Does interferential current provide additional benefit to orthopedic rehabilitation for the patients with proximal humeral fractures? A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 80% of all proximal humeral fractures (PHFs) are non-displaced or minimally displaced fractures, which can be treated with conservative treatment. This study investigated the effect of interferential current (IFC) added to orthopedic rehabilitation on shoulder function, pain, and disability in patients with PHF. METHODS: This study was a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled conducted in physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic. Thirty-five patients were randomly separated into the IFC group (n = 18) and the sham group (n = 17). The orthopedic rehabilitation program was applied to all patients by the same physiotherapist three times a week for four weeks. Patients in the IFC group received the intervention for 20 minutes 3 times a week before the exercise. The same pads were performed for the sham group, but no electrical stimulation was applied. Constant-Murley score (CMS) for shoulder function, visual analog scale (VAS) activity pain, disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score, and paracetamol intake were recorded post-treatment, at 6 weeks and 18 weeks post-treatment. RESULTS: The demographic and fracture characteristics were not different between the groups. Significant differences were observed in the IFC and sham group in intragroup comparisons of total CMS, VAS activity pain, DASH score, and paracetamol intake over time (p < 0.001). Significant improvement over time was valid for all pairwise comparisons in both groups. However, no significant differences were detected between the IFC and sham group. CONCLUSION: IFC added to orthopedic rehabilitation could not appear to be an electrotherapy modality that could potentially benefit shoulder function and disability in patients with PHF.

2017 update of the Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) evidence-based recommendations for the management of knee osteoarthritis.

In a Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) project, evidence-based recommendations for the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) was developed for the first time in our country in 2012 (TLAR-2012). In accordance with developing medical knowledge and scientific evidence, recommendations were updated. The committee was composed of 22 physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists (4 have rheumatology subspeciality also) and an orthopaedic surgeon. Systematic literature search were applied on Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane and Turkish Medical Index for the dates between January the 1st 2012 and January the 29th of 2015. The articles were assessed for quality and classified according to hierarchy for the level of evidence, and the selected ones sent to committee members electronically. They were asked to develop new recommendations. In the meeting in 2015, the format of the recommendations was decided to be patient-based and considering the grade and the severity of the disease. By the discussion of the each item under the light of new evidences, the final recommendations were developed. Each item was voted electronically on a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS) and the strength of recommendation (SoR) was calculated. In the light of evidences, totally 11 titles of recommendations were developed; the first 7 were applicable to each patient in every stages of the disease, remaining were for defined specific clinical situations. The mean SoR value of the recommendations was between 7.44 and 9.93. TLAR-2012 recommendations were updated in a new format. We think that, present recommendations will be beneficial for the physicians who manage, as well as the patients who suffer from the disease.

Normative data for quantitative calcaneal ultrasonometry in Turkish children aged 6 to 14 years: relationship of the stiffness index with age, pubertal stage, physical characteristics, and lifestyle.

OBJECTIVES: Quantitative ultrasonometry is commonly used to assess bone health. The aim of this study was to define normative data for the stiffness index of the calcaneus in healthy Turkish children. METHODS: Quantitative ultrasonometric measurements of the calcaneus were obtained in 1617 healthy schoolchildren (811 boys and 806 girls) aged 6 to 14 years. RESULTS: The stiffness index increased by 19.3% and 12% in boys and girls, respectively. The greatest increases were seen in the age groups of 12 to 13 and 13 to 14 years in boys (3.9%) and 11 to 12 and 12 to 13 years in girls (4.1%). There was a significant increase in stiffness index values among all Tanner stages except stage 4 (P < .05). Although the stiffness index was related to age, weight, and height, no correlation was seen between the stiffness index and calcium intake or physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides stiffness index data by age group and Tanner stage that may be useful for assessment of the bone status of Turkish children and can serve as comparative data for other patient groups.

