Evaluation of Prosthesis Satisfaction, Psychological Status, and Quality of Life in Lower-Extremity Amputee Patients: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: There are various factors affecting the use of prostheses. This study was aimed to examine satisfaction, psychological state, quality of life, and the factors affecting these in individuals who use prostheses because of lower-extremity amputation. METHODS: Sixty-three patients were included in this study. Demographic data and features related amputation and prosthesis were recorded. Quality of life was evaluated with the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), anxiety and depression levels were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), body image was evaluated by the Amputee Body Image Scale (ABIS), prosthesis satisfaction was evaluated with the Prosthesis Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ), and the relationship between them was examined. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between all HADS scores, NHP-emotional reactions, NHP-sleep, NHP-social isolation, NHP-total, and ABIS (P < .05). A negative correlation was found between HADS-anxiety and PSQ results (r = -0.394, P = .003). A positive correlation was found between HADS-depression scores and NHP-pain, NHP-emotional reactions, NHP-social isolation, NHP-total, and ABIS (P < .05); and a negative correlation was found with PSQ questionnaire scores (r = -0.427, P = .001). There was a positive correlation between HADS-total scores and all parameters except NHP-energy level and ABIS (P < .05). A positive correlation was found between ABIS and all parameters except NHP-energy level (P < .05). A negative correlation was found between PSQ and NHP-social isolation, NHP-physical activity, and NHP-total scores (r = -0.312, P = 0.019; r = -0.312, P = .019; and r = -0.277, P = .039, respectively). The presence of residual extremity pain was found to be an effective factor on the psychological state (ß = 0.429, P = .001). The presence of residual limb pain and phantom pain were found to be effective factors on the prosthesis satisfaction (ß = -0.41, P = .001; and ß = -0.406, P = .001, respectively). The presence of residual extremity pain and anxiety level were found independent risk factors on the NHP (ß = -0.401, P = .006; and ß = -0.445, P = .006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals using prostheses because of lower-extremity amputation should be examined in detail from various perspectives.

How does treadmill training contribute to botulinum toxin application plus routine physical therapy in ambulatory children with spastic bilateral cerebral palsy? A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In spite of treadmill training and multilevel botulinum toxin (BoNT-A) injection being the two most commonly used treatment methods in pediatric rehabilitation management, there was no study investigating the effect of treadmill training after BoNT-A injection in children with cerebral palsy (CP). AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of treadmill training in addition to routine physical therapy after BoNT-A injection in ambulatory children with spastic bilateral CP on lower extremity muscle strength, selective motor control, and mobility. METHODS: A total of 30 spastic bilateral children with CP classified level II-III by the Gross Motor Function Classification System were randomly assigned the study and control groups. Both groups continued routine physical therapy treatments after multilevel BoNT-A injection into lower extremities, while the study group additionally underwent 8 weeks of treadmill training (20 min, two sessions per week). Handheld dynamometer, selective control assessment of lower extremity, temporospatial evaluation of gait, and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory were assessed before and after 8 weeks. RESULTS: In both groups, hip, knee, and ankle muscle strength increased at the end of 8 weeks (p < 0.05); however, in the study group, hip flexor/extensor muscle strength (p < 0.05, ES ≥ 0.50), selective motor control of ankle (p < 0.01, ES = 1.17), walking speed (p < 0.01, ES = 2.60), step lengths (p < 0.01, ES = 1.32), and mobility (p < 0.01, ES = 1.37) increased significantly compared to those of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Treadmill training in addition to routine physical therapy after BoNT-A injection is beneficial for hip muscle strength, ankle selective motor control, walking quality, and functional mobility in the short term. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03580174.

