Bibliometric analysis on physical ergonomics: A visual mapping approach.

BACKGROUND: The concept of ergonomics in health services is attracting significant attention in the scientific community. There is a need for an integrated study presenting a summary of the published literature backed by detailed bibliometric characteristics. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to provide a summary of the published literature supported by detailed bibliometric properties. METHODS: Within the scope of this study, a total of 3008 articles on ergonomics in the health field were reviewed and analyzed using a bibliometric method. RESULTS: It reveals the trends of the publications conducted between 1999-2023, and defines the common citation structure between the articles, bibliographic coupling, and keyword co-occurrences. This study presents a knowledge map of ergonomics studies conducted in the health field using a bibliometric analysis method. CONCLUSION: The research results provide comprehensive information to the relevant literature, and define global research focuses and future scopes. This serves as a guide for academics to understand developments in the field of ergonomics and health more easily and quickly.

An investigation of the effects of dual-task balance exercises on balance, functional status and dual-task performance in children with Down syndrome.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of dual task (DT) balance exercises on functional status, balance, and DT performance in children with Down Syndrome (DS). METHODS: Participants were divided into two groups: intervention group (IG; n = 13) and control group (CG;n = 14). WeeFIM was used to measure the functional independence level and balance was evaluated using the Pediatric Balance Scale. DT performance was assessed using Timed Up and Go, Single Leg Stance, Tandem-Stance and 30 s Sit to Stand tests without concomitant task, with motor task or cognitive task. The IG received 16 sessions of DT training twice a week for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Functional level, balance, and DT performance improved significantly in the IG, whereas only balance improved in the CG. Significantly better results were achieved in the IG, as demonstrated by greater pre/post-treatment changes. CONCLUSION: DT balance exercises improved functional level, balance and DT performance of children with DS.

Reliability of the Smartphone Application Inclinometer and Flexicurve in Measuring Thoracic Kyphosis.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the smartphone inclinometer app (SPI) and flexicurve (FC) for assessing the kyphotic angle in individuals with thoracic kyphosis (TK). METHODS: This study was conducted with 60 subjects (35 males, 25 females) aged 18 to 25 who presented to Kalyon Medical Center, Gaziantep, Turkey, between December 2021 and March 2022. The subjects were evaluated by two independent assessors using FC and SPI to measure the TK angle. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was analysed at a 95% confidence interval. The level of agreement between the methods was checked using Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: Inter- and intra-rater measurements were strongly correlated (ICC 0.945 and 0.964, respectively). On the Bland-Altman plots, the FC showed poor agreement with the SPI app (mean difference, 19.81° ± 2.8°). The mean kyphotic angles were 45.15 ± 6.07° and 25.34 ± 4.96°, respectively, as measured by the SPI and FC. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated good intra- and inter-rater reliability of the SPI app and FC for the measurement of the spinal curvature (TK) angle in the sagittal plane. A weak agreement was discerned between the SPI and FC methods.

Is mirror therapy combined with a routine physiotherapy protocol effective for children with obstetrical upper brachial plexus palsy?

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. INTRODUCTION: Mirror therapy is a rehabilitation strategy based on the repeated use of the mirror illusion and also one of the treatment choice of brachial plexus injuries. PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the effects of mirror therapy combined with a routine rehabilitation program on upper limb motor function in children with obstetric brachial plexus injury. METHODS: Twenty children with obstetric brachial palsy were included in this study. They were randomly allocated to either control (n = 10) or mirror therapy (n = 10) group. The following clinical tools were used to assess the upper extremity function: Active Movement Scale (AMS), Modified Mallet Scale (MMS), Hand Grip Strength (HGS) Test, Finger Grip Strength (FGSM) Test, Box and Block Test (BBT), Nine Hole Peg Test (9-HPT), and goniometric measurement. Both groups received the same routine physiotherapy program for 8 weeks. The study group underwent mirror therapy in addition to the rehabilitation program. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 11.35 ± 4.12 years. There was no change in the goniometric values, AMS and MMS scores after the treatment in both groups (p > 0.05), except for the improvement of the wrist extension in the study group (p < 0.05). There was an increase in both HGS and FGS scores in the study group. Only FGS scores improved in the control group after the intervention (p < 0.05). 9-HPT and BBT scores improved in both groups (p < 0.05). All other parameters tested were comparable between the two groups after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study did not show any additional benefits of mirror therapy combined with a rehabilitation protocol compared to routine physiotherapy treatment, but was not adequately powered to do so.

The Outcomes of an Individualized Physical Therapy Program in CALFAN Syndrome: A Case Report.

PURPOSE: This case report investigated the effectiveness of an individualized physical therapy program in CALFAN syndrome. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 13-year-old girl participated in physical therapy, which included trunk stabilization, balance training, and functional exercises for 12 weeks. ASSESSMENTS: The International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale; Trunk Impairment Scale; Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory; Functional Independence Measure for Children; Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire; 9-Hole Peg Test; and Cobb measurement were used as outcome measures. RESULTS: Positive changes were observed in the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale; Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire; Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory; Trunk Impairment Scale; Functional Independence Measure; and the 9-Hole Peg Test. The Cobb angle was increased by 2° in the thoracic region and reduced by 11° in the lumbar region. CONCLUSIONS: Physical therapy improved quality of life, functional independence, trunk control, and upper extremity performance. WHAT THIS ADDS TO EVIDENCE: This case report is the first to support the effectiveness of physical therapy for a child with CALFAN syndrome.

Effectiveness of functional trunk training on trunk control and upper limb functions in patients with autosomal recessive hereditary ataxia.

BACKGROUND: Ataxia is a clinical syndrome characterized by coordination problems and postural disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effects of functional trunk training on trunk control and upper limb functions in autosomal recessive hereditary ataxia. METHODS: Twenty patients were randomly divided into treatment and control groups. Both groups received trunk stabilization and balance exercises, and the treatment group received additional functional trunk training sessions (3 days/week for 8 weeks). The International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale, Trunk Impairment Scale, Modified Functional Reach Test, Nine-Hole Peg Test and Quick-Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand questionnaire were used for assessments. RESULTS: The treatment group showed an increase in the upper limb performance bilaterally, whereas increased performance was seen only in the dominant upper limb in the control group. While the functional reach improved in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions in the treatment group, it was improved only in the AP direction in the control group. Also, the mean changes in outcomes were not significantly different between the groups except for modified functional reach test. CONCLUSIONS: Functional trunk training may be a more effective method to improve upper limb performance and dynamic trunk balance in autosomal recessive hereditary ataxia.