Telerehabilitation and Fall Prevention in Older Adults.

The objective of this review is to summarize the evidence regarding the use of telerehabilitation in the fall prevention of older adult patients. Medline and Google Scholar databases were searched from July to August 2022 for studies related to telerehabilitation interventions in older adults above 60 years of age. The study included all trials related to the telerehabilitation programs and fall prevention in older adults. The search items included "telerehabilitation," "falls," and "older adults." Five studies were included involving 694 older adults. The interventions included online exercise classes and exercise sessions via digital video disks (DVDs) and phone calls. The results of the present review showed that telerehabilitation offers positive clinical results for fall prevention.

Greek Adaptation and Validation of the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire-Brace and the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire-Deformity.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a progressive condition responsible for spinal deformity in all three planes. Spinal deformity and how the rib hump affects the aesthetics, and the functionality of the trunk can be a cause of psychological distress as well. Bracing as a treatment can have a negative impact on QoL, cause pain, affect participation levels in physical activities, and cause isolation and depression. Brace-induced stress may affect the patient's compliance with the treatment which may lead to scoliosis progression. The purpose of this study was to adapt and validate in the Greek language two instruments that can evaluate stress levels induced by bracing treatment and by deformity. The process of cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire-Brace (ΒSSQ-Brace) and the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire-Deformity (BSSQ-Deformity) followed the International Quality of Life Assessment Project (IQOLA) guidelines. Forty-seven AIS patients with a mean age of 14.4 ± 1.51 years, mean Cobb angle of 30.08 ± 9.25, and mean duration of the bracing treatment at 20.5 ± 12.2 months participated. The mean score for GR-BSSQ Brace was 14.04 ± 6.42, which is interpreted as medium stress, whereas the mean score for GR-BSSQ Deformity was 20.34 ± 3.78, which is interpreted as low stress. GR-BSSQ Brace demonstrated good internal consistency with Cronbach's α = 0.87. GR-BSSQ Deformity demonstrated acceptable internal consistency with Cronbach's α = 0.73. Both GR-BSSQ Brace and GR-BSSQ Deformity exhibited excellent test-retest reliability with ICC values of 0.94 (95% CI 0.89-0.97) and 0.92 (95% CI 0.86-0.95), respectively. BSSQ Brace and BSSQ Deformity questionnaires have been cross-culturally adapted into the Greek language and have been proven to be valid and reliable instruments measuring brace and deformity-induced stress. Both questionnaires can be used for clinical and research purposes in Greek-speaking population.

The Effect of Schroth Method on Postural Control and Balance in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Literature Review.

The objective of this review was to offer new information on the effectiveness of Schroth method on postural control and balance in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). PubMed, EBSCO, and Google Scholar databases were searched from June 2022 to August 2022 for prospective controlled trials and randomized controlled trials related to effects of Schroth exercises on postural control and balance in patients with AIS. The key words AIS, Schroth, balance, postural control, and proprioception were used. Studies written in English language, in the last decade were included. Seven studies were included in the review, with a total of 244 study subjects. Three studies investigated the effectiveness of Schroth exercises on balance and postural control. Two studies included investigated the effectiveness of Schroth method in combination with additional treatments of bracing and hippotherapy, while two other studies investigated effectiveness of Schroth when compared with Pilates and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). The treatment duration varied from a week to 6 months. From the findings of this review, it is supported that Schroth method can have positive effects on balance and postural control in AIS patients. Further investigation is necessary.

Relationship of Ηand Grip Strength, Physical Activity, and Anthropometric Characteristics in a Sample of Male and Female Physiotherapy Students.

The present study aimed to determine gender differences in the hand grip strength (HGS) and to examine the relations between HGS, anthropometric characteristics, and physical activity (PA) in Greek young adults. A cross-sectional observational study of 276 students (21.5 ± 4.1 years, 122 men, 154 women) was conducted at the University of Patras, Greece. HGS was assessed via a hand-held grip strength dynamometer; body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis; and calf, mid-arm, and waist circumferences with inelastic tape. PA was assessed with the modified Baecke Questionnaire for Habitual Physical Activity (mBQHPA). The mean of HGS was 37.15 ± 11.2 kg. Men had significantly (p < 0.001) greater HGS than women. Statistically large correlation was detected between HGS and muscle mass (r = 0.73; p ≤ 0.001), gender (r = 0.6; p ≤ 0.001), mid-arm (r = 0.74; p ≤ 0.001), and calf circumference (r = 0.69; p ≤ 0.001). Results show that fat mass was a risk factor associated with HGS, found using regression analyses in both genders. However, PA was a significant associated factor only for women participants (ΟR = 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17-1.38; p ≤ 0.05). In summary, the HGS of Greek physiotherapy students was associated with muscle mass, gender, mid-arm, and calf circumference.

The Effects of Exercise in Older Adults with Hyperkyphotic Posture.

