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Objectives: Civil rights may cover different aspects of citizens’ lives. All the members of the society should have equal access to the public facilities and public transportation system. Barriers and obstacles in society may limit the accessibility of these facilities to the disabled people.

Methods: This article contains a part of the results in a phenomenological study of the Disability Rights. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe experiences of disability rights among 11 physically disabled that were living in Tehran, Iran. The study involves secondary analysis of in-depth transcribed interview data, using colazzi’s method.

Results: A total of 655 descriptive expressions were categorized in to 25 preliminary structural elements (sub themes). 7 essential structural elements (themes) emerged from an analysis of the sub themes. One of these themes was right to access which was emerged from an analysis of 6 sub themes.

Discussion: Disabled people who participated in the interviews. These sub themes that were obtained from an analysis of descriptive expressions of the participants, are: right to access to housing, right to access to education and information, right to access to job facilities, right to access to medical care and rehabilitation, right to access to rest, leisure and sport and right to access to places and transportation system. The right to access theme, was then categorized in to the civil rights field. In this article we will describe the right to access as it was experienced by those physically.

Objectives: Conducting field tests of a vibrotactile aid for deaf/deafblind persons for detection, identification and directional perception of environmental sounds.

Methods: Five deaf (3F/2M, 22–36 years) individuals tested the aid separately in a home environment (kitchen) and in a traffic environment. Their eyes were blindfolded and they wore a headband and holding a vibrator for sound identification. In the headband, three microphones were mounted and two vibrators for signalling direction of the sound source. The sounds originated from events typical for the home environment and traffic. The subjects were inexperienced (events unknown) and experienced (events known). They identified the events in a home and traffic environment, but perceived sound source direction only in traffic.

Results: The detection scores were higher than 98% both in the home and in the traffic environment. In the home environment, identification scores varied between 25%-58% when the subjects were inexperienced and between 33%-83% when they were experienced. In traffic, identification scores varied between 20%-40% when the subjects were inexperienced and between 22%-56% when they were experienced. The directional perception scores varied between 30%-60% when inexperienced and between 61%-83% when experienced.

Discussion: The vibratory aid consistently improved all participants’ detection, identification and directional perception ability.

The growth and development process of the child is influenced by reciprocal environmental, psychological and social factors, and the family’s role is very crucial in all of this. It is obvious that although it’s important to start a family, but what’s further important is its survival in a healthy and intimate atmosphere. It has been estimated that between 2 and 12 million American families are subjected to wife abuse. Child abuse takes place in different forms. According to a World Bank report one third of children in the first few years of the new millennium are deprived of their fundamental rights. The present research indicates that those that reported abuse through public information were low in number only at 4.5%, which is indicative of poor education and people participation. In the services that were provided to the victims, counselling and psychotherapy were the highest number, and it is necessary to raise the number of legal services provided for the victims (3%), in order to realise the rights of the individual.

Autism is a lifelong neurological disability of unknown etiology. The criteria for a diagnosis of autism are based on a triad of impairments in social interaction, communication and a lack of flexibility in thinking and behavior There are several factors which are likely to contribute to this variation including the definition of autism and variability in diagnosis amongst professionals, however anecdotally there appears to have been a steadily increasing demand for services. The purpose of this review of research literature relating to the management and treatment of children with autism is to identify the most effective models of best practice. The review includes Comparative evidence supporting a range of treatment and intervention models, across the range of individuals included within autism spectrum disorders, psychodynamic treatment/management which are based on the assumption that autism is the result of emotional damage to the child, usually because of failure to develop a close attachment to parents, especially the mother, biological treatments, educational and behavioral interventions, communication therapies, cost benefits and supporting families.The research is examined for evidence to support best practice models in supporting families at the time of diagnosis and assessment and an overview of the nature of comprehensive supports that help reduce stresses that may be experienced by families of a child with autism and promote inclusion in community activities.

As individuals with long-term disabilities and other older adults face declines in health and function, there is a greater need for assistive technology (AT) or assistive devices and environmental interventions (EI) to help them maintain their independence and community participation. These aids can help older adults and individuals with disabilities function in work, home, recreational, and other community settings as they encounter age related or disability related changes. Assistive Technology refers to products, devices or equipment that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities. A thorough assessment of the individual’s preferences and needs must be conducted before an assistive device is obtained. If one type of device is inadequate to meet an individual’s needs, it should not be assumed that there are no viable alternatives. Individuals’ use of AT and the type of technology used may change over time or as they age. Low-tech aids, such as canes or walkers, or high-tech aids, such as manual or power wheelchairs or scooters, are used to help individuals achieve mobility. Assistive Technologies to aid in communication currently range from low-tech devices such as books to high-tech, augmentative communication devices, which are computers. Computer technology can help individuals become more independent and can enhance their ability to overcome a wide range of limitations. Accessibility can involve more than architectural structure. AT for use in the environment can also increase individuals’ ability to function within their environment. Advancements in AT will occur in the technology itself, the services associated with the technology, and in the government policies and programs relative to AT. There will more widespread use of universal design, with less special-purpose AT required.

