Does hot pack application change the morphology of the median and ulnar nerves?

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effect of the hot pack application on the morphology of healthy median and ulnar nerves. Patients and methods: Between August 2021 and September 2022, a total of 54 healthy volunteers (17 males, 37 females; mean age: 31.9±9.4 years; range, 21 to 63 years) were included in the study. The cross-sectional area (CSA) and depth of the right median and ulnar nerve were measured using ultrasonography before and after 20-min hot pack application. The right median nerve CSA and depth from the level of the scaphoid bone (at the level of the carpal tunnel) and from the mid-forearm were also measured. The right ulnar nerve CSA and depth from the level of the hook of hamate and the mid-forearm were evaluated. The depth measurements between the skin and the outer hyperechoic border of the nerve were performed. Results: After the hot pack application, there was an increase in both the median nerve CSA at the carpal tunnel (from 0.06±0.01 to 0.09±0.02 cm2 ) and forearm (from 0.06±0.02 to 0.09±0.02 cm2 ) levels (p<0.001) and the ulnar nerve CSA at the hook of hamate (from 0.04±0.03 to 0.06±0.01 cm2 ) and forearm (0.05±0.01 to 0.08±0.02 cm2 ) levels (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was observed between the pre- and post-application depth measurements (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our study results show that the hot pack application leads to acute swelling of the median and ulnar nerves. In future studies, the relationship between morphological changes in healthy and pathological nerves and electrodiagnostic findings should be investigated.

Does manual lymphatic drainage improve upper extremity functionality in female patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis? A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the effect of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) on upper extremity functionality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine female patients diagnosed with RA who were in remission were included in the study. The study group included 19 participants (mean age 50.63 ± 9.83 years), the control group included 20 participants (mean age 55.05 ± 5.89 years). The patients were randomized into two groups as home exercise program plus MLD and home exercise program alone. Both groups received treatment for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was pressure pain threshold (PPT). The patients were evaluated using the PPT, visual analog scale (VAS), hand-wrist joint range of motion examination, hand dynamometer and pinchmeter measurements, and the Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life Scale before the interventention and at the end of the 4th week. RESULTS: The PPT evaluated at the thumbnail, wrist, and trapezius significantly increased in the study group after treatment (p < .001, p = .001, and p < .001, respectively). MLD was found to significantly increase the PPT at the thumbnail compared with home exercise program (p = .047). The VAS score significantly decreased in the study group (p = .011). The level of increase in radial deviation was statistically higher in the study group (p = .004). CONCLUSION: Manual lymphatic drainage had a positive effect on pain, PPT, and range of motion in RA patients in remission. MLD can be added to medical and other conservative treatments in RA patients.

Is virtual reality training superior to conventional treatment in improving lower extremity motor function in chronic hemiplegic patients?

Objectives: This study aims to examine the effect of virtual reality (VR) training, frequently included in rehabilitation programs, on lower extremity functional status, mobility, balance, and walking speed in chronic stroke patients. Patients and methods: This randomized, controlled study was conducted with 60 chronic stroke patients (26 males, 34 females; mean age: 64.0 years; range, 33 to 80 years) who presented to the physical therapy and rehabilitation outpatient clinic of the Kütahya Health Sciences University Evliya Çelebi Training and Research Hospital between February 2019 and February 2020. The participants were randomized to the VR group and the control group by simple randomization with 1:1 allocation. The VR group received 30 min of VR training and 30 min of conventional physiotherapy, while the control group received 60 min of conventional physiotherapy. The patients were evaluated before and after treatment using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI), 10-m walk test (10MWT), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results: The FMA-LE, RMI, 10MWT, and BBS scores significantly improved in both groups after treatment (p<0.001). The post-treatment change in the FMA-LE score was significantly higher in the VR group than in the control group (Z=-3.560, p<0.001). Similarly, the change in the BBS score was significantly higher in the VR group (Z=-3.769, p<0.001). Post-treatment changes in the RMI and 10MWT were not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Virtual reality training combined with conventional physiotherapy was found to be superior to conventional physiotherapy alone in improving lower extremity functional status in chronic stroke patients; therefore, adding a VR component to rehabilitation programs will have a favorable impact on treatment outcomes.

Relationship between shoulder ultrasound findings and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether shoulder ultrasound (US) findings were associated with disease activity and pain level in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Patients and methods: Between April 2019 and November 2019, a total of 60 shoulders of 30 female patients with RA (mean age: 53.8±12.0 years; range, 30 to 65 years) were included. The patients were questioned about shoulder pain and their Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) was estimated. After clinical examination with shoulder impingement tests, both shoulders were evaluated by US. Results: Of 60 shoulders examined by shoulder US, the most common shoulder pathology was supraspinatus tendinopathy (n=33, 55%). The prevalence of subdeltoid bursitis on US was significantly higher in the group with moderate disease activity, compared to the group with low disease activity (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the physical examination findings of patients with low and moderate disease activity. In terms of US findings, subscapularis tendinopathy, glenohumeral joint and acromioclavicular joint degeneration, and subacromial bursitis were more common in shoulders with a history of pain, compared to non-painful shoulders. Conclusion: Shoulder US may be useful for demonstrating shoulder involvement in patients with RA, independent of the presence of shoulder pain.

Does remission in rheumatoid arthritis bring kinesiophobia, quality of life, fatigue, and physical activity closer to normal?

Objectives: This study aimed to compare kinesiophobia, fatigue, physical activity, and quality of life (QoL) between the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in remission and a healthy population. Patients and methods: The prospective controlled study included 45 female patients (mean age: 54.22±8.2 year; range, 37 to 67 year) with a diagnosis of RA determined to be in remission according to the Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints (DAS28) being ≤2.6 between January 2022 and February 2022. As a control group, 45 female healthy volunteers (mean age: 52.2±8.2 year; range, 34 to 70 year) of similar age were evaluated. The QoL, disease activity, pain, kinesiophobia, fatigue severity, and physical activity were assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire, DAS28, Visual Analog Scale, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Fatigue Severity Scale, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire, respectively. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in demographic data. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of pain, C-reactive protein level, fatigue, kinesiophobia, QoL, and total, high, and moderate physical activity scores (p<0.001). Among the RA patients in remission, there was a significant correlation between kinesiophobia and moderate physical activity and QoL, as well as between fatigue and high physical activity (p<0.05). Conclusion: Patient education and multidisciplinary approach strategies should be developed to increase the QoL and physical activity and reduce kinesiophobia in RA patients in remission since there may be a decrease in physical activity due to kinesiophobia, fatigue, and fear of movement in this patient group compared to the healthy population, impairing their QoL.

Role of paraspinal mapping before transforaminal epidural injections for lumbar radiculopathy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate whether electromyography (EMG) including paraspinal mapping (PM) and specific clinical findings before the injection have a predictive role on the results in patients undergoing unilateral transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, a total of 46 patients (19 males, 17 females; mean age: 44.0±10.8 years; range, 23 to 60 years) with unilateral L5 root compression confirmed by physical examination, EMG and lumbar MRI between March 2013 and January 2014 were included. The patients underwent L5 TFESI. After the injection, they were examined at 1 h, three weeks, and three months. RESULTS: The clinical findings and presence of acute involvement on EMG were not predictive for TFESI results; however, the patients with lower scores for the L5 segment in PM benefited more from the injection, compared to patients with higher scores for the L5 segment in PM. CONCLUSION: In patients with very clearly defined L5 radiculopathy, PM EMG can give us an idea about the effectiveness of L5 TFESI.

Modified constraint-induced movement therapy during hospitalization in children with perinatal brachial plexus palsy: A randomized controlled trial.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective single-blind, randomized controlled study. INTRODUCTION: Children with perinatal brachial plexus palsy (PBPP) have motion limitations in the affected upper extremity. Modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) is one of the treatment options used for the improvement of the function of the affected limb. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of mCIMT and conventional therapy in improving active range of motion (ROM) and functional use of the affected upper extremity in children with PBPP with injuries to upper and middle trunks in the hospital environment. MATERIALS: 26 patients received conventional rehabilitation program (control group) and 13 patients participated in a mCIMT program (study group). Children had a mean age 56.3 months (range 4-10 years). The mCIMT included 1 hour therapy sessions emphasizing the affected arm use for 14 consecutive days during hospitalization. Their normal arm was also constrained for 6 hour per day. All the patients were assessed at the baseline, one day, one month, and three months after completion of therapy using active ROM, active movement scale, hand dynamometer, box and blocks test. RESULTS: The mCIMT group improved more than the control group in shoulder internal rotation, forearm supination, elbow flexion active ROMs, hand grip strength, and in upper extremity function. CONCLUSION: mCIMT has a potential to promote functional gains for children with PBPP; this approach should be widely applied within routine clinical practice.