Effect of Brace Treatment on Craniovertebral to Lumbopelvic Sagittal Parameters in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review

The current study was carried out systematically by conducting a review of the literature. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to determine the effects of brace wearing on sagittal parameters in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). In this study, PubMed/MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine), Scopus, Ovid, CINAHL, PEDro, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library were accessed and searched using the patient, intervention, comparison, outcome, and study design model. We included studies that looked at the effects of brace treatment on sagittal spinopelvic parameters in AIS patients over the age of 18. The studies were chosen for their cross-sectional, retrospective, or prospective observational designs, and they were published in English. Review articles, case reports, case study designs, and conference abstracts were excluded from consideration. The methodological quality of the remaining articles was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. A total of 12 studies were chosen, and 995 participants were evaluated, with 3 (25%) and 9 (75%) having high and moderate quality, respectively. The studies were classified based on the length of follow-up. Long-term, short-term, and immediate effects of brace wearing on sagittal spinopelvic parameters were reported in four, five, and three studies, respectively. The results of nine studies showed a significant decrease in Cobb angle after wearing the brace, which contradicted the findings of the other two. The cervical and sagittal pelvic parameters, thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), spinopelvic parameters, and sagittal balance were all evaluated in the intended studies, yielding varying results. According to the available literature, wearing a brace flattens the TK and LL. According to this systematic review, brace treatment may affect sagittal spinopelvic parameters in adolescents with AIS, particularly in TK and LL. The cervical and pelvic parameters yielded inconclusive results. This study backs up the idea that brace design and structure can influence sagittal parameter changes. The limitations of this study include different methods of parameter measurement, variations in the brace types and wear time, varying follow-up duration, and differences in participant characteristics.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Persian Version of the 24-Item Early-Onset Scoliosis Questionnaire

Methods@#We evaluated the translation and back translation of the EOSQ-24 and made the required revisions as per the analysis performed by the expert committee and an international guideline to adapt it for use in this study. Thereafter, we recruited 100 EOS patients in order to evaluate its reliability and validity. The reliability was assessed with internal consistency. Convergent validity was assessed by comparing the scores of the EOSQ-24 and the 22-item Scoliosis Research Society Questionnaire (SRS-22r). Finally, the known groups validity was assessed as per patient’s sex, curve magnitude, and treatment type. @*Results@#The Persian EOSQ-24 demonstrated very good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.88). All the items had an acceptable corrected item-total correlation (>0.3). Further, the EOSQ-24 and the SRS-22r scores (p <0.001) were significantly correlated. The EOSQ-24 could discriminate patients with different curve magnitudes. @*Conclusions@#The Persian EOSQ-24 can serve as a disease-specific instrument with strong validity and reliability in the evaluation of EOS patients. Its applicability in other Persian-speaking countries and regions of the world needs to be investigated further.

The Effects of the Vestibular Rehabilitation on the Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Recurrence Rate in Patients with Otolith Dysfunction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although repositioning maneuvers have shown remarkable success rate in treatments of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the high recurrence rate of BPPV has been an important issue. The aims of present study were to examine the effects of otolith dysfunction on BPPV recurrence rate and to describe the effect of vestibular rehabilitation exercises on BPPV recurrence in BPPV patients with concomitant otolith dysfunction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-five BPPV patients included in this study (three groups). Patients in group 1 had no otolith dysfunction and patients in groups 2 and 3 had concomitant otolith dysfunction. Otolith dysfunction was determined with ocular/cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP and cVEMP) abnormalities. Epley’s maneuver was performed for the patients in all groups but patients in group 3 also received a 2-month vestibular rehabilitation program (habituation and otolith exercises). RESULTS: This study showed that BPPV recurrent rate was significantly higher in patients with otolith dysfunction in comparison to the group 1 (p < 0.05). Vestibular rehabilitation resulted in BPPV recurrence rate reduction. Utricular dysfunction showed significant correlation with BPPV recurrence rate. CONCLUSIONS: Otolith dysfunction can increase BPPV recurrence rate. Utricular dysfunction in comparison to saccular dysfunction leads to more BPPV recurrence rate. Vestibular rehabilitation program including habituation and otolith exercises may reduce the chance of BPPV recurrence.

Comparison of the Minimum Plateau Width by Plateau and a New Method in People with Conductive Hearing Loss

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In clinical masking, the plateau is a state in which the non-test ear (NTE) is completely masked by the noise and tone is heard only by the test ear (TE). At least 15 to 20 dB of plateau width is needed to obtain valid threshold. In the study, a part of plateau after initial masking level known as the minimum plateau width (mPW) was determined and compared by a new formula and the plateau searching method. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Minimum plateau widths of air conduction were obtained in 29 participants with unilateral and 30 participants with bilateral conductive hearing loss (CHL) aged 20 to 45 years old by using step by step plateau method and mPW estimation by the formula between two points of masking diagram [mPW=(N2-N1)-(T2-T1)] and then the mPW of two methods was compared for each frequency. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the minimum plateau width obtained by the plateau and formula methods for two given point of masking diagram in people with unilateral and bilateral CHL at octave frequencies from 500 Hz to 4,000 Hz. CONCLUSIONS: Threshold obtaining of TE by two tones for two noise levels delivered to the NTE is enough to estimate the mPW between these two noise points and it is not necessary that for clinicians to know the actual values of masking diagram components.

The Acceptable Noise Level Benefit From Directionality for Listeners With Severe Hearing Loss

OBJECTIVES: Directional microphone technology can enhance the speech intelligibility and listening comfort of listeners with hearing impairment. The main aim of this study is to investigate and compare the benefit derived by listeners with severe hearing loss from directional microphone technology with that derived by listeners with moderate hearing loss. METHODS: The acceptable noise levels (ANLs) of two groups of listeners with moderate or severe hearing impairment (17 subjects in each group) were measured under unaided, omnidirectional-baseline-aided, and directional-aided conditions. RESULTS: Although the absolute ANL of the listeners in the severe hearing loss group was significantly higher than that of the listeners in the moderate hearing loss group, their derived benefit was equivalent to that derived by the listeners in the moderate hearing loss group. ANL and hearing loss degree were significantly related. Specifically, the ANL increased with the severity of hearing loss. CONCLUSION: Directional microphone technology can provide the benefits of listening comfort to listeners with severe hearing loss.

Word finding difficulties in multiple sclerosis

Word finding difficulty is a known impairments in multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this study is to adapt homophone meaning generation test to Persian language, and then examine word storage and access in multiple sclerosis patients through these three word-finding tests. This study examined the word retrieval in 90 Persian speaking patients with multiple sclerosis and 90 matched healthy controls through three tasks: semantic fluency, phonemic fluency, and homophonic meaning generation. The Persian homophone meaning generation test had a strong convergent validity with semantic and phonemic switching and an adequate divergent validity with semantic and phonemic clustering. There was a significant difference between two groups in all three tests (p<0.001) except semantic and phonetic clustering (p≥ 0.05). Multiple sclerosis is a disease affecting word access, but not the word storage, and Persian homophone meaning generation test is an appropriate, valid, and reliable test to evaluate word-finding difficulties in this population. HMGT

Social capital in post disaster recovery

Background: Some disaster-stricken people in Iran are still experiencing challenges of resuming normal life several months after the incident. However, there is not sufficient and in-depth understanding of the factors affecting the complex process of post disaster recovery in Iran and rural areas in particular. This study aimed to explore the status of social capital in the process of returning to normal life after an earthquake

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted with the qualitative content analysis method. A total of 20 persons from the earthquake-stricken areas and 7 people with relevant scientific background and expertise were selected via purposeful sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field notes from August 2013 to January 2014. Data collection continued to achieve data saturation. Data analysis was based on qualitative content analysis

