Physical therapy enhances functions and quality of life in older patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema: A prospective experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema of the arm is one of the most common complications following breast cancer surgery. AIMS: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of complex decongestive physical therapy (CDPt) on upper extremity functions, activities of daily living (ADL), and quality of life (QoL), and secondly the effects of the degree of lymphedema on post-treatment differences in older patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight patients who had BCRL were included between 2015 and 2017. Arm function was evaluated with the Constant-Murley scale, while ADL was measured with the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, and QoL was measured with the Lymphedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire as pre- and post-treatment tests. The patients underwent a CDPt program for 6 weeks. RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements for all outcome measurements in older patients with Grade 1 and 2 lymphedemas after the treatment (P < 0.001). The Grade 1 patients had a greater difference at mobility, participation in the life and social activities, and their total scores of quality of life had a significance level of P < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Older patients with Grade 1 BCRL had better mobility, participation in the life, and social activities. CDPt provides enhancement of arm functions, ADL, and QoL in older patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.

The effect of mirror therapy after carpal tunnel syndrome surgery: A randomised controlled study.

The aim of this randomised controlled study was to investigate the effectiveness of mirror therapy (MT) on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients' symptoms and hand function after surgery. The patients' hand function was evaluated using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) and the Nine Hole Peg Test. Their pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale, and their sensitivity was evaluated using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test before surgery, and at 3 and 6 weeks post-surgery. Thirty-five patients between the ages of 25 and 60 years were included in the study. In the control group (CTG) (n=17), the conventional physiotherapy program was applied for 4 weeks after 2 weeks of immobilisation. In addition to conventional physiotherapy, the MT group (MTG) (n=18) did MT during the immobilisation period. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups' demographic and clinical characteristics before treatment (P˃0.05). After treatment, all parameters improved in both groups. MTG had statistically lower pain at rest (P=0.004) and night-time pain (P=0.037) in the 3rd week, but there were no statistically significant differences between the other parameters and scores between the groups (P˃0.05). The study indicates improvement in the parameters due to the early introduction of MT after CTS surgery, but once conventional methods were started after immobilisation, there were no significant differences between groups. However, the MT had reduced pain and improved sensation and function. Both groups experienced positive effects of the surgical treatment and the physiotherapy in the 6th postoperative week.

Video game-based therapy for the non-dominant hand improves manual skills and grip strength.

The study was designed to investigate the effect of virtual reality-supported training on manual skills and grip strength in the non-dominant hand in healthy participants. Thirty participants were randomized into two groups: ErgoActive group (n=15) and control group (n=15). The ErgoActive study group received 8 weeks of training with leap motion controller-based virtual reality games. The training was done 1 day per week for 30min. The participants' hand function was evaluated using the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), while grip strength was evaluated with a Jamar Hand Dynamometer and Pinchmeter. After 8 weeks, the ErgoActive and control groups had significantly different JTHFT, Jamar and Pinchmeter results (P<0.05). When leap motion controller-based virtual reality applications are used, healthy subjects have increased manual skills and grip strength in their non-dominant hand. These virtual reality games are an effective and fun way of improving patients' hand functions.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the Turkish version of PedsQL 3.0 Arthritis Module: a quality-of-life measure for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in Turkey.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe the cultural adaptation, validity, and reliability of a Turkish version of the pediatric quality-of-life inventory (PedsQL) 3.0 Arthritis Module in a population with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS: A total of 169 patients with JIA and their parents were enrolled in the study. The Turkish version of the childhood health assessment questionnaire (CHAQ) was used to evaluate the validity of related domains in the PedsQL 3.0 Arthritis Module. Both the PedsQL 3.0 Arthritis Module and CHAQ were filled out by children over 8 years of age and by the parents of children 2-7 years of age. RESULTS: Internal reliability was poor to excellent (Cronbach's alpha coefficients 0.56-0.84 for self-reporting and 0.63-0.82 for parent reporting), and interobserver reliability varied from good to excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.79-0.91 for self-reporting and 0.80-0.88 for parent reporting) for the total scores of the PedsQL 3.0 Arthritis Module. Parent-child concordance for all scores was moderate to excellent (ICC 0.42-0.92). The PedsQL 3.0 Arthritis Module and CHAQ were highly positively correlated, with coefficients from 0.21 to 0.76, indicating concurrent validity. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the reliability and validity of quality-of-life measurement using the Turkish version of the PedsQL 3.0 Arthritis Module in our sociocultural context. The PedsQL 3.0 Arthritis Module can be utilized as a tool for the evaluation of quality of life in patients with JIA aged 2-18 years.