The association of RANK gene C421T and C575T polymorphisms with bone mineral density in postmenopausal Turkish women.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between C421T polymorphism within exon 4, C575T polymorphism within exon 6 of the RANK gene and bone mineral density (BMD) variations in postmenopausal Turkish women. METHODS: One hundred seventy-eight postmenopausal women (patients = 100 and controls = 78) who applied to Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, for osteoporosis examination were analyzed. BMDs of the lumbar spine and femoral sites were measured. Patient and control groups were established based on their T-score values being above and/or below -1. After venous blood sampling, C421T and C575T polymorphisms of the RANK gene were assessed through PCR process following DNA extraction. RESULTS: Genotype frequencies for the C421T and C575T polymorphisms were compared between the control group and the patient group. No significant difference was detected between the two groups for both polymorphisms. There was also no significant difference between the control and patient groups in terms of the combined genotype (p = 0.752) and the combined haplotype analysis of the C421T and C575T polymorphisms (p = 0.723). In the control and patient groups separately, no significant differences in BMD values either at the femoral sites or at the lumbar spine were detected between the combined genotypes of the two polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS: The genotypes, combined genotypes and allele frequencies of C421T and C575T polymorphisms of the RANK gene have not been found to be associated with BMD in Turkish women. Further studies including both sexes and more cases are required.

Correlation of clinical signs and magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with lumbar spondylosis.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to contribute further to this debated topic by investigating the correlation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with the clinical picture in lumbar spondylosis patients. Patients and methods: This multicenter retrospective study (as part of the epidemiological project of the TLAR-OASG [Turkish League Against Rheumatism-Osteoarthritis Study Group]) included 514 patients (101 males, 413 females; mean age: 63.6±10.8 years; range, 40 to 85 years) who were diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis by clinical examination and direct X-ray between December 2016 and June 2018. Demographic characteristics of patients, Visual Analog Scale for pain, presence of radiating pain, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire, straight leg raise test, deep tendon reflexes, neurogenic intermittent claudication symptoms, any decrease of muscle strength, and abnormality of sensation were recorded. Lumbar MRI findings of the patients were recorded as positive or negative in terms of disc herniation, intervertebral disc degeneration, root compression, osteophytes, spinal stenosis. Statistical analysis was done to assess the correlation between the clinical symptoms, physical examination, and MRI findings. Results: Correlation analysis of the MRI results and the clinical findings showed a significant correlation between straight leg raise test and root compression (p<0.001, r=0.328) and a significant correlation between neurogenic intermittent claudication and spinal stenosis (p<0.001, r=0.376). Roland-Morris disability questionnaire had a significant correlation with all MRI findings (p<0.05, r<0.200). Conclusion: The results of this study corroborate the notion that diligent patient history and physical examination are more valuable than MRI findings, even though a higher incidence of abnormal MRI findings have been obtained in patients with disability and dermatomal radiating pain.

Comparison of the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, interferential currents, and shortwave diathermy in knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind, randomized, controlled, multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), interferential currents (IFCs), and shortwave diathermy (SWD) against each other and sham intervention with exercise training and education as a multimodal package. DESIGN: A double-blind, randomized, controlled, multicenter trial. SETTING: Departments of physical medicine and rehabilitation in 4 centers. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=203) with knee osteoarthritis (OA). INTERVENTIONS: The patients were randomized by the principal center into the following 6 treatment groups: TENS sham, TENS, IFCs sham, IFCs, SWD sham, and SWD. All interventions were applied 5 times a week for 3 weeks. In addition, exercises and an education program were given. The exercises were carried out as part of a home-based training program after 3 weeks' supervised group exercise. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was a visual analog scale (0-100mm) to assess knee pain. Other outcome measures were time to walk a distance of 15m, range of motion, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Nottingham Health Profile, and paracetamol intake (in grams). RESULTS: We found a significant decrease in all assessment parameters (P<.05), without a significant difference among the groups except WOMAC stiffness score and range of motion. However, the intake of paracetamol was significantly lower in each treatment group when compared with the sham groups at 3 months (P<.05). Also, the patients in the IFCs group used a lower amount of paracetamol at 6 months (P<.05) in comparison with the IFCs sham group. CONCLUSIONS: Although all groups showed significant improvements, we can suggest that the use of physical therapy agents in knee OA provided additional benefits in improving pain because paracetamol intake was significantly higher in the patients who were treated with 3 sham interventions in addition to exercise and education.