Results: The ignorance of social capital was one of the most significant concepts explored in the process of "back to the normal life" after earthquake. This concept was divided into 4 subcategories of 1] top-down paternalistic approach, 2] undermining of trust, 3] undermining of social networks and self-centering, 4] inefficiency of the social institutions, and 5] social cohesion and social division

Conclusion: This study showed that many reason for ignoring social capital in the process of "back to the normal life" after earthquake should be considered in the recovery management. Policy-makers are suggested to consider a comprehensive plan for using and enhancing the social capital in the process of returning to normal life after earthquakes. This plan can provide an opportunity for rehabilitation after disasters

[Declination from occupation based practice: experience of Iranian occupational therapists]

Objective: Occupation has been used as an essential core of therapy in Occupational therapy [OT] paradigm from its beginning. Besides primary emphasis of OT pioneers the OT practitioners do not care about using it yet. So, this study was aimed to explore the current method of delivering occupational therapy services among Iranian occupational therapists

Materials and Methods: The qualitative conventional content analysis with purposeful sampling was used in this study. 14 occupational therapists participated in this study. Semi structured interviews were used for data gathering. The data gathering continued until reaching data saturation. The interviews were analyzed through constant comparative analysis using MAXQDA 2007 software

Results: The interviews analysis revealed 66 codes that resulted to six sub themes and three themes including: Occupation based OT [occupation based assessment and planning -hard working circumstances for occupation based therapists], technique based OT [inattention to occupation based practice- top down approach to assessment and planning-inattention to client-centered practice] and combined occupation and techniques based OT [assessment and planning with combined approach]

Conclusion: It seems that the Iranian occupational therapists have deviated from their philosophical paradigm [occupation based practice] and tended to technique based OT. Lots of possible reasons such as contextual barriers, in accepting from clients' perspective and educational challenges are considered in this issue. However, the policy makers ought to plan and supervise to solve these challenges to facilitate implementing occupation based practice

Experience of physiotherapists of teamwork results: a qualitative study

Purpose: In modern societies, in order to save medical costs and provide improved and comprehensive healthcare services, cooperation of various specialties in the form of teamwork has gained significant popularity. Physiotherapists, as members of the treatment team, try to improve the health of their fellow human beings. This study aimed to describe physiotherapists' experience and perception of teamwork in hospital environment

Methods: This study was conducted using the conventional qualitative method of content4analysis. Participants were 11 physiotherapists with 7-25 years of work experience, who were4purposefully selected from 6 hospitals in Tehran. For data collection, in-depth semi-structured4interviews over one year [2012-2013] were conducted and the obtained data were analyzed using content analysis method

Results: The findings obtained from the interviews were categorized into two main areas: 1] changes in the beliefs and feelings of the physiotherapists, including increased satisfaction, motivation, increased relaxation, decreased stress and work pressure, accepting criticism, increased trust in and respect for physiotherapy services, giving specialists a holistic view, and 2] increased job productivity, higher quality of services, more references; avoiding parallel procedures; reduction of secondary complications of diseases, increased awareness and knowledge

Conclusion: Teamwork has positive effects on the beliefs, feelings, and job productivity of the physiotherapists working in Tehran hospitals. Because of the growing trend of chronic diseases and increasing elderly population in Iran, provision of comprehensive and holistic healthcare services seems to be necessary in Iran and the need for further research on teamwork is pressing

Quality of life in elderly diabetic patients: comparison between home and nursing home

Research and planning to improve the quality of life for elderly seems to be essential, as the population of this age group has shown an increasing trend. Any chronic disease including diabetes has an impact on lifestyle of the patient. The objective of this study was to compare the quality of life between two groups of elderly diabetic patients who were residence of home as well as nursing home. A descriptive analytical random study was conducted during 2010-2011 on two groups of 93 elderly diabetic patients, who were living in Kahrizak nursing home of Tehran [Iran], and home residents as well by interview for their demographical information and one standard questionnaire provided by world health organization. SPSS 16 was employed for data analysis. Significant differences were found in physical, psychological and social domains between two groups [P<0.05]. In physical and social domains the elderly diabetic patients of nursing home had a higher mean score but in psychological domain the result was in contrast. Regarding the difference between scores in two studied groups it is necessary to study the weak points of each group individually and try to resolve the problems

