Evaluation of bone health in terms of osteoporosis in adult patients with neuromuscular disease.

Background/aim: There are no current guidelines to help clinicians decide whether patients with adult neuromuscular disease (NMD) should be screened or treated for osteoporosis (OP). This study was undertaken to investigate the presence of OP in patients with various types of NMD and to examine the relationship between OP evaluation parameters and functional status, daily living activities, balance, and ambulation levels. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 45 patients with NMDs. The patients were divided into 3 groups, depending on the affected component of the motor unit (neuronopathy group, neuropathy group, and myopathy group). The laboratory and demographic data were recorded from patient files. Functional level, pain, muscular strength, balance, and daily living activity scores were evaluated. The presence of OP was quantified using bone densitometry, fracture history, and biochemical parameters. Clinical findings were correlated with laboratory and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) findings. Results: The mean hip T-score was -1.20, and the mean lumbar spine (L1-L4) T-score was -0.95 in all groups. Six patients with T-score values of -2.5 or below were detected. Vitamin D level was found to be low in all patient groups, especially in the myopathy group, but there was no significant difference (p > 0.05). There was a negative correlation between hip T-score and the frequency of falling (r = -0.604, p = 0.022), while a positive correlation was found between hip T-score and the age at which independent walking was no longer possible (r = 0.900, p = 0.037). Conclusion: OP is often overlooked in NMD patients with neurological problems and a high risk of falling. These patients should be screened for bone health and fragility.

Functional electrical stimulation cycling in patients with chronic spinal cord injury: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the therapeutic value of lower extremity functional electrical stimulation (FES) - evoked cycling on functional independence, health status, gait parameters, pulmonary functions, and biochemical values in patients with chronic complete/incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with SCI (duration of more than 6 months) who were able to stand up and walk with long leg braces or assistive devices and had stable neurological status and trunk balance undertook FES cycling for 6 weeks (three times per week). The main outcomes were: Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and 20-meter walk test (20MWT). Secondary outcomes include measurements of pulmonary function tests and biochemical values. All parameters were evaluated at the beginning and end of the program. RESULTS: Improvements were seen in motor and total scores of FIM (p = 0.007), physical mobility subscale of NHP (p = 0.011), 6MWT (p = 0.001), and 20MWT (p = 0.011). In pulmonary functions, only forced vital capacity (FVC) levels demonstrated a significant increase compared with baseline (p = 0.011). Biochemical values reached no significant level. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the FES cycling exercise program improves motor and total FIM scores, gait parameters, and FVC values of pulmonary functions in patients with chronic SCI experience. The FES cycle might be a valuable and well-tolerated intervention in clinical rehabilitation.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Radial Nerves in Patients with Unilateral Refractory Lateral Epicondylitis.

Objective: To evaluate the possible radial nerve entrapment of patients with unilateral refractory lateral epicondylitis (LE) by using ultrasound (US) and electroneuromyography. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Three physical medicine and rehabilitation departments. Subjects: Consecutive 44 patients (15 M, 29 F) with unilateral refractory LE. Methods: All patients underwent detailed clinical, electrophysiological and ultrasonographic evaluations. Ultrasound imaging was used to evaluate thickness and presence of abnormal findings of the common extensor tendon (CET) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the radial nerve (at spiral groove and before bifurcation) bilaterally. Unaffected sides of the patients were taken as controls. Results: When compared with the unaffected sides, CET thickness and radial nerve CSAs (at both levels) were higher, and abnormal US findings regarding LE (47.7% vs. 6.8%) were more common on the affected sides than nonaffected sides (all P < 0.001). Grip strength values were lower on the affected sides ( P < 0.001). Electrophysiological studies were all normal, and similar between the two sides (all P > 0.05). When subgroup analyses were performed after taking into account the hand dominance, affected and dominant sides were found to be the same in 31 and different in 13 patients. In subgroups, CETs and radial nerve CSAs at both levels were higher on the affected sides (all P < 0.01). Conclusions: Radial nerves and the CETs seem to be swollen on the affected sides, independent from the hand dominance of the patients with refractory LE. These results morphologically support the previous literature that attributes some of the chronic complaints of these patients actually to radial nerve entrapment.

