Investigation of factors associated with static and dynamic balance in early-stage lung cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Balance impairment and falls are common among patients after cancer treatment. This study aimed to compare static and dynamic balance functions in lung cancer survivors (LCS) and healthy controls and to investigate the factors related to balance in LCS. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected from lung cancer patients whose treatment had been completed within the previous 3 months (n = 60) and age and gender-matched healthy controls (n = 60). Clinical characteristics and history of falls were recorded. Pulmonary function tests and measurements of respiratory muscle strength were performed. Dynamic and static balance, fear of falling, knee-extension strength, physical activity level, dyspnea, comorbidity, and quality of life (QoL) were assessed using the Time Up and Go Test, Single Leg Standing Test, the Fall Efficacy Scale-International, hand-held dynamometer, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Modified Medical Research Dyspnea Scale, the Charlson Comorbidity Index, and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Scale. RESULTS: LCS reported a higher fall rate and exhibited lower dynamic balance compared to controls (p < 0.05). The number of chemotherapy cycles, number of falls in the past year, fear of falling, perceived dyspnea, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (%), maximal inspiratory pressure (%), knee-extension strength, physical activity score, and QoL score related to physical function were correlated with balance function in LCS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LCS had a higher risk of falls and lower dynamic balance function which might be related to various clinical and physical parameters. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Identifying factors related to balance should be considered within the scope of fall prevention approaches for these patients.

Mid-term effects of two different Kinesio tape treatments in female patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: Randomized controlled ultrasonographic study.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the effect of Kinesio Tape (KT) applied differently in patients diagnosed with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) on acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and supraspinatus tendon (SsT) thickness using ultrasound (US) and its effect on pain, upper limb functional status and hand grip muscle strength in the short and mid-term. METHODS: The 90 patients diagnosed with unilateral SIS by clinical examination were randomized into 3 groups. In addition to exercise therapy, the deltoid in group 1 and the supraspinatus muscle in group 2 were taped from insertion to origin. Group 3, which was the control group, was applied 9 sessions of sham taping for 3 weeks. Cases were evaluated for AHD and SsT thickness, pain was evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), function with the Disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) and the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC), and hand grip strength (HGS) using a dynamometer before, and 3rd week and 3rd month after the KT application. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in all parameters in the short and mid-term intra group comparisons in Group 1 and 2 after taping (P < .05). In intergroup comparisons, significant improvement was achieved in all parameters in Group 1 and Group 2 in the mid and short term compared to the control group (P < .05). In comparison of Group 1 and Group 2, HGS in the short term (p: 0.07) and the SsT thickness in the short and mid-term (p: 0.36, p: 0.85) did not exhibit any difference. The improvement in all other parameters in group 1 was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The findings of our study provide definitive evidence for the effectiveness of KT treatment depending on the method of tape application employed.

Acute effect of kinesiology taping on muscle strength, tissue temperature, balance, and mobility in female patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

AIM: The data on the action mechanism of the kinesiology taping (KT) used to reduce pain and inflammation, provide mechanical support, and facilitate or inhibit muscles in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee are contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of KT treatment on muscle strength, tissue temperature, balance, and mobility in female patients diagnosed with OA of the knee. METHODS: Thirty-four female patients (age: 60.26 ± 6.51 years) who were diagnosed with Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 2 OA according to the American Rheumatology Association (ACR-1986) criteria were included in the study. Patients who were performed KT with the superior Y, inferior Y, and U strip techniques were evaluated before and 30 min after taping. Muscle strength was assessed with a handheld dynamometer, tissue temperature with a thermal camera, balance with a monoaxial balance platform, and mobility the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. RESULTS: After taping, there was a significant increase in the muscle strength during both extension and flexion (p<.001, p=.005). There was no statistically significant difference in the tissue temperature and balance scores before and after taping (p=.219, p>.05). There was a significant improvement in TUG scores, which evaluated mobility, after taping (p=.033). CONCLUSIONS: Although KT treatment seems to be ineffective on tissue temperature and balance in the short term in patients with OA of the knee, we are of the opinion that patients should be included in the treatment program due to its positive effects on muscle strength and mobility.