Perceived maternal parenting self-efficacy: translation and face validation with Iranian mothers of hospitalized preterm neonates

Mothers' perception of their ability to parenting [maternal parenting self-efficacy] is a critical issue that influences their interactions with their preterm neonates. For better support of these mothers, a robust tool is needed which can measure mothers' perception of their ability to understand and care for their preterm neonates as well as being sensitive to the various levels and tasks in parenting. This study aimed to translate and test the face validity of Persian version of Perceived Maternal Parenting Self-Efficacy [PMP S-E] tool with Iranian mothers of hospitalized preterm neonates. The translation and validation was done in some steps. Forward translated by three independent translators and backward translated by two other translators who were blind to source version. Then, the face validity was evaluated by 10 mothers and the expert panel. At last, the tool adapted and approved by an expert committee. The Persian version of PMP S-E tool demonstrated good face validity regarding its items' relevancy and clearance. The PMP S-E was successfully translated and adapted into Persian with good face validity. However, further study is needed for evaluating its reliability in Iran and for Iranian mothers of hospitalized preterm neonates

Parent's learning strategies: a qualitative study on parents of preterm infants

This study aimed to understand the learning strategies of parents of preterm infants, hospitalized in NICU. This study was performed by qualitative research approach. Twelve participants including nine parents whose infants were admitted in NICU, two nurses and one physician, all selected by purposive sampling method were interviewed by a female expert occupational therapist. Data were gathered by semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed by inductive content analysis approach. Three subcategories emerged from data analysis expressed learning strategies of parents of preterm infants hospitalized in NICU. These subcategories were: Asking question, Getting help, Learning caring skills. Preterm infants' parents stated that they do not have enough ability and knowledge for managing their feelings and needs. So, they seek for resources of help and apply some special strategies for playing parental roles correctly

effect of word meaning on speech dysfluency in adults with developmental stuttering

Stuttering is one of the most prevalent speech and language disorders. Symptomology of stuttering has been surveyed from different aspects such as biological, developmental, environmental, emotional, learning and linguistic. Previous researches in English-speaking people have suggested that some linguistic features such as word meanings may play a role in the frequency of speech non-fluency in people who stutter. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of word meanings on the frequency of dysfluency in Persian-speaking adults with developmental stuttering. This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was performed on 14 adults who stuttered. Their average age was 25 years. The frequency of non-fluency instances was evaluated upon reading two lists containing 60 words and 60 non-words. The words were selected on the basis of common Persian syllable structures. 'Kolmogoro-Smirnov one sample test' and paired t-test was used to analyze data; the significance level was set at P < 0.05. There was a significant difference between the dysfluency in word and non-word lists [p < 0.05]. The findings of this study indicate a significant increase in the frequency of dysfluency on non-words than on real words. It seems that the phonological encoding process of non-word reading is much more complex than for word reading, because, in non-word reading, the component of semantic content retrieval [word meaning] is missing when compared to word reading

[ attitudes of fifth level students' elementary schools toward peers with disabilities and related factors]

