Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of Illness Cognition Questionnaire.

Background: This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability characteristics of the Illness Cognition Questionnaire (ICQ). Methods: A total of 205 patients who had pain related to chronic musculoskeletal diseases were referred to the study. In order to test the validity, Short Disease Perception Scale (SDPS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered together with the ICQ. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to measure the construct validity of the ICQ, and convergent and divergent validities were evaluated using Pearson correlation analysis. In order to achieve the test-retest reliability of the questionnaire, 81 patients re-applied the questionnaire after two days. Cronbach's alpha internal consistency and test-retest reliability coefficients were calculated to determine the reliability level of the questionnaire. Results: The factor loadings of the ICQ helplessness subscale ranged from 0.784 to 0.853, the acceptance subscale ranged from 0.583 to 0.855, and the perceived benefits subscale ranged from 0.733 to 0.794. Internal consistency coefficients of the ICQ were found α = 0.929 for the helplessness subscale, α = 0.868 for the acceptance subscale, and α = 0.896 for perceived benefits subscale. The results of the analysis showed that there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the initial measurement of helplessness sub-scale and the retest helplessness subscale at 0.697 level (p < .05). A statistically significant positive correlation was determined between the test and the retest of acceptance sub-scale at 0.465 level (p < .05). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the first test of the perceived benefits sub-scale and the retest test at the 0.661 level. Conclusion: The Turkish version of the ICQ was found to be valid and reliable. It is a measurement tool that could be used easily in clinics because of its short application time and easy to understand. We think that ICQ which provides a new awareness in the perception of disease in Turkish society should be examined in different diseases and age groups.

The effects of Clinical Pilates exercises on patients with shoulder pain: A randomised clinical trial.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Clinical Pilates exercises on patients with shoulder pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients, experiencing shoulder pain continuously for at least four weeks were selected as study subjects. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, namely Clinical Pilates exercise (n = 17) group and conventional exercise (n = 16) group. The patients were treated for five days a week, the total treatment being carried out for 10 days. The assessment of pain and disability amongst the patients were done at the baseline and at the end of the treatment sessions, using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). RESULTS: The clinical Pilates exercise group showed a significant improvement in all scores used for assessment (p < 0.05), while the conventional exercise group demonstrated a significant improvement only in the SPADI total score (p < 0.05). A comparison of scores for the VAS, SPADI-Pain and SPADI-Total between the two groups, revealed a significant improvement in the Clinical Pilates exercise group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated by the study that Clinical Pilates exercise is an efficient technique for patients experiencing shoulder pain, as it helps reduce pain and disability among them.

Scapular resting position, shoulder pain and function in disabled athletes.

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that the number of disabled individuals participating in sports is increasing, there are only sparse reports in the literature concerning overuse injuries. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare scapular resting position, shoulder pain, and function in wheelchair basketball, amputee soccer, and disabled table tennis players. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. METHODS: A total of 63 disabled players from amputee soccer, wheelchair basketball, and disabled table tennis participated in our study. Scapular resting position was taken as primary outcome; pain and function were taken as secondary outcome measurements. Scapular resting position was evaluated with Lateral Scapular Slide Test. Visual Analog Scale was used for evaluating shoulder pain intensity. Quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand questionnaire were used to assess upper extremity function. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in shoulder pain, function, and scapular resting position in all groups (p < 0.05). Paired comparisons between amputee soccer and wheelchair basketball players and also amputee soccer and disabled table tennis showed difference for all measurement parameters (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: When the results are evaluated, it may be stated that amputee soccer players have better scapular resting position than other sports. Crutch usage may not negatively affect scapular resting position and perceived function as much as wheelchair usage. Exercise techniques for shoulder and resting position could be included in training programs of disabled athletes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Wheelchair/crutch usage is a risk, and special exercise techniques for shoulder and dyskinesis could be included in training programs to prevent injury. However, it may not just be important for wheelchair athletes, it may also be important for amputee soccer players. In particular, total upper extremity evaluations and exercises could be added within exercise programs.