Linguistic summarization of visual attention and developmental functioning of young children with autism spectrum disorder.

Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children poses significant challenges due to its complex nature and impact on social communication development. While numerous data analytics techniques have been proposed for ASD evaluation, the process remains time-consuming and lacks clarity. Eye tracking (ET) data has emerged as a valuable resource for ASD risk assessment, yet existing literature predominantly focuses on predictive methods rather than descriptive techniques that offer human-friendly insights. Interpretation of ET data and Bayley scales, a widely used assessment tool, is challenging for ASD assessment of children. It should be understood clearly to perform better analytic tasks on ASD screening. Therefore, this study addresses this gap by employing linguistic summarization techniques to generate easily understandable summaries from raw ET data and Bayley scales. By integrating ET data and Bayley scores, the study aims to improve the identification of children with ASD from typically developing children (TD). Notably, this research represents one of the pioneering efforts to linguistically summarize ET data alongside Bayley scales, presenting comparative results between children with ASD and TD. Through linguistic summarization, this study facilitates the creation of simple, natural language statements, offering a first and unique approach to enhance ASD screening and contribute to our understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Maintaining Physical Health in Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Through Telerehabilitation.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of a telerehabilitation program on walking performance, lower and upper extremity function, fall frequency, respiratory function, and satisfaction in individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHODS: Thirty children (mean age 8.8 ± 4.2 years) were ambulant (Group 1), and 12 youth (18.5 ± 4.7 years) were non-ambulant (Group 2). The telerehabilitation program was applied by physiotherapists for 24 sessions (3 days/week). The 10-meter walking test, stand up from the supine position test, the modified upper extremity performance test, repetition of Lower and upper extremity movements, and the single breath count (SBC) test were administered. Fall frequency and satisfaction level were also recorded. RESULTS: Significant improvement was found after telerehabilitation in upper extremity performance, repetition of lower and upper extremity movements, fall frequency, and SBC scores in Group 1. Changes in the 10-minute Walk and Stand Up from the Supine Position tests were not significant. There was a significant improvement in SBC scores in Group 2. Satisfaction with the service was 88%. CONCLUSIONS: The 8-week telerehabilitation program was effective in improving aspects of upper and lower extremity function, fall frequency, pulmonary function, and satisfaction levels in individuals with DMD.

The relationship between lower urinary system symptoms and the level of independence and quality of life in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose was to investigate the frequency of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and the relationship between these symptoms and independence and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: The cross-sectional study included children aged 5-18 years and diagnosed with DMD and their families. Data were collected using the Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Scoring System (DVISS), the Barthel Index, and the Pediatric Quality of Life™ 3.0 Neuromuscular Module (PedsQL-NMM). RESULTS: The study was completed with 45 children with DMD. LUTS was found in 86.66% and LUTD was found in 44.44%. The most common symptom was holding maneuvers (62.22%). Other common symptoms were urinary urgency (55.55%), daytime urinary incontinence (46.66%), and enuresis (31.11%). There was a significant correlation of the DVISS with the level of independence and QoL (p < 0.05). Moreover, higher LUTS score was associated with lower Barthel and PedsQL-NMM scores. CONCLUSION: LUTS is a neglected condition, although it is frequently seen in children with DMD. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05464446.

Comparison of two different orthoses used in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.

BACKGROUND: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is one of the most common causes of lateral elbow pain, and orthoses are often used in its conservative treatment. However, the number of studies examining the effectiveness of the orthoses used and their differences compared to each other is limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of 2 orthoses types, wrist orthosis (WO) and counterforce brace (CB), commonly used in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis on muscle activation, grip strength, hand function, and satisfaction level in healthy individuals. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. METHODS: Thirty-seven healthy individuals were recruited. Muscle activation was evaluated by surface electromyography, and maximum grip strength was evaluated with a handheld dynamometer. Hand function and satisfaction level were evaluated with Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test and Orthotics and Prosthetics Users Survey, respectively. All evaluations were conducted for each individual in 3 conditions (no orthosis, WO, and CB). RESULTS: Extensor carpi radialis (ECR) muscle activation was greater when using CB compared with that when without orthosis (p = 0.036). There was no significant difference in extensor digitorum communis (EDC) muscle activation and maximum grip strength among the conditions (p > 0.05). Hand function was worse when using the WO compared with the other conditions (p < 0.001). In terms of orthosis satisfaction, individuals were found to be significantly more satisfied with the use of CB (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our study highlight the use of CB in terms of EDC muscle activity, grip strength, hand function, and satisfaction, while the use of WO is prominent in terms of keeping extensor carpi radialis muscle activity low, which has been shown to be important for LE. To obtain definitive results on the effectiveness of different orthoses in the treatment of LE, more research is needed to compare the muscular activation in the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and EDC muscles with objective methods.

The Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Disablement in the Physically Active Scale.

CONTEXT: The Disablement in the Physically Active Scale (DPAS) was recently developed to evaluate the disability process and health-related quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the DPAS in physically active individuals with musculoskeletal injury. METHODS: The study sample comprised 64 physically active individuals with musculoskeletal injury aged 16-40 years. The DPAS was translated into Turkish according to the guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation. Short Form-36 was used concurrently to test the construct validity. The test-retest reliability of the Turkish version of the scale assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach α was calculated for internal consistency. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis carried out on the Turkish version of the DPAS was confirmed. Cronbach α was calculated to be .946. The intraclass correlation coefficients ranged between .593 and .924 (P < .001). The Turkish version of the scale showed significant correlations with domains of the Short Form-36 (P < .05). When the sensitivity of the study was evaluated, the highest correlation was found between DPAS total score and impairments (r = .906, P = .001), and the lowest correlation was  between DPAS total score and quality of life (r = .637, P = .001). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the DPAS is a reliable, valid, and practical tool. The Turkish version of the DPAS can be used by health professionals to understand quality of life, the disability process, and activity limitations in Turkish-speaking physically active people after musculoskeletal injuries.

Is ultrasonography useful in the diagnosis of the polyneuropathy in diabetic patients?

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of polyneuropathy in diabetic patients by examination of the median and ulnar nerves. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty-three diabetic patients and fourteen controls were enrolled in the study. Nerve conduction studies were performed on both upper and lower limbs. Median and ulnar nerve cross-sectional areas were measured at the wrist and forearm levels in 140 hands by ultrasound. [Results] The median nerve cross-sectional area was increased at the hook of hamatum, pisiform bone, and radioulnar joint levels in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The ulnar nerve area at the medial epicondyle was significantly increased in the diabetic polyneuropathy (9.2 ± 1.6), diabetic polyneuropathy plus carpal tunnel syndrome (9.3 ± 1.4), and carpal tunnel syndrome (9.2 ± 1.9) groups compared with the control group (7.7 ± 1.1). In receiver operating characteristics analysis, the cutoff value of the ulnar nerve was 8.5 mm2 at ulnar epicondyle with 71.4% specificity and 70.4% sensitivity, corresponding to the highest diagnostic accuracy for diabetic polyneuropathy. [Conclusion] Ultrasonographic examination of the median and ulnar nerves can be an alternative or additional diagnostic modality for the evaluation of neuropathies in diabetic patients.