High-Voltage Electrical Stimulation Versus Ultrasound in the Treatment of Pressure Ulcers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the efficacy of high-voltage electrical stimulation (HVES) with ultrasound (US) in treating Stage II through Stage IV pressure ulcers (PrUs)* of hospitalized patients. DESIGN: This study was designed as a prospective, controlled trial in which patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS: A total of 27 patients (22 male, 5 female) hospitalized for neurologic rehabilitation in the Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with Stage II through Stage IV PrUs were included in this study. The patients were randomly assigned to either HVES or US treatment group, and all patients underwent standard wound care. Over 4 to 12 weeks, HVES was applied for 60 minutes 3 times per week, and US was applied 3 times per week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Properties of the PrUs were noted during pre- and posttreatment. RESULTS: The PrUs of patients in the HVES and US groups healed at a mean rate of 43% and 63%, respectively. There was no statistically significant intergroup difference in healing found after treatment. Regression analysis was performed for the factors that could influence the wound surface areas, and significant effects were detected among the level of ambulation, pretreatment stage, and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Both HVES and US are promising methods for wound healing, and both electrotherapy modalities have been demonstrated to support the healing of PrUs.

Shall We Inject Superficial or Deep to the Plantar Fascia? An Ultrasound Study of the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis.

We compared the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)-guided corticosteroid, injected superficial or deep to the fascia, in patients with plantar fasciitis. Thirty patients (24 females [75%] and 6 males [25%]) with unilateral chronic plantar fasciitis were divided into 2 groups according to the corticosteroid injection site: superficial (n = 15) or deep (n = 15) to the plantar fascia. Patient heel pain was measured using a Likert pain scale and the Foot Ankle Outcome Scale (FAOS) for foot disability, evaluated at baseline and repeated in the first and sixth weeks. The plantar fascia and heel pad thicknesses were assessed on US scans at baseline and the sixth week. The groups were similar in age, gender, and body mass index (p > .05 for all). Compared with the baseline values, the Likert pain scale (p < .001 for all) and FAOS subscale (p < .01 for all) scores had improved at the first and sixth week follow-up visits in both groups. Although the plantar fascia thickness had decreased significantly in both groups at the sixth week (p < .001 for both), the heel pad thickness remained unchanged (p > .05 for both). The difference in the FAOS subscales (pain, p = .002; activities of daily living, p = .003; sports/recreational activities, p = .008; quality of life, p = .009) and plantar fascia thickness (p = .049) showed better improvement in the deep than in the superficial injection group. US-guided corticosteroid injections are safe and effective in the short-term therapeutic outcome of chronic plantar fasciitis. Additionally, injection of corticosteroid deep to the fascia might result in greater reduction in plantar fascia thickness, pain, and disability and improved foot-related quality of life.

Hemiplegic shoulder pain: associated factors and rehabilitation outcomes of hemiplegic patients with and without shoulder pain.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the incidence of and the factors associated with shoulder pain in people with hemiplegia and to understand the effect of rehabilitation programs on the parameters of motor function and activity limitations in patients with and without hemiplegic shoulder pain. METHODS: Patients in the initial 6-month period after stroke who were hospitalized in the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic were included in the study. Patients were considered early rehabilitation entrants if they were admitted in the first 0 to 30 days after a stroke and late rehabilitation entrants if they were admitted 30 to 120 days after a stroke. Demographic and clinical features, complications, and medical histories of the patients were recorded. Upper extremity Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA), Frenchay Arm Test (FAT), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were applied to the patients on admission, at discharge, and after 1 month of follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-one (38%) patients did not have shoulder pain, and 34 (62%) patients had decreased shoulder pain. Immobilization, duration of disease, and late rehabilitation were shown to be effective treatments for shoulder pain. The major risk factors were disease duration and poor initial motor function. In both groups, the FMA, FAT, and FIM scores showed significant changes. This improvement did not differ between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Duration of disease and low motor functional capacities have the most important impact on shoulder pain. In patients with and without shoulder pain, a systematic rehabilitation program is beneficial with respect to motor function and daily living activities.

Intramuscular botulinum toxin-A in complex regional pain syndrome resistant to standard treatment: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: To present a patient with complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-I) and improvement of contracture of hand muscles and grip strength after successful treatment with botulinum neurotoxin­A (BoNT-A). CASE: A 53-year-old woman with CRPS­I experienced severe allodynia, swelling and autonomic changes in the left hand after a distal radius fracture. Over the succeeding months, she developed contracture of the left hand muscles which was treated with injection of BoNT­A into the hand muscles (10 points). RESULTS: In the patient treatment with BoNT­A an improvement was seen in the hand range of motion (ROM) and grip strength. CONCLUSION: Successful results can be obtained with BoNT­A injection in treatment-resistant CRPS­I cases which may develop joint contracture.

Three-year follow-up outcomes of adult patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome after rehabilitation.