Child development research has established the importance of support and services for children with special needs and their families at very early stages after the diagnosis. These services offered in the form of the early intervention programmes. There is a dearth of early intervention programmes for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families in Iran. A parent based early intervention programme has been developed based on several preliminary studies in Iran. This programme is called "Omid early intervention programme for children with Autism". It is based on the social model of service provision and tries to establish a good parent–professional relationship through visiting children in their natural context and engaging parents in the intervention process. The programme consists of four phases which in first phase parents and child communication is considered and a resource kit facilitates the interaction. In the second phase updating parental information on autism is targeted through different workshops. Home visits are considered at the phase three and finally at the phase four the main concern is on the preparing a safe transition from home to school via preparing both parents and pre-school staffs. This programme is under trial right now.

Objectives: The main purpose of this research was to study and contribute to an accurate test of spastic limb. The intra, inter rater reliability of the test was examined.

Methods: The present study was carried out in two parts In the first part of the study, the modified Ashworth Scale with Intermediate Scores (ASIS) was studied. During the second part of the study the intra, inter rater reliability of the ASIS were evaluated. Twenty cerebral palsy individuals who had spasticity on their knee flexors, eleven males and nine females, recruited in the study, their mean age was 25.4 (range from 18 to 35 years of age). The limbs were tested according to the ASIS. The same subjects were measured twice during a week period by each tester.

Results: According to the first part of the study intermediate scores were added to the modified Ashworth scale. In the second part of the study inter operators and intra operators’ reliability of the ASIS were analyzed. Pearson's correlations coefficient were 0.78 and 0.89 for intra rater reliability and 0.46 and 0.53 for inter rater reliability.

Discussion: It appears that the Modified Ashworth Scale would be more sensitive if an intermediate score was added to each score (2-4). It was concluded that the intra rater reliability of ASIS measurements was high and the inter rater reliability of ASIS measurements was low.

Spasticity is the condition resulting of corticispinal damage as occurs in some neurological diseases. The aim of the article is to review the literature on assessment and treatment of spasticity and spastic limbs. The assessment and treatment methods are studied the study involves different method of mangement of spastic limbs in depth. Different method of evaluation of spasticity, including biomechanical and clinical assessment are reviewed and also some of the most common treatment methods of spasticity are studied. A number of methods for assessment and treatment of spasticity are reviewed, some of methods commonly used for assessment or management of spasticity, depend on the condition of the patient and the aim of the therapist a method may empoyed.

Objectives: Hypertonicity is a major problem in children with cerebral palsy that has not been explained effectively to address clinical decision making. Therefore, this article aims to provide a theoretical framework about hypertonicity for clinicians, rehabilitation and medical practitioners to be used in their practice.

Methods: Literature was reviewed to examine the new perspectives towards the hypertonicity and its signs and symptoms. Then, these symptoms were scrutinized to identify various aspects of the phenomena.

Results: The results of this review revealed various components of hypertonicity, including neural and biomechanical. Neural component was also classified into positive and negative symptoms. These components altogether influence gross and fine motor function and consequently disturb children in their daily activities.

Discussion: Using term “spasticity” is not definitively enough to explain various aspects of the affected persons. Therefore, the term “hypertonicity” appears to be much appropriate to be used by professions in their daily practices. Furthermore, to have a very effective intervention, practitioners should consider all various signs and symptoms of hypertonicity that are explained in this review.

Objectives: Postural control deficit is one of the most important problems in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this paper is to review the reactive postural control in spastic children with CP.

Methods: Researches on development of reactive postural control in typically developing (TD) children and children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) were analyzed.

Results: The results of this review revealed at least three main systems of reactive postural control, including: sensory, motor, and cognitive systems. These systems develop in a nonlinear mode. Maturation of postural control depends on the reach of each system to an adequate threshold of development and organization.

Discussion: limited data indicated the development of reactive postural control in children with CP occur similar to TD children but with limitation in motor function and sensory organization.

Objectives: Improvement in cancer care increases life expectancy of patients with cancer, most of whom have experienced prolonged episodes of fatigue during and after their treatment. This has been found to reduce the quality of life and increase morbidity and mortality of such patients. Therefore, additional interventions are beneficial to improve overall quality of life as well as longevity. There is growing evidence that exercise is beneficial for oncology patients though improvements in their physical, physiological abilities and functions. The purpose of the present article is to evaluate the current evidence to determine if exercise could be used as a safe and effective medicine to reduce fatigue and improve quality of life in these patients.

Methods: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL search engines were electronically searched and 21 empirical studies, published between 1995 and 2009, were located.

Results: There is accumulative data in the literature supporting the effectiveness of exercise interventions on the physical and psychological wellbeing of patients with cancer. Exercise can improve muscle mass and strength and whole body oxygen uptake which are reduced during bed rest, infection and cancer treatments.