Inclusive education tries to enhance education of students with disabilities among regular students. The attitude of regular students toward peers with disabilities is an important challenge for inclusive education. This study aims at exploring the attitudes of fifth level students at elementary schools toward peers with disabilities. Hence, 300 fifth level students were selected at elementary schools affiliated to 10 districts of education organization in Tehran in academic year 2010-2011. "The children attitude toward people with disabilities questionnaire" designed by Kamali and solimani was utilized to determine the participant's attitudes. Correlation coefficient was detected as 0.73 which shows a high reliability of the questionnaire. Also, this study explored the effect of friendship with people with disabilities and demographic variables on student's attitudes to peers with disabilities. Approximately, half of participants had negative attitudes and the other half had positive attitudes toward peers with disabilities [The negative attitudes were a little more than the positive attitudes]. There weren't significant differences between the students' attitudes and demographic variables including sex, job and parents' studies. Also from three switch under examination for friendship and fellowship variables including having handicaped friends, talking to handicaped people and friendship to feature of handicaped people, only having handicaped friends had a significant difference with attitudes of students [P=0.045]. The findings showed having friends with disabilities leads to attitude improvement towards them. This study highlights that communication experience and friendship with students with disabilities can effect on attitudes toward them. Limitations of this study indicate the necessity of conducting further studies especially appropriate interventions to attitude improvement.

[Ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in normal-hearing adults]

Ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential [oVEMP] is a novel vestibular function test. This short-latency response can be recorded through contracting extraocular muscles by high-intensity acoustic stimulation and can be used to evaluate contralateral ocular-vestibular reflex. The aim of this study was to record and compare the amplitude, latency, asymmetry ratio and occurrence percentage of oVEMP [n10] and cervical VEMP [p13] responses in a group of normal adult subjects. We carried out a cross-sectional study on 20 adult subjects' mean age 22.18 years, SD=2.19 with normal hearing sensitivity and no history of vestibular diseases. oVEMP and cVEMP responses in both ears were recorded using air conducted stimuli 500 Hz short tone burst, 95 dB nHL via insert earphone and compared. cVEMP was recorded in all subjects but oVEMP was absent in two subjects. Mean amplitude and latency were 140.77 microv and 15.56 ms in p13; and 3.18 microv and 9.32 ms in n10. There were statistically significant differences between p13 and n10 amplitudes [p<0.001]. This study showed that occurrence percentage and amplitude of oVEMP were less than those of cVEMP. Since these two tests originate from different sections of vestibular nerve, we can consider them as parallel vestibular function tests and utilize them for evaluation of vestibular disorders.

[Developing a story retelling test for the assessment of language structure in Persian-speaking children]

Valid identification, prevention, and treatment of language disorders have a high priority for the clinicians. Story retelling is a method for studying language development which is faster than other procedures in implementing and analyzing, and has a reliable scoring system. The aim of this project is to construct story retelling test for assessing language structure in 6-7 year old, Persian children. An appropriate story for 6-7 year old children was written by the help of a speech pathologist, a linguist, and a novelist. The validity of the constructed story was checked by 14 experts. Then related pictures were design and their validity was examined. The test was conducted on 72 children [36 girls, 36 boys] of 6-7 years. The reliability was administered with a test-retest design with a two week interval. The reliability of the scoring system was evaluated with inter-rater method. Content validity index for this test was 89%, interclass correlation was 83%, and standard error of measurement was 2.76. The interclass correlation for scoring system was 93% and Pearson's correlation was 90%. Correlation of the test-retest scores was statistically significant [p<0.01]. This story retelling test has appropriate validity and reliability. It is suitable for quick assessment of language structure in 6-7 year old, Persian children

Search for proteins in the liquid extract of edible mushroom, agaricusbisporus, and studying their antibacterial effects

The edible mushrooms [basidomycetes] have high nutritional value, promote the immune system, and as a source of natural antimicrobial substances have been used to cure bacterial infections since ancient times.Various kinds of proteins with several biological activities are produced by mushrooms. In this research, in order to evaluate antibacterial activity of edible mushrooms, we isolated proteins of Agaricus bisporus and examined their effects on gr + and gr- bacteria. Protein extract of the mushroom was first discriminated by homogenation of the chopped fruiting bodies in tris buffer with pH 7.3 and then centrifuged. The Protein concentration was determined by Bradford method. Gel filtration of the proteins was performed by Sephadex G-100 using UV spectrophotometer as detector. Three fractions were collected and their purity level were defined by SDS-PAGE. In order to reach to a more purification level, isolated proteins from the G-100 column were fractionated by the DEAE ion exchange column. Antibacterial activity of total extact proteins as well as protein fractions was evaluated by the method of microdilution against gr+ and gr- bacteria. This study showed that the isolated proteins from the mushroom, Agaricus bisporus fruiting bodies were effective against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. The proteins of edible mushrooms like Agaricus bisporus, maybe viewed as a natural source of antibacterial agents

