Identifying factors associated with low back pain among employees working at a package producing industry.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with Low Back Pain (LBP) among employee working at a package producing industry. METHODS: A sample of 111 male blue-collar workers, between the ages of 18 to 50 years old and 31 white-collar workers between the ages of 17 to 50 years old completed a questionnaire which included demographic data, educational level, participation in sports activities, activity, postural habits, smoking, work conditions lifting and bending activities during the workday strenuous arm position and questions related with low back pain (LBP). The isometric strength of back muscles were measured using a dynamometer. RESULT: The prevalence of LBP during the past 12 months was 55.9% for blue-collar workers and 51.6% for white-collar workers. The chi-square and t-test analysis showed statistically significant relations between LBP and smoking, number of years spent working in the last job, lifting activities between the ages of 30-34 years old. The incorrect standing and sitting posture of the blue-collar workers and the sitting posture with bending forward on the table of the white-collar workers were significantly related with LBP (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results identified the risk factors of LBP in a package producing company. The protective approaches aiming to avoid the risk factors could decrease the low back pain prevalence that increases each year passed worked at the company.

A validity and reliability study of the Turkish Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) scale in chronic musculoskeletal physical therapy patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fatigue is primarily a subjective experience and self-report is the most common approach used to measure fatigue. Numerous self-report instruments have been developed to measure fatigue. Unfortunately, each of these measures was tailored for the situation in which fatigue was studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the Turkish language version of the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue Scale (MAF-T) in chronic musculoskeletal physical therapy patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The MAF-T was supplied by the MAPI Research Institute, and 69 chronic musculoskeletal physical therapy patients were evaluated. To validate MAF-T, all participants completed the MAF-T and Short Form-36 (SF-36). The MAF was administered again one week later to assess test-retest reliability. RESULTS: Using Cronbach α, the internal consistency reliability of the MAF-T was 0.90, the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) reliability was 0.96. Item-discriminant validity was calculated between r=0.14 and r=0.82. The correlations between the total scores of the MAF-T scale and the subscale scores of SF-36 were negative and significant (p< 0.01). CONCLUSION: The MAF-T is a valid and reliable scale for assessing fatigue in chronic musculoskeletal physical therapy patients.

A validity and reliability study of the Turkish Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) questionnaire in musculoskeletal physical therapy patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aims of this study were the following: (1) to develop a Turkish version of the Checklist Individual Strength Questionnaire (CIS-T); (2) to evaluate the reliability and validity of the CIS-T; and (3) to compare the fatigue levels between musculoskeletal physical therapy patients and healthy subjects. METHODS: The questionnaire was adapted to Turkish using a 'back translation' method. Fifty healthy subjects and 165 musculoskeletal physical therapy patients (128 outpatients and 37 inpatients) were evaluated. To validate the CIS-T, all participants answered both the CIS-T and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). The CIS was re-administered one week later for test-retest reliability. RESULTS: The internal consistency reliability of the CIS-T was Cronbach's α = 0.87 and the interclass correlation coefficient reliability was r = 0.92. The item-discriminant validity ranged from r = 0.10 to 0.63. The correlations between the total scores of the scale and the subscale scores of the SF-36 were significant and negative (p < 0.01). The total CIS scores were significantly higher in musculoskeletal physical therapy patients (inpatients) than in healthy subjects, but there was no significant difference between musculoskeletal physical therapy patients (outpatients) and healthy subjects (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The CIS-T was a valid and reliable scale for assessing fatigue in physical therapy patients and the fatigue levels of musculoskeletal physical therapy patients were higher than those of healthy subjects.

Use of tape measure in people with or without back pain in assessment of reposition error.

