Comparison of the effects of mechanical hippotherapy and Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises in patients with multiple sclerosis: Randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly encounter heightened postural instability and challenges in aligning their eyes, head, and bodily motions while engaging in specific tasks. This study aims to compare the effects of Cawthorne-Cooksey and mechanical hippotherapy exercises on fatigue, balance, gait, dizziness, and life quality in patients with MS. METHODS: The MS patients were randomly divided into Cawthorne-Cooksey (n:25) and mechanical hippotherapy exercise (n:25) groups. In addition to the traditional physical therapy program, Cawthorne-Cooksey and hippotherapy exercises were applied to the groups 3 days a week, for 8 weeks. The trial's clinical number is NCT06005909. The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment Scale, and Ferrans&Powers Quality-of-Life Index were used for pre-and post-treatment assessment. RESULTS: Both groups exhibited a significant decrease in FSS, FIS, and Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores, as well as an increase in Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment Scale and Ferrans&Powers Quality-of-Life Index scores following treatment. In the inter-group comparison, the Tinetti balance and gait assessment and the Ferrans&Powers quality of life index scores were higher in the hippotherapy group compared to the Cooksey group. CONCLUSIONS: Although both forms of physical activity have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing fatigue among individuals with MS, hippotherapy shows superior efficacy in enhancing balance, gait, and overall quality of life.

The effect of home exercises with kinesiotaping on pain, functionality, and work performance in bus drivers with non-specific neck pain.

BACKGROUND: Clinical research on the management and rehabilitation of work-related upper spinal pain in bus drivers is sparse, indicating a gap in knowledge and treatment strategies. This highlights the growing need for innovative approaches to rehabilitation programs in this area. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of kinesio taping (KT) on pain, functionality, and work performance in bus drivers experiencing neck pain. METHODS: The study involved 44 participants who were randomised into two different groups: the exercise group (n= 22) and the kinesio tape group (n= 22), with participants in both groups undertaking exercise interventions. Evaluations were made before and after 6 weeks of treatment. At the end of the 6-week, the participants' ROM, pain evaluations and functional scales were evaluated with disability, and work functionality. RESULTS: Neck pain severity decreased in both groups (p< 0.001 for each value), but there was no difference between the groups (p: 0.071). When disability scores were evaluated, improvement was noted in both groups (p: 0.001 for each value), but no statistically significant difference was found (p: 0.754). When the improvements in ROM values before and after the treatment were examined, the difference between the groups was recorded only in the neck extension ROM value (p: 0.011). Significant improvement was noted in all sub-steps of job performance in both groups (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: KT added to ergonomic training and home exercise programmes is effective in controlling work-related musculoskeletal pain in drivers with neck pain. However, the addition of KT to exercise therapy was found to be no more effective than exercise therapy alone in improving pain control, functionality and work performance.

Effect of exercise given to factory workers with ergonomics training on pain and functionality: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Exercise and manual therapy are used with pharmacological interventions to manage low back pain and prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders. However, the potential benefits of incorporating exercise and ergonomics training for factory workers experiencing low back pain have not been definitively established. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of ergonomics training with exercises on pain, functionality, sleep, and fatigue among factory employees experiencing low back pain. METHODS: This research was conducted as a randomized controlled trial involving workers with back pain employed in a plastic molding factory in Gebze, Kocaeli. Both groups received ergonomics training, but only the experimental group was given exercise training inclusive of stretching and core stabilization exercises. The workers in the experimental group were instructed to perform the exercises regularly for three days a week over a period of eight weeks. The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used for pre-and post-treatment assessment. RESULTS: The ODI, FSS, PSQI, and MPQ scores were significantly reduced in both groups. In the intergroup comparison, the exercise group showed a significantly greater decrease in all test scores compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The exercise group showed a statistically significant decrease in ODI, FSS, MPQ, and PSQI scores compared to the control group. This study demonstrated that exercise is a more effective practice than ergonomic training for factory workers suffering from chronic low back pain.

Effect of physical exercise on inactivated COVID-19 vaccine antibody response in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise has been proposed as a new alternative to chemical adjuvants. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between regular exercise and post-vaccination antibody response in the elderly. METHODS: The study was conducted with the elderly over the age of 65. 30 participants we randomized into 2 groups and divided into exercise and control groups. The experimental group received a 12-week exercise program. The control group was followed up without any exercise. The day on which the second dose of the vaccine was administered to all participants was considered day 0. The antibody level in the serum samples was taken 15 days and 12 weeks after the vaccination. The antibody concentration was measured after the second dose of vaccination. RESULTS: The mean antibody level in the control group was 69.4 U/ml and 56.4 U/ml 15 days and 12 weeks after the second vaccination. The mean antibody level in the exercise group was 74 U/ml and 71.6 U/ml 15 days and 12 weeks after the second vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Regular exercise of light to moderate intensity may increase post-vaccination antibody response in the elderly. Therefore, exercise can be used as a behavioral adjuvant to improve the vaccine efficacy in the elderly.