Applying the WHO ICF framework to long COVID patients with persistent respiratory symptoms.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate long COVID patients with persistent respiratory symptoms through the application of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. Patients and methods: This national, prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted with 213 patients (118 females, 95 males; median age 56 years; range, 20 to 85 years) with long COVID between February 2022 and November 2022. The ICF data were primarily collected through patient interviews and from the acute medical management records, physical examination findings, rehabilitation outcomes, and laboratory test results. Each parameter was linked to the Component Body Functions (CBF), the Component Body Structures (CBS), the Component Activities and Participation (CAP), the Component Environmental Factors (CEF), and Personal Factors according to the ICF linking rules. Analysis was made of the frequency of the problems encountered at each level of ICF category and by what percentage of the patient sample. Results: In the ICF, 21 categories for CBF, 1 category for CBS, and 18 categories of CAP were reported as a significant problem in a Turkish population of long COVID patients with persistent respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, eight categories for CEF were described as a facilitator, and four as a barrier. Conclusion: These results can be of guidance and provide insight into the identification of health and health-related conditions of long COVID patients with persistent respiratory symptoms beyond the pathophysiological aspects, organ involvement, and damage of COVID-19. The ICF can be used in patients with long COVID to describe the types and magnitude of impairments, restrictions, special needs, and complications.

Why do manuscripts submitted to the Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation get rejected?

Objectives: The study aimed to examine the reasons for the rejection of manuscripts, considering the increased rejection rates of our journal of up to 73% in 2022, and help authors realize what the editors and referees are paying attention to while assessing the manuscript. Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, original articles, case reports, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses submitted and rejected to the Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation were searched between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2022. After reviewing the referee's evaluations and editorial opinions for all rejected articles, the reasons for rejection were classified under three main headings: journal, manuscript, and ethical issues. The manuscript issues were detailed under 11 subheadings. Results: A total of 1,293 rejected submissions were reviewed. Of these, 35% were rejected at the editorial stage, while 65% were rejected after peer review. Thirty-three submissions were rejected for ethical reasons, 168 were out of the journal's field of interest, and 1,092 (84%) submissions were rejected for reasons related to the manuscript. The three most common reasons for rejection were protocol/methodology errors (44%), lack of contribution to the literature (41%), and lack of adequate discussion (40%). Conclusion: Before starting the studies, supporting the hypotheses with the current literature review, planning with the right protocol, and interpreting the findings in the discussion will facilitate the acceptance of the manuscripts to our journal.

Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome by low-level laser therapy versus corticosteroid injection: a randomized, prospective clinical study.

To compare the effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) and corticosteroid injection in patients with moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Eighty-seven patients (143 wrists) with moderate CTS were randomized to the corticosteroid or LLLT groups. 40 mg of triamcinolone acetate solution was applied to carpal tunnel of 44 patients (74 wrist). LLLT was applied to 43 patients (70 wrist) five times a week, for a total of 15 sessions (fluence of 6 j/cm2 for 1 min per point at a wavelength of 830 nm). Outcome measures were numbness and pain, QuickDASH questionnaire, grasping tests, Tinel and Phalen tests, electrophysiological tests and MRI evaluations, which were tested at the baseline and 1st and 6th months after the treatment. Eighty patients (133 wrists) completed the study at the end of 6 months. VAS and Quick DASH scores were better in the corticosteroid group in the 1st month, but there were no significant differences between groups in the 6th month. Phalen and Tinel tests, strength tests, and motor distal latency improved significantly and similarly in both groups at the 1st and 6th months. Sensory distal latency and sensory nerve conduction velocity showed significant improvements in the 1st and 6th months only in the corticosteroid group. In both groups, median nerve intensity rate and palmary spring rate improved significantly after the treatment. Based on this study, corticosteroid injection and LLLT groups showed statistically significant difference at the 1st month (short-term), whereas there was no significant difference at the 6th month (intermediate-term).

Evaluation of the physical and emotional effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with fibromyalgia and chronic low back pain: A multicenter cross-sectional controlled study.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the physical and emotional effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. Patients and methods: The cross-sectional controlled study was performed with 1,360 participants (332 males, 1,028 females; mean age: 42.3±12.5 years; range, 18 to 65 years) between September 2020 and February 2021. The participants were evaluated in three groups: the FMS group (n=465), the CLBP group (n=455), and the healthy control group (n=440). Physical activity, pain levels, and general health status before and during the pandemic were evaluated in all participants. Stress levels were analyzed with the perceived stress scale (PSS) in all groups, and disease activity was analyzed with the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) in patients with FMS. Results: Patients with FMS had worsened general health status and pain levels during the pandemic compared to the other groups (p<0.01). The FMS group showed significantly higher PSS scores than those in other groups (p<0.01). There was a weak-positive correlation between FIQ and PSS parameters in patients with FMS (p<0.05, r=0.385). Conclusion: The general health status, pain, and stress levels of the patients with FMS and CLBP tended to worsen during the pandemic. This high-stress level appeared to affect disease activity in patients with FMS.

Prevalence, etiology, and biopsychosocial risk factors of cervicogenic dizziness in patients with neck pain: A multi-center, cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the prevalence, etiology, and risk factors of cervicogenic dizziness in patients with neck pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2016 and April 2018, a total of 2,361 patients (526 males, 1,835 females; mean age: 45.0±13.3 years; range, 18 to 75 years) who presented with the complaint of neck pain lasting for at least one month were included in this prospective, cross-sectional study. Data including concomitant dizziness, severity, and quality of life (QoL) impact of vertigo (via Numeric Dizziness Scale [NDS]), QoL (via Dizziness Handicap Inventory [DHI]), mobility (via Timed Up-and-Go [TUG] test), balance performance [via Berg Balance Scale [BBS]), and emotional status (via Hospital Anxiety- Depression Scale [HADS]) were recorded. RESULTS: Dizziness was evident in 40.1% of the patients. Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) was the most common etiology for neck pain (58.5%) and accompanied with cervicogenic dizziness in 59.7% of the patients. Female versus male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 1.641, 95% CI: 1.241 to 2.171, p=0.001), housewifery versus other occupations (OR: 1.285, 95% CI: 1.006 to 1.642, p=0.045), and lower versus higher education (OR: 1.649-2.564, p<0.001) significantly predicted the increased risk of dizziness in neck pain patients. Patient with dizziness due to MPS had lower dizziness severity scores (p=0.034) and milder impact of dizziness on QoL (p=0.005), lower DHI scores (p=0.004), shorter time to complete the TUG test (p=0.001) and higher BBS scores (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a significant impact of biopsychosocial factors on the likelihood and severity of dizziness and association of dizziness due to MPS with better clinical status.

Mechanical Traction for Lumbar Radicular Pain: Supine or Prone? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of mechanical lumbar traction either in the supine or in the prone position with conventional physical therapy (PT) in patients with chronic low back pain and lumbosacral nerve root involvement in terms of disability, pain, and mobility. DESIGN: Participants (N = 125) were randomly assigned to receive 15 sessions of PT with additional mechanical lumbar traction either in the supine position (supine traction group) or in the prone position (prone traction group) or only PT without traction (PT only group). Patients were assessed at baseline and at the end of the PT sessions in terms of disability, pain, and mobility. Disability was assessed using the modified Oswesty Disability Index; pain was assessed using a visual analog scale, and lumbar mobility was assessed using the modified lumbar Schober test. RESULTS: One hundred eighteen patients completed the trial. All groups improved significantly in the Oswesty Disability Index, visual analog scale, and modified lumbar Schober test (P < 0.05). In the between-group analysis, improvements of Oswesty Disability Index and visual analog scale were found significantly better in the prone traction group compared with the PT only group (adjusted P = 0.031 and 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of traction in the prone position to other modalities resulted in larger immediate improvements in terms of pain and disability, and the results suggest that when using traction, prone traction might be first choice. Further research is needed to confirm the benefits of lumbar traction in the prone position.

Restless legs syndrome in children with allergic rhinitis: A comparative study on frequency, severity and sleep quality.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the frequency and severity of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and its relationship with sleep quality in children with allergic rhinitis (AR) with the hypothesis that comorbid RLS may be an additional causative factor of sleep disturbances in pediatric AR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 143 children with AR (aged 8-18 years) and 144 healthy control subjects (aged 8-18 years) were included. The diagnosis of AR was established on history, clinical examination and skin prick test according to the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma guidelines. Presence of RLS was determined using the International RLS study group (IRLSSG) criteria. The severity of RLS was assessed using the IRLSSG rating scale. Sleep quality was evaluated by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS: Thirteen patients (9.1%) in AR group, and six children (4.2%) in control group had RLS (p=0.159). The frequency of RLS in AR group was higher than two folds when compared to the control group; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Restless legs syndrome severity score was significantly higher in AR group than control group (15.00 [11-20] and 11.00 [10-16] respectively, p=0.046). Total PSQI scores were similar between groups. Also, no significant differences were observed in total PSQI scores of AR patients with or without RLS. CONCLUSION: Restless legs syndrome was not more common but was more severe in children with AR. There was no evidence that RLS has an obvious effect on sleep quality in children with AR.

The effects of two different low level laser therapies in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two different laser therapy regimens on pain, lumbar range of motions (ROM) and functional capacity in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS: Forty nine patients with CLBP were randomly assigned into two groups. Group 1 (n= 20) received hot-pack + laser therapy 1 (wavelength of 850 nm Gallium-Aluminum-Arsenide (Ga-Al-As) laser); group 2 (n= 29) received hot-pack + laser therapy 2 (wavelength of 650 nm Helyum-Neon (He-Ne), 785 ve 980 nm Gal-Al-As combined plaque laser) for 15 sessions. Pain severity, patient's and physician's global assessments were evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS). Modified Schober test, right and left lateral flexion measurements were done. Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ) was used for evaluation of functional disability. Measurements were done before and after the treatment. RESULTS: After treatment there were statistically significant improvements in pain severity, patient's and physician's global assessment, ROM and MODQ scores in both groups (P< 0.05). After the treatment there were statistically significant differences between the groups in lateral flexion measurements and MODQ scores (P< 0.05) except in pain severity, Modified Schober test, patient's and physician's global assessments (P> 0.05) in favor of those patients who received combined plaque laser therapy (group 2). CONCLUSION: Laser therapy applied with combined He-Ne and Ga-Al-As provides more improvements in lateral flexion measurements and disability of the patients, however no superiority of the two different laser devices to one another were detected on pain severity.

Adaptation of Turkish version of the questionnaire Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH) in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH) scale in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Sixty nine patients with idiopathic CTS were included. The Quick DASH questionnaire consists of three subscales including disability/symptom, and work and sports/performing arts. Quick DASH was administered after translation process to subjects twice a week for testing reliability. The validity was based on correlating Quick DASH with the Boston Questionnaire, visual analogue scale-pain (VAS-pain), and pinch and grip strength tests. Reliability of the Turkish version of the Quick DASH scale was very good with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.84 for disability/symptom subscale, 0.937 for work subscale, and 0.926 for sports/performing arts subscale) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.931 for disability/symptom subscale, 0.925 for work subscale, and 0.779 for sports/performing arts subscale). The disability/symptom subscale had moderate correlations with the VAS-pain and grip strength test and good correlation with the pinch strength test. The work subscales had moderate correlations with VAS-pain, and pinch and pinch grip strength tests. A high correlation was found between the disability/symptom and work subscales with Boston symptom severity and Boston functional status subscores. The Turkish version of Quick DASH was reliable and valid for evaluating symptoms and functional disability in patients with CTS. Our results suggest that Quick DASH could be preferred as it is a simple and easy scale to use.

Comparison of three different approaches in the treatment of chronic low back pain.

Our aim is to investigate the effects of three therapeutic approaches in the chronic low back pain on pain, spinal mobility, disability, psychological state, and aerobic capacity. Sixty patients with chronic low back pain were randomized to three groups: group 1, aerobic exercise + home exercise; group 2, physical therapy (hot pack, ultrasound, TENS) + home exercise; group 3, home exercise only. Spinal mobility, pain severity, disability, and psychological disturbance of the patients were assessed before and after the treatment and at 1-month follow-up. Aerobic capacities of the patients were measured before and after treatment. All of the groups showed similar decrease in pain after the treatment and at 1-month follow-up, and there was no significant difference between the groups. In group 2, a significant decrease in Beck Depression Inventory scores was observed with treatment. At 1-month follow-up, group 1 and 2 showed significant decreases in General Health Assessment Questionnaire scores. In group 2, there was also a significant improvement in Roland Morris Disability scores. There were similar improvements in exercise test duration and the MET levels in all the three groups. All of the three therapeutic approaches were found to be effective in diminishing pain and thus increasing aerobic capacity in patients with chronic low back pain. On the other hand, physical therapy + home exercise was found to be more effective regarding disability and psychological disturbance.