Meral Sertel

The relationship between physical, functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) among elderly people with a chronic disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between physical and functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) among elderly people who have a chronic disease. The study included 100 elderly individuals aged 65 years and older, who have a chronic disease. The study examined the marital and educational status, social security status, kind of chronic disease, number of chronic diseases and whether participants use assistive devices for walking. The Nottingham health profile (NHP) was used to evaluate QoL related to health; the physical mobility scale (PMS) was used to evaluate mobility in daily life and the functional independent measure (FIM) was used to evaluate functional independence in daily activities. In both female and male individuals, a statistically significant difference was found between the number of chronic diseases, kind of chronic disease, educational status, marital status, total FIM, PMS and NHP values (p<0.05). In males, there was a correlation between number of chronic illnesses and total NHP, FIM (p<0.05), but in females, there were no correlation between number of chronic illnesses and total NHP, FIM (p>0.05). There were no correlations between kind of chronic disease and PMS, NHP, FIM (p>0.05) in either of genders. It was found that there are differences among elderly female and male individuals with a chronic disease in terms of the number of chronic diseases, types of chronic disease, mobility level, functional status and QoL; and mobility level is related to functional capacity and QoL in females. It is thought that the rehabilitation programs to improve physical and functional capacity in elderly people and applications that increase participation in activities and reduce pain may improve QoL.

The effect of functional mobility and balance on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among elderly people living at home and those living in nursing home

The present study examined the effect of functional mobility and balance on HRQoL among elderly people living at home and those living in nursing homes. The study included 122 elderly people aged 65 and over. With regard to the individuals whose socio-demographic data were collected in the scope of the study, balance and functional mobility levels were evaluated using the timed up and go test (TUG) and Berg balance scale (BBS); HRQoL was evaluated using the Nottingham health profile (NHP); physical independence in daily activities was evaluated using the Barthel index (BI); and basic mobility in daily life was evaluated using the Rivermead mobility index (RMI). Statistically significant differences were found between the TUG, BBS and NHP values of the elderly people living in a home environment and those living in nursing homes (p<0.05). However, no statistically significant difference could be found between the BI and RMI values (p>0.05). A statistically significant relationship was found between the NHP and TUG, RMI, BI and the use of assistive devices in daily life activities (p<0.05). It is thought that the inclusion of functional mobility and balance training in elderly care and rehabilitation programs would be useful for the elderly people to develop functional independence and in increasing their HRQoL.

Short Term Effects of Classic Massage Compared to Connective Tissue Massage on Pressure Pain Threshold and Muscle Relaxation Response in Women With Chronic Neck Pain: A Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of classic massage (CM) and connective tissue massage (CTM) on pressure pain threshold and muscle relaxation response in women with chronic neck pain. METHODS Participants included 45 female volunteers (ages between 25 and 45 years) presenting to the Köroglu State Hospital Neurosurgery Polyclinic who had experienced neck pain for 3 to 6 months. The volunteers were randomly assigned to 2 groups (CM or CTM to the thoracic spine and the neck). Each treatment was carried out for 1 session. Outcome measures were obtained before and after treatment, which included pressure pain threshold that was measured with an algometer and muscle relaxation response that was evaluated with electromyography biofeedback (EMG-BF). RESULTS Pressure pain threshold of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was significantly different for the CM (P < .05) group. The EMG-BF values were significantly different for the CTM group (P < .05). Comparing the results of CM and CTM, EMG-BF averages favored the CTM group (P < .05). CONCLUSION For the group of women with chronic neck pain that were included in this study, 1 treatment of CTM demonstrated relaxation responses and 1 treatment of CM demonstrated pain reduction.

The Effects of Pain on Health-Related Quality of Life and Satisfaction With Life in Older Adults

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the relations between pain, health-related quality of life, and satisfaction with life in older adults above the age of 65 years. Subjects and methods: A total of 163 subjects, 58 (35.6%) females and 105 (64.4%) males, with an average age of 73.26 ± 6.58 years participated in the study. After gathering sociodemographic data, Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) was used to assess health-related quality of life. Satisfaction with life and level of pain were evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale. Results: Eighty-eight (54%) subjects reported pain that mainly originated from lower back, knees, and extremities with an average Visual Analogue Scale score of 5.75 ± 2.18. There were significant differences between older adults reporting pain and those who did not report pain in the aspects of satisfaction with life and NHP (total and all subscales) (P < .05). Also, severity of pain was found to have a negative effect on NHP and social isolation subscale (NHP) (P < .05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the adverse impact of pain on quality of life. Pain is a significant problem and needs to be routinely assessed and treated in older-adult population.

