Exploring the relationships between motor proficiency, independence and quality of life in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between autism severity, motor performance, independence in daily living skills and quality of life in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study included 31 participants, aged 13-18 years. Evaluations were made with the Gilliam Autistic Disorders Rating Scale-2 (GARS-2), Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2 Short Form (BOT-2-SF), Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM II), and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Motor performance of the participants was determined as below average according to the norms of BOT-2 SF, and were negatively correlated with GARS-2 at a moderate level (r = -0.61, p < 0.001), and a moderate negative correlation was determined between GARS-2 and WeeFIM II (r = -0.65, p < 0.001) and PedsQL (r = -0.61, p < 0.001). Independence in daily living skills (DLS) and autism severity were found to be significant predictors of PedsQL (R2 = 0.463, p < 0.05). Motor impairment still appears to be a missing piece of the puzzle for this age group. Promoting motor skill acquisition and independence could be a key factor in preventing the deterioration of physical health and improving quality of life in adolescents with ASD.

Exploring the Relationship of Pain, Balance, Gait Function, and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Hip and Knee Pain.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain is a common problem in older adults and can result in disability and suffering. Uncontrolled pain leads to diminished quality of life (QoL) and places a great financial burden on the healthcare system. AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of pain, balance, gait function, and QoL in older adults with hip and knee pain. DESIGN: This was a descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study included 111 older adults. Knee and hip pain was evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS). Balance and gait functions were evaluated using the Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUG) and the Tinetti Balance and Gait Test (TBGT). Health-related QoL was evaluated with the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). RESULTS: The TUG, pain, physical activity, and total NHP scores showed statistically significant differences between those with and without complaints of hip and knee pain (p < .05). Social isolation was more frequent in the older adults with knee pain (p < .05). Lower levels of performance were recorded in the TBGT for subjects with hip pain compared with those without hip pain (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Pain in the lower extremities can play an important role in the deterioration of QoL and loss of balance and gait function. Knee pain may affect gait performance and QoL more than hip pain. Nurses and physical therapists in nursing homes should have good knowledge of pain and regularly monitor undiagnosed pain conditions in the lower extremities of older adults.

Attitudes of students of health sciences towards the older persons.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare attitudes towards the elderly of Turkish students of various disciplines in health sciences at the level of associate and bachelor degree. METHODS: 685 students participated in this descriptive study. Data were collected with a questionnaire administered to the students and the Turkish version of Kogan's Attitudes Towards Old People Scale (KAOP). Statistical evaluation of the data was included in percentage, mean, median, t-test, and one-way variance analysis. RESULTS: The average age of the students was 20.91±2.25years, and mean and median scores of KAOP for these students were 131.21±14.403 and 130, respectively. The attitudes of physiotherapy students towards older people were better than students in other health disciplines (p<0.05), and there were no differences in the attitudes of health science students towards the older persons in eastern and western cities of Turkey (p<0.05). DISCUSSION: The attitudes of the health science professionals of tomorrow towards older people should be evaluated currently to be able to improve the provision of health care standards and to prevent possible negative beliefs and opinions in the future.

The effectiveness of video prompting on teaching aquatic play skills for children with autism.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of the video prompting procedure on teaching aquatic play skills and to determine the effects of aquatic exercise training on the motor performance of children with autism. DESIGN: A multiple probe design across behaviours was used and replicated across subjects for the instructional part of this study. Pretest-posttest design was applied for the exercise training part of this study. METHODS: Three children with autism were taught three aquatic play skills in a one-to-one training format. Aquatic play skills intervention and aquatic exercise training were performed separately throughout 12 weeks at three sessions per week, each lasting 1 h. The video prompting procedure was utilized for the instruction part of this study. RESULTS: Video prompting was effective in teaching aquatic play skills to children with autism. In addition, aquatic exercise training increased the total motor performance scores of all the participants after 12 weeks. According to the social validity results, the families gave positive feedback about the learned skills and movement capabilities of their children. CONCLUSION: Aquatic play skills and swimming pools are favoured for children with autism. This attractive intervention is recommended as a means to extend knowledge of leisure skills and motor development of children with autism.

The effects of inclusion class programmes on physical fitness for children with mental challenges.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of inclusion education programmes with special education programmes on physical fitness levels of children with mental challenges. METHODS: Participants were 69 elementary school students with mental challenges. Thirty-four children with a mean age of 12.3 ± 2.4 were included in an inclusion physical education programme with non-disabled peers. In addition, 35 children with a mean age of 12.1 ± 1.8 participated in a special class for children with mental challenges. Balance tests, grip strength and Brockport Physical Fitness Test (BPFT) were used to evaluate the physical fitness levels of children. RESULTS: Results indicated that physical fitness parameters; 20 metre shuttle run, push-up, trunk lift, vertical jump and balance test scores were significantly lower in children in the special class (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in BMI, calf skinfold thickness, grip strength in dominant hand, sit and reach test and modified Apley test (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The physical fitness level was better in children with mental challenges who were participating in an inclusion programme with non-disabled peers. Therefore, it is recommended for children with mental challenges to be part of an inclusion programme with their non-disabled peers.