The Relationship of Gastrocnemius-Soleus Muscle Architecture with Balance and Functional Strength in Acute Stroke Patients.

Balance and functional impairment could occur due to the weakness of the gastrocsoleus muscles in acute stroke patients. This study was planned to determine the muscle architecture and its relationship to balance and functional strength functional ability in patients with acute stroke. A cross-sectional analysis of 22 stroke patients (68.59 ± 8.16) was performed in this study. Gastrocnemius muscle thickness and cross-sectional area were significantly greater on the non-paretic than on the paretic sides (p = 0.004, p = 0.005, respectively). Partial correlation analysis showed that soleus muscle thickness and cross-sectional area was significantly correlated with Berg Balance Scale, Single Leg Stance Test, Five Times Sit to Stand Test and Tandem test results in the paretic side (r = 0.49-0.77, p < 0.05). The gastrocnemius muscle thickness of the non-paretic side had a significant relationship with balance (r = 0.45-0.65, p < 0.05). The muscle thickness and cross-sectional area of the soleus muscle on the paretic sides was significantly related with the functional strength and balance after stroke. It may be beneficial to develop clinical assessment and intervention programs focusing on distal plantar flexor muscle groups in order to improve the functional status and balance.

Investigation of musculoskeletal disorders, physical activity level, sleep quality, and fatigue in health professionals with and without a history of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers belong to an occupational group that is at high risk during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The increased workload of healthcare workers and the accompanying psychosocial stress caused by the pandemic can affect musculoskeletal system disorders, physical activity status, sleep quality, and fatigue in this group. OBJECTIVE: To investigate musculoskeletal system disorders, physical activity level, sleep quality, and fatigue in healthcare workers with and without a COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 200 healthcare professionals aged 18-65 years with and without a history of COVID-19 were in the study. Data were collected between January and March 2021. A "Preliminary Evaluation Form", "Extended version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal System Questionnaire (NMQ-E)", "the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF)" and "the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used for data collection". RESULTS: It was determined that musculoskeletal system disorders did not differ significantly between healthcare workers with and without a COVID-19 history (p > 0.05). It was found that the number of people with problems in the low-back region was higher in those with a COVID-19 history (p = 0.002). In the sleep duration component, the scores of those who did not have a COVID-19 history were found to be significantly higher than those who did (p = 0.10). In other comparisons, it was determined that there was no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the number of people with problems in the low-back region was higher in those with a COVID-19 history. Those without a COVID-19 history had higher scores in sleep duration parameter.

Turkish Version, Validity and Reliability of the Lumbar Spine Instability Questionnaire.

AIM: To reveal the reliability and validity of the Turkish Lumbar Spine Instability Questionnaire for evaluating patients with lumbar instability and low back pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients with low back pain participated in the study. Test-retest and internal consistency analyses were used to assess the reliability of the questionnaire, and correlation analysis was used to determine its validity. For correlation analysis, the total scores of the Lumbar Spine Instability Questionnaire, Visual Analog Scale, Bournemouth Questionnaire, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire were compared. RESULTS: Reliability analysis showed that the internal consistency value of the questionnaire was 0.818, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value was 0.839. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the questionnaire had a good correlation with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (0.520) and a stronger correlation with the Visual Analog Scale (0.702), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (0.767), and Bournemouth Questionnaire (0.667). CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed that the Turkish version of the Lumbar Spine Instability Questionnaire is reliable and valid.

The reliability and validity of the Turkish version of Brunel Balance Assessment (BBA-T).

Background: The Brunel Balance Assessment Scale (BBA) is a valid, reliable scale for evaluating functional balance and mobility in patients with stroke. It should also be fast, simple, portable and inexpensive for use in clinical practice.Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of Brunel Balance Assessment (BBA-T) in post-stroke patients.Methods: One hundred and five stroke patients (49 female, 56 male) with a mean age of 65.45 ± 11.33 years were included. Standardize Mini-Mental Test (SMMT), BBA, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) and Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) were performed to the patients.Results: According to correlation analysis, a very strong relationship was found between first and second evaluation total BBA-T scores (r = 0.909). Cronbach's alpha coefficient was excellent. According to the Pearson correlation analysis performed to test inter-observer reliability, a very high correlation (r = 0.946) was observed among BBA total scores performed by the first and second physiotherapists. The BBA-T correlated with the BBS (r = 0.879), RMI (r = 0.862), and PASS (0.847). There was no floor observed for the BBA-T scale in this sample. However, the ceiling effect was found.Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that the Turkish version of BBA-T is a reliable and valid balance and mobility scale that can be used in the rehabilitation of stroke patients.