The effect of brace use on balance in individuals with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) have poorer standing balance compared with their healthy peers. However, the immediate effects of the braces used in the treatment on balance remain uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of brace use on balance and weight-bearing symmetry in patients with AIS and to compare the results of different brace designs. STUDY DESIGN: Observational. METHODS: A total of 21 patients with AIS aged 10-17 years using 10 Boston and 11 Cheneau braces participated. Immediate balance and weight-bearing symmetries of patients with and without their own braces were evaluated. Balance assessment was performed using the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) on a computerized dynamic posturography device. Weight-bearing symmetry was evaluated on the computerized dynamic posturography device with the knees in full extension, with the knees flexed at 30°, 60°, and 90°. RESULTS: Regardless of its design, it was found that brace use had no effect on immediate balance and weight-bearing symmetry (p > 0.05). Of the patients using a Boston brace, unbraced SOT condition 2, 3, and 5 and composite scores were found to be higher than their braced scores (p < 0.05). Braced SOT condition 3 scores of the patients using a Cheneau brace were higher than those using a Boston brace (p = 0.037). Brace use and brace types have no statistical effect on weight-bearing symmetry. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that brace use in patients with AIS has no positive effect on immediate balance and weight-bearing symmetry, and the use of Boston brace negatively affects immediate balance scores and increases visual dependence.

The effects of basic body awareness therapy on balance in patients with chronic neck pain: a randomised crossover trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of basic body awareness therapy (BBAT) and conventional treatments (CT) on balance in patients with chronic neck pain. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with neck pain participated in this randomised two-period crossover trial. Patients were divided into A (BBAT/CT) (n = 17) and B (CT/BBAT) (n = 18) groups. Group A received BBAT twice a week for 6 weeks, whereas Group B received CT within the same parameters. After a 5-week washout period, the treatments received by the groups were changed. The primary outcome was balance, assessed via the sensory organisation test (SOT) using the computerised dynamic posturography device. The secondary outcome was pain assessed by the visual analogue scale. Assessments were performed before and after primary and secondary treatments. RESULTS: In Group A, the SOT conditions 4, 5, 6; composites score; and visual and vestibular system scores increased after BBAT; however, only condition five scores and vestibular system scores increased (p < .05) in Group B, which started with CT. Within the groups, both treatments were effective for easing pain (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Although patients who started the therapy with BBAT showed more improvement in balance, no differences were observed between the therapies.

Effects of different exercises on respiratory parameters: A randomized controlled trial.

This study was designed to compare the effects of core stabilisation (CS) and auxiliary respiratory muscle strengthening exercises on oxygen consumption and respiratory parameters. A total of 51 participants were divided into three groups with block randomization method according to age and gender: CS Group (n = 17), Auxiliary Respiratory Muscles Exercise (ARM) Group (n = 17) and Control (C) Group (n = 17). Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max), first second of forced expiration (FEV1)/Forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) values were evaluated before and after the study. CS and ARM strengthening exercises were applied 3 days a week for 6 weeks. The increase in the FEV1/VC values was higher in the CS and ARM groups than in the C group (p < 0.05), whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between the ARM and CS groups (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of VO2 max values before and after the study (p > 0.05). The increase in the MVV values was higher in the CS and ARM groups than in the C group (p < 0.05), whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between the ARM and CS groups (p > 0.05). CS and ARM exercises had positive effects on FEV1/FVC and MVV.

Rasch analysis, reliability, and validity of the Turkish version of the Lumbar Spine Instability Questionnaire.

Background/aim: Lumbar instability is an important condition that can be seen frequently in people with low back pain, affecting both the progression and the choice of appropriate exercise. The Lumbar Spine Instability Questionnaire (LSIQ) is a simple and low-cost tool for evaluating disturbed back stability in people with low back pain. The aim of this study is to develop the Turkish version of the LSIQ (LSIQ-T) and to evaluate its psychometric properties using the Rasch model. Materials and methods: One hundred participants with chronic low back pain completed the LSIQ-T. The LSIQ-T was repeated for 30 participants after 1 week to establish its test-retest reliability. While internal and external construct validity were investigated using Rasch analysis and the Spearman correlation coefficient, respectively, reliability was evaluated in terms of internal consistency by Cronbach's alpha and the Person Separation Index (PSI). Results: All items of the LSIQ-T were found to fit the Rasch model (chi-square: 34.07 (df = 15), p = 0.0033). The internal construct validity was good, the overall mean item fit residual was 0 (SD: 0.765), and the mean person fit residual was 0.322 (SD: 1.123). Internal consistency reliability was low with a PSI of 0.63 although Cronbach's alpha was acceptable (0.68). When the test-retest reliability was examined via differential item functioning (DIF) by time, none of the items showed DIF. Conclusion: The LSIQ-T is a valid unidimensional scale for the Turkish population. Although the LSIQ-T had low internal consistency, it demonstrated unidimensionality and is appropriate for use. Therefore, the LSIQ-T can be used in clinical practice and scientific research.

Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale in cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: The Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FAB) is a multi-item balance assessment test designed to measure balance in relatively higher functioning individuals. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the FAB (FAB-T) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). RESEARCH QUESTION: Is the Turkish version of the Fullerton Advance Balance Scale valid and reliable in determining balance problems in children with cerebral palsy and determining the underlying cause of this condition? METHODS: Forty-six children with CP participated in this study. Rasch analysis was used to investigate item adherence. Internal consistency of the FAB-T was established using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Test-retest reliability was also evaluated. In addition, to assess concurrent validity, FAB-T scores were compared with the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) using the Spearman correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The FAB-T showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha value=0.94) and excellent test-retest reliability (ICC=0.99). The FAB and the PBS exhibited concurrent positive validity (r = 0.913; p < 0.001). All items of the FAB-T were found to fit the Rasch Model (Chi-square 16.01(df=20), p = 0.716). SIGNIFICANCE: The FAB-T is a reliable and valid tool that can be used to measure balance skills and to identify the source of the problem in children with CP.

Maximal exercise outcomes with a face mask: the effects of gender and age differences on cardiorespiratory responses.

BACKGROUND: Surgical masks have become an important accessory of physical activity in daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic. AIMS: To determine the effects of the surgical mask on respiratory gas exchange parameters, dyspnoea, and hemodynamic responses during maximal exercise in different age groups and gender. METHODS: Twenty-six healthy participants between 18 and 65 years (mean 37.35 ± 15.99) performed a maximal exercise test twice randomly, with and without a mask. To determine the respiratory gas exchange parameters (peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), minute ventilation (VE), energy expenditure (EE), respiratory rate), and hemodynamic responses, each participant underwent a maximal exercise test with Bruce protocol on the treadmill. The modified Borg scale (MBS) was used to determine the dyspnoea before and after exercise test. RESULTS: Test duration (min), metabolic equivalents (MET), VO2peak ml/kg/min, respiratory rate, and peak heart rate (HRpeak) of young participants after exercise test with and without a mask were higher than in middle-aged participants (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between males and females in test duration, VO2peak ml/kg/min, VO2peak ml/min, MET, VE l/min, respiratory rate, MBS, and EE in masked tests (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The surgical mask use affected the maximal exercise capacity of middle-aged participants more than young participants. Although males performed better than females in tests without masks, the decrease in exercise capacity with mask use was greater than in females. Advanced age and male gender may be factors that need more attention during exercise with mask use. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE: NCT04498546-02/17/2021.

Fluoroscopy-guided genicular nerves pulsed radiofrequency for chronic knee pain treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Pulsed RF application in the genicular nerve on pain and function in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and its side effects. METHODS: This study was conducted between February 2018 and June 2018. Patients who were previously administered diagnostic blocks were evaluated a day later; a drop of at least 50% in numeric pain scores was considered a positive response, and these patients were included in the Pulsed RF neurotomy procedures. Radiofrequency (RF) cannula was advanced towards targeted nerves under the guidance of fluoroscopy. RF lesions were created by applying Pulsed RF treatment to the three genicular nerves three times with five minutes intervals at 42 °C using NT1000 RF Generator. Following the Pulsed RF application, 2 mL 0.5% bupivacaine was injected into each genicular nerve as an anesthetic agent. VAS, pain DETECT scores, WOMAC scores were evaluated preoperative baseline and postprocedure weeks 1, 4, and 12. Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) score was evaluated postprocedure weeks 12. RESULTS: This study included 20 patients who were administered genicular nerve Pulsed RF. The mean age was 55.2±3.24 years, and F/M ratio was 12/8. Compared to the pre-procedure period, patients' pain and function evaluation, WOMAC and VAS values decreased by approximately 50% at the end of the 12th week. No side effect was observed in any patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that Pulsed RF neurotomy of the genicular nerves is an efficient and safe treatment method for patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis.