The immediate effect of neurodynamic techniques on jumping performance: A randomised double-blind study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neurodynamic techniques are used to restore neural functions. However, there are few studies about the effects on performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects on vertical jumping (VJ) and horizontal jumping (HJ) of 2 different tension loading techniques applied to young adults. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this randomised double-blind study, a total of 68 participants with a mean age of 21.31 ± 1.21 years were separated into 2 groups using the closed envelope system: the femoral nerve mobilization (FNM) group and the sciatic nerve mobilization (SNM) group. The FNM and SNM techniques were applied as 2 seconds stretching with 2 seconds resting for 10 repetitions. The VJ and HJ performance of the participants was evaluated before and after the interventions by a researcher blinded to the groups. RESULTS: The mean VJ performance before and after interventions was measured as 34.56 ± 7.80 cm and 35.89 ± 8.15 cm in the FNM group (p< 0.05) and 31.74 ± 8.31 cm and 32.76 ± 8.45 cm in the SNM group (p< 0.05). The effects of the techniques on HJ performance were not statistically significant (p> 0.05). There was no superiority between the techniques (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: The neurodynamic techniques were found to provide an immediate increase in VJ performance. Neurodynamic techniques are generally used in patient populations to improve treatment outcomes. According to these study results, neurodynamic techniques can be safely used to provide an immediate increase in performances of individuals with no lower extremity problems.

The effects of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications on physical and pulmonary functions: A case-control study.

AIMS: This study was planned to determine the effects of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications on physical and pulmonary functions. Methods: A total of 110 individuals aged 40-65 years were included in the study, 58 with type 2 DM (study group) and 52 without DM (control group). Physical activity level, functional capacity, pulmonary function, and comorbidity levels were compared between the groups. Results: The mean age of the individuals was 52.42 ± 5.88 years. Six-minute walk test distance was 507.2 ± 51.70 m in the study group and 532.23 ± 50.32 m in the control group (p < 0.05, Cohen's d = 0.49). The pulmonary function test results of the study and control groups were determined as forced vital capacity (FVC) (%): 99.17 ± 14.13 and 104.65 ± 16.01 (p > 0.05), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (%): 96.78 ± 14.43 and 99.73 ± 15.80 (p > 0.05), and FEV1/FVC ratio: 81.97 ± 4.62 and 80.16 ± 5.27 (p > 0.05), respectively. The Charlson Comorbidity Index scores of the study and control groups were 1.83 ± 0.82 and 0.12 ± 0.32 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Type 2 DM was associated with lower functional capacity and higher rates of comorbid diseases. Therefore, potential causes of these parameters should be considered in the rehabilitation of type 2 diabetic patients.

Postoperative respiratory muscle training in addition to chest physiotherapy after pulmonary resection: A randomized controlled study.

Purpose: The effects of preoperative respiratory muscle training (RMT) on postoperative complications in patients with pulmonary resection have recently attracted the attention of researchers. More studies are obviously needed to clarify the effects of RMT after pulmonary resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intense RMT in addition to chest physiotherapy after pulmonary resection in terms of respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, and length of hospital stay rather than postoperative complications. Methods: Forty subjects undergoing pulmonary resection were included in the study. Subjects were divided into two groups using a simple randomization method. The subjects in the study group (SG; n = 20) received RMT in addition to regular chest physiotherapy in the postoperative period. The subjects in the control group (CG; n = 20) received only regular chest physiotherapy. Respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure [PImax and PEmax]) was measured pre-postoperatively and before discharge, and exercise capacity, which was measured by the 6-min walk test (6MWT), was assessed preoperatively and before discharge. The length of hospital stay was also recorded. Results: There were no differences between groups in terms of demographic and surgical characteristics. The nonsignificant change of PImax from the preoperative to the discharge value was 65.1 ± 15.5 to 68.2 ± 19.2 cmH2O in SG and 59.2 ± 13.7 to 44.3 ± 14.8 cmH2O in CG (p > 0.05, p > 0.05, respectively). The change of PEmax from the preoperative to the discharge value was 80.4 ± 24.9 to 81.5 ± 24.9 cmH2O in SG (nonsignificant) and 85.4 ± 38.2 to 61.3 ± 25.4 cmH2O in CG (p > 0.05, p = 0.002, respectively). There was a significant difference between SG and CG in terms of RMT effect (PImax: 11.05 [21.84; 0.25] cmH2O p = 0.045; PEmax: 25.23 [42.83; 7.62] cmH2O p = 0.006). A significant difference was found in the 6MWT when the mean differences were compared between the groups (85.72 [166.15; 5.28] m p = 0.037). The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the SG (number of days for SG 9.1 ± 3 and for CG 12.9 ± 4.2 [p = 0.002]). Conclusion: The addition of RMT to chest physiotherapy after pulmonary resection can have positive effects on respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, and length of hospital stay.

A study on the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Clinical Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease negatively affecting health-related quality of life. The related scales in Turkish are limited in number and generalizability. OBJECTIVE: To perform validity and reliability studies of the Turkish version of the Clinical Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Questionnaire (CCQ). METHODS: This study was conducted at the Department of Chest Diseases, with 100 volunteer COPD patients with a mean age of 67.72 ± 9.78 years. After obtaining the necessary permission, translation procedures were applied for Turkish cultural adaptation. Finally, a single Turkish translation was created, and this questionnaire was evaluated by linguists. Incomprehensible items were corrected in a pilot study. Baseline and test-retest measurements after two weeks were performed. Internal consistency analysis was made for validity, and correlations were calculated with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale and Respiratory Function Tests (RFTs). RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha value was found to be 0.90 for the first obtained data and 0.91 for the second obtained data. There was similarity at the rate of 0.97 between the first and second measurements in terms of total scores of the CCQ. The questionnaire significantly correlated with the SF-36, mMRC and RFTs (-0.85 ⩽r⩽ 0.69, p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As a result of this study, the Turkish version of CCQ was determined to be reliable and valid. The CCQ is an easy-to-use questionnaire in terms of application-calculation and can be safely used for the clinical assessment and monitoring of patients.

Relationship between fear avoidance beliefs and burnout syndrome in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

OBJECTIVES: Lumbar disc herniation leads to disability by restricting of patients' lives and reducing their quality of life. This situation causes a decrease in motivation of patients by triggering depressive mood. Therefore, the aim of the study was investigation of correlation between fear avoidance beliefs and burnout syndrome in patients with lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: Totally forty-seven patients (24 male and 23 female patients) diagnosed lumbar disc herniation was included in this study. Maslach II Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) for determining of levels of burnout and fear avoidance level were used, respectively. RESULTS: It was observed that MBI and FABQ scores of the patients were 50.78 ± 10.07 and 36.61 ± 13.91, respectively. Moderate level correlation was found between FABQ and MBI total scores (r= 0.49, p= 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: Fear avoidance beliefs of patients with chronic back pain can affect level of burnout syndrome. Therefore, symptoms of burnout syndrome and fear avoidance beliefs of patients should be considered in evaluation and treatment process.

Presentation of a Humeral Shaft Fracture Treated by Locked Intramedullary Nailing With Unlocked Technique.

INTRODUCTION: Although intramedullary nailing (IMN) is used in a reamed or unreamed fashion for treatment of long bone fractures, the locked nails may also be used in the unlocked form if so decided by the orthopedic surgeon. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 50-year-old man who had a shaft fracture of his right humerus. The fracture was treated with a reamed, locked IMN using unlocked technique. CONCLUSIONS: The functional outcome 22 months post injury showed that although primary treatment method uses locked IMN in humeral shaft fractures, unlocked IMN can be used in appropriate cases. Less injury risk to the axillary and radial nerve, short period of surgery, and less radiation can be considered as advantages of this technique.

