The comparison of effects of balneotherapy, water-based and land-based exercises on disease activity, symptoms, sleep quality, quality of life and serum sclerostin level in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A prospective, randomized study.

Objectives: This study aims to compare the effects of balneotherapy, water-based exercise (WBE), and land-based exercise (LBE) on disease activity, symptoms, sleep quality, quality of life, and serum sclerostin level (SSL) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Patients and methods: Between January 2019 and January 2020, a total of 60 patients (35 males, 25 females; mean age: 40.9±11.2 years; range, 18 to 55 years) who were diagnosed with AS were randomly divided into the balneotherapy (n=20), WBE (n=20), and LBE (n=20) groups (20 sessions of treatment in groups of five to six patients). The patients were evaluated before treatment and at 4 and 12 weeks using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP), Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES), Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and SSL were measured. Results: Statistically significant improvements in the BASDAI, BASFI, MASES, BASMI, ASQoL, FSS, and ASDAS-CRP scores were observed in all groups at 4 and 12 weeks of follow-up (p<0.05). A significant improvement in sleep latency was seen in the balneotherapy and WBE groups. Changes in SSL were not statistically significant in any group (p>0.05). Conclusion: Balneotherapy, WBE, and LBE are effective in the treatment of AS, and the beneficial effects may last for at least 12 weeks.

The effect of pelvic floor exercises performed with EMG biofeedback or a vaginal cone on incontinence severity, pelvic floor muscle strength, and quality of life in women with stress urinary incontinence: a randomized, 6-month follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to assess the effectiveness of pelvic floor exercises performed with electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback or a vaginal cone on incontinence severity, muscle strength, social activity level, quality of life, treatment success, and treatment satisfaction in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: This prospective, randomized study included 40 female patients diagnosed with SUI. Patients were randomly divided into two groups as the group receiving pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) with a vaginal cone at home (n = 20) and the group receiving PFME with EMG biofeedback in the hospital (n = 20). The measurement of urinary incontinence severity with a 1-h pad test, assessment of social activity with the social activity index (SAI), assessment of incontinence-specific quality of life, manual measurement of pelvic floor muscle strength, and the assessment of treatment satisfaction were performed in the pre-treatment period and post-treatment at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: In intragroup analyses, an improvement was observed in both groups in the pad test, muscle strength, SAI, quality of life, and treatment satisfaction measurement compared with the pre-treatment period (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of assessment parameters in intergroup analyses during follow-up (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that both EMG biofeedback assisted PFME and PFME with a vaginal cone had curative effects on incontinence in patients with SUI. We believe that both protocols can be used as acceptable and effective conservative therapy methods in the treatment of women with SUI considering their preference.

Effects of Yoga on Phase Angle and Quality of Life in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Phase angle (PA), a parameter that is obtained from body composition analysis, is an indicator of cellular health status. A lower PA in cancer patients can lead to a decrease in functional status and quality of life (QoL) and increased mortality. Studies have shown that physical activity increases PA. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of Hatha yoga on PA, body composition, and QoL in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Thirty-one patients were randomized into the yoga (group 1, n = 15) and the control group (group 2, n = 16). Hatha yoga was practiced twice a week for 10 weeks in the intervention group. The PA of the patients was assessed using a body analysis instrument, and QoL was evaluated with an EORTC QLQ questionnaire both before treatment and at week 10. RESULTS: Group 1 had significant improvements in the posttreatment EORTC QLQ functional and global scores (p < 0.05). In group 2, a significant improvement was observed in the EORTC QLQ symptom subscale (p = 0.035). PA values did not show any improvements in both groups (p > 0.05). Comparison of the 2 groups revealed no differences. CONCLUSION: Yoga may have beneficial effects on QoL in patients with breast cancer but does not have a significant effect on PA. There is a need for further studies to make a definitive statement.

Can yoga have any effect on shoulder and arm pain and quality of life in patients with breast cancer? A randomized, controlled, single-blind trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of yoga on shoulder and arm pain, quality of life (QOL), depression, and physical performance in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: This prospective, randomized study included 42 patients. The patients in Group 1 underwent a 10-week Hatha yoga exercise program. The patients in Group 2 were included in a 10-week follow-up program. Our primary endpoint was arm and shoulder pain intensity. RESULTS: The group receiving yoga showed a significant improvement in their pain severity from baseline to post-treatment, and these benefits were maintained at 2.5 months post-treatment. When compared to the control group, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to the parameters assessed at the end of week 10. CONCLUSION: Yoga was an effective and safe exercise for alleviating shoulder and arm pain, which is a complication with a high prevalence in patients with breast cancer.

Effects of water-based and land-based exercises on walking and balance functions of patients with hemiplegia.

BACKGROUND: After the stroke, a number of changes occur in the neuromuscular system functions. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the water based exercise (WBE) program applied in combination with the land-based exercises (LBE) compared to LBE alone contributes to the stroke patients' motor functions, walking, balance functions and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: In total, 60 patients participated in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. WBE therapy (3/week) + LBE (2/week) combination was applied to the patients in the study group (n = 30) for six weeks. LBE was applied to the control group (n = 30) 5/week for six weeks. Patients were evaluated before and after the treatment. Functional independence measurement, Berg balance scale, timed up and go test, and short form (SF) -36 assessment questionnaire were performed. RESULTS: Posttreatment results showed significant improvements in all of the parameters (except SF - 36 pain parameter) in both groups. The improvement in the vitality parameter of SF-36 was higher in the study group (p < 0.05), and improvement in the BBS was significantly higher in the LBE group than the WBE group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Applying WBE together with the LBE (except SF-36 vitality sub-parameter) in patients with hemiplegia did not make any additional contribution to the application of LBE alone.

Does the Use of Electrotherapies Increase the Effectiveness of Neck Stabilization Exercises for Improving Pain, Disability, Mood, and Quality of Life in Chronic Neck Pain?: A Randomized, Controlled, Single-Blind Study.

STUDY DESIGN: This study was a prospective, randomized, controlled study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or interferential current (IFC) increase the effectiveness of neck stabilization exercises (NSEs) on pain, disability, mood and quality of life for chronic neck pain (CNP). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Neck pain is one of the three most frequently reported complaints of the musculoskeletal system. Electrotherapies, such as IFC and TENS, have been applied solo or combined with exercise for management of neck pain; however, the efficacy of these combinations is unclear. METHODS: A total of 81 patients with CNP were included in this study. Patients were randomly assigned into three groups regarding age and gender. First group had NSE, second group had TENS and NSE, and third group had IFC and NSE. Pain levels [visual analogue scale (VAS)], limits of cervical range of motion (ROM), quality of life (short form-36), mood (Beck depression inventory), levels of disability (Neck Pain and Disability Index), and the need for analgesics of all patients were evaluated before treatment, at 6th and 12th week follow-up. Physical therapy modalities were applied for 15 sessions in all groups. All participants had group exercise accompanied by a physiotherapist for 3 weeks and an additional 3 weeks of home exercise program. RESULTS: According to the intragroup assessment, the study achieved its purpose of pain reduction, ROM increase, improvement of disability, quality of life, mood and reduction in drug use in all three treatment groups (P < 0.05). However, clinical outcomes at 6th and 12 th week had no significant difference among the three groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: TENS and IFC therapies are effective in the treatment of CNP patients. However, they have no additional benefit or superiority over NSE. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.