Background: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), the most common cause of acute paralytic neuropathy, covers a number of recognizably different variants. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of the patients with GBS and the outcome results of the patients after rehabilitation. Methods: We enrolled 24 adult patients with GBS and evaluated their demographic characteristics, signs, complications, functional levels, and residual symptoms at admission, discharge, and during the 1st and 3rd-year follow-up visits. Functional Independence Scale (FIM), Functional Ambulation Scale (FAS), Hughes functional grading scale, Six-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) were used for patient evaluation. Results: In this study, patients with a mean age of 47.29 ± 16.2 years (40% female) were hospitalized for an average of 28.91 ± 25.6 days. The predominant symptoms experienced by these patients were fatigue (100%), neuropathic pain (70.8%), joint pain (54.2%), and autonomic dysfunction (50%). Significant changes were observed in FIM, Hughes functional grading scale, FAS, 6MWT, and MRC score at admission, discharge, and 1st/3rd-year follow-ups (p=0.000, p=0.000, p=0.000, p=0.001, p=0.000, respectively). Fatigue and Hughes score increased significantly with age (p=0.019, r=0.475; p=0.041, r=0.419, respectively). Negative correlations were found between age and FAS, 6MWT, and MRC score at 1st-year follow-up (p=0.025, r=-0.456; p=0.027, r=-0.450; p=0.008, r=-0.528). FSS was above 4 before admission and in 53.1% at 3rd-year follow-up, correlating negatively with 6MWT and MRC sum score. GBS clinical types showed no significant differences. Conclusion: Rehabilitation improves functional improvement in GBS patients, with long-term benefits observed. However, residual symptoms such as fatigue and neuropathic pain may persist despite functional improvement. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating rehabilitation into the management of GBS and addressing residual symptoms to improve patient outcomes.

Factors influencing the willingness to participate in rehabilitation in patients with subacute stroke.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the parameters that may influence the willingness of patients to participate in post-stroke rehabilitation. METHODS: Patients in the subacute phase of stroke who underwent inpatient rehabilitation for one month were included in this study. The primary outcome measure was the level of rehabilitation participation as measured on the Pittsburgh Rehabilitation Participation Scale (PRPS). Other outcome measures evaluated were Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for cognitive functions, Brunnstrom stage for motor recovery, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) for disability, Functional Independence Measure for functionality, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep quality, and Beck Depression Inventory for emotional state. RESULTS: A total of 38 patients with first-time stroke were studied. A negative correlation was found between the participation in rehabilitation and body mass index (BMI) (r: -0.398p = 0.012), myocardial infarction (MI) history (r: -0.387p = 0.015) and mRS (r: -0.351p = 0.031), while a positive correlation was determined with MMSE (r: 0.432P = 0.007). A 1-unit increase in BMI, MI history, and mRS resulted in a 0.176, 0.673, and 0.294-unit decrease in participation in rehabilitation, respectively. In addition, a 1-unit increase in MMSE provided an increase of 0.606-unit in participation. CONCLUSION: BMI within normal limits, prevention/treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and well-being of physical and cognitive functions might be the factors that positively influence participation in rehabilitation process. We consider that it would be appropriate to evaluate these parameters with particular emphasis in stroke patients in the subacute period to be rehabilitated.

Effectiveness of kinesiotape and sham kinesiotape application in children with cerebral palsy with dysphagia: A randomized controlled study.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the short- and long-term effects of kinesiotaping (KT) on dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Patients and methods: One hundred one CP patients (59 males, 42 females; mean age: 49.3±18.8 years; range, 2 to 6 years) with dysphagia referred between October 2017 and January 2020 were enrolled in the randomized controlled study. Children who met the study criteria were randomly assigned to the kinesiotape group (n=54) or the sham group (n=47). Specific swallowing evaluations were performed on all patients before the therapy. The KT or sham application protocole combined with conventional rehabilitaion therapy was conducted for six weeks. Evaluation parameters were repeated at 6 and 18 weeks. The evaluated parameters were compared within and between groups. Results: Drooling, weak tongue movement, chewing difficulty, coughing/choking and retching/vomiting during/after feeding, functional oral intake score, and meal time were found to be significantly improved at six weeks in the kinesiotape group compared to the sham group, and the clinical improvements were present at 18 weeks (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in any parameter in the sham group at 6 and 18 weeks compared to the pretreatment (p>0.05). Conclusion: The addition of KT to a home exercise program is an effective method for dysphagia in CP.

