Evaluation of the possible effect of inspiratory muscle training on inflammation markers and oxidative stress in childhood asthma.

Airway inflammation characterized as asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of inspiratory muscle training on inflammation markers and oxidative stress levels in childhood asthma. A total of 105 children (age range 8-17 years), including 70 asthmatics and 35 healthy children, participated in the study. The 70 asthma patients were randomly assigned to the inspiratory muscle training (IMT) group (n = 35) and control group (n = 35), and healthy children were assigned to the healthy group (n = 35). The IMT group was treated with the threshold IMT device for 7 days/6 weeks at 30% of maximum inspiratory pressure. Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated with a mouth pressure measuring device, and respiratory function was evaluated with a spirometer. In addition, CRP, periostin, TGF-ß, and oxidative stress levels were analyzed. The evaluation was performed only once in the healthy group and twice (at the beginning and end of 6 weeks) in asthma patients. In the study, there were significant differences between asthma patients and the healthy group in terms of MIP and MEP values, respiratory function, oxidative stress level, periostin, and TGF-ß. Post-treatment, differences were observed in the oxidative stress level, periostin, and TGF-ß of the IMT group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: After 6 weeks of training, IMT positively contributed to reducing the inflammation level and oxidative stress. This suggests that IMT should be used as an alternative therapy to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. (Trial Registration: The clinical trial protocol number is NCT05296707). WHAT IS KNOWN: • It is known that adjunctive therapies given in addition to pharmacological treatment contribute to improving symptom control and quality of life in individuals with asthma. WHAT IS NEW: • There are no studies about the effect of respiratory physiotherapy on biomarkers in asthmatic children. The sub-mechanism of improvement in individuals has not been elucidated. • In this context, inspiratory muscle training has a positive effect on inflammation and oxidative stress levels in children with asthma and IMT should be used as an alternative treatment for childhood asthma.

Differences in sleep quality and body mass index in asthmatic children and healthy control group.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood asthma has become a serious public health problem. Obesity has been determined to be one of the risk factors of asthma. AIM: We aimed to determine the difference in body mass index (BMI) and sleep quality in pediatric asthmatic individuals compared to their peers. METHOD: Thirty children aged 8-17 years were followed up in the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic for asthma along with 30 healthy children. The BMI percentile values of the children were recorded. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep quality. RESULTS: Each group in our study had 10 girls and 20 boys. The mean age was found to be 11.76 ± 2.69 years in asthma group and 11.33 ± 2.29 years in the healthy group. The asthma group were found to be more obese than the healthy group (P = 0.033). There was a significant difference between groups interested in a sport (P = 0.028) and sleep quality (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: It was observed that the asthma group had more obesity and poorer sleep quality than the healthy group. Further, it was determined that in the asthma group, the level of interest in any sport was less than that in the healthy group. We think that high obesity in the asthma group reduces the effect of corticosteroids, and the continuity of nighttime cough symptoms causes deterioration in sleep quality. We conclude that participation in sports activities should be encouraged to reduce the level of obesity in asthmatic children.

Effects of sensory deficits on balance, functional status and trunk control in patients diagnosed with guillain-barre syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of sensory deficits on balance, functional status and trunk control in patients diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). METHODS: Twenty patients who were diagnosed with GBS and who were in the neurology department of Mustafa Kemal University in 2017, participated in this descriptive study. There were 11 males and 9 females, and the average age was 41.55+/-18.49 years. The trunk control of the GBS patients was assessed using the trunk impairment scale (TIS), reaching function was assessed using the functional reaching test (FRT) in the sitting position and body balance assessed using the Berg balance scale (BBS). Light touch was assessed using Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, proprioception was assessed using the distal proprioception test and disability status was assessed using the Guillain-Barre syndrome disability scale (GBSDS). RESULTS: We found a moderate, positive and significant correlation between proprioception scores and the BBS and between proprioception scores and the TIS. The correlation between proprioception and FRT in the sitting position and between proprioception and the GBSDS was not significant. We found a moderate and negative correlation between light touch and the FRT in the sitting position, TIS, BBS, but a moderate and positive correlation between light touch and the GBSDS. CONCLUSION: Neurologists and physiotherapists should both take sensory and motor function into consideration in the assessment and rehabilitation program of patients diagnosed with GBS.

Immediate Effect of Kinesiology Tape on Functionality, Static and Dynamic Balance, Exercise Capacity, and Posture in Users of High-Heeled Shoes.

BACKGROUND: Using high-heeled shoes in daily life affects the stability of walking, body posture, and functionality. We aimed to determine the immediate effect of kinesiology taping (KT) on functionality, static and dynamic balance, exercise capacity, and posture in young women using high-heeled shoes. METHODS: Thirty-seven women who wore high-heeled shoes (mean ± SD age, 20.32 ± 1.37 years) were divided into control (n = 20) and study (n = 17) groups. Both limbs of study group participants were taped medially, laterally, and dorsally with KT; no application was made to the control group. Balance (TecnoBody postural line), functionality (vertical jump and functional reach tests), exercise capacity (6-Minute Walk Test), and human body posture (New York Posture Rating Chart) were assessed. RESULTS: Median use of high-heeled shoes was 8 hours daily, 5 days weekly, and 3 years in the study group versus 6 hours daily, 4 days weekly, and 4 years in the control group. Significance in functional reach distance was found within the control (P = .010) and study (P = .005) groups but not between the groups. Stabilometric monopedal right foot ellipse area (P = .016) and perimeter (P = .009); left foot ellipse area (P = .016), perimeter (P = .023), and front/back standard deviation (P = .018); and dynamic balance area gap percentage (P = .030) were significant within the study group. Posture, vertical jump distance, exercise capacity, stabilometric test results, and bipedal closed-eye and opened-eye results were similar within and between groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Kinesiology taping has no immediate effect on exercise capacity, vertical jump function, posture, and bipedal static balance but can modulate functional reach function, static monopedal leg balance, and dynamic equilibrium. Further studies are recommended to investigate the additive effect of KT with high-heeled shoes and after 45 min, 24 hours, and 72 hours.

Burnout and anxiety level of healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has affected many countries in the world and has been known as one of the fast-spreading viruses in recent history. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to reveal the level of anxiety and burnout, attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors of healthcare professionals about COVID-19 in Turkey. METHODS: The individuals included in the study answered seven questions containing demographic information, 27 questions determining their views and perspectives on COVID-19. Anxiety level was measured by Beck Anxiety Scale (BAI), and State Anxiety Inventory (SAI); burnout was measured by Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). RESULTS: We included 66 health staff (50 female, 16 male) whose mean age was 31.71±5.18 years (22-46 ranged). Twenty-two (33.3%) of the participants worked on the COVID-19 frontline while 44 (66.6%) of them worked on usual wards.We found that participants' anxiety was at a moderate level in BAI (mean: 14.00±12.66). The mean of the SAI was 49.93±13.06. MBI subscales were low. We found that there was a significant difference in BAI between COVID-19 frontline healthcare professionals and those who worked on the usual wards (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: It is important to consider the level of anxiety and burnout in all healthcare professionals and to help them to protect their mental health.