The clinical, functional, and radiological features of hand osteoarthritis: TLAR-osteoarthritis multi-center cohort study.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the clinical, functional, and radiological features of hand osteoarthritis (OA) and to examine their relationships in different geographic samples of the Turkish population. Patients and methods: Between April 2017 and January 2019, a total of 520 patients (49 males, 471 females; mean age: 63.6±9.8 years) with hand OA were included in the study from 26 centers across Turkey by the Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR). The demographic characteristics, grip strengths with Jamar dynamometer, duration of hand pain (month), the severity of hand pain (Visual Analog Scale [VAS]), and morning stiffness were evaluated. The functional disability was evaluated with Duruöz Hand Index (DHI). The Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) OA scoring system was used to assess the radiological stage of hand OA. Results: The DHI had significant correlations with VAS-pain (r=0.367, p<0.001), duration of pain (r=0.143, p=0.001) and bilateral handgrip strengths (r=-0.228, p=0.001; r=-0.303, p<0.001). Although DHI scores were similar between the groups in terms of the presence of hand deformity (p=0.125) or Heberden's nodes (p=0.640), the mean DHI scores were significantly higher in patients with Bouchard's nodes (p=0.015). The total number of nodes had no significant correlations with the VAS-pain and DHI score (p>0.05). The differences between the groups of radiological hand OA grades in terms of age (p=0.007), VAS-pain (p<0.001), duration of pain (p<0.001), and DHI (p<0.001) were significant. There were no significant differences between radiological hand OA grades according to the duration of the stiffness, grip strength, and BMI (p>0.05 for all). Conclusion: In our population, the patients with hand OA had pain, functional disability, and weak grip strength. The functional impairment was significantly correlated with the severity of the pain, and the functional status was worse in high radiological hand OA grades.

Updated approach for the management of osteoporosis in Turkey: a consensus report.

As a result of the current demographics, increased projections of osteoporosis (OP) and prevalence of the disease in Turkey, a panel of multidisciplinary experts developed a thorough review to assist clinicians in identifying OP and associated fracture risk patients, diagnosing the disease with the appropriate available diagnostic methods, classifying the disease, and initiating appropriate treatment. The panel expects to increase the awareness of this prevalent disease, decrease consequences of OP with corresponding cost savings and, ultimately, decrease the overall burden of OP and related fractures in Turkey. BACKGROUND: OP is not officially accepted as a chronic disease in Turkey despite the high prevalence and predicted increase in the following years. However, there are areas where the country is performing well, such as having a country-specific fracture risk assessment model, DXA access, and the uptake of FRAX. Additional efforts are required to decrease the existing treatment gap estimating 75-90% of patients do not receive pharmacological intervention for secondary prevention, and the diagnosis rate is around 25%. METHODS: A selected panel of Turkish experts in fields related to osteoporosis was provided with a series of relevant questions to address prior to the multi-day conference. Within this conference, each narrative was discussed and edited by the entire group, through numerous drafts and rounds of discussion until a consensus was achieved. Represented in the panel were a number of societies including The Turkish Osteoporosis Society, The Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Turkey (SEMT), and The Turkish Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. RESULTS: Standardized general guidelines to identify OP and related fractures and at-risk population in Turkey, which will enable clinicians to accurately and effectively diagnose the disease, treat the appropriate patients with available pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments and decrease the burden of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: This manuscript provides a review of the current state of OP and related fractures in Turkey. Moreover, this manuscript reviews current international guidelines and national studies and proposes a number of helpful country-specific classifications that can be used by healthcare providers caring for the at-risk population. Additionally, the panel proposes practical recommendations that should be implemented nationally in order to decrease the burden of OP and related fractures and effectively preventing the burden in future generations.

Effect of dyspnea and clinical variables on the quality of life and functional capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure (CHF) are two chronic diseases that affect negatively the functional condition and quality of life of patients. We assessed the effect of symptoms and clinical variables on the functional capacity and quality of life in COPD and CHF patients. METHODS: The study included 42 COPD and 39 CHF patients. In both patient groups, dyspnea was assessed using Borg scale; functional capacity by shuttle-walk and cardiopulmonary exercise test and quality of life by short form-36 (SF36). RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in neither of the two disease groups regarding the dyspnea score, shuttle-walk test and the majority of subgroup scores of SF36 (P > 0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed in peak VO2 in favor of COPD group (P < 0.05). No significant relationship was established between dyspnea score and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in COPD patients, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in CHF patients (P > 0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between dyspnea score and functional capacity tests in both disease groups (P < 0.05). On the other hand, no relationship was found between LVEF and FEV1 and quality of life and functional capacity (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was revealed that symptoms have an impact on functional capacity and quality of life in both disease groups, however, objective indicators of disease severity do not show a similar relationship. Therefore, in addition to the objective data related to the disease, we recommend that symptoms should also be taken into consideration to assess cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program and during following-up.

