The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the caregiving burden of individuals caring for patients with chronic neurological diseases.

BACKGROUND: Caring for neurological patients poses a serious burden on caregivers, even in normal times. It is likely that this burden has become even more painful post-COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the care burden of those who care for patients with chronic neurological diseases. METHODS: The study included 50 patients and 50 caregivers. All the tests were conducted twice, it was answered firstly, according to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic, and secondly, during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The depression levels of the patients and caregivers were assessed with the Beck Depression Scale, their sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, their quality of life was assessed with the RAND 36-Item Health Survey, and caregivers' burden of care was evaluated with the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. RESULTS: It was observed at the end of the study that the depression levels of patients (p = 0.00), and caregivers (p = 0.00) increased post-COVID-19 pandemic, the sleep quality of caregivers (p = 0.00), and patients (p = 0.02) decreased post-COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, it was determined that caregivers' burden of care increased (p = 0.00). Sub-parameters of the RAND 36-Item Health Survey, physical functioning (p = 0.02), role limitations due to physical health (p = 0.00), and role limitations due to emotional problems (p = 0.03) decreased for caregivers. CONCLUSION: In summary, we concluded that the well-being and psychological status of both patients and their caregivers were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attitude towards healthy nutrition and mental toughness: a study of taekwondo athletes.

Healthy nutrition is widely considered the cornerstone of optimal athletic performance, both physically and mentally. This study investigates the critical role of healthy nutrition in shaping the physical and mental performance of athletes, with a specific focus on taekwondo. This research aims to explore the potential relationship between taekwondo athletes' attitudes towards healthy nutrition and their mental toughness. The research group comprised 276 active and licensed taekwondo athletes who voluntarily participated in the study (Age M = 17.18 ± SD = 7.13, N = 125 women, N = 151 men). Ethical approval for the research was obtained prior to the commencement of the study. Data collection instruments included the Healthy Nutrition Attitude Scale, Mental Toughness Scale, and a personal information form. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to confirm the validity and reliability of the scales. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were performed to explore the relationship between the variables within the research model. The correlation analysis identified two significant, positive, and moderate correlations: (1) between knowledge about nutrition and mental toughness (r = 0.626) and (2) between positive nutrition and mental toughness (r = 0.672). The regression analysis revealed that both knowledge about nutrition (ß = 0.360) and positive nutrition (ß = 0.461) significantly contribute to mental toughness. The findings suggest that as athletes' knowledge of nutrition expands and their attitudes towards healthy eating become more positive, their mental toughness also appears to improve. These results are both important and original, adding significant new insights to the existing research landscape.

Effects of online education on prosthetics orthotics education during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: It is obvious that educational activities were affected globally due to the pandemic. OBJECTIVE: This study was planned to examine the effects of online education on undergraduate degree (UD) and associate degree (AD) Orthotics and Prosthesis education in the COVID-19 pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: A crossectional online survey. METHOD: The Google Forms questionnaire was delivered to students of Orthotics and Prosthesis in the level of undergraduate degree and AD and academicians conducted in the study. Next, the participants were reviewed regarding their knowledge about devices used for online education and related technical problems. A 5-point Likert-type questionnaire with 18 questions that was developed specifically for this study was applied to examine their views on online education. RESULTS: The study included 472 participants who had a mean age of 21.30 ± 0.22 years. Among the participants, 262 were AD students (55.5%). Approximately 82% of the participants were used their mobile phones for connection. The connection problems, and inappropriateness of online education in applied course, preference of online education for theoretical courses, insufficiency of digital course materials, failure to access education easily, insufficiency of online examinations for measurement and evaluation, and preference of homework over online education were stated by 79%, 88.3%, 41.9%, 54.5%, 70.1%, 41.7%, and 42.8% of the participants, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both academicians and students experienced connection problems, and applied courses were not suitable for online education. Motivation to attend the courses was low in online education, relevant workload increased, online examinations were not sufficient for measurement and evaluation, and studies were more unplanned. It is necessary to switch to formal education after the pandemic.

The investigation of the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Wright and Ayre Stuttering Self-Rating Profile (WASSP).

BACKGROUND: Self-assessments for adults who stutter are recommended as a primary evaluation tool for including their views on stuttering. Evaluating adults who stutter with self-assessment scales is important. However, there is no tool in the Turkish literature that provides this measurement. AIMS: To develop the Turkish version of The Wright and Ayre Stuttering Self-Rating Profile (WASSP) in order to analyse its validity and reliability, and investigate its applicability for Turkish-speaking individuals. METHODS & PROCEDURES: The study included 120 adults who stutter (aged 18-54 years). All the participants completed The Wright and Ayre Stuttering Self-Rating Profile-Turkish version (WASSP-TR) and the SF-36 form. The reliability analysis involved the calculation of Cronbach's alphas for test-retest and the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient for internal consistency. The validity analysis, in turn, involved a confirmatory factor analysis for construct validity and testing correlations with the SF-36 for criterion validity. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Internal consistency coefficients of the WASSP-TR were reported to be high (> 0.70). The correlations between the WASSP-TR and its subscales showed significant results (0.858-0.966) (p < 0.01). The correlation between the subscales of the WASSP-TR and the SF-36 was reported to be consistent (from -0.492 to 0.747). There was a positive correlation between stuttering severity groups and the WASSP-TR scores (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The WASSP-TR is a valid and reliable scale for Turkish-speaking adults who stutter. What this paper adds What is already known on the subject Self-assessment tools are recommended as a primary use when assessing adults who stutter. The WASSP is one of these measurement tools. However, the adaptation, validity and reliability study of the WASSP to Turkish has not been investigated. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study shows that the Turkish version of the WASSP scale is valid and reliable and can be used with adults who stutter. Furthermore, the present adaptation study has been developed in order to evaluate social-emotional aspects of stuttering. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? A tool that includes evaluating the behaviour, cognition, affect and participation areas as well as the stuttering behaviours of adults who stutter was adapted. This tool is expected to be useful for comprehensive evaluation of adults who stutter in clinics, in research and for pre/post-therapy.

Normal hip, knee and ankle range of motion in the Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to ascertain the effect of gender and cultural habits on hip, knee and ankle range of motion (ROM) and to determine the differences between the ROM of right and left side symmetric joints of the lower extremities. METHODS: The study included 987 (513 males and 474 females) healthy volunteers. Individuals with a history of illness, prior surgery or trauma involving any joint of either lower extremity were excluded from the study. The terminology and techniques of measurements used were those suggested by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. RESULTS: Left side passive hip flexion and active internal rotation was higher than the right side. Passive flexion of the hip joint was higher in male subjects and internal and external rotation was higher in female subjects. In the knee joint, passive extension was higher in males. Plantarflexion and inversion of the ankle joint were higher in male subjects and dorsiflexion and eversion were higher in female subjects. The differences were considered insignificant in clinical terms as all were less than 3 degrees. CONCLUSION: There is no clinically significantly difference between right and left side hip, knee and ankle joints ROM. Gender and cultural habits do not appear to have clinically significantly effects on lower extremity joint ROM.