Assistive Device Usage in Elderly People and Evaluation of Mobility Level

This study examined assistive device usage and mobility level among elderly people. The inclusion criterion was age 65 years or older; all participants were volunteers. Participants were investigated in terms of their the sociodemographic characteristics and their levels of mobility device usage in everyday life, as assessed by the Rivermead Mobility Index and the Physical Mobility Scale. The study included 58 (35.6%) women (mean age = 73.18 ± 6.62) and 105 (64.4%) men (mean age = 73.31 ± 6.59). It was found that 31% of women and 19% of men used an assistive device in their everyday life; there was no significant difference in device usage according to gender (P > .05). The most common device among men and women was a walking stick. There were no significant differences between men and women in terms of Rivermead Mobility Index and Physical Mobility Scale scores; the mobility level of men was higher than women (P < .05). Assistive device usage is important for elderly people in maintaining indoor and outdoor mobility in everyday life. Our results should be taken into consideration in the rehabilitation of elderly people, especially elderly women. The use of mobility assistive devices reduces injury risk and becomes an important factor in increasing life quality in elderly people.

The Relationship Between the Cognitive Functions, Daily Activities, and Mobility Levels of Elderly People Living in a Nursing Home Compared With Those in a House Environment

Objective: The aim of the present research was to determine the relationship between the cognitive functions and daily activities and mobility levels of elderly people living either in a nursing home or in a house environment. Methods: The present study includes 59 elderly individuals living in a house environment and 70 elderly individuals living in a nursing home. The Standardized Mini Mental Test (SMMT), the Barthel Index, and the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) were applied to sociodemographic data of the study participants. Results: The cognitive status of the elderly people living in a nursing home was found to be lower than that of elderly people living in a house environment (P < .05). A relationship was found between the sex, educational status, use of an auxiliary device, the RMI, and the SMMT in the elderly people living in a nursing home (P < .05). In the elderly people living in a house environment, no statistically significant relationship was found between the SMMT, RMI, and the Barthel Index, whereas a relationship was found between the SMMT and the level of education (P < .05). Conclusion: The results indicate that sociodemographic characteristics are related to cognitive functions in elderly people 65 years or older. It was found that the individuals with low cognitive functions prefer living in a nursing home.

THE EFFECT OF BODY AWARENESS THERAPY AND AEROBIC EXERCISES ON PAIN AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE PATIENTS WITH TENSION TYPE HEADACHE

Background: This study is to investigate the effect of Body Awareness Therapy (BAT) and Aerobic Exercises on pain and quality of life in patients with Tension-Type Headache (TTH). Materials and Method: Sixty individuals with TTH diagnosis who referred Neurologist were incorporated into study. The individuals were randomly grouped into 3 as BAT (n=20), aerobic exercise (n=20) and control group (n=20). Pain severity of the individuals was evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and pain diary, disability with ache; by Pain Disability Index (PDI) and Headache Impact Tests (HIT) and quality of life was evaluated by SF-36. Subsequent to first assessments, 3 sessions of 60 minutes per week throughout 6 weeks totally. Results: When the groups were compared at the end of the study, a significant decrease was observed in VAS, PDI and HIT values in the individuals in the BAT and aerobic exercise groups. With the individuals in group BAT and aerobic exercise all parameters of quality of life were observed to be increased significantly. Conclusion: BAT and aerobic exercise programs to be applied on TTH patients were concluded to be important in decreasing the pain, in increasing the quality of life and in reducing pain-related daily constraints of the individuals.

The Effects of Body Mass Index on Balance, Mobility, and Functional Capacity in Older Adults

Objective: The aim of this study was to study the effects of body mass index (BMI) on balance, mobility, and physical capacity in the older adults. Methods: A total of 149 elderly individuals aged 65 to 85 years were recruited into the study. They were divided into 3 groups, including normal weight (n = 35), overweight (n = 67), and obