Emine Eda Kurt

Effects of Ai Chi on balance, quality of life, functional mobility, and motor impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease*

Abstract Purpose: In this study, we aimed to investigate effects of Ai Chi on balance, functional mobility, health-related quality of life, and motor impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Method: This study was conducted as an open-label randomized controlled trial (ISRCTN26292510) with repeated measures. Forty patients with Parkinson’s disease stages 2 to 3 according to the Hoehn and Yahr Scale were randomly allocated to either an Ai Chi exercise group or a land-based exercise control group for 5 weeks. Balance was measured using the Biodex-3,1 and the Berg Balance Scale. Functional mobility was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go Test. Additionally, health-related quality of life and motor activity were assessed with the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 and the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale-III. Results: Although patients in both groups showed significant improvement in all outcome variables, improvement of dynamic balance was significantly greater in the Ai Chi group (p < 0.001), Berg Balance Scale (p < 0.001), Timed Up and Go Test (p = 0.002), Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (p < 0.001), Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale-III (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results suggest that an Ai Chi exercise program improves balance, mobility, motor ability, and quality of life. In addition, Ai Chi exercise was more effective as an intervention than land-based exercise in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease. Implications for rehabilitation Ai Chi exercises (aquatic exercises) may help improve balance, functional mobility, health-related quality of life, and motor ability in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease more efficiently than similar land-based exercises. Ai Chi exercises should be considered as a rehabilitation option for treatment of patients with mild or moderate Parkinson’s disease.

Short-term effects of kinesio tape on joint position sense, isokinetic measurements, and clinical parameters in patellofemoral pain syndrome.

[Purpose] To evaluate the short-term effects of kinesio tape on joint position sense, isokinetic measurements, kinesiophobia, symptoms, and functional limitations in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 90 patients (112 knees) with patellofemoral pain syndrome were randomized into a kinesio tape group (n=45) or placebo kinesio tape group (n=45). Baseline isokinetic quadriceps muscle tests and measurements of joint position sense were performed in both groups. Pain was measured with a Visual Analog Scale, kinesiophobia with the Tampa kinesiophobia scale, and symptoms and functional limitations with the Kujala pain scale. Measurements were repeated 2 days after kinesio tape application. [Results] No differences were found between baseline isokinetic muscle measurements and those taken 2 days after application. However, significant improvements were observed in the kinesio tape group, with regard to joint position sense, pain, kinesiophobia, symptoms, and functional limitations after treatment. Examination of the differences between pre- and post-treatment values in both groups revealed that the kinesio tape group demonstrated greater improvements compared to the placebo kinesio tape group. [Conclusion] Although short-term kinesio tape application did not increase hamstring muscle strength, it may have improved joint position sense, pain, kinesiophobia, symptoms, and daily limitations.

Which Non-Pharmacological Treatment is More Effective on Clinical Parameters in Patients With Fibromyalgia: Balneotherapy or Aerobic Exercise?

Objectives This study aims to determine the effects of non-pharmacological therapies, namely balneotherapy, exercise, and the combined use of balneotherapy and exercise, on total myalgic score (TMS), sleep quality, health status, and signs of depression in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome, and to compare the efficacies of these treatment programs with respect to the above parameters. Patients and methods A total of 120 female subjects (mean age 37.21±12.45 years; range 18 to 63 years) diagnosed with fibromyalgia were enrolled. The patients were randomized into three groups with 40 patients in each (group 1: balneotherapy group, group 2: balneotherapy + exercise group, and group 3: exercise group). The patients underwent the treatment program for five days a week for a total of three weeks. Clinical parameters, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, TMS, and Beck Depression Scale were evaluated at pre-treatment and post- treatment periods, and at the third-month control visit. Results There were no differences between the groups with respect to Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, TMS and Beck Depression Scale scores on pre-treatment evaluation, while the combined use of balneotherapy + aerobic exercise was more effective on TMS (p<0.001), health status (p=0.009), and level of depression (p<0.001) in post-treatment evaluation. A better state of well-being with respect to sleep quality was achieved by balneotherapy and balneotherapy + exercise groups. The third-month comparisons, on the other hand, demonstrated that the balneotherapy + exercise group had a greater state of well-being with respect to TMS (p<0.001) and general health status (p<0.001). Balneotherapy + exercise and exercise therapy benefited signs of depression to a better degree (p<0.001). Balneotherapy and combined balneotherapy + exercise therapy produced more effective results in terms of sleep quality (p<0.001). TMS regressed to near baseline levels (p=0.397), while Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire levels rose to near baseline levels at the third-month control in the exercise therapy group (p=0.070). Conclusion The combined application of balneotherapy + exercise therapy, which are two of the recommended non-pharmacological treatments, may have superior and more sustained effects than administering either therapy alone.

