RESUMO
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of weight loss on sexual and psychological health as well as quality of life in females with sexual dysfunction. Materials and methods: The study was done at Delta University for Science and Technology in Gamasa, Egypt, on 40 obese married females having sexual dysfunction. Their age ranged from 20 to 40 years old, with a mean of 28.98 ± 4.96 years. They followed a weight loss program in the form of diet regimen and physical training for 6 months. Anthropometric measures, Arabic Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Arabic version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Arabic version of Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) were evaluated prior to starting the study, after 3 and 6 months of the study. Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant reductions in anthropometric measures, as well as significant improvements in HADS and SF-36 scores after both 3 and 6 months of weight loss intervention compared to the baseline measurements, while there were significant improvements in sexual arousal, lubrication, patient satisfaction as well as the total score of FSFI after 3 months and contrarily there were no statistically significant changes in any of the FSFI's domains or overall score after 6 months of the weight loss program compared to baseline. Conclusion: Weight loss improves females' anthropometric measures, psychological function and quality of life; however, it has no direct effect on female sexual dysfunction (FSD) after 6 months compared to baseline, so increased awareness of FSD is necessary as this issue suffers from inadequate identification and management.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of combined low-level laser therapy (LLL) and rehabilitation in patients following recent total knee replacement (TKR). METHODS: A double-blind randomized controlled study was conducted at the Orthopedic Department of Mansoura University Hospital. Forty-four patients were chosen from a total of 58 patients who met the inclusion criteria and were assigned randomly into control and experimental groups of equal size. Ultimately, 40 patients completed the study (20 from each group). Both groups participated in an intensive functional rehabilitation program, and the experimental group also received LLL therapy around the knee at the incisional line, the medial and lateral intra-articular space, above and below the patella, and at the popliteal fossa at low fluence (6 J/cm2, 650 nm continuous wave) and 60 s per point with a total dose of 48 J per session over 12 treatment sessions for six weeks. Knee range of motion (ROM) was measured with a digital goniometer, and functional abilities were assessed with the Arabic version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index. RESULTS: There were significant differences in all variables pre- and post-treatment within each group. Before treatment, there was no significant difference in any of the measured variables between the groups (P>0.05). After treatment, there were significant differences in knee flexion ROM and WOMAC index (P<0.05) but no significant difference in knee extension ROM between the groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The addition of low-level laser therapy to a rehabilitation program post-TKR resulted in substantial enhancements in knee flexion range of motion and the WOMAC index.