AIM: Examining lumbar repositioning error (RE) using a tape measure in nonspecific low back pain (NLBP) and control groups and determining whether RE is different in subjects with nonspecific back pain than in controlled subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was totally applied to 36 subjects of whom 18 were healthy subjects and 18 were NLBP patients. The ability of the subjects to take the targeted positions was assessed. In subjects with NLBP the evaluation of the pain was assessed by using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and disability measurement was made using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). RESULTS: RE was found in all the measurements except for lumbar flexion with eyes open(p=0.15) in control group (p < 0.05). There were RE for all the measurements in NLBP grpup (p < 0.05). When RE of two groups compared only lumbar flexion with eyes open measurement (p = 0.04) in NLBP group was higher then control group. CONCLUSION: As a result of our study, it has been seen that RE measurement of the lumbar spine with tape measure, which is cheap and clinically practical, is a reliable method, and can be used in the assessment of NLBP patients and in the determination of the rehabilitation program.

Investigation of the relationship between wearing glasses and deep cervical flexor endurance in patients with non-specific neck pain.

AIMS: The aims of this study: 1) to determine postural changes according to wearing glasses and relationship between these changes and deep cervical flexor muscle group, 2) to investigate effectiveness of endurance training on postural changes and deep cervical flexor muscles. METHODS: Seventy-three patients who had neck pain participated in this study and divided into two groups according to wearing glasses or not. Before and after endurance training for 6 weeks, postural angles of cervical region were counted, deep cervical flexor endurance test was performed and score of pain and disability index were noted of all subjects. RESULTS: Before treatment endurance levels were lower and scores of disability index were higher in experimental group (p< 0.05). After treatment endurance levels were improved, and scores of disability index were decreased more significantly in control group (p< 0.05). There were no significant differences between gaze, head and neck angles in both groups after treatment (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: As a result it was seen that wearing glasses affected endurance of deep neck flexor muscles negatively, and it was not found relationship between postural angles and endurance of deep cervical flexor muscles. Also it was observed that endurance training for 6 weeks hadn't affected postural angles but enhanced performance of deep cervical flexor muscles significantly.

Relationship between learning strategies of patients and proper perception of the home exercise program with non-specific low back pain.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored how the effectiveness of prescription exercises for a home program for patients with non-specific low back pain by using the method with specified describing style in accordance with ATLAS (The Assessing the Learning Strategies of Adults) and traditional method that we often use in clinic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with non-specific low-back pain were referred to the physical therapy department for exercise therapy. Subjects were randomly assigned to control group, and experimental group. The stability exercise procedures were considered for each group. For patients in control group, exercises procedures were demonstrated with wording that we often use in clinic. For patients in experimental group, it was done by using the method with specified describing style in accordance with ATLAS (The Assessing the Learning Strategies of Adults). An Exercise Assessment Scale was also developed to measure exercise performance for this study. RESULTS: All demographic parameters, functionality scores, and distribution of learning strategies were homogeneous in two groups. The correlation tests showed no significant relationship between personal factors and properly perception of the home exercise program in control and experimental group. Exercise Assessment Scale scores were compared in both groups which showed a significantly superiority in experimental group compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The wording that we often use in clinic to describe home exercise program in patients with non-specific low back pain is not sufficient. While the method of specified describing style in accordance with ATLAS is more effective in understanding of exercises.

Evaluation of patients with spinal operation according to functional mobility.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to determine the effect of age, BMI (Body Mass Index: kg/m(2)), gender, level of lumbar disc operation and standardized physiotherapy of the patients during hospitalization on the Physiotherapy Functional Mobility Profile (PFMP). DESIGN: A retrospective study. PATIENTS: Eighty three patients who had undergone surgery with lumbar disc hernia were included in the study. Data were separately interpreted considering such parameters as age, BMI, gender, and level of operation which we believe might have affected the associated consequences. METHODS: PFMP was used in the assessment of the patients. Evaluations were made on the days when they were referred and discharged. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Increases were observed in totals and subheadings of PFMP scores during the early period of the inpatients exposed to lumbar disc operations to whom we applied standardized physiotherapy programs, with increases in subheadings involving ambulation being found significant. It follows from the conclusions of grouping our patients that functionality was positively influenced by 4th decade muscularity and by one-level operation in the early period.

