Arzu Daskapan

A comparison study of quality of life in women with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome

Purpose: To compare the quality of life scores of fibromyalgia patients with myofascial pain syndrome patients. Method: Thirty-three fibromyalgia patients, 33 myofascial pain syndrome patients, and 33 age-matched controls completed Beck Depression Inventory and Short Form-36 questionnaires. Results: Compared with myofascial pain syndrome patients, fibromyalgia patients reported significantly more often fatigue, numbness, tingling, gastrointestinal discomfort, and poor sleep. The mean scores on VAS and on Beck Depression Inventory were significantly higher in fibromyalgia patients than myofascial pain syndrome patients. Patients with fibromyalgia had significantly poorer health than the patients with myofascial pain syndrome in pain, general health, vitality, and role emotional subscales. Conclusions: The quality of life profile of fibromyalgia patients is quite different from those in the myosfascial pain syndrome group. Myofascial pain syndrome impacted mostly on physical health whereas fibromyalgia impacted on both physical and mental health.

Predictors of Job Satisfaction among Physiotherapists in Turkey

Predictors of Job Satisfaction among Physiotherapists in Turkey: Levent Eker, et al. Mother and Child Health Care and Family Planning General Directorate, Ministry of Health, Turkey— The aim of this study was to investigate the level of job satisfaction among physiotherapists, and to identify the best predictors of job satisfaction. A self‐administrated questionnaire survey was conducted in September 2003. Data were collected from 198 physiotherapists in 13 health care settings (five university hospitals, seven government hospitals, and one municipality hospital) located in Ankara, Turkey. Respondents were asked to complete a 31‐item job satisfaction questionnaire. The response rate was 79.8%. The percentage of satisfied physiotherapists was 45.5%. There were no significant satisfaction differences between genders or between age groups. There was a positive relationship between the global satisfaction and domain scores (all ps<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that the most important predictors of job satisfaction were: (1) Leadership (OR=1.03, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.06), (2) Interpersonal relationships (OR=1.03, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.05), (3) Advancement (OR=1.02, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.05), and (4) Salary (OR=1.02, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.04). Specific job satisfaction dimensions indicate that highest dissatisfaction levels occur in the area of salary and advancement. Areas of dissatisfaction are signals for change.

Effectiveness of two different physical therapy programmes in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

Abstract Combined physical therapy interventions traditionally are frequently used in clinical practice for pain relief and to improve physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two different physical therapy programmes on patients with knee osteoarthritis. A total 62 patients who fulfilled clinical and radiological criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for primary knee osteoarthritis were randomly allocated to two groups. After hot pack and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation applications, the first group was treated with isokinetic exercises and the second group with isotonic exercises. Both groups showed marked decreases of pain and increases of physical function, according to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index, immediately after treatment and three months later. The patients in both groups also showed a significant improvement in mental health scale of the Medical O...

Effects of two different quadriceps strengthening exercise approaches on cardiovascular fitness in healthy female subjects: a single blind randomized study.

OBJECTIVE There are limited number of documents showing the relations between cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. This study aimed to determine the effects of two different quadriceps strengthening exercise approaches on cardiovascular fitness in healthy female subjects. METHODS Forty female university students participated in this study on a voluntary basis. The participants were randomly assigned to do either isokinetic exercise (IE) or progressive resistive exercise (PRE) in two different groups. Both training schemes were performed three times a week for a period of two weeks. The subjects were given a maximum symptom limited exercise test on a treadmill before and after (each) training period. RESULTS Total exercise duration increased and Borg scale level decreased significantly after training in the two groups (p < 0.05). Maximal systolic blood pressure, recovery heart rate, and recovery diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the IE Group (p < 0.05). Resting and recovery systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the PRE Group (p < 0.05). Compared to PRE group, improvement for Borg Scale level, recovery heart rate and recovery diastolic blood pressure were more obvious in IE Group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that both quadriceps strengthening methods have displayed improvements in cardiovascular fitness. Further research with larger sample groups may need to be carried out.

Health-Related Physical Fitness in Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome or Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Background: We evaluated health-related physical fitness in women with fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] and myofascial pain syndrome [MPS]. Method: Thirty women with FMS, 30 women with MPS, and 30 healthy normal controls [HNC] were studied. Musculoskeletal pain was evaluated with a visual analog scale [VAS] and physical fitness was determined by the ability to perform a variety of physical fitness tests. Results: With a significantly higher mean VAS score, the FMS group had the highest rating of perceived exertion, the lowest total treadmill time, maximum heart rate, and the poorest performance in all fitness measurements. Ratings of perceived exertion were higher; vertical jump, modified pushup, sits up, handgrip strength tests were lower in the MPS compared with the HNC. Conclusions: Compared to healthy subjects, FMS adversely affected the physical fitness performance of the subjects to a greater degree than did MPS.