Are Transitional Vertebra and Spina Bifida Occulta Related with Lumbar Disc Herniation and Clinical Parameters in Young Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

OBJECTIVE Lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) and spina bifida occulta (SBO) are widespread within the lumbosacral spine. Their connection to lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and/or lower back pain has been debated in the current literature; however, there is no consensus. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the frequency of LSTV and SBO with that of LDH among young patients with chronic lower back pain. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 1094 patients with lower back pain, aged between 20 and 40 years, with lower back pain history persisting for longer than 12 weeks were studied. All the patients in the study were evaluated with standard pelvic radiographs and lumbar vertebra magnetic resonance imaging. The severity of pain was measured using the visual analog scale, and the effect of lower back pain on daily life activities was measured using the Oswestry disability index. The patients were separated into two groups: Group 1 consisted of patients without LDH, and Group 2 consisted of patients with LDH. Additionally, these two groups were separated into three subgroups: Non-LSTV-SBO, LSTV, and SBO. RESULTS It was determined that LSTV frequency was significantly higher (p=0.004) in the lumbar disc herniation group 2. In addition, the existence of LSTV increased the risk of lower back pain (p<0.001, p<0.001) and disability (p<0.001, p<0.001) in young patients with and without LDH or not. However, the presence of SBO did not increase lower back pain (p=0.251, p=0.200) and disability (p=0.134, p=0.161) in both groups. CONCLUSION A relationship was detected between the frequency of LDH and LSTV in young patients with chronic lower back pain between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Also, the presence of LSTV was found to increase the risk of lower back pain and disability.

Cervical stability training with and without core stability training for patients with cervical disc herniation: A randomized, single-blind study

This study aims at evaluating and comparing the effects of cervical stability training to combined cervical and core stability training in patients with neck pain and cervical disc herniation.

Tight Hamstring Syndrome Related Lumbar Disc Herniation and Its Rehabilitation Program to Two Case Reports

Tight hamstring syndrome (THS) is a symptom complex which has a varied pathogenesis. The syndrome usually occurs in childhood and adolescent period. It is characterized by tightness of lumbar, ischial and crural muscles. Case Report 1: 17 year old male was complaining of low back and right leg pain which spread to the back right leg for last two month. He walking with limited forward flexion and right knee flexion. Stright leg raising test (SLRT) was leading to elevation of whole body like a board with painful and patient was suffering from pain when his legs was elevated to 30 degree. Popliteal angle of effected sign was 87 degrees. There was no weakness of lower extremity. MRI of lumbar spine showed L5-S1 right far lateral disc herniation. It was decided that patient’s diagnosis was THS depending on lumbar discopathy. Medical treatment, conventional physical therapy (15 session) and Mulligan traction straight leg raise technique (TSLR) were applied (9 session). After the Case Study Kurt et al.; BJMMR, 17(11): 1-9, 2016; Article no.BJMMR.28749 2 treatment his complaints were better than the baseline and the results of examination was improved. Case Report 2: 19 year old male was was complaining of left leg pain which spread to the back left leg last four month. SLRT was leading to elevation of whole body like a board with painful and patient was suffering from pain when his legs was elevated to 40 degree. He was standing and walking with limited forward flexion and increased flexion at left knee. it was also decided that patient’s diagnosis was THS depending on lumbar discopathy. Medical treatment, conventional physical therapy (15 session) and Mulligan TSLR technique were applied (9 session). After the therapy, his toe touching distance was 25 cm and SLRT was negative. Low back range of motion (ROM) was full. Conclusion: As well as developing technologies and treatment approaches, we believe that early diagnosis of THS and its reason can prevent additional surgeries. Our cases which diagnosed THS related lumbar disc herniation improved with early intervention.

Low-Energy Multilevel Vertebral Fracture in a Pediatric Patient during Follow-up for Idiopathic Hypercalciuria: A Case Report

Compared to adult studies, there are a limited number of pediatric studies exploring the effects of hypercalciuria on bone mineral density. The aim of this paper was to report a case of low-energy multilevel vertebral fracture in a pediatric patient during follow-up for idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH); it was also attempted to remind clinicians that IH-induced fractures may also occur in children. A 10-year-old male child presented to our outpatient clinic with back pain after jumping off from a height of approximately 50 cm. History of the patient showed that the patient had been followed-up for idiopathic hypercalciuria for 8 years and his father had renal stones and hypercalciuria. There was no abnormality on physical examination, with an exception for tenderness and limitation of movement in lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Complete blood count and biochemical parameters were normal except for an elevated alkaline phosphatase level. Dorsal and lumbar lateral plain graphs showed compression fractures of T4, T6, T8, and L3 vertebrae, therefore, lumbar and dorsal vertebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bone mineral densitometry (BMD), and vitamin D level measurement were ordered. MRI revealed acute compression fracture and medullary edema in L3; there were also chronic osteoporotic fractures in T4, T6, and T8. BMD showed a lumbar total Z score of -2.9 and the Vitamin D level was 13.7 ng/mL (10-24 ng/mL indicates moderate deficiency). A control renal ultrasonography revealed no kidney stones or calcification. The patient was prescribed polyethylene mold thoracolumbar corset and vitamin D support at a dose not to enhance hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis. His pain was alleviated at follow-up. Considering that most of the total bone mass is acquired at childhood, identification of causative factors and taking necessary measures at an early stage may prevent future complications of IH.