The efficacy of three-dimensional Schroth exercises in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a randomised controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) Schroth exercises in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. DESIGN: A randomised-controlled study. SETTING: An outpatient exercise-unit and in a home setting. SUBJECTS: Fifty-one patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. INTERVENTIONS: Forty-five patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into three groups. Schroth's 3D exercises were applied to the first group in the clinic and were given as a home program for the second group; the third group was the control. MAIN MEASURES: Scoliosis angle (Cobb method), angle of rotation (scoliometer), waist asymmetry (waist - elbow distance), maximum hump height of the patients and quality of life (QoL) (SRS-23) were assessed pre-treatment and, at the 6(th), 12(th) and 24(th) weeks. RESULTS: The Cobb (-2.53°; P=0.003) and rotation angles (-4.23°; P=0.000) significantly decreased, which indicated an improvement in the clinic exercise group compared to the other groups. The gibbosity (-68.66mm; P=0.000) and waist asymmetry improved only in the clinic exercise group, whereas the results of the other groups worsened. QoL did not change significantly in either group. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study the Schroth exercise program applied in the clinic under physiotherapist supervision was superior to the home exercise and control groups; additionally, we observed that scoliosis progressed in the control group, which received no treatment.

Comparison of efficiency of Kinesio® taping and electrical stimulation in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of Kinesio® taping and electrical stimulation in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome. METHODS: Thirty patients (26 females, 4 females; mean age: 32.9 ± 12.2 years) with patellofemoral pain syndrome were equally divided into two groups; the KT group receiving Kinesio® taping and an exercise program, and the ES group receiving electrical stimulation and the same exercise program. All patients received stretching and strengthening exercises for the lower extremity under the supervision of a physiotherapist in the outpatient unit 3 times a week for 6 weeks (18 sessions). Patients were evaluated for pain (visual analog scale), range of motion (using a goniometer), muscle strength (manual muscle test), functional condition (step test, triple-jump test, knee flexion test and Kujala patellofemoral score), and quality of life (SF-36) before and after treatment. RESULTS: Visual analog scale scores were reduced by 3.33 and 3.93 and Kujala patellofemoral scores increased by 8.93 and 9.66 for the KT and ES groups, respectively. Both these improvements were statistically significant (p<0.05). While improvements were observed in functional tests, range of motion, and muscle strength values in both groups; there were no significant differences between the two groups (p>0.05). There were statistically significant improvements in the SF-36 scores in both groups (p<0.05) and these improvements were of a similar rate (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Kinesio® taping and electrical stimulation have similar effects on decreasing pain, improving functional condition, increasing muscle strength and improving quality of life and neither are superior in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome.

[The prevalence of pain and different pain treatments in adults]. / Eriskinlerde agri ve farkli agri tedavilerinin prevalansi

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of pain (p) in adults and their preference for pain treatment, by using questionnaire. METHODS: First 7 questions of "Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form" and "Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire" were applied to 250 participants in face to face interview. A hundred eighty of the individuals were women (38.3±14.0 years old) and 70 were men (36.6±13.2 years old). Data analysis were performed using SPSS, version 10. RESULTS: Eighteen individuals (7.2%) had no pain and 232 (92.8%) of them had pain in different parts of the body. A hundred fourty five individuals had lowback p, 116 neck p, 101 dorsal p, 152 shoulder p, 69 upperarm p, 66 forearm p, 75 wrist p, 59 hip p, 69 upper leg p, 98 knee p, 81 crus pain. Their mean pain score was 3.6±1.8, mean pain score at its worst in the last 24 hours was 4.4±2.6. Thirty three percent of individuals had used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic drugs to relieve pain, 22.7% had physical therapy, 4.1% had other pain-relief methods, 1.2% had surgery, and 38% had nothing. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that 92.8% adults had pain. Although shoulder has highest pain prevalance, severe pain was mostly described in lowback area. Knee pain was largely interfered work ability. An important percent of persons experiencing pain has recieved no treatment and first preference for treatment was drug. Inspite of high pain prevalence in our study, slightly uncomfortable pain severity and no need for treatment can be explain a result of individual differences in pain perception.

Validity of the Turkish version of the Kujala patellofemoral score in patellofemoral pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Patellofemoral pain syndrome is one of the most common knee problems, with major effects on quality of life and function. The Kujala patellofemoral score is a functional evaluation instrument to evaluate knee problems related to the patellofemoral system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Turkish version of the Kujala patellofemoral score in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. METHODS: After obtaining permission from Kujala et al., the Kujala patellofemoral score was translated into Turkish. The translated version was administered to 40 patients (32 women, 8 men; mean age 33+/-12 years; range 17 to 54 years) twice at a two-week interval to test internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the scale. All the patients had patellofemoral pain syndrome and did not receive any treatment before administration of the scale. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to assess internal consistency and Spearman's correlation analysis was used to assess test-retest reliability. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha calculated for internal consistency of the Kujala patellofemoral score was 0.84. Correlation coefficients of the items to estimate test-retest reliability ranged from 0.613 (p=0.004) to 1.000 (p=0.000), with the mean correlation coefficient of 0.944 (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: There has been no functional assessment scale validated for Turkish patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Internal consistency of the Turkish version of the Kujala patellofemoral score showed good reliability and test-retest results showed high reliability, suggesting that it is an appropriate functional instrument for Turkish patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.