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Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common type of peripheral entrapment neuropathy that occurs in the wrist area in a space called the carpal tunnel. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and ultrasound are among the most common methods of physical modalities for treating CTS; the effectiveness of these 2 methods and the superiority of one over the other are not agreed among experts. Methods: In the present systematic review and meta-analysis study, the most important databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, Science Direct, Trip medical database and Google Scholar were searched using appropriate keywords and specific strategies without time limitation to collect data. The collected data was analyzed using the meta-analytic method and the random-effects model. The heterogeneity among studies was examined using I2 . The data were analyzed using Review Manager Software. Results: From among 108 related studies, 49 cases were entered for the first stage. After the final examination, 6 studies were selected for meta-analysis. The total number of patients in these 6 studies was 403; 204 subjects were in the LLLT group and 199 subjects were in the ultrasound group. The results of the meta-analyses showed that there was no significant difference between these 2 therapeutic methods in terms of pain relief, symptom severity scale (SSS), functional status scale (FSS), motor latency, sensory latency, hand grip strength, and motor amplitude. Conclusion: Based on the meta-analyses, there was no significant difference between the 2 LLLT and ultrasound methods; in other words, they had similar effectiveness in improving the condition of patients with CTS. However, the authors believe that arriving at conclusions in this area requires high-quality and large size studies.

An effective referral system ensures that there is a close relationship among all levels of health care, and individuals can receive the best possible care. The main purpose of the present study was to summarize studies that have addressed factors affecting the successful implementation of the referral system. A scoping review was performed to identify English and Farsi papers that were indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Trip Database, Cochrane Library, Embase, Google Scholar, SID, and Magiran until November 2020. Data was collected from the included studies by a reviewer and was checked by a second reviewer the collected data was analyzed using narrative methods. About 1245 relevant studies were identified in the first stage. After checking titles and abstracts, 63 studies were included. The factors that affected the referral system were classified in 4 themes and fourteen subthemes including technology (electronic referral, coordination, response and feedback), processes (effectiveness, efficiency), organizational (management, policy and planning, rules and regulations), patient centered individual (insurance coverage, social capital, transportation, awareness, attitude, satisfaction, and social influence). Therefore, a wide range of factors are affecting the performance of referral systems. For implementing an effective referral system, it is necessary to consider these factors.

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is believed to be a non-invasive treatment for coronary artery disease and angina. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of EECP in refractory angina patients through a systematic reviews and meta-analysis. We conducted a comprehensive search of the literature published on PubMed, Cochrane library, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Trip Database and Google Scholar databases using appropriate keywords and specific strategy with no time limit. Having selected and screened the studies based on the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and evaluating their quality based on the Cochrane checklist. For the meta-analysis,the Mantel-Haenszel method or the generic Inverse Variance was used. Analyses were done with Review Manager 5.2 software. A number of 299 studies were initially reviewed and finally, seventeen studies were included in the meta-analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Also, thirteen outcomes were analyzed and the results of meta-analysis in twelve outcomes including (Systolic Blood Pressure (7 studies), Diastolic Blood Pressure (7 studies), Pulse Pressure (4 studies), Mean Arterial Pressures (4 studies), Heart Rate (6 studies), Angina episodes (7 studies), Walking distance (2 studies),Canadian Cardiovascular Society classification (6 studies), Flow-Mediated Dilation (3 studies), Daily Nitrate Usage (4 studies), Exercise Treadmill Test-Time (2 studies), ST-segment depression (2 studies)demonstrated a significant clinical advantage in the EECP treatment effectiveness in patients with angina. No significant difference was observed regarding EECP usefulness (P = 0.18) in the outcome of brachial artery diameter (2 studies). Based on the meta-analysis, the results indicate the safety and effectiveness of EECP in patients with angina pectoris and indicate the usefulness of this treatment in these patients. In general, the authors believe that the general conclusion in this regard requires some studies with a large sample size and a control group assignment.

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IntroductionAfter more than three decades of network system design, epidemiological transition, as well as the change in needs and expectations of rural communities, have brought some challenges for Iran’s health houses. So, this study is aimed at identifying these challenges through a qualitative study.MethodsThis was a qualitative and phenomenological study which was carried out in three phases in Iran in 2015. In the first phase, the required data was collected through semi-structured interviews with selected experts, health workers and referrals to Iran’s health houses, so that all were selected purposefully. In the second phase, two expert panels were conducted to provide solutions. In the third phase the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were evaluated using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) method. The data of the first two phases were analyzed using the Collaizi method.ResultsFourteen subthemes under five themes of ; quality of provided services, human resources, infrastructure, inter-sectorial and intra-sectorial relations, and contextual factors were identified as the challenges of Iran’s health houses, and consist of fourteen sub themes. Continuous education of health workers, equipping and renovating old buildings, improving inter and intra-sectorial relationships and the proportionating workload with a number of workers, were the most important solutions.ConclusionThe study showed that, over time, many of the functions of Iran’s health houses have been faced with problems, therefore, training the manpower, equipping Iran’s health houses and creating better public spaces and building culture are recommended to enhance the effectiveness and revisions based on the study.