Discussion: Growing evidence is now supporting the effectiveness of exercise on specific populations such as women suffering from breast cancer. However, the effect of exercise on other populations such as children and patients suffering from other types of cancers is vague. Therefore, more research is needed to define scientific evidence based rehabilitation protocols for oncology patients with different types of cancer.

Depression is a common symptom and a major public health problem in the elderly. Despite its prevalence and seriousness, depressive disorder in older people remains under-treated. The optimal treatment of depression in later life is crucial, and requires appreciation of several age-related factors such as comorbidity, polypharmacy, altered drug kinetics, variable treatment response and increased predisposition to side effects. Although sometimes difficult to diagnose because of concurrent stressors medical illness, or dementia, depression in elderly patients responds readily to appropriate therapy. When untreated, this disorder may result in increased morbidity and mortality or suicide. Effective therapeutic options for late-life depression, as in younger patients, include psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Because of their favorable adverse effect profiles and safety in cases of overdose, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have, in most cases, replaced tricyclic antidepressants as first-line therapy when antidepressants are indicated. SSRIs considered to have the best safety profile in the elderly are citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline. Finally, electroconvulsive therapy offers a safe and effective alternative for patients refractory to or unable to tolerate antidepressant medication.

This paper reviews the current literature examining the pervasive symptom of fatigue experienced in three of the most common degenerative neurological conditions: multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and post-polio syndrome (PPS). The existing literature can be considered under four headings definition and prevalence, type, cause, impact of fatigue. Fatigue is a common symptom in degenerative conditions and has physical, cognitive and psychosocial manifestations. Although the causes of fatigue seem to differ between conditions, its pattern, with few exceptions, is very similar regardless of diagnosis. The literature consistently shows that the impact of fatigue on the person’s physical and mental performance considerably increasing the risk of unemployment and reduced quality of life. Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms in degenerative neurological conditions. With few pharmacological solutions, non-pharmacological solutions for fatigue management should be considered when determining rehabilitation interventions for this group of people.

Occupational therapy in Iran is relatively young-established in 1971-with a fluctuated development due to the Iranian revolution in 1979, and eight years war from 1981 to 1989. Today, there are ten Bachelor programs across the country approved by World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). Furthermore, occupational therapists have opportunities for further postgraduate training in both Master and PhD levels. Fast growing of occupational therapy due to social demands necessitated therapists to develop a professional organization. Therefore, Iranian Occupational Therapy Association (IROTA) was formally established in 1994. This paper aims to present an overview about occupational therapy in Iran. Iranian context including population, health status and culture is also reviewed. This follows with explanation about occupational therapy background, education and development. Finally, conception, development, purposes, and achievements of Iranian Occupational Therapy Association present situation and future perspectives of occupational therapy are discussed.

The aim of this review article is describing a research on spiritual and religious interventions in Iran. An integrative review was conducted to determine the state of the science in Iran. Iranmedex, Scientific Information Database, Irandoc, Noormags, Magiran and Google scholar were searched to find articles published in peer-reviewed journals from August 2002 to August 2012. A qualitative approach utilizing content analysis was used in the review. Overall, 21 articles on spiritual and religious interventions in Iran's health care system which met the search criteria were included from 800,000 records in 438 journals. The review shows that there are at least four overarching themes of spiritual and religious interventions: spiritual and religious behaviours, spiritual care as part of a holistic caring approach, spiritual/religious therapy as an effective healing technique, and patients’ spiritual needs. These themes are linked and interrelated. The main concern for caregivers was “hanging on to spirituality” in spite of the eroding effects on spiritual beliefs caused by different factors in the health care system. Spirituality plays an important role in the way people live and die. The majority of the research on spiritual and religious interventions in Iran’s health care system focuses on patients’ need toward spiritual care and health professionals’ spiritual approach, as well as factors that influence their spirituality. More research is needed on the factors that influence patients’ spiritual needs, spirituality among health care providers, and interventions to engender spiritual and religious interventions in the health care system.

The main goal of this report was to share with clinicians an atypical presentation of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in a young male`s post-appendectomy, whom he had no significant predisposing factors for such disease. The case also introduced for re-examining the challenges of PTE clinical manifestations which may mimic other differential diagnosis. PTE is an abrupt blockage of the pulmonary artery by a thrombus. Such thrombus is generated by a blood clot which has been formed, separated and migrated from the leg and/or pelvic veins toward the lung.The lung tissue`s circulation is impaired which later episode results hypoxia and infarction. These events initiate a set of PTE clinical manifestations.

Hypertonicity is the most common type of cerebral palsy consists of 85% of the affected children. It has a very complex nature making intervention and management very difficult. This article tries to make reader familiar with various types of intervention and introduce a new intervention process to help clinicians decide better. Literature was reviewed with two criteria including: identifying various interventions and their effects on upper limb hypertonicity and level ofinvasiveness of each intervention. This paper suggested a new way of looking at hypertonicitybased on its two components (i.e., neural and biomechanical) and effectiveness of each intervention on these components. In the treatment and management of hypertonicity, clinicians are required tolook at all aspects of hypertonicity and then based on the provided decision tree, decide which kind of treatment to be used for the child.