A comparison of the effects of hatha yoga and resistance exercise on mental health and well-being in sedentary adults: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Physical activity has a positive effect on people's mental health and well-being. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of hatha yoga and resistance exercises on mental health and well-being in sedentary adults. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. METHODS: Fifty-one participants aged mean (SD) 25.6 (5.7) years were randomly divided into three groups: Hatha Yoga Group, Resistance Exercise Group and Control Group. The Hatha Yoga Group and Resistance Exercise Group participated in sessions three days per week for 7 weeks and the Control Group did not participate in any sessions. All the subjects were evaluated through the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Body Cathexis Scale, Nottingham Health Profile and Visual Analog Scale for fatigue pre-and post-session. RESULTS: Significant improvements were found in terms of all outcome measures in the Hatha Yoga Group and the resistance exercise group. No improvements were found in the Control Group. Hatha yoga more improved the dimensions fatigue, self-esteem, and quality of life, whilst resistance exercise training more improved body image. Hatha yoga and resistance exercise decreased depression symptoms at a similar level. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that hatha yoga and resistance exercise had positive effects on mental health and well-being in sedentary adults. Hatha yoga and resistance exercise may affect different aspects of mental health and well-being.

Comparison of patients with different pathologies in terms of shoulder protraction and scapular asymmetry.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to compare cases with different shoulder and cervical pathologies in terms of shoulder protraction and scapular asymmetry. [Methods] A total of 216 patients, aged between 30-70 years, were included, 108 of which were in the patient group (subacromial impingement, rotator cuff problems, adhesive capsulitis, disc herniations) and 108 of which were in the control group. The control group consisted of cases with no prior neck and shoulder problems or pain. Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS); the asymmetry of scapula was evaluated using the Lateral Scapular Slide Test (LSST) with two additional positions; and the protraction of the scapula was evaluated using the shoulder protraction test. [Results] According to the data obtained, the affected side scapular asymmetry and protraction in the patient group were significantly greater than in the control group. When the patient groups were compared in terms of different pathologies, there were no differences between scapular asymmetry and shoulder protraction. [Conclusion] In conclusion, the pathologies of the neck and shoulder were found to cause scapular asymmetry and shoulder protraction. However, patients with different pathologies had similar scapular asymmetry and shoulder protraction.

Determining the pain-affecting factors of university students with nonspecific low back pain.

[Purpose] This study was conducted on university students with nonspecific low back pain in order to determine the independent variables that affect their pain. [Methods] A total of 514 students were included in this study. Pain was evaluated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). A special form was prepared in order to evaluate the following independent variables: gender, weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), working periods sitting straight (television, computer, seminar, etc.), working periods bending at a table (reading, writing, etc.), using lumbar support while sitting, the mean duration of pain within the last one year, type of pain, time of the pain, faculty, class, physical activity habits and smoking. The collected data were evaluated using the CHAID (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection) analysis method. [Results] The working hours bending at a table, physical activity, height, weight, BMI and educational departments were found not to affect the severity of the pain. The pain severity was affected by the duration of pain complaints within the last one year, the duration of working staying upright, smoking, classes, usage of lumbar support and age variables. [Conclusions] The results of this study show that nonspecific low back pain of university students is affected by many factors such as smoking, class, age, using a computer and lumbar support.

Peripheral neuropathy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of peripheral nervous system involvement in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its relation with proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, IGF-1 and CRP. Forty chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with a mean age 62.8 +/- 5.5 years and 33 healthy controls with a mean age of 61.8 +/- 7.4 were included into this study. All subjects were evaluated with standard motor and sensory nerve conduction studies. Serum TNF-alpha, IL-6, CRP and IGF-1 were measured. The muscle strengths of three muscle groups (knee extensors, shoulder abductors and flexors) were assessed with a hand-held dynamometer. Peripheral neuropathy was detected at 15% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Ulnar motor and sensory nerves, left sural nerve distal latencies were found significantly prolonged than healthy volunteers (p = 0.011), peroneal nerve conduction velocities was found lower in patients than in healthy controls (p = 0.021), tibial nerve amplitudes was found lower in patients than healthy controls (p = 0.046). CRP and TNF-alpha were found significantly higher in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and IGF-1 was found significantly lower in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. There was no correlations between proinflammatory cytokines, CRP and electrophysiological findings. Left sural nerve's sensory nerve action potential amplitude was correlated positively with FEV(1)% (r = 0.425; p = 0.009). Muscle strength at the shoulder and knee were significantly reduced in patients with COPD when compared with controls. The frequency of neuropathy was higher in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease when compared with the healthy controls. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients have subclinical peripheral nerve involvements.