Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation最新文献

Objectives: This study explored the perceived impact of a smartphone app on awareness, knowledge, attitudes, help-seeking, behavior change, and intention to change an abnormal posture of the neck while using smartphones among undergraduates addicted to smartphone use. Patients and methods: This descriptive survey involved smartphone-addicted undergraduates recruited between February 2022 and July 2022. The self-administered questionnaires used for gathering the data were a smartphone addiction survey and a mobile app rating scale on app-specific query assessing changes in awareness, knowledge, attitude, intention to change, health-seeking, and behavior change. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 316 participants (218 females, 98 males; mean: 20.7±2.6 years; range, 16 to 35 years). One hundred forty-two (44.9%) of the respondents strongly agreed that the app improved awareness, while 143 (45.3%) strongly agreed that the app improved knowledge about the significance of addressing abnormal posture of the neck while using smartphones. One hundred thirty-two (41.8%) were of the opinion that the app could change participant attitudes, and 135 (42.7%) agreed that the app could increase intentions toward improving abnormal posture of the neck. One hundred eighteen (37.3%) participants agreed that the app could promote help-seeking for abnormal posture of the neck. Respondents' age had a negative weak correlation with intention to treat (r=-0.191, p=0.001) and help-seeking (r=-0.199, p=0.0001). Conclusion: Most of the respondents in this study agreed that the CerviTech app could increase awareness, knowledge, attitude, intention to change, help-seeking, and behavior change of abnormal posture of the neck while using smartphones, with significant impact according to the age of the respondents regarding the intention to change and help-seeking behavior.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of peloid therapy and kinesiotaping for unilateral plantar fasciitis (PF).

Patients and methods: In the randomized controlled study, a total of 114 patients (89 females, 25 males; mean age: 45.1±8.3 years; range, 27 to 65 years) diagnosed with unilateral PF between January 2021 and March 2023 were randomly divided into three equal groups: the peloid group (peloid therapy and home-based exercise + heel pad), the kinesiotaping group (kinesiotaping and home-based exercise + heel pad), and the control group (home-based exercise + heel pad). Peloid therapy was performed over two weeks for a total of 10 sessions. Kinesiotaping was applied four times over two weeks. Plantar fascia, calf, and Achilles stretching exercises and foot strengthening exercises were performed, and prefabricated silicone heel insoles were used daily for six weeks. Patients were evaluated three times with clinical assessment scales for pain, the Heel Tenderness Index, and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score before treatment, at the end of treatment, and in the first month after treatment.

Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed for all parameters at the end of treatment and in the first month after treatment compared to the baseline in every group (p<0.001). No superiority was found between the groups.

Conclusion: Peloid therapy or kinesiotaping, given as adjuncts to home-based exercise therapy and shoe insoles in patients with unilateral PF, did not result in additional benefits.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effect of osteoporosis education on osteoporosis knowledge level (OKL) and behavioral changes in daily life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Patients and methods: Between May 2019 and December 2019, a total of 54 patients (34 males, 20 females; median age: 68.5 years; range, 50 to 87 years) were included in the study. We randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio, patients with PD to receive either only the brochure or in addition to this a verbal osteoporosis education. The patients were randomized into the control (n=27) and intervention groups (n=27). Seven of the patients (two in the control group and five in the intervention group) were lost to follow-up. The patients were assessed at baseline and Week 12. The primary outcomes were Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) score (0-400) and daily calcium intake (DCI). The secondary outcomes were revised 2011 osteoporosis knowledge test (rOKT) score (0-32), frequency of falls, smoking and alcohol use at Week 12.

Results: The median total PASE score was 81 (range, 0 to 205) for the intervention group, compared to 61 (range, 0 to 242) for control group at Week 12. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups at Week 12, except for the medians of the frequency of falls that was significantly lower in the intervention group (p<0.05). A significant improvement from baseline was observed in the median rOKT scores (control group 16 (range, 6 to 21) to 19 (range, 11 to 25); intervention group 13 (range, 6 to 24) to 18 (range, 9 to 24); p<0.001) and DCI (control group 855 (range, 420 to 1,640) to 890 (range, 550 to 1,660); intervention group, 870 (range, 400 to 1,385) to 1,020 (range, 400 to 1,940) mg/day; p<0.01) in both groups. Also, a significant improvement in the leisure activities (PASE subgroup) was observed in the intervention group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Osteoporosis education had some positive effects in patients with PD, even when only given the brochure. With additional verbal education, more benefits can be obtained.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of trunk stabilization exercises (TSEs) in addition to conventional exercises in patients with stroke on balance, functionality and abdominal muscle thickness as measured by ultrasonography (USG) and to compare the patients' non-paretic side abdominal muscle thickness with healthy population.

