Effects of multi-gravitational suspension-based therapy on posture, physical fitness, quality of life, depression, and sleep quality in women without regular exercise habits.

BACKGROUND: Multi-gravitational suspension-based therapy (M-Gravity) is a comprehensive discipline based on the principles of non-gravity, which serves to increase the quality of life and holistic health of the individual with the rehabilitation content of non-pressure inversion therapy and suspension systems. AIMS: To examine the effects of M-Gravity exercise on posture, physical fitness, quality of life, depression, and sleep quality in women without regular exercise habits. METHODS: This study included 20 women without regular exercise habits, who participated in M-Gravity exercise and 20 women who did not participate in any exercise program. Posture was measured by the New York posture rating chart, flexibility of the hamstring and pectoral muscles were assessed with flexibility tests, and endurance of the core muscles was measured with plank test. Depression levels were measured by Beck Depression Inventory, sleep quality was measured by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Nottingham Health Profile was used to measure the perceived health levels of the subjects. Measurement of the core stability was performed with the Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback. Two evaluations were made at baseline and after 4 weeks of exercise program. RESULTS: Although statistically significant results were achieved for all parameters in the M-Gravity group, no differences were observed in the control group between baseline and post-test scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We came to the idea that eight sessions of M-Gravity program may have positive effects on posture, physical fitness and quality of life in women who do not have regular exercise habits.

Effect of thoracic mobilization exercises on hamstring flexibility: a randomized controlled trial.

Background and aim: The aim was to investigate the effect of thoracic mobilization exercises on hamstring flexibility. Materials and methods: One hundred twenty individuals with hamstring tightness were included in the study. The participants were randomized into two groups: the experimental group (EG) (n = 60) or the control group (CG) (n = 60). The EG performed a home-based thoracic mobilization exercise program comprising 2 sets with 10 repetitions, once a day, 3 days a week, for 4 weeks. The CG performed active-assisted stretching of the hamstring comprising 3 sets with 10 repetitions for 15 seconds. The active knee extension (AKE) test was used to measure hamstring flexibility, and self-reported hamstring pain intensity was evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS). All evaluations were conducted at the beginning and end of the intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in AKE (p<0.05). Pain intensity during the stretching exercises was significantly decreased only in the EG. The improvements in AKE and VAS score were greater in the EG than in the CG (p < 0.05). Between-group effect sizes were large for AKE (d = 1.075) and VAS score (d = 1.077). Conclusion: The current study showed that thoracic mobilization exercises may increase hamstring flexibility and reduce pain intensity during hamstring stretch exercises.

Short term effects of home-based bladder training and pelvic floor muscle training in symptoms of urinary incontinence.

AIM: The aim of this non-controlled trial was to investigate the effects of a homebased pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and bladder training (BT) in urinary incontinence (UI) among women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 25 individuals who were diagnosed with UI. PFMT which strengthens pelvic floor muscles was described to patients in litotomy position with using digital palpation method. PFMT was given as homebased exercise program for six weeks, 7 days a week and ten times a day. BT was planned according to the symptoms of the patients. Assessments were done at the beginning and at the end of the six weeks exercise program. The outcome measures were UI severity measured by pad test and QoL measured by King's Health Questionnaire. The secondary outcome measure was lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual health measured by Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Index. RESULTS: Pre- and post-treatment assessments done with pad test showed that there was a statistically significant decrease in the severity of UI (p = 0.002). The difference between preand post-treatment QoL scores (p = 0.001) and lower tract symptom scores were also statistically significant (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: When PFMT and BT were given together there was a decrease in the symptoms and increases the QoL.

[The relationship between scapular dyskinesia, pain, range of motion, and flexibility in patients with neck and shoulder problems]. / Boyun ve omuz agrili olgularda skapular diskinezi, agri, eklem hareket açikligi ve esneklik arasindaki iliski.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between scapular dyskinesia, pain, and flexibility in patients with neck, shoulder, or both injuries. METHODS: A total of 160 patients who came to Baskent University Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with pathology and pain in the neck and shoulder regions were included to our study. Patients were divided into three groups; Neck group, shoulder group and neck+shoulder group. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, goniometer for range of motion, and tape measurement for evaluation of flexibility was used. Lateral Scapular Slide Test (LSST) and Scapular Retraction Test (SRT) vs Skapular Assisstance Test (SAT) were used for evaluation of scapular dyskinesia. RESULTS: SRT (r=0.617, p=0.000) and SAT (r=0.565, p=0.000) positivity was found to be correlated with dominant and non-dominant sides in patients with neck pathology. Pain at night and during rest were found to correlate with pain during activity in patients with neck+shoulder pathology (r=0.572, p=0.002). No significant correlation was found between pain intensity and scapular dyskinesia in all groups. LSST values were found under 1.5 cm and therefore, scapular mobilization was considered as normal (LSST1=0.76±0.74; LSST2=0.68±0.81; LSST3=0.75±0.75). CONCLUSION: In addition to joint limitations and flexibility, scapular dyskinesia should also be evaluated in order to solve problems related to pain in patients with neck, shoulder and neck+shoulder pathology. In future studies, the classification of groups according to pathology may help to understand the impact of scapular dyskinesia on the pathology of shoulder and neck pain.