The effect of physiotherapy on ventilatory dependency and the length of stay in an intensive care unit.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of physiotherapy on ventilator dependency and lengths of intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Patients were divided into two groups. The control group, which received standard nursing care, was a retrospective chart review. The data of control patients who were not receiving physiotherapy were obtained from the hospital records. The intervention group was prospectively taken into the chest physiotherapy program. This study was planned on mechanically ventilated patients who were admitted to a six-bed multidisciplinary internal medicine intensive care unit of the university hospital. A total of 510 patients who were hospitalised in the ICU were included in the study. Demographics, diagnostic profiles, co-existing chronic diseases, respiratory parameters on admission, patient's overall severity by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, patient outcome, duration of stay in ICU, duration of ventilator support, and complications were assessed. The extubation time and length of ICU stay were compared between the two groups. Control patients had a longer period of ventilator dependency than the intervention patients and this difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). It was noted that the resulting length of stay in the ICU was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (P<0.05). Although the patients had similar diagnoses and physical features, the length of stay in the ICU was significantly lower in the intervention group. The results show that physiotherapy has a great impact on ventilatory dependency and length of stay in the ICU.

The physical activity of patients after herniated lumbar disc surgery.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the level of pain, disability, performance, and physical activity changes in patients who underwent lumbar disc hernia surgery. METHODS: This study included 31 patients who underwent lumbar disc hernia surgery in the Neurosurgery Department of Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey over a 13-month period from April 2003 to May 2004. Changes in the patients` pain were determined using a visual analog scale, and disability changes were evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index. Total times for the following performance tests were recorded: rolling from right to left and vice versa, loaded reach, repeated sitting/standing, 50-foot walk, and 5-min walk. The Compendium of Physical Activities questionnaire was used to assess physical activity levels in a 24-hour period. The assessments were performed 2, 4, and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the pain, disability, performance, and physical activity levels 2, 4, and 6 months postoperatively (p=0.000), with the worst values at 2 months and the best at 6 months. CONCLUSION: A need exists not only to direct patients toward more active lifestyles and physical fitness, but also to use assessments to accelerate the recovery period, ensuring continuity in the postoperative period.

Large-scale Monte Carlo study of a realistic lattice model for Ga(1-x)MnxAs.

Mn-doped GaAs is studied with a real-space Hamiltonian on an fcc lattice that reproduces the valence bands of undoped GaAs. Large-scale Monte Carlo (MC) simulations on a Cray XT3, using up to a thousand nodes, were needed. Spin-orbit interaction and the random distribution of the Mn ions are considered. The hopping amplitudes are functions of the GaAs Luttinger parameters. At the realistic coupling J approximately 1.2 eV the MC Curie temperature and magnetization curves agree with experiments for x = 8.5% annealed samples. Mn-doped GaSb and GaP are also briefly discussed.

Evaluation of the kinesthetic sense and function of the hand in early period in operated cervical disc hernia.

A prospective study made into cervical disc hernias. To determine the kinesthetic sense and hand functions, which are important for the patients with cervical disc hernia to return to work life and daily activities that need skill. Neurosurgical department. Data Symptoms in cervical disc hernias and hand functions are affected depending on long-term pain. The evaluation of the hand is essential in assessing the patients' overall recovery and ability to return to daily activities and work life. Thirty-four patients with cervical disc hernia, who were operated on, were included in the study. Eight different test positions in the assessment of the hand's kinesthetic sense and hand function sort (HFS) in the evaluation of the hand function were applied. The disability levels of the patients were determined with The Neck Pain and Disability Scale, on the preoperative and postoperative discharge day and in the postoperative second month. Patients were divided into groups according to the side involved. In the evaluation of the kinesthetic test of the hand, only in the postoperative second month was a significant difference observed between the 1, 2, 3, and 4 test positions of the right side of the groups. On the other hand, no significant difference was found between the groups in the assessment of the hand function. In the measurement of hand functions and disability levels, strong and important correlations were determined. An early assessment of the hand's kinesthetic sense and function is instrumental in the patients' evaluation of recovery and resumption of work.