ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to try to compare the effectiveness of manual therapy techniques in combination with stabilization techniques: the so-called Australian method and the Neurac method in relation to pain sensations and the level of kinesiophobia. A total of 69 people were examined, divided into three groups of 23 people each. The Visual Analogue Scale was used to assess the antalgic effect, and the Kinesiophobia Causes Scale questionnaire was used to assess the level of kinesiophobia. Patients improved over four weeks, during which they were assessed three times. The evaluation of the desired parameters was also performed over a 24-week period to assess long-term performance. Stabilization techniques are an effective extension of manual therapy techniques in patients with low back pain. People in the groups additionally improved in terms of stabilization techniques, which are characterized by a lower level of kinesiophobia. Its lowest level was found in the group additionally improved with the Neurac method. In the long-term study, the level of kinesiophobia in this group was still maintained at a reduced level. The use of stabilization techniques involving patients in action may significantly affect the level of kinesiophobia, and thus have a much wider effect than just pain reduction.
Subject(s)
Low Back Pain , Australia , Disability Evaluation , Fear , Humans , Low Back Pain/therapy , Pain MeasurementABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to assess cognitive functions and sleep quality after a 3-month holistic intervention including physical, social and cognitive rehabilitation in patients 65+. Twenty-nine people participated in the study. The study was divided into two stages. In the first stage, a self-administered questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic questions was used, and cognitive functions were assessed using the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test, Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE III) test, Montreal Cognitive Function Assessment Scale (MoCA) and digit repetition test. All patients were also assessed for sleep quality using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). After three months, the patients were assessed for cognitive functions and sleep quality, which was the second stage of the study. Analysis of the results obtained by patients in the study showed a statistically significant improvement in sleep quality and cognitive function. Rehabilitation activities, including physical training, cognitive exercises and occupational therapy, reduce the severity of mild cognitive disorders and reduce insomnia.
Subject(s)
Cognition , Cognitive Dysfunction , Aged , Humans , Mental Status and Dementia Tests , Neuropsychological Tests , SleepABSTRACT
Monitoring of fibrosis process with the use of histopathologic studies on liver's bioptates is limited, so it is attempted to find reliable, obtained with less invasive methods, sensitive and reflecting fibrosis dynamics markers of this process. The aim of the study was simultaneously to assess liver's expression as well as circadian and mean daily TGF-betal concentration in serum of patients with chronic hepatitis type B in comparison to control group. Studies were performed on 50 patients (9 women, 41 men) aged 45.9 +/- 2.3 years with chronic hepatitis type B. Control group consisted of 20 patients (mean age 38.6 +/- 3.7 years), in which so called minimal changes without fibrosis were observed in histophatologic bioptate of liver. Blood for studies was collected every 4 houres during the day. Serum concentration of TGF-betal was assessed with the use of ELISA method, and expression of mRNA TGF-betal in liver with QRT-PCR method. No significant difference between circadian as well as mean daily serum TGF-betal concentration beetwen control group and the group with chronic hepatitis type B was shown. Increased expression of mRNA, TGF-betal in bioptate of liver of patients with chronic hepatitis type B in comparison to control group was noted. In "minimal changes" control group presence of significant positive correlation between expression of mRNA TGF-beta1 in liver and concentration of this cytokine in serum was shown, in the group of patients with chronic hepatitis B this connection was not noted.
