Title: The effect of the computer- based training package on quality of life and symptom severity in andropausal men
Primary objectives of the study: To determine the effect of the computer- based training package on quality of life (QoL) and symptom severity in andropausal men
Secondary objectives of the study: 1. To determine the prevalence of andropause symptoms
in 40-60 year-old employees; 2. To compare the severity of andropause symptoms in male employees aged 40-60 before and after the intervention; 3. To compare QoL in male employees aged 40-60 before and after the intervention.
A quasi-experimental study will be conducted to determine the impact of the computer-based training package on QoL and severity of symptoms in andropausal men prior to and 8 weeks after the training in both intervention and control groups.
The study population will consist of all 40-60 year-old male employees at Tehran University of Medical Sciences’ Faculties.
Inclusion criteria: Proficiency in Persian, being emotionally and physically able to answer questions, being married, having at least high school education, having access to computers, being able to work with the computer to the extent that the training package be used, lack of chronic diseases & mental disorders, lack of disability.
Exclusion criteria: Unwillingness to participate in the study, incomplete responses to the questionnaire, being affected with a chronic disease and mental disorder during the study.
The required sample size for each group was estimated at n=40.
To randomly select the faculties of Tehran University of Medical Sciences the names of all the faculties will be written on separate sheets. Then, an intercollegiate draw will take place.
After obtaining written consents from all the participants, they will be handed the following: the AMS (Aging Male Symptoms) questionnaire that screens andropause symptoms and assesses their severity; and the SF36 (Short Form 36) questionnaire that determines QoL. After having completed the questionnaire, those with andropause symptoms and those who possess the inclusion criteria will be included in the final study. Computer-based training will be held for the men in the intervention group in the form of 4 sessions over a period of 4 weeks. Two months after the intervention, QoL and symptom severity will be measured in the intervention group. Moreover, both the intervention and control groups will be asked to complete the questionnaires again, two months after the initial test. Finally, the results of the two groups before and after the intervention will be compared with each other. In the end, the control group’s participants will too be provided with the training package.