Introduction: Although the survival rate of infants born preterm has increased, the prevalence of developmental problems and motor disorders among this population of infants remains the same. This study investigated the effect of physical activity programs in and out of water on motor performance and neuromuscular development of infants born preterm and had induced immobility by mechanical ventilation. Methods: This study was carried out in Al-Zahra hospital, Tabriz. 76 premature infants were randomly assigned into four groups. One group received daily passive range of motion to all extremities based on the Moyer-Mileur protocol. Hydrotherapy group received exercises for shoulders and pelvic area in water every other day. A combination group received physical activity programs in and out of water on alternating days. Infants in a containment group were held in a fetal position. Duration of study was two weeks ‘from 32 through 33 weeks post menstrual age (PMA). Motor outcomes were measured by the Test of Infant Motor Performance. Neuromuscular developmental was assessed by New Ballard scale and leg recoil and Ankle dorsiflexion items from Dubowitz scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13. Results: TIMP and neuromuscular scores improved in all groups. Motor performance did not differ between groups at 34 weeks PMA. Postural tone of leg recoil was significantly higher in physical activity groups post intervention. Conclusion: Physical activities and containment didn’t have different effects on motor performance in infants born preterm. Leg recoil of neuromuscular development items was affected by physical activity programs.

Aim: To evaluate the potential risk factors for neck and shoulder pain among schoolchildren. Methods: Demographic, physical/leisure activity, school-related and psychosocial factors for neck/shoulder pain were evaluated in a crosssectional study of 1611 schoolchildren aged 11-14 years. Results: Neck and shoulder complaints were reported in 27.9 and 19.0% of the sample, respectively. According to multivariate logistic regression models, high desk height (odds ratio (OR) = 2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-4.07), forward-inclined seat pan (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.40-4.05), time spent (30-60 min/day) carrying school bag (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.16-2.23) and psychosocial factors (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.03-3.72) independently increased the risk of neck pain, while low body mass index (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42-0.95) decreased it. Time spent on watching TV (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.02-2.06), backward-inclined seat backrest (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.02-2.58), curved seat backrest (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.05-3.08), too much homework (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.03-2.03) and psychosocial factors (conduct problems) (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.07-2.46) independently increased the risk of shoulder pain, while prosocial behaviour (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.35-0.90) decreased it. Conclusion: Both physical and psychosocial factors influenced the risk for neck/shoulder pain in school-aged children, suggesting that they should be considered in assessment and treatment of such symptoms in this population.Key words: classroom furniture; Iran; musculoskeletal; psychological; school bag; schoolchildren.What is already known on this topic 1 Neck or shoulder complaints are fairly common among school children and adolescents, but their risk factors are controversial or not well-established due to limited research in this area. What this paper adds1 School-related (e.g. classroom furniture, homework and time spent carrying school bag) and psychosocial factors were found to affect the risk of neck/shoulder complaints, but physical activity, having a job, using a computer or playing games and school bag weight had no effect.Recent studies have shown that neck or shoulder complaints are fairly common among school children and adolescents. 1-5 According to the literature, the reported incidence of neck and shoulder pain in children and adolescents ranges from 11 to 45%. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] There is evidence that the presence of musculoskeletal pain (including neck/shoulder pain) in childhood and adolescence can be an important factor for the occurrence of these pains in adulthood. 3,8,9 Thus, a better understanding of the risk factors associated with these pains among children and adolescents has the potential for a notable impact on the future workforce. To prevent pain, it is crucial to understand the factors that contribute to neck and shoulder pain in children and adolescents.However, a review of the literature indicates that unlike studies on low back pain, few studies have evaluated neck and shoulder pain in school-aged children.2,4,10 In addition, most of the exi...

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Introduction Dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation that usually accompanied by cramping that is felt in the lower abdomen. Dysmenorrhea is generally divided into 2 types of primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea is a spasmodic pain that is associated with ovulatory cycles, in the absence of demonstrable pathology. Secondary dysmenorrhea is a congestive pain that is associated with organic uterine or pelvic pathology such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, myomas and so on (1). Dysmenorrhea can be accompanied by symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, diarrhea, nervousness, edema, nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and so on (2-6). Primary dysmenorrhea occurs when the uterus spasm starts because of decreasing blood supply of uterus. It is believed that the release of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators in the uterus is the main cause of primary dysmenorrhea (3,7). The prevalence of dysmenorrhea varies between %18 to %81 based on different outcome measures in previous studies (8), but 10% of women suffer from severe symptoms of dysmenorrhea (5). Nowadays, dysmenorrhea is one of the most common causes of absenteeism in young women (2,3,8-10). For example, in the United States, dysmenorrhea caused a loss of 600 million working hours a year and its economic loss is estimated to be 2 billion dollars a year (11). Previous studies in Iran showed the prevalence of 71% to 98.4% for primary dysmenorrhea among young Iranian women (10,12). Various treatments such as pharmacotherapy, complementary medicine, and surgery are suggested for dysmenorrhea (13,14). Common pharmacotherapy includes NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and oral contraceptives. Complementary treatments include dietary changes, herbal tea, the use of heat in the area, and Chinese medicine like acupressure, electroacupuncture, and acupuncture (5). The Chinese believed that "chi" or vital energy flows in meridians and the specific points on meridians called acupoints affect certain organs of the human body. Acupressure is "energy balancing" and a type of "handson" techniques that balance energy flow, blood flow, lymphatic, hormonal and nerve conduction (13). Chinese medicines believe that menstrual symptoms occur due to a lack of blood or blood stagnation or the existence of "chi" in the body. The main and the most effective acupuncture point in the gynecological conditions such as dysmenorrhea is spleen 6 or saninjiao

Introduction: Nowadays, prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing in the world. There are inconsistence findings about the relationship between food insecurity and MetS. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the association between food insecurity and MetS in North West of Iran. Methods: The anthropometric measurements, food insecurity, dietary intake, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBS), serum triglyceride and HDL levels of 151 subjects who had participated in Azar cohort study were evaluated. Food security was assessed by Household Food Security Scale (HFIAS) (six-item short questionnaire) and dietary intake (using 24- hour recall questionnaire) of participants. MetS was defined according to National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III report (ATPIII) criteria. Results: On the basis of HFIAS and energy, 7.3% and 11.9% of participants were food insecure and hunger, respectively. We observed no significant differences in mean body weight, BMI, waist circumference and FBS between food insecure and secure groups. Moreover, obesity (41.7% vs 30.2%) and MetS (45.5% vs 30%) were more prevalent in the food insecure group but the differences were not significant. Conclusion: The most percent of participants in food insecure were obese and had MetS. However, we could not find significant differences between food insecure and food secure groups. Therefore, for achieving more clear results, further studies with large sample size are needed.