The effect of robotic rehabilitation on posture and trunk control in non-ambulatory cerebral palsy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a combined robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) with standard physiotherapy (PT) on trunk control and posture in non-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP). This nonrandomized, controlled study included 31 CP assigned into two groups. Study Group: RAGT (three times a week, 30 min/session, for 6 weeks) + PT. Control group: PT only. The patients were evaluated using gross motor function measure (GMFM)-88 (Section B, Sitting) and Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), pre-treatment and 3rd month post-treatment. In the RAGT group, significant improvements were observed in the GMFM-B and TIS scores at the 3rd month post-treatment (p < 0.05). Comparison of the changes in GMFM-B and TIS scores from end to beginning of the study, the change in TIS static are significantly higher in the RAGT group than control group (p < 0.05). Addition of RAGT to standard physiotherapy seems to improve trunk control, sitting balance, and posture in non-ambulatory CP.

A short-term exercise program in patients with multiple sclerosis: is body mass index important?

Obesity is a health problem that can exacerbate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a short-term exercise program on fatigue, depression, anxiety, and walking performance in normal-weight and overweight patients with MS (PwMS). Sixty-two PwMS were divided into groups according to their BMI (BMI normal/BMI high). Also, they were all included in the exercise program. The participants took a moderate-intensity walking program 5 days a week for 4 weeks, including 30 min between 5 min of warm-up and 5 min of cooling periods. Also, patients underwent breathing, posture, flexibility, and stretching exercises for 4 weeks. Fatigue, depression, anxiety, 6-minute walking test (6MWT), and BMI were measured before and after the 4 weeks. After the exercise program, there were statistically significant improvements in fatigue, depression, anxiety, and the 6MWT. However, no relation could be detected between the examined variables and BMI. All patients participated effectively in the exercise program, regardless of BMI. The results obtained from this study support that a short-term exercise program is an effective therapeutic intervention, unrelated to BMI, in improving fatigue, depression, anxiety, and walking performance in PwMS.

Effectiveness of Functional Electrical Stimulation - Cycling Treatment in Children with Cerebral Palsy.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) bicycle therapy system on motor function, gait pattern, spasticity, daily living activities, and aerobic capacity in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to compare the results with sham stimulation and standard treatment. METHODS: Patients with cerebral palsy who received botulinum toxin type-A injections to lower extremities and those with Gross Motor Function Measure Classification System (GMFCS) levels I - III, were included in the study. Twenty-five patients were randomly assigned into three treatment groups for 4-weeks: Group 1, FES-cycling and standard treatment; Group 2, Sham stimulus FES-cycling and standard treatment; Group 3, Standard treatment. Clinical assessment tools included the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS), Pediatric Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM), GMFCS, Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88), selective motor control tests, 6-minute walk test, and Visual Gait Analysis (VGA). RESULTS: In all groups, there were significant improvements in MAS, MTS, WeeFIM, GMFM-88, 6-minute walk test, and VGA scores. No changes in GMFCS levels were observed in any group. At the end of the study, there was no significant difference among the groups in terms of any clinical assessment parameter. CONCLUSIONS: All groups showed statistically significant improvements in motor function, walking pattern, spasticity, daily living activities, and aerobic capacity in patients with CP following the rehabilitation period. Although FES-cycling demonstrated no superiority over the other approaches and provided no additional benefit to the results, FES appears to be safe and well-tolerated in children with CP, at least as much as standard exercise treatment.

The importance of lower extremity involvement type on exercise performances, function, and quality of life in peripheral predominant forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) can cause reduced exercise capacity, deterioration in functional activities, and poor health-related quality of life. This study aims to objectively reveal lower extremity involvement in the peripheral predominant forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis through qualitative evaluations and to determine the effects of these involvements on exercise, function, and quality of life. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with a history of peripheral arthritis and aged between 7 and 16 years participated in the study. Demographics, JIA subtype, disease duration, arthritis and deformities of the lower extremity, disease activity score, 6-min walk test (6MWT), cycling exercise test (CYC-E), childhood health assessment questionnaire (CHAQ), and pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQoL) scores were recorded. In case of clinical suspicion of arthritis, an ultrasonographic examination was performed for a definitive diagnosis. Regression analyses were performed to explore the most associated lower extremity involvement and patient characteristics for each of the dependent variables including 6MWT, CYC-E, CHAQ, and PedsQoL. RESULTS: Of the total number of patients, with a mean age of 12.91 (SD 2.37) years, 28.1% had knee arthritis, 15.6% foot arthritis, 12.5% hip arthritis, and 37.5% lower extremity deformity. The parameters that were most associated with CHAQ and PedsQoL were hip and knee arthritis, whereas CYC-E was found to be most associated with knee arthritis and height, and 6MWT was found to be most associated with hip arthritis, knee arthritis, and demographic characteristics. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the importance of hip and knee arthritis, which are among the determinants of walking endurance, function, and quality of life; and knee arthritis, which is among the determinants of cycling performance in JIA with lower extremity involvement.