Patients and methods: Between April 2019 and June 2019, a total of 26 hemiparesis/hemiplegic patients with stroke (15 males, 11 females; mean age: 62.3±7.8 years; range, 52 to 71 years) confirmed by neurological examination or computed tomography (CT) / magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 20 age-matched healthy volunteers (12 males, 8 females; mean age: 62.3±7.2 years; range, 53 to 70 years) were included in the study. The patients were randomized into two groups. In the first group (n=13), TSE were performed in addition to conventional neurorehabilitation program, five times/week for a total of four weeks. The second group (n=13) was given conventional neurorehabilitation program, five times/week for a total of four weeks. Also, healthy volunteers as the third group were compared with the patient population. The evaluations were made at the beginning and end of the treatment. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Barthel Index (BI), Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS), and Functional Reach Test (FRT) were used. Abdominal muscle thickness at rest and contraction were evaluated using USG.

Results: Ten patients in Group 1 and 10 patients in Group 2 completed study. A significant improvement was observed in all abdominal muscles in both groups (p<0.05), indicating no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant improvement for BBS and FRT in both groups. The PASS and BI scores showed a significant improvement only in TSE group.

Conclusion: Both the TSE and conventional neurorehabilitation program provided significant improvements in abdominal muscle thickness, balance and trunk control. For postural control and functionality, additional TSE seems to be more effective.

Objectives: This study aims to accurately evaluate pain lasting longer than three months and falls under the category of chronic pain and to determine the risk factors to follow up and treat properly and to develop appropriate diagnostic and treatment algorithms.

Patients and methods: Between March 2021 and December 2021, a total of 437 patients (162 males, 275 females; mean age: 44±14.6 years; range, 12 to 82 years) who were referred to the participating centers due to pain complaints and were diagnosed with post-COVID-19 condition according to the criteria defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups as nociceptive pain, neuropathic pain, and central sensitization, based on the physician's clinical evaluation and the Self-Report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) and Central Sensitization Inventory scores.

Results: The most common diagnosis was nociceptive pain followed by central sensitization. Patients with nociceptive pain had less pain. It was found that not exercising regularly, having a chronic disease and being a woman were risk factors for central sensitization, having thyroid disease before COVID-19, and defining the current pain as very severe were risk factors for neuropathic pain.

Conclusion: In the evaluation of post-COVID-19 pain, neuropathic pain and central sensitization should be also considered in addition to nociceptive pain and the severity of pain, systemic diseases and physical activity should be questioned.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify whether fear of activity predicts exercise capacity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and whether there is a difference between sexes regarding this relationship.

Patients and methods: One hundred ninety-seven patients (145 males, 52 females; mean age: 56.3±10.8 years; range, 22 to 80 years) with a diagnosis of CAD or cardiac event in the previous one to 60 months were enrolled in this cross-sectional multicenter study between November 2015 and February 2017. Demographic and clinical features were recorded. Fear of activity was assessed by the fear of activity scale in patients with CAD (FactCAD). A 6-min walk test was used to assess exercise capacity.

Results: Female participants were older, less educated, and less employed (p=0.045, p=0.048, and p<0.001, respectively) than males. Prevalence of myocardial infarction was higher in males. Comorbidities were higher in females. Multiple linear regression predicted 6-min walk distance (6MWD) based on FactCAD, sex, and education level with an r-squared of 0.321 (p<0.001). Fear of activity had an effect on walking distance in males (each additional score of FactCAD predicts a decrease of 1.3 m in 6MWD), together with disease duration, presence of chronic pulmonary disease, and low back pain, whereas fear of activity was not a predicting factor on walking distance in females. Age, education, and presence of angina predicted 6MWD in females.

Conclusion: This study emphasizes that fear of activity is one of the predictors of 6MWD in males with CAD, and its assessment is recommended as a possible barrier to rehabilitation.