structural equation modeling, determination of model fitness, and hypotheses testing.RESULTSThe findings indicate that intervention had a significant effect on knowledge improvement as well as the behavior of elderly women. The model explained 5 to 70% of the variance in nutritional behavior. In addition, nutritional behavior was positively affected by the HBM constructs comprised of perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and barriers after the intervention program.CONCLUSIONThe results of this study show that HBM-based educational intervention has a significant effect in improving nutritional knowledge and behavior among elderly women.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a progressive resistance training program on dynamic balance and functional mobility among the institutionalized elderly. Methods: A total of 45 institutionalized elderly from a senior welfare home participated in this quasi-experimental study. The exercise group (n = 21) attended a group-based program for 12 weeks, meeting twice a week. A 2-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance and independent and paired t tests were used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed a significant improvement for the exercise group in the Reach Test for the forward (%Δ= 18.51%), right (%Δ= 20.0%), and left (%Δ= 17.7%) directions and in the 6-Minute Walk Test (%Δ= 12.09%, all Ps < .001) after the intervention. Conclusion: The elastic band training provides a simple and inexpensive exercise program that improves the balance control and consequently functional mobility effectively.