The Impact of Personality Traits on Patient Satisfaction after Telerehabilitation: A Comparative Study of Remote and Face-to-Face Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation during COVID-19 Lockdown.

This study aimed to evaluate the differences in patient satisfaction between telerehabilitation and traditional face-to-face rehabilitation and to identify the impact of personality traits on patient satisfaction with the remote form of rehabilitation. Eighty participants with musculoskeletal pain were recruited for the study. The telerehabilitation group (n = 40) completed a single remote session of rehabilitation, whereas the traditional rehabilitation group (n = 40) completed a single face-to-face session. After therapy, each participant was asked to complete a tailored satisfaction survey using Google Forms. The Health Care Satisfaction Questionnaire (HCSQ) and the International Personality Item Pool-Big Five Markers-20 (IPIP-BFM-20) were used as outcome measures. Considering the results of patient satisfaction with healthcare service, there were no statistically significant differences between telerehabilitation and traditional rehabilitation groups in the total HCSQ score and its subscales. For the complete HCSQ, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and extraversion were essential predictor variables, accounting for 51% of the variance in patient satisfaction. In conclusion, there were no differences in patient satisfaction between telerehabilitation and traditional rehabilitation groups. In the telerehabilitation group, higher agreeableness levels and lower conscientiousness and extraversion level could predict patients' satisfaction with telerehabilitation.

Prevalence of Lumbar Segmental Instability in Young Individuals with the Different Types of Lumbar Disc Herniation-Preliminary Report.

Lumbar segmental instability (LSI) can cause pain and disability, and its background can be related to lumbar disc herniation (LDH). This retrospective study was conducted to analyze the prevalence of lumbar segmental instability (LSI) in young patients with different types of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). The study evaluated 133 individuals (18−25 years old) who suffered from LDH and underwent MRI and flexion-extension X-rays. Two groups were created: protrusion (PRO) and extrusion (EXT). LSI was scored positive when translatory motion was greater than 4 mm anteriorly or 2 mm posteriorly at the level of herniation. Statistica 13 was used to perform statistics. The LSI overall prevalence was 18.33% in PRO and 21.92% in EXT (p > 0.05). Out of all LSI positives, higher LSI incidence was observed in females compared to males; in PRO: 63.64%; in EXT: 68.75% (p > 0.05). LSI correlated positively with the passive lumbar extension test (PLE) (R = 0.32; p = 0.01) in the PRO group only. In summary, the results showed that the overall incidence of LSI was higher with severer disc damage. In addition, females were more prone to this pathology. However, the different types of LDH do not significantly affect the prevalence of LSI in young individuals.

Feasibility, Acceptability and Limitations of Speech and Language Telerehabilitation during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Qualitative Research Study on Clinicians' Perspectives.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought out the need to deliver health care services at a distance in the form of telerehabilitation (TR). This study aimed to analyse the Italian speech and language therapists' (SLTs) opinions on the feasibility of the TR in the field of speech-language therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. We developed an anonymous survey to determine the SLTs' opinions on feasibility of TR during lockdown caused by COVID-19. We analysed the survey's answers provided by 136 SLTs. Cronbach's alpha coefficient showed good reliability of the survey. The SLTs working previously with TR showed better judgements regarding this method. The comparison analysis between TR and face-to-face treatment delivery showed statistically significant differences as follows: "importance" (4.35 vs. 3.32, p = 0.001), "feasibility" (3.37 vs. 2.11, p < 0.001), "alternative form" (3.64 vs. 2.58, p = 0.001) and "comparison" (2.24 vs. 1.69, p < 0.001), but not with "familiarity" (p = 0.81). The survey showed that most of the Italian SLTs were not satisfied with TR systems. SLTs who used TR previously had a better opinion on this treatment modality. Experience and familiarity with TR systems were key factors for the use of this new rehabilitation modality.

Manual Therapy in Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

The aim of this study was to describe and update current knowledge of manual therapy accuracy in treating cervical and lumbar radiculopathy, to identify the limitations in current studies, and to suggest areas for future research. The study was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science databases up to April 2020. The following inclusion criteria were used: (1) presence of radiculopathy; (2) treatment defined as manual therapy (i.e., traction, manipulation, mobilization); and (3) publication defined as a Randomized Controlled Trial. The electronic literature search resulted in 473 potentially relevant articles. Finally, 27 articles were accepted: 21 on cervical (CR) and 6 in lumbar radiculopathy (LR). The mean PEDro score for CR was 6.6 (SD 1.3), and for LR 6.7 (SD 1.6). Traction-oriented techniques are the most frequently chosen treatment form for CR and are efficient in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes. In LR, each of the included publications used a different form of manual therapy, which makes it challenging to summarize knowledge in this group. Of included publications, 93% were either of moderate or low quality, which indicates that quality improvement is necessary for this type of research.

