Andrzej Knapik

Kinesiophobia - Introducing a New Diagnostic Tool

Kinesiophobia - Introducing a New Diagnostic Tool Technical development of human civilisation brings about a decrease of adaptation potential of an individual, which is directly linked to deficient motor activity. Only precise identification of factors leading to hypokinesia would make prophylactic and therapeutic actions possible. In this article, authors would like to introduce a new, original tool aiming at diagnosing limitations of motor activity in adults. They propose a synthetic diagnosis of hypokinesia in two domains: biological and psycho-social, which is based on the contemporary model of health.

The effect of Saunders traction and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the cervical spine range of motion in patients reporting neck pain - pilot study.

INTRODUCTION It is estimated that about 80% of the general population occasionally experience spinal pain, with as many as 50% reporting pain in the cervical spine. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of treatment of cervical spine pain with the Saunders traction device and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) by assessing their impact on the cervical spine range of motion in the sagittal, coronal and horizontal planes. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 39 patients aged 26 to 62 years took part in the study. All patients reported chronic cervical spine pain caused by overload and postural insufficiency. The participants were randomly divided into three experimental groups. The first group was treated with Saunders traction where the traction force was administered so that the patient would experience noticeable but painless traction. The second group received traction as well as classic transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, whereas the third group received only TENS. Each patient attended 10 treatment sessions not more than three days apart. Measurements of the range of motion were performed with the CROM instrument before and after the first session, after the fifth and tenth session and about three weeks after completion of rehabilitation. RESULTS The study revealed the greatest ROM improvement in the coronal and horizontal planes and for the extension motion. CONCLUSIONS The best therapeutic effect was obtained by combining traction with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

The Activity and Its Barriers and the Well-Being of Older Poles

Abstract Background: Research of health determinants confirmed its beneficial relationships with the optimum level of physical activity at any age. The problem is the physical passivity of societies. In the elderly, this problem is of particular importance, which is conditioned by both biological factors and social. This justifies the diagnosis of relationships: the barrier activity - activity - well-being. Material/Methods: 393peoplewere tested:216women and 177men aged65 -85 years. A questionnaire with closed questions was used as a tool in the research. Physical activity was examined using selected questions of Baecke questionnaire, barriers to physical activity using a scale KCS, and self-assessment of health - by using the SF-36. Results: Correlation analysis of age and the activity showed a low relationship for the women and no relationship for the men. There were no differences in activity due to sex, either due to the occurrence of chronic diseases. There is a weak correlation between age and kinesiophobia among women, no relationship was found in the group of men. Prevalence of chronic diseases differentiated the level of kinesiophobia only in women. Analysis of health self-assessment showed a relatively well-being in the test - the average PC and MC were above 50 points. Conclusions: Women represent a lower level of physical activity than men, but at an older age, these differences are no longer statistically significant. However, the level of activity barriers is still higher. Aging is a process which varies greatly individually, and this applies to activity, its barriers, and self-assessment of health. Age is not a category that fully explains the complex issues depending on the variables examined.

Passive stiffness of the hamstrings and the rectus femoris in persons after an ACL reconstruction

ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of the article is to investigate the passive stiffness (PS) of rectus femoris and hamstring muscles working for the knee joint in persons after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. Methods: Thirty subjects (8 women and 22 men) aged 19–46 (x = 28.2 ± 7) participated in the investigation; an experimental group comprised 15 persons (4 women and 11 men) who underwent ACL reconstruction surgery. The other persons had no knee injury and described themselves as healthy. All the subjects underwent an investigation of the PS of the hamstrings and the rectus femoris on the injured as well as on the healthy leg. Results: The data shows vital difference in the PS of the hamstring muscles between the healthy and injured limb (p < 0.05), a significant difference in the PS of the rectus femoris (p < 0.001) was noted. Furthermore, the PS level of the hamstring muscles of the operated limb in the experimental group is significantly different to the both legs in control group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Injury of the ACL results in a considerable increase in passive stiffness of the hamstring and rectus femoris muscles in both the injured leg and the healthy leg.

The professional tasks of pediatric nurses according to parents of hospitalized children

Abstract Atopic eczema (or atopic dermatitis, AD) has a great impact on the quality of life of the affected person as well as the whole family. Hospitalization may be required during exacerbations of the disease. Basic skin care is just as important as pharmacological treatment during acute and chronic stage. Everyday use of emollients is recommended to avoid the recurrence of the disease. In certain cases dietary interventions such as food elimination may be beneficial. Education about the condition should be provided by well educated medical staff both for caregivers and patients. In this paper we discuss educational and dietary standards of management of atopic dermatitis according to current medical knowledge.