[Comparison acoustically evoked short latency negative response with vestibular evoked myogenic potential in adults with profound hearing loss]

A negative deflection with a 3-4 ms latency period has been reported to exist within the auditory brainstem response of some patients with profound hearing loss following a strong acoustic stimulus. This deflection, namingly the n3 or the acoustically evoked short latency negative response is assumed to be a vestibular-evoked potential, especially of saccular origin. Since the myogenic potential is also saccular in origin, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between these two tests in adults with profound hearing loss. The present cross sectional study was performed on 20 profoundly deaf volunteers[39 ears] who aged between 18-40 years old, randomly selected from available deaf adults in Tehran. The auditory brainstem response of all subjects was recorded following a 1000 Hz tone burst in 70-100dB nHL. Subjects were also tested for vestibular evoked myogenic potential. Only 34 of 39 ears recorded myogenic potential that negative response was recorded in 27 of 34 ears with normal p13 and n23. In seven ears with normal p13 and n23, the negative response was absent. In 3 ears with no p13 and n23, the negative response was observed, and two none. In view of the high prevalence of the negative response in profoundly deaf ears with normal p13 and n23, it could be concluded that the negative response can be used when for any reason, it is not possible to record myogenic potential and be considered as a new test in vestibular test battery

[Auditory brainstem responses in children treated with cisplatin]

In view of improvement in therapeutic outcome of cancer treatment in children resulting in increased survival rates and the importance of hearing in speech and language development, this research project was intended to assess the effects of cisplatin group on hearing ability in children aged 6 months to 12 years. In this cross-sectional study, hearing of 10 children on cisplatin group medication for cancer who met the inclusion criteria was examined by recording auditory brainstem responses [ABR] using the three stimulants of click and 4 and 8 kHz tone bursts. All children were examined twice: before drug administration and within 72 hours after receiving the last dose. Then the results were compared with each other. There was a significant difference between hearing thresholds before and after drug administration [p<0.05]. Right and left ear threshold comparison revealed no significant difference. Ototoxic effects of cisplatin group were confirmed in this study. Insignificant difference observed in comparing right and left ear hearing thresholds could be due to small sample size. auditory brainstem responses test especially with frequency specificity proved to be a useful method in assessing cisplatin ototoxicity

[Development, validity and reliability of the speech prosody comprehension test]

The communication process includes both verbal and nonverbal elements. Nonverbal behavior or body language includes facial expression, eye contact, posture and prosody. Prosody conveys semantic or affective information to a listener. Nonetheless, so far in Iran no report on assessment of speech prosody comprehension in patients has ever been published. The aim of this study was to measure the validity and reliability of the prosody comprehension test specifically designed for the Persian language and culture. This study is a type of test development. 73 sentences were orated by 22 professional vocalists in eight different prosodies. A total of 6582 voices were prepared which were listened by 200, 18-30 year-old students and a voice specialist. Having the content validity calculated for all voices, 1473 voices were found to be unanimously agreed upon by all participants in terms of emotional status which were analyzed by a voice specialist. Eventually, 169 voices were selected for developing the prosody comprehension test including the following four subtests: none motional prosody discrimination, emotional discrimination, naming of prosody and naming conflicts. Reliability of the test was determined by performing the test on 32, 18-60 year-old normal people. The designed test of comprehension prosody had 100% content validity ratio and 94% reliability and the correlation of test of prosody was 89% [p=0.001]. This test in Persian language has appropriate validity and reliability and is appropriate for assessment of prosody comprehension