Effect of Core Stabilizing Training on Young Individuals Presenting Different Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease-Preliminary Report.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of stabilizing training for the deep core muscles of the lumbar spine in subjects with degenerative disc disease. This study was conducted on 38 participants. The participants were divided into two groups: the extrusion group (EXT, n = 17) and the protrusion group (PRO, n = 21). All the subjects underwent a four-week-long core stability exercise-based treatment (five sessions/week). Clinical outcome measures were assessed pre-intervention (pre), post-intervention (post) and four weeks after the intervention (follow-up). The primary outcome measures were the spinal range of motion (ROM; Spinal Mouse® device) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). In the PRO group, the ROM decreased from 88.52° pre-intervention to 83.33° post-intervention and to 82.82° at follow-up (p = 0.01), while the ODI decreased from 16.14 points pre-intervention to 6.57 points post-intervention, with 9.42 points at follow-up (p < 0.01). In the EXT group, the ROM decreased from 81.00° pre-intervention to 77.05° post-intervention, then increased to 77.94° at follow-up (p = 0.03), while the ODI decreased from 22.58 points pre-intervention to 15.41 points post-intervention and to 14.70 points at follow-up (p < 0.001). Although the stabilizing exercise sessions improved the clinical outcomes in each group, we cannot make conclusions as to whether the type of intervertebral disc damage significantly affects the results of stabilizing exercise-based treatment.

Mobilisation efficacy in young patients with different stages of degenerative disc disease.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar vertebrae carry the greatest load from the spinal column, often leading to several pathologies, including degenerative disc disease (DDD), potentially disturbing spinal movement patterns. Mobilisation increases hypomobile segment mobility, however there is little evidence on mobilisation in patients suffering from different types of DDD. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of mobilisation in young patients with DDD, as diagnosed by MRI. METHODS: Thirty patients (24-35 years) participated in this study, and were divided into two groups, based on progression levels of DDD diagnosed by MRI (protrusion-PRO/extrusion-EXT). Twenty sessions of sustained stretch mobilisation (grade III) were applied to both groups over four weeks. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), straight leg raise (SLR), passive lumbar extension (PLE) and lumbar range of motion (ROM) assessed outcome variables. Three trial stages were investigated: pre-therapy (1), post-therapy (2) and follow-up (3). RESULTS: Age (p= 0.007) and NRS (p= 0.002) were significantly different before therapy. Patient outcomes were significantly improved for all parameters in both groups, except SLR which improved in the EXT group only (p= 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Applied treatments improved patient outcomes and were statistically significant in both groups, however, better outcomes were observed in the EXT group during follow-up. Mobilisation was a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of DDD.

Effectiveness of Traction in Young Patients Representing Different Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) currently ranks among the most frequent musculoskeletal pathologies, and the average age of those affected is constantly decreasing. One of the causes of LBP is lumbar disc herniation (LDH). If untreated, it causes disability and leads to socio-economic problems. Traction techniques are a popular method of treating this condition. The stage of LDH (protrusion, extrusion) in young people appears to determine patients' clinical status, necessitating diversification of treatment methods with regard to the type of damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 37 people aged 22-35. The subjects underwent radiological evalu-ation (MRI), which constituted the basis for assigning them to one of two groups: a protrusion group (PRO) or an extrusion group (EXT). During the experiment, the patient was in the supine position while the therapist administered three-dimensional traction using a manual therapy belt. The Oswestry questionnaire, MRC scale, NRS, SLR test, PLE test and measurements of lumbar segment mobility were used for clinical evaluation. Statistica 12.5 was used to perform statistical calculations. RESULTS: An analgesic effect was noted with regard to the following two parameters in both groups: ODI (PRO 28 → 14 and EXT 30 → 28, p <0.01) and NRS (PRO 6 → 2 and EXT 6 → 3, p <0.01). The subjects improved clinically, with regard to PLE (EXT 22% → 0%, p <0.04) and SLR (PRO 100% → 29%, p <0.01, and EXT 100% → 57%, p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: 1. The type of intervertebral disc damage determines the functional status of young people with degenerative disc disease. 2. The study demonstrated and confirmed a positive effect of traction on the functional status of subjects with lumbar disc herniation. 3. Traction techniques are safe and can be successfully used in the treatment of LDH.

BODY SOMATIC TYPE INFLUENCE ON THE SPINAL CURVATURES IN EARLY AGE SCHOOL CHILDREN: PRELIMINARY REPORT.

INTRODUCTION: Sedentary lifestyle and its consequences are becoming a serious problem not only among the elderly but also relate to children. Reduced muscle mass, disorder of normal spinal curves or problems related to the percentage of body fat are part of physical activity limitation. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between somatic type of the body and spinal curvatures in school children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 94 randomly selected children from 1-3 elementary schools grades, 49 girls and 45 boys. The subjects were divided into 3 groups: a group of children with a BMI indicating underweight (BMI <14.5, n=25), a group of children with normal BMI (BMI = 14.5-17.5, n = 33) and children BMI indicating overweight (BMI > 17.5, n = 36). The Posturometr-S was a device used for measurement and evaluation of the formation of the spine in the sagittal plane. There were three angles of inclination of anterior-posterior curvature of the spine identified: the α angle-upper thoracic spine, the ß angle-thoraco-lumbar spine and the γ angle-lumbosacral spine. RESULTS: Analysing the results of the different angles of curvature of the spine in the sagittal plane we can notice a statistically significant difference between the groups only in the a angle. CONCLUSION: The own investigations have showed that the somatic type of the body does not affect the shape of the spine in school children assessed using Posturometr-S. Ther investigations are needed.