Impact of physical activity and fitness on the level of kinesiophobia in women of perimenopausal age

To determine the impact of physical activity and fitness on the level of physical activity barriers (kinesiophobia) in women of perimenopausal age, the study included 105 women between the ages of 48 and 58. A Baecke questionnaire was used to evaluate physical activity and a modified Fullerton test was used to evaluate the fitness level. The level of kinesiophobia was assessed using the Kinesiophobia Causes Scale questionnaire. A low level of habitual physical activity has a negative impact on the values of Biological Domain (r = –0.581), Psychological Domain (r = –0.451), and on the Kinesiophobia Cause Scale total score (r = –0.577). Lower physical activity expressed by a lower score in the Fullerton test also has a negative impact on the level of kinesiophobia. Upper body flexibility (r = –0.434) has the strongest influence on the Biological Domain, whereas upper body strength (r = –0.598) has the greatest impact on the Psychological Domain. A low level of upper body strength also has the greatest impact on the Kinesiophobia Cause Scale total score (r = –0.507). Low levels of physical activity and fitness in women of perimenopausal age favour kinesiophobic attitudes and thereby increase the level of barriers against undertaking physical activity.

Effect of a 4-week Nordic walking training on the physical fitness and self-assessment of the quality of health of women of the perimenopausal age.

Aim of the study To determine the effect of a 4-week Nordic walking training on the physical fitness of women of the perimenopausal age and self-assessment of the quality of their health. Material and methods Eighty-four women between 48 and 58 years of age were included in the study. Half of the group (42) was assigned to the control group and the other half was assigned to the experimental group. In both groups studied, physical fitness was evaluated using a modified Fullertons test and a quality of life self-assessment SF-36 (Short Form of Health Status Questionnaire). Similar tests were repeated 4 weeks later. In the experimental group, a Nordic walking training was conducted between the two tests. During 4 weeks, 10 training sessions were performed, each session was 60 minutes long, and there was an interval of 2 days between the sessions. Results A 4-week Nordic walking training resulted in a significant improvement (p < 0.001) of physical fitness as demonstrated by an increased strength and flexibility of the upper and lower part of the body and the ability to walk a longer distance during a 6-minute walking test. Women participating in the training also showed a significant improvement in health in terms of both physical health (p < 0.001) and mental health (p < 0.001). Conclusions A 4-week Nordic walking training has a positive effect on the physical fitness of the women in the perimenopausal age. Participation in training contributes also to a clearly higher self-assessment of the quality of health.

Elimination of the risks of falls in the elderly from the point of view of physiotherapy

Abstract Background: Man is exposed to falls performing daily activities, their effects turn out to be more severe especially in the later decades of life. After 60 years, it appears to be a larger number of fractures resulting in the limitation of physical fitness, health complications and life threatening. Therefore, prevention efforts conducted in the form of an in-depth analysis of the falls’ causes which already happened, control of health and proper treatment, conducting systematic, interesting and varied physical activities - in conjunction with education and mental change in a determined way they can and should reduce the risk of falls of the elderly.

Self-evaluation of the preparation of physicians and physiotherapists to provide medical services to people with intellectual disability

Abstract Background This study aimed to analyse the self-evaluations of physicians and physiotherapists, from different specialisations, about their preparedness for work with people with intellectual disability (ID), and what they considered were the most significant barriers in working with people with ID. Both the physicians and physiotherapists pointed to initiatives that they found useful, such as the Healthy Athletes Program of the Special Olympics, which prepares them for everyday work with people with disability. Methods The research was carried out in Poland with a group of 120 physicians and physiotherapists working in healthcare institutions. The research was based on the authors’ original questionnaire, which consists of 12 questions. Results The research participants rated their preparation for work with people with ID as 3.56 on a 4-point scale; their opinion of other representatives of the medical community was 3.44. Conclusions The physicians and physiotherapists identified gaps in their preparation to provide highly specialised medical and rehabilitation care to people with ID. They also pointed out that barriers to communication were the most significant difficulty encountered. Professionals’ engagement in a program such as the Healthy Athletes Program may go some way toward improving the quality of the services they provide to people with ID.