The prevalence of generalized soft tissue rheumatic conditions in Turkish medical students.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of generalized soft tissue rheumatism (GSTR) in medical students in Izmir, Turkey. METHODS: Medical students from each grade of Medical School of Ege University, Izmir, Turkey, were evaluated by a survey and physical examination for GSTR including fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS), and chronic fatigue syndrome. FM Impact Questionnaire was assessed in FM diagnosed students. Short Form-36 (SF-36) was obtained from each student to determine the quality of life. RESULTS: Among the participants (n = 306), 191 were women (62.4%) and 115 were men (37.6%) and mean age was 20.23 +/- 1.56. Fifty-eight students (19%) were diagnosed with a GSTR. The distributions of the diagnoses were: 6 (2%) FM, 21 (6.9%) MPS, 28 (9.2%) BJHS, 1 (0.3%) chronic fatigue syndrome, and 2 students (0.7%) had both BJHS and MPS. Fifty-three (27.7%) women and 5 (4.3%) men were diagnosed with a GSTR (P < 0.01). Mean FM Impact Questionnaire score was 50.8 in FM diagnosed students. Physical role, vitality, and mental subscores of SF-36 were significantly lower in the students having a GSTR (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This is the first study performed in medical students to find out the prevalence of generalized soft tissue rheumatic conditions. Although medical students are under high stress due to hard training, the prevalence of GSTR in medical students was found similar to previous reports in the general population.

Prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloarthritis in Turkey: A Nationwide Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) in Turkey using the same telephone questionnaire developed for screening RA and SpA in France and used in Serbia and Lithuania. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed in two steps. In step I, the French questionnaire was translated into Turkish and validated through a group of 200 patients (80 males, 120 females; mean age 44.0±13.1 years; range 19 to 75 years) followed up at the rheumatology departments of University Hospitals in Antalya and Ankara. In step II, the validated Turkish questionnaire was administered face-to-face to randomly selected 4,012 subjects (1,670 males, 2,342 females; mean age 41.5±16.8 years; range 16 to 97 years) by trained general practitioners across the country, in 25 prov- inces for case detection. The subjects who were suspected of having RA or SpA in accordance with the questionnaire were invited to the nearest university hospital for rheumatologic examination in order to confirm the diagnosis. RESULTS: In step II, a total of 25 subjects (2 males, 23 females) were diagnosed as RA. The standardized RA prevalence for the general population of Turkey was calculated as 0.56% (95% confidence interval [CI]; 0.33-0.79), 0.10% (95% CI; -0.05-0.25) for males and 0.89% (95% CI; 0.51-1.27) for females. A total of 18 subjects (3 males, 15 females) were diagnosed as SpA. The standardized SpA prevalence for the general population of Turkey was 0.46% (95% CI; 0.25-0.67), 0.17% (95% CI; -0.03-0.37) for males and 0.65% (95% CI; 0.32-0.98) for females. The prevalence of RA was highest in the Northern region (2.00%) and the prevalence of SpA was highest in the Central region (1.49%). CONCLUSION: The prevalences of RA and SpA in Turkey are close to each other and there are significant inter-regional variations in prevalences of both RA and SpA.

Effects of a group-based exercise program on the physical performance, muscle strength and quality of life in older women.

This study was aimed at determining the effect of a group-based exercise program on the physical performance, muscle strength and quality of life (QoL) in older women. Twenty women performed an exercise program for 8 weeks, at the rehabilitation unit. Outcome measures included a 4-m and 20-m walk test, a 6-min walk test, stair climbing and chair rise time, timed up and go test, isokinetic muscle testing of the knee and ankle, and the short form-36 (SF-36) and geriatric depression scale (GDS) questionnaires. The mean age of the study group was 70.3+/-6.5 years. After the completion of the exercise program, all of the physical performance tests and the SF-36 scores for the participants showed statistically significant improvements (p<0.05). In the isokinetic evaluations, most of angular velocities showed a significant increase in the peak torque (PT) values for knee extension and flexion, and for ankle plantar flexion (p<0.05). We concluded that this exercise program, when applied to older women, resulted in improved physical performance, increased muscle strength measured in both the knee and ankle, and improvement in the scores, estimating the QoL. We have shown that this exercise program is both effective and reliable for this age group of women.

Quantitative calcaneal ultrasonometry: normative data and age-related changes for stiffness index in the Turkish population.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to define the normative data for stiffness index in a large sample of Turkish population and to clarify sex differences as well as age-related changes. A total of 10,435 subjects (aged 18-89 yr) were screened with calcaneal ultrasound and were requested to complete a detailed questionnaire listing all important risk factors, diseases, and treatments affecting bone metabolism. To be included in the study, subjects had to be free of any disease and any medical treatment known to affect bone metabolism. A total of 8,156 subjects (1,389 males and 6,767 females) were included in the study. Normative data was expressed using two statistical models including mean and 95th percentile, and regression analysis. The mean value of stiffness index in females peaked in the third decade, whereas in males it peaked in the age group of 18-29 yr. The stiffness index of females decreased by 24.26%. The total age-related decrease was 17.8% for stiffness index in the males. Stiffness index in males was a function of age (negatively) and body mass index (positively). Stiffness index in females was a function of age (negatively) and weight (positively). The results of this study could be useful as a guide for comparing the data of individual studies and may serve as reference normative data for the Turkish population.

Impact of post-polio-related fatigue on quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of post-polio-related fatigue on quality of life. DESIGN: Cross-sectional case control study. SUBJECTS: Patients without additional health problems that may induce fatigue were selected from among 82 polio survivors. Twenty-six patients with post-polio syndrome and 10 without post-polio syndrome were included. Control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers. METHODS: We assessed presence and severity of fatigue by Fatigue Severity Scale, quality of life by Nottingham Health Profile, and impact of fatigue on quality of life by Fatigue Impact Scale. Leg muscle strength was measured by manual muscle testing. RESULTS: Strength of leg muscles showed no differences between the patients with and without post-polio syndrome. Patients with post-polio syndrome reported significantly higher levels of fatigue and reduced quality of life compared with both patients without post-polio syndrome and control group. Fatigue Impact Scale revealed that fatigue did not significantly impair mental health, but had a negative impact especially on physical and psychosocial functioning of the patients with post-polio syndrome. CONCLUSION: Post-polio-related fatigue seems to be an important factor for further impairment of quality of life in polio survivors.

[Quality of life and functional status in congestive heart failure]. / Kalp yetersizliginde yasam kalitesi ve fonksiyonel durum.

OBJECTIVE: To assess health related quality of life of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), to correlate quality of life with other functional parameters; maximal oxygen uptake (peak VO2) with submaximal tests (two minute walking test and shuttle walk test) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) with other clinical variables. METHODS: We evaluated 35 stable congestive heart failure patients (NYHA II-III). Functional status was assessed by NYHA classification, maximal oxygen uptake (peak VO2) and submaximal tests (two minute walk test and shuttle walk test). Health related quality of life was measured with short form 36 health survey (SF 36). RESULTS: NYHA functional class was correlated with social functioning of SF 36, peak VO2 and shuttle walk test. Peak VO2 was correlated with most of the parameters of SF 36. On the other hand 2 minute walk test and shuttle walk test were correlated with social functioning of SF 36. There was a correlation between peak VO2 and submaximal test, but there was no correlation between left ventricular ejection fraction, peak VO2 and NYHA class. CONCLUSION: Social functioning is impaired in patients with congestive heart failure. There is a correlation between maximal and submaximal tests. The maximal and submaximal tests can explain some degree of quality of life. Functional status can be explained with peak VO2 and shuttle walk test apart from NYHA class.

Validity and reliability of a new test for Turkish-speaking aphasic patients: Ege Aphasia Test.

Due to the fact that the phonetic, morphological and syntactic structures of the Turkish language differ significantly from other European languages, the translated forms of the currently available aphasia assessment batteries are not adequate for Turkish-speaking aphasic patients. The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Ege Aphasia Test that we have developed. The test, which includes the 8 subtests of praxia, spontaneous language, auditory and verbal comprehension, repetition, naming, reading, writing and calculating, was applied into 100 aphasic patients, 40 dysarthric patients and 40 healthy subjects. All test-retest intra-class correlation coefficients were found to be excellent (ICC = 0.99). The Cronbach's coefficients ranged from 0.71 to 0.91. All the subtests showed significantly greater scores in aphasic patients (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found between the subtests and corrected total score (p < 0.05). Finally, the Ege Aphasia Test has an acceptable validity and reliability. It seems to be a promising battery for evaluation of aphasia in the Turkish language, which is spoken mainly in Turkey and in the surrounding regions. We believe that this study will pioneer the development of aphasia rehabilitation in these countries and contribute to future studies.

