The effectiveness of virtual reality exercise games on balance functions and fear of falling in women with osteoporosis.

To investigate and compare the effectiveness of Nintendo Wii games and home exercises on balance functions in patients with osteoporosis, an important disease adversely affecting balance functions. The patients included in the study were randomized into two groups the Wii exercise group (n = 30) and the home exercise group (n = 30). Wii exercise group performed balance exercises with a Nintendo Wii device and balance board three times a week for 12 weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist in the hospital, and home exercise group was prescribed home exercises three days a week for 12 weeks. Balance functions were evaluated with the timed up-and-go-test and Berg Balance Scale, and the fall risk was evaluated with the Falls Efficacy Scale at the beginning and end of 12 weeks of treatment. Comparison of pre- and post-treatment timed up-and-go-test, Berg Balance Scale, and Falls Efficacy Scale results in both groups revealed statistically significant improvements (p = 0.001; p < 0.05). Furthermore, post-treatment test scores between the two groups demonstrated a significant enhancement in Wii exercise group regarding the Berg Balance Scale score (Mean ± SD 52.9 ± 3.63) (p = 0.001; p < 0.05). Within the osteoporotic population, balance functions serve as robust predictors of fall risk. Improvement in balance functions is crucial for the prevention of falls and subsequent osteoporotic fractures. In our study, we found that balance exercises performed with Wii games are effective in improving balance functions in patients with osteoporosis.

Comparative analysis of the therapeutic effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and high-intensity laser therapy in lateral epicondylitis: a randomised clinical trial.

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) presents a substantial obstacle due to the pain and functional decline, frequently requiring non-surgical treatments. This study contrasts the efficacy of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in managing LE. A prospective, randomized comparative trial was conducted with 50 participants assigned to either HILT or ESWT groups. Both groups received standard physiotherapy (exercise program and LE bandages), and outcomes, including tenderness, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scale (Q-DASH), and grip strength, were assessed at baseline, 3rd weeks, and 12th weeks. The baseline features of the groups exhibited similarities (p > 0.05). In intra-group comparisons, both HILT and ESWT groups exhibited significant enhancements in tenderness, VAS, Q-DASH, and grip strength (p < 0.05). In inter-group comparisons, the HILT group exhibited superior outcomes in tenderness reduction, pain alleviation, and disability improvement compared to the ESWT group (p < 0.05). Grip strength did not differ significantly across the groups (p > 0.05). Both HILT and ESWT, when combined with standard physiotherapy, showed effectiveness in treating LE. However, HILT demonstrated greater efficacy in terms of tenderness reduction, pain relief, and disability improvement. This study suggests that non-invasive techniques, particularly HILT, can be preferable for managing LE.

Effects of the different administration frequencies of teriparatide (PTH [1-34]) on new bone formation of expanded midpalatal sutures in rats: A histomorphometric and micro-computed tomography analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of 4 µg/kg teriparatide administered at intermittent and continuous frequencies on bone formation in the expanded midpalatal suture region using histomorphometric and micro-computed tomography (micro-Ct) analysis. Settings and sample population: In this study, 24 Sprague Dawley male rats were used. METHODS: The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups as follows: Group 1: only maxillary expansion, Group 2: maxillary expansion with continuous teriparatide administration (2 µg in the morning and 2 µg in the evening) and Group 3: maxillary expansion with intermittent teriparatide administration (daily 4 µg/kg). The expansion appliance was fixed to maxillary incisors of all animals within the 5-day expansion period, followed by a 12-day retention phase. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the retention period, and specimens were evaluated by micro-Ct and histomorphometric analysis respectively. RESULTS: The results of the histomorphometric analysis showed that Group 3 had the highest number of osteoblasts (1042 ± 90.76) (P < .01). In addition, the results of micro-Ct analysis revealed that Group 3 had the highest bone volume/total volume (16% ± 0), bone mineral density (173.82 ± 2.6 mgHA/cm3 ) and least midpalatal suture width (0.13 ± 0.001 mm) (P < .01). Osteoblasts number and micro-Ct analysis values of Group 2 were higher than those of Group 1 but no significant differences between them (P > .01). CONCLUSION: Intermittently administered TP (4 µg/kg once a day) was seen to enhance bone formation and mineralization. In the future, it can be used in drug studies that will increase or stimulate bone formation as well as in the midpalatal suture area.

Evaluation of single-dose applied teriparatide effect on bone healing with histomorphometric and micro-ct analysis.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a single dose of locally administered teriparatide (TP) on healing critical-sized defects in rat mandibles through histomorphometric and microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) analyses. In this study, 48 Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups as follows: Group 1 had empty defects, Group 2 received autografts, Group 3 received allografts, and Group 4 received allografts combined with 40 µg of TP. Eight weeks after the surgical procedure, all rats were sacrificed, and all specimens were evaluated using micro-CT and histomorphometric analyses. The results of the histomorphometric analysis showed that Group 4 had the most new bone area (0.85 mm2 ± 0.13 mm2) (p = 0.002) and the highest number of osteoblasts (86.61 ± 4.86) (p = 0.001). In addition, the results of the micro-CT analysis showed that Group 4 had the highest bone volume/total volume (23.27% ± 0.15%) (p = 0.001). The histomorphometric and micro-CT values of Group 2 were higher than those of Group 1 but lower than those of Group 3 and Group 4. The results of the study show that a single dose of locally administered TP has a positive effect on the integration of allografts. However, further studies are necessary to identify the mechanism of action and the effective minimum and maximum doses of locally administered TP.

Is Fibromyalgia Syndrome a Neuropathic Pain Syndrome?

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate whether fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) represents a neuropathic pain syndrome through the use of neuropathic pain scales. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 99 female patients (mean age 44.21 years; range, 18 to 65 years) who referred to Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Department Outpatient Clinics with complaints of widespread pain and who received a clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia based on the 1990 American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria and a control group consisting of 86 female patients (mean age 49.21 years; range, 18 to 65 years) who were diagnosed with acute subacromial impingement as a nociceptive pain model. All patients completed the Turkish version of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Beck Depression Scale (BDS), the 10 cm Visual Analog Scale for pain assessment, the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) pain questionnaire for neuropathic pain assessment and the painDETECT scale. RESULTS: An evaluation of the patients' symptoms indicated that complaints of numbness, burning, tingling, morning stiffness, insomnia, fatigue and weakness were significantly more common in the fibromyalgia group compared to the controls. Moreover, the mean scores of the BDS, FIQ, painDETECT and LANSS pain scale were significantly higher in the fibromyalgia group compared to the controls. Statistically significant correlations were noted between FIQ values and LANSS, and the BDS and painDETECT results in the fibromyalgia group. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that sensorial symptoms such as paraesthesia, hyperalgesia and allodynia were more common and the scores of neuropathic pain scales such as painDETECT and LANSS were significantly elevated in the fibromyalgia patients compared to the control group, and these findings suggest that FMS may have a neuropathic pain component.