Knowledge, attitude and practice of physiotherapists about lymphedema: A Turkish perspective.

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapists are important members of the healthcare team in the management of lymphedema. Therefore, the level of knowledge and awareness of physiotherapists on this disease is substantial. This study was planned to investigate knowledge, attitude, and practice of physiotherapists about lymphedema in Turkey. METHOD: This study was a qualitative, prospective, and cross-sectional research. Data were collected with the web-survey which consisted of the demographical characteristics information, evaluation of their own knowledge and practice in lymphedema management, and current knowledge of physiotherapists about lymphedema based on the current literature. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-four physiotherapists (174 Female: 100 Male; mean age: 29.87 ± 6.9 years) completed the web-survey. From 274 physiotherapists, 52.60% of them had no education about lymphedema, 13.90% of them had never seen any patient with lymphedema, and 57.70% of them had not taken part in the management of a patient with lymphedema. 71.90% of the physiotherapists did not think they have enough knowledge about lymphedema. It was identified that physiotherapists' general and risk factors knowledge about lymphedema was sufficient. However, physiotherapists showed a lack of knowledge on the evaluation, treatment, and recommendations for lymphedema. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapists' education and experience in lymphedema management are crucial as they are important members of the multidisciplinary team. To raise qualified physiotherapists in this field, from undergraduate education, special training programs about lymphedema should be added to their lifelong learning process.

Perception of benefits-barriers of exercise, physical activity level, and body awareness in women with premenstrual syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: The study aims to investigate the relationship between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and physical activity, body awareness, and the benefits/barriers to exercise (a), as well as to compare women with and without PMS in relation to these parameters (b). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were administered The Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), Body Awareness Questionnaire, and The Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale. RESULTS: The age range of the participants included in the study was 19-48, with a mean age of 26.45 ± 7.14. A statistically significant difference was found between the women with and without PMS in terms of PMSS score, exercise benefits subscale score, and exercise barriers subscale score (p < 0.05). The results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between PMSS score and exercise barriers subscale score (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between IPAQ score and body awareness questionnaire, exercise benefits subscale score, total score of exercise benefits and barriers of scale (p < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between IPAQ score and exercise barriers subscale score (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between body awareness questionnaire score and exercise benefits subscale score, total score of exercise benefits and barriers of scale (p < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between body awareness questionnaire score and exercise barriers subscale score (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study provide valuable insights into the relationship between PMS, physical activity, body awareness, and exercise benefits/barriers among women. By addressing the barriers and benefits to exercise and enhancing body awareness, healthcare professionals can potentially improve women's with PMS overall well-being and encourage them to adopt and maintain a physically active lifestyle.

Family and personal factors associated with the participation of children with special needs in leisure activities: A Turkish perspective.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aims of the current study were to describe the participation patterns in leisure activities of children between the ages of 6 and 15 years with special needs and to analyze family behavior and personal factors that affect participation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Overall, 112 children with special needs aged 6-15 years and their families participated in the present study. Children's sociodemographic characteristics, participation patterns in leisure activities, family behavior, and quality of life were evaluated. RESULTS: In this study, it was observed that children participated in recreational activities the most and in physical activities the least. Most of the families reported that they did not have an influence on determining the activity. The findings showed correlations between leisure activities and age, gender, and socioeconomic status (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that (a) children's participation in activities outside the home and (b) family guidance are insufficient. Thus, rehabilitation professionals can inform families about activities appropriate for children, positive family behavior, and social support programs.

The effectiveness of specific exercise types on cardiopulmonary functions in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic review.

The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of specific exercise types on pulmonary functions, aerobic and functional capacity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A systematic search of Cochrane Database of Systematic Review, MEDLINE (EBSCO), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), CINAHL (EBSCO), PUBMED, AMED, EMBASE (OVID) was conducted in January 2016. The outcome measures were spirometric measurements, chest expansion, 6 minute walk distance (6MWD), pVO2, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). The search strategy was applied with limitation of date and language and this initial electronic search resulted in 143 relevant studies. After duplicates were removed, the titles and abstracts of 52 articles were screened. Of these, 14 full-text articles met initial criteria and were retrieved for review, with eight studies meeting final inclusion criteria. Both specific and conventional exercise groups showed significant improvements in BASDAI and BASFI scores (p < 0.05) in patients with AS, although there was no significant difference between two exercise groups. As for pulmonary functions, the specific exercise groups have greater improvements than conventional group in spirometric measurement, chest expansion (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between specific conventional exercise types in 6MWD (p > 0.05). Specific exercises are an effective adjuvant therapy to enhance cardiopulmonary functions in patients with AS; therefore, it is assumed that in addition to the medical treatments, specific exercise therapy might reduce the cardiopulmonary complications related with AS.