Psychometric properties of fatigue severity and fatigue impact scales in postpolio patients.

We evaluate the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) and to determine whether these scales are potentially applicable for measuring fatigue in postpolio patients (PPS). After the Turkish adaptation of FSS and FIS using a forward-backward procedure, the scales were administered to 48 PPS patients without additional health problems that may induce fatigue. Reliability studies were carried out by determination of intraclass correlation coefficient and internal consistency by the Cronbach-α coefficient. Validity was tested by within-scale analyses and analyses against the external criteria including convergent validity and discriminant validity. Correlations with the Notthingham Health Profile (NHP), fatigue, pain and cramp severity (visual analog scale), and manual muscle testing were performed. Sensitivity to changes was determined by standardized response mean values. All patients completed scales, suggesting their satisfactory acceptance. Reliability studies were satisfactory, with higher Cronbach-α values and intraclass correlation coefficients than 0.80. The FSS score was correlated moderately with visual analog scale-fatigue (r=0.41) and the NHP-energy dimension (r=0.29). All FIS scores except cognitive scores were moderately related to the NHP-social isolation score (r=0.40, 0.37, and 0.43 for FIS-physical, social, and total scores, respectively). There was also a significant correlation between the FIS-physical score and the NHP-energy score (r=0.31). On the basis of the standardized response mean values, response to treatment for these two questionnaires was satisfactory (P=0.00). The Turkish versions of FSS and FIS were reliable, sensitive to clinical changes, and also well accepted by patients with PPS. Although they had somewhat satisfactory convergent validity, the absence of strong correlations did not support the validity entirely.

Short-term effects of aerobic exercise on functional capacity, fatigue, and quality of life in patients with post-polio syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the impact of hospital and home exercise programmes on aerobic capacity, fatigue, and quality of life in patients with post-polio syndrome. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital. SUBJECTS: Thirty-two patients were divided into two groups for either hospital- or home-based aerobic exercise programme. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were assessed before and after the rehabilitation programme, with respect to functional capacity (pVo2), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale, Fatigue Impact Scale) and quality of life (Nottingham Heath Profile). RESULTS: After the exercise programme, improvement was observed in the hospital exercise group compared to a pre-exercise period in all Nottingham Heath Profile scores (except sleep scores), pVo2, Fatigue Severity Scale and Fatigue Impact Scale (cognitive, physical, psychosocial, total) (P<0.05). In contrast, in the home exercise group a decrease was observed in pVo2 scores after the rehabilitation programme, compared to a pre-rehabilitation period (P<0.05). In addition, a significant improvement was observed in the home exercise group after the rehabilitation programme in all parameters excluding Fatigue Impact Scale-physical, Fatigue Impact Scale-psychosocial, and Nottingham Heath Profile-sleep (P<0.05). When the two exercise groups were compared, improvement was observed in the hospital exercise group compared to the home exercise group in pVo2 and Fatigue Severity Scale-total, Fatigue Impact Scale-physical, Fatigue Impact Scale-psychosocial, Fatigue Impact Scale-total, and Nottingham Heath Profile-energy scores (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fatigue and quality of life were both improved in the home and hospital exercise groups. An increase was also found in the functional capacity in the hospital exercise group. A regular exercise programme is beneficial to patients with post-polio syndrome.

A randomized controlled trial of Turkish folklore dance on the physical performance, balance, depression and quality of life in older women.

The present study has been carried out to investigate the effects of group-based Turkish folkloric dances on physical performance, balance, depression and quality of life (QoL) in 40 healthy adult elderly females over the age of 65 years. Subjects were randomly allocated into Group 1 (folkloric dance-based exercise) and Group 2 (control). A 8-week dance-based exercise program was performed. Outcome measures included a 20-m walk test, a 6-min walk test, stair climbing and chair rise time, Berg balance scale (BBS), the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) 36-item short form health survey (SF-36), and geriatric depression scale (GDS) questionnaires. In Group 1 statistically significant improvements were found in most of the physical performance tests, BBS and some SF-36 subscales after the exercise (p<0.05). In the Group 2 there was no clinically significant change in the variables. Comparing the groups, significant improvements in favor of Group 1 have emerged in most of the functional performance tests, in some of the SF-36 subscales and BBS score (p<0.05). We achieved improvements in physical performance, balance and QoL in elderly females. Application of folkloric dance specific to countries as an exercise program for elderly people may be helpful.