Background: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the ways to improve an undesirable sexual function. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CBT on the sexual function and sexual self-efficacy of pregnant women. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 36 pregnant women referred to five healthcare centers in Ahvaz, Iran, from December 2016 to January 2017 were enrolled through stratified random sampling in two groups. The case group received counseling based on cognitive behavioral therapy for eight consecutive weeks and the control group received the routine training provided by healthcare staff. Two and four weeks after the end of sessions, both groups completed the Female Sexual Function Index and self-efficacy questionnaires again. Results: The mean of sexual function and self-efficacy scores in pregnant women in the case and control groups before the intervention did not show a significant difference (p = 0.56). The mean of sexual function and self-efficacy scores of pregnant women in the case and control groups was statistically significant two and four weeks, respectively, after the intervention (p ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that counseling based on CBT in comparison with the routine training during pregnancy improves the sexual performance and self-efficacy of pregnant women. Key words: Cognitive behavioral therapy, Pregnant women, Sexual dysfunction, Sexual self-efficacy, Sex counseling.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of breathing exercises alongside traditional therapy on respiratory indexes and the level of anxiety of generalized anxiety disorder patients. [Participants and Methods] Forty-one patients were assigned a study group undergoing medication and routine counselling plus breathing exercises (EXS), and a control group received medication and routine counselling only (Non-EXS). Every two weeks, patients are called (weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8) to monitor their schedule adherence.[Results] This study's results showed FEV1/FVC ratio significantly increased in the EXS group in the second study follow-up period after two months. Anxiety, FVC, FEV1, Etco2, respiration, and pulse rate over time have tended towards desirable results in the exercise group than control groups, especially after two months, but significant differences not seen.[Conclusion] This study's findings indicated that breathing exercises could improve generalized anxiety disorder's pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Our data bring up this hypothesis that longer follow up, increasing breathing period, and more exercising is associated with higher outcome.

Background:It is well known that contact with some physical, chemical or biological compounds can increase the incidence of mutation. Among these compounds, are pharmaceuticals that meet long duration of use and potentially could be misused and taken more than the ordered dosage. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate mutagenic effect of methadone in addicted patients referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz by single cell gel electrophoresis technic or comet assay. Patients and Methods: In this study, 90 subjects were divided into dichromate treated group, no treated healthy volunteers group and test group. Each group included 30 subjects. Screening was performed according to questionnaire and qualified subjects were entered the study. Blood samples were collected and lymphocytes were isolated, mixed with low melting point agarose for slide preparation according to standard method. Slides were analyzed using fluorescence microscope and comet patterns were assessed. Results: The mutagenicity index in addicted group was robustly higher than healthy volunteers. Fortunately, this significant difference was lower than positive control. Conclusions: Genome instability in addicted patients was demonstrated in this study. Controversially, considering incoherent results of previous studies and our data, more studies in longer duration of methadone use are needed to elucidate the consequence.

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