Prevalence, etiology, and biopsychosocial risk factors of cervicogenic dizziness in patients with neck pain: A multi-center, cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the prevalence, etiology, and risk factors of cervicogenic dizziness in patients with neck pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2016 and April 2018, a total of 2,361 patients (526 males, 1,835 females; mean age: 45.0±13.3 years; range, 18 to 75 years) who presented with the complaint of neck pain lasting for at least one month were included in this prospective, cross-sectional study. Data including concomitant dizziness, severity, and quality of life (QoL) impact of vertigo (via Numeric Dizziness Scale [NDS]), QoL (via Dizziness Handicap Inventory [DHI]), mobility (via Timed Up-and-Go [TUG] test), balance performance [via Berg Balance Scale [BBS]), and emotional status (via Hospital Anxiety- Depression Scale [HADS]) were recorded. RESULTS: Dizziness was evident in 40.1% of the patients. Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) was the most common etiology for neck pain (58.5%) and accompanied with cervicogenic dizziness in 59.7% of the patients. Female versus male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 1.641, 95% CI: 1.241 to 2.171, p=0.001), housewifery versus other occupations (OR: 1.285, 95% CI: 1.006 to 1.642, p=0.045), and lower versus higher education (OR: 1.649-2.564, p<0.001) significantly predicted the increased risk of dizziness in neck pain patients. Patient with dizziness due to MPS had lower dizziness severity scores (p=0.034) and milder impact of dizziness on QoL (p=0.005), lower DHI scores (p=0.004), shorter time to complete the TUG test (p=0.001) and higher BBS scores (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a significant impact of biopsychosocial factors on the likelihood and severity of dizziness and association of dizziness due to MPS with better clinical status.

Comparing the effectiveness of ultrasound guided versus blind genicular nerve block on pain, muscle strength with isokinetic device, physical function and quality of life in chronic knee osteoarthritis: a prospective randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The genicular nerve block (GNB) is demonstrated from several reports to alleviate pain and improve knee functionality in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis (OA). Ultrasound (US)-guided GNB has been the most used imaging method. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of US-guided versus blind GNB in the treatment of knee OA. METHODS: This prospective, randomized clinical trial included patients with knee OA based on American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria. The patients were evaluated for clinical and dynamometer parameters at the baseline, 4 weeks after treatment, and 12 weeks after treatment. The patients underwent blind injection or US-guided injection. RESULTS: When compared with the baseline, both groups showed significant improvement in pain, physical function, and quality of life parameters. Significant differences were observed between the groups for clinical parameters (30-second chair stand test, 6-minute walk test) in favor of the US-guided group. On the other hand, blind injection was more significantly effective on some parameters of the Nottingham Health Profile. There wasn't any significant improvement in isokinetic muscle strength for either group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that both US-guided and blind GNB, in the treatment of knee OA, were effective in reducing symptoms and improving physical function. GNB wasn't an effective treatment for isokinetic muscle function. USguided injections may yield more effective clinical results than blind injections.

The effect of aerobic exercise on stroke rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To compare the effects of aerobic exercise and conventional exercise that were applied during the rehabilitation process on the aerobic capacity, motor function, activity limitation, quality of life, depression level, and sleep quality in subacute stroke patients. METHODS: The patients were divided into two groups; aerobic exercise group (n = 22) or conventional exercise group (n = 20). Both groups participated in a conventional stroke rehabilitation program; however, aerobic exercise program was applied only for the patients in group 1. Exercise tolerance test (ETT), respiratory function tests, 6-min walking test (6-MWT), functional independence measure (FIM), Nottingham health profile (NHP), Beck depression scale (BDS), and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were evaluated on admission and discharge. RESULTS: The 6-MWT, FIM, some subgroups of NHP, BDS, and PSQI results demonstrated statistical differences in both groups after rehabilitation programs. Significant differences were recorded in terms of changes between admission and discharge values of ETT and BDS in favor of aerobic exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of aerobic exercises into conventional rehabilitation programs of early stroke patients may provide positive contributions, particularly to mood and aerobic capacity.