The objective of this review was to investigate the effects of exercise in older adults with hyperkyphosis. Medline and Google Scholar databases were searched from June to August 2022 for studies related to exercise interventions in older adults above 60 years of age. All types of exercise interventions (such as strengthening, stretching, Yoga, and/or any other exercise with a focus on treatment or prevention of postural malalignment) were included. The keywords used were "hyperkyphosis," "exercise," and "older adults." Ten studies were included involving 625 older adults with hyperkyphotic posture. The exercise interventions included spine strengthening (strengthening of back and abdominal muscles), poses of Yoga and postural alignment, and flexibility and respiratory muscle exercises. Duration of exercise programs varied from 6 weeks (1 study) to 8 weeks (3 studies), 12 weeks (4 studies), and 6 months (3 studies). Exercise adherence was generally good in studies. In summary, low to moderate evidence suggest that exercises in age-related hyperkyphosis have a role in the management of this group of patients. It can be beneficial in order to improve postural control, spinal stability, and kyphosis outcomes. The adherence reported across studies suggests that exercise is an acceptable treatment option for people with age-related hyperkyphosis. Types of exercise and dose-response parameters of exercise eliciting improvement warrant further investigation. Due to heterogeneity in clinical trials, future research is needed with the goal of improving the health of our growing geriatric population.

Investigation of Physical Activity Levels and Associated Factors of Greek Older Adults During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the self-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity (PA), anxiety, and depression amongst Greek older adults. Participants were older adults (>60 years) recruited from community centers of Achaia (Open Care Centers for Older Adults), in Western Greek mainland during the period of December 2020-March 2021. The information was gathered through telephone interviews. Questions on social demographics, health history, diagnosis, quarantine, and hospitalization were asked, as well as impact of the pandemic health status and physical activity behavior. The level of PA was assessed via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) questionnaire, while anxiety and depression via the Hospital and Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Patras. Four-hundred eleven (411) older adults (306 women, 105 men; mean age of 72.47 ± 6.89 years years) completed the survey. About half of the sample (n = 179; 43.5%) reported a decrease in physical activity due to the pandemic and social isolation restrictions. From the total sample, 211 older adults (51.3%) recorded fear of COVID-19 infection and 9 participants (2.1%) reported to have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 infection. The findings of this study demonstrated that PA was associated with place of living (r = 0.55; p ≤ 0.001), incidence of falls (r = 0.45; p ≤ 0.001), COVID-19 infection (r = 0.6; p ≤ 0.001), fear of COVID-19 infection (r = 0.45; p ≤ 0.05), and anxiety (r = 0.5; p ≤ 0.001). In summary, a decline in PA due to COVID-19 pandemic was reported by the majority of Greek older adults. Results of the present study show that the COVID-19 pandemic may have induced PA behavior changes in many older adults, which may accelerate their risk of developing frailty, sarcopenia, and disability. Interventions to improve PA in older adults should take into account social and community factors and should be key components of current and future pandemic plans, particularly for vulnerable groups.

The Effects of Exercise in Patients with Sarcopenia.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different types of exercise interventions for treating sarcopenia compared to no specific treatment, a minimal intervention (e.g., education), or another active treatment (nutritional supplements). A review was conducted of the recent English literature searching PubMed and ScienceDirect databases. Ten randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this review, presenting the results of 671 sarcopenic patients. The exercise interventions were resistance training (four studies), a multimodal program (five studies, encompassing resistance training and additional exercises such as aerobic exercises, flexibility, balance and strength training), and a whole body vibration program (one study). Results show that exercise interventions could have beneficial effects in improving muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in 3 months of intervention. Resistance training, added to an adequate nutrition and aerobic exercise, appeared to deliver the most positive outcome after 3 months of intervention. Types of exercise and dose-response parameters of exercise eliciting improvement warrant further investigation. Due to the significant heterogeneity in clinical trials, the current evidence provides limited guidance. Well-designed studies evaluating exercise interventions are needed before treatment guidelines can be developed.

Hand Grip Strength in Patients on Hemodialysis: An Observational Study.

The objective of this study is to evaluate hand grip strength (HGS) in patients on hemodialysis and to investigate associated factors (anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and quality of life). An observational study of 60 patients in one hemodialysis center (Filoxenia Dialysis center, Aigio, Greece) was conducted. Measures of HGS were performed with a hydraulic dynamometer (Saehan Corporation, South Korea) on the non-fistula hand before the hemodialysis session. Demographic and clinical data (dialysis start date, comorbidities, and etiology of chronic kidney disease) were collected from the patients' medical charts. Body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis and calf circumference with inelastic tape. Quality of life was assessed via EuroQol (EQ-5D) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for data analyses. The association between variables was calculated using Pearson's r correlation coefficients. The experimental design of this study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece. A total of 54 patients (71.2 ± 10.9 years old, 24% diabetic, BMI of 26.34 ± 5.2) participated in this study (response rate 90%). The average duration of hemodialysis was 4.29 ± 6.36 years. The maximum HGS in the dominant was 19.19 ± 12.1 kg (female 12.04 ± 7.26 kg, male 21.82 ± 12.52 kg, p < 0.001). HGS was significantly correlated with age (r = 0.5; p < 0.001) and moderately correlated with gender (r = 0.36; p = 0.008), BMI (r = 0.3; p = 0.03), calf circumference (r = 0.4; p = 0.03), and quality of life (r = 0.37; p = 0.006). The use of hand-held dynamometry could be a fundamental element of the physical examination of patients receiving hemodialysis, particularly if they are older adults.