The effects of COVID-19 fear and anxiety on symptom severity, sleep quality, and mood in patients with fibromyalgia: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals faced psychological stress caused by fear and anxiety due to the high transmission and mortality rate of the disease, the social isolation, economic problems, and difficulties in reaching health services. Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic centralized pain sensitivity disorder. Psychological, physical and/or autoimmune stressors were found to increase FM symptoms. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the COVID-19 fear and anxiety level, and to examine their effect on disease severity, sleep quality, and mood in FM patients compared to control group. METHODS: This pilot study conducted as a cross-sectional study, and included 62 participants. Participants were divided into two groups: FM patient group (n = 31) and control group (n = 31). Symptom severity, sleep quality, and mood were determined using the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), Pitsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), respectively. In order to evaluate the level of COVID-19 fear and anxiety, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) were used compared to control group. RESULTS: FIQR, PSQI, HAD-A, HAD-D, FCV-19S and CAS scores were significantly higher in the FM group (p = 0.01). A positive significant correlation was found between FCV-19S and CAS results and FIQR, PSQI, and HAD-anx results in FM patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This pilot study showed that, the individuals with FM can be more affected by psychological stress, and this situation negatively affects the symptom severity, sleep quality, and mood in FM patients, so these patients should be closely monitored in terms of psychological stressors and their effects during pandemics. More studies with more participants are necessary to describe the challenges lived by fibromyalgia population.

Brachial Plexus Injuries in Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury : A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the presence of brachial plexus injury (BPI) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and to draw attention to BPI, which can be overlooked by physicians in TBI patients. METHODS: The study was designed retrospectively by examining the files of 58 patients with moderate to severe TBI to investigate coexistence of TBI and BPI. RESULTS: BPI was detected in six of 58 TBI patients (10.3%). BPI was detected after an average 116 days from the initial injury. Three patients had lower trunk BPI and three patients had panplexopathy. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of BPI in patients with TBI is delayed in the acute period of injury. The clinicians should keep in mind that BPIs may occur and remain undiagnosed in patients with TBI.

The effects of COVID-19 fear and anxiety on symptom severity, sleep quality, and mood in patients with fibromyalgia: a pilot study

Abstract Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals faced psychological stress caused by fear and anxiety due to the high transmission and mortality rate of the disease, the social isolation, economic problems, and difficulties in reaching health services. Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic centralized pain sensitivity disorder. Psychological, physical and/or autoimmune stressors were found to increase FM symptoms. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the COVID-19 fear and anxiety level, and to examine their effect on disease severity, sleep quality, and mood in FM patients compared to control group. Methods: This pilot study conducted as a cross-sectional study, and included 62 participants. Participants were divided into two groups: FM patient group ( n = 31) and control group ( n = 31). Symptom severity, sleep quality, and mood were determined using the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), Pitsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), respectively. In order to evaluate the level of COVID-19 fear and anxiety, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) were used compared to control group. Results: FIQR, PSQI, HAD-A, HAD-D, FCV-19S and CAS scores were significantly higher in the FM group ( p = 0.01). A positive significant correlation was found between FCV-19S and CAS results and FIQR, PSQI, and HAD-anx results in FM patients ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: This pilot study showed that, the individuals with FM can be more affected by psychological stress, and this situation negatively affects the symptom severity, sleep quality, and mood in FM patients, so these patients should be closely monitored in terms of psychological stressors and their effects during pandemics. More studies with more participants are necessary to describe the challenges lived by fibromyalgia population.

Femoral nerve injury after nephrectomy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Femoral nerve injury is not a common complication of the abdominopelvic surgical procedures. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of femoral neuropathy after nephrectomy. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 71-year-old female patient with a right-sided congenital hip dysplasia developed numbness, tingling and burning pain in the right thigh and muscle weakness in the right hip after the nephrectomy surgery. Neurological examination and electrodiagnostic test revealed a femoral nerve injury. Prognosis of the femoral neuropathy was good. The quadriceps muscle weakness improved within six months. CONCLUSION: Postoperative femoral neuropathy is an unexpected complication after total nephrectomy surgery. The prognosis is relatively good and early physical therapy can produce rapid recovery.