Comparison of the spinal characteristics, postural stability and quality of life in women with and without osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis leads to a series of problems such as postural impairment, poor balance. These problems may increase the risk of many problems such as falling and fracture. Therefore, detection of these problems is very important for prevention of these risks. The aim of this study was to compare the spine structure, postural stability and quality of life in women with and without osteoporosis. METHODS: Forty-five women diagnosed with osteoporosis and 45 women without osteoporosis were included. Postural structure was assessed by the New York Posture Rating (NYPR) and Valedo®Shape device, mobility and balance were assessed with the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and the ProKin 252 stabilometric assessment machine. The quality of life was assessed by the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis. RESULTS: In the sagittal plane, the thoracic angle was greater, spine length was shorter and spinal inclination angle was lower in osteoporotic patients with a significant difference (p < 0.05). The NYPR results of the osteoporotic group were significantly worse (p = 0.000). The cut-off point was 60° for the thoracic spinal curvature and 447 mm for the spine length. In the osteoporotic group, oscillation was higher in the open and closed eyes balances, the limit of stability was significantly lower and the TUG results were significantly worse (p < 0.05). The difference between quality of life was insignificant (p = 0.327). CONCLUSION: Osteoporosis has a negative effect on the posture and spine. It causes changes in the angles of the spine and affects the balance negatively. It will be important to consider posture and balance problems in preventive rehabilitation for avoidance of serious problems such as falling and fracture. In addition, further studies examining the changes caused by osteoporosis and the impact of these changes on the clinic are needed.

The relationship between pain severity, kinesiophobia, and quality of life in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain.

BACKGROUND: Kinesiophobia is an important problem that increases neck pain and causes it to become chronic. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the relationship between pain, quality of life, and kinesophobia in non-specific chronic neck pain. METHODS: In total 87 patients were included in the study. Pain was assessed with Visual Analog Scale (VAS), kinesiophobia with Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS), and quality of life with Health Status Questionnaire Short Form-36 (SF-36). RESULTS: The median age was 50 (40-59) years and the median complaint duration was 12 (8-48) months. The median value of VAS at rest was 4 (2-6) and the median value of VAS during the activity was 7 (5-8). The median TKS scores were 41 (39-45), the median SF-36 general health scores were 61 (45-75), and the median SF-36 mental health scores were 72 (52-80). There was a weak correlation between the TSK scores and gender, education level, and SF-36 general health scores (r= 0.206, p= 0.023; r=-0.235, p= 0.004; r= 0.236/p= 0.027 respectively). There was no relationship between kinesiophobia and the other variables. CONCLUSION: TSK scores showed a correlation with gender, education level, and SF-36 general health scores. We conclude that as the education level decreases, kinesophobia scores increase, and as kinesophobia scores increase, the quality of life decreases.

Comparison of different electrotherapy methods and exercise therapy in shoulder impingement syndrome: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the effects of different electrotherapy methods and exercise therapy on pain, function and quality of life in shoulder impingement syndrome. METHODS: Eighty-three patients (66 females, 17 males; mean age: 48.2 ± 7.33 years) with shoulder impingement syndrome were selected and 79 of them were randomly allocated into four groups. Group 1 (n = 19, mean age: 47.89 ± 7.12 years) was given hot pack and exercises, Group 2 (n = 20, mean age: 47.70 ± 6.51 years) was given hot packs, exercises and interferential current, Group 3 (n = 20, mean age: 48.50 ± 8.34 years) was given hot packs, exercises and TENS and Group 4 (n = 20, mean age: 48.55 ± 7.89 years) was given hot packs, exercises and ultrasound three times a week for four weeks. Assessments were made before treatment, right after it and three months after that using the visual analog scale (VAS), Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) outcome measures. RESULTS: At the fourth week and third month assessments, all groups showed significant improvements in terms of pain, DASH and SF-36 physical component scores (p < 0.05). In intragroup comparisons, a significant difference between pre- and post-treatment results was found only in SF-36 mental component scores of Group 2. No significant difference was observed between the groups in any stage of the study period (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Application of ultrasound, interferential current and TENS in addition to exercise therapy in shoulder impingement syndrome treatment had similar improvements in terms of pain, function and physical component of quality of life. However, interferential current treatment showed significantly better outcomes for the mental component of quality of life. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, Therapeutic study.