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Background:Pregnancy is important because maternal health and well-being directly affects another person's life. This study aimed to compare the effects of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and physical activity (PA) on the general health of pregnant women.Materials and Methods:This randomized clinical trial was conducted among 96 primiparous women enrolled in a prenatal clinic in Tehran (Iran) between May 3, 2013 and August 7, 2013. The participants were selected through convenience sampling over 3 weeks and randomly assigned to the PMR, PA, and control groups, comprising 32 participants each. Six participants did not complete the follow-up measurement (N = 90). The PMR group underwent three sessions of 1.5–2 h in theoretical and practical training, and in the PMR group, training was given in groups of three to four persons. Both groups performed exercises at home for 8 weeks and recorded them in daily report sheets. The general health of all three groups was assessed before and after intervention by using the General Health Questionnaire-28.Results:Differences in the mean (SD) general health scores obtained before and after intervention in the PMR, PA, and control groups were 15.63 (5.73), 19.11 (7.79), and 8.27 (2.14), respectively. One-way analysis of variance test showed a significant difference between the three groups (F = 28.10; p < 0.001).Conclusions:As the study results confirm the positive effects of PMR and PA on the subscales of the general health of pregnant women, the two techniques are recommended to promote the general health of pregnant women.

Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common chronic progressive neurological diseases and is regarded as the non-traumatic cause of neurological disability in youth. The Multiple sclerosis patients need for family caregiver increasingly grows due to the progressive course of the disease, which worsens the symptoms over time. Family caregivers of this group of patients are subject to various challenges and needs in the area of patient care. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explain the social supportive needs of family caregivers of Multiple sclerosis patients. Methods and materials: This qualitative study was conducted in MS Society of Isfahan, Iran, through a conventional content analysis approach in 2019-2020. The participants were selected using a purposeful sampling method. The data was gathered using semi-structured interviews about care-related social supportive needs of Multiple sclerosis patient. After obtaining informed consent, interviews were conducted with 8 patients, 13 family caregivers, and 4 medical staff for approximately 30 to 60 minutes at the place agreed upon by the participants. All interviews were recorded using a recorder. After the interviews were reviewed several times, they were simultaneously transcripted, coded, and analyzed. Finally, Graneheim and Lundman (2004) conventional content analysis approach was used to analyze the data. Results: Findings of this study with regard to social supportive needs of family caregivers of multiple sclerosis patients were classified into 4 main categories, including "providing interaction opportunities to reduce isolation", "empathetic interaction with peers and treatment team members", "financial aids and attracting support from charities", and "family support", and 14 subcategories. conclusion: Findings of this study showed that among fundamental needs of these caregivers to be considered by health providers are providing interaction opportunities to reduce isolation, empathetic interaction with peers and treatment team members, financial aids and attracting support from charities, and support from family. Findings also showed that most of the family caregivers of multiple sclerosis patients do not receive adequate social and systemic support from health care providers and do not have access to support resources. In addition to providing access to proper support and social and systemic resources, the policy makers, health care providers, and nurses can, according to the findings of the present study, provide the required support programs to prepare these caregivers to play a more desirable role in caring for their patients, especially at home environment.

Objectives: The present research aimed to explore factors affecting psychological problems among primary caregivers of individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (PCIMS). Methods: The present qualitative research employed a content analysis approach and was conducted in Isfahan, Iran in 2018-19. The participants were selected through purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore psychological problems involved in providing care to MS patients and the factors affecting them with 8 patients, 10 caregivers and 3 healthcare providers. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: The acquired data were put in 4 main categories of “isolation and loneliness”, “caregiver’s concerns”, “frustration and hopelessness” and “Disruption in the family foundation”, each with certain sub-categories. Conclusion: The present results can be helpful to manage psychological disorders and the underlying factors of PCIMS. Thus, healthcare providers and policy-makers should consider these areas and make special attempts to improve the performance and conditions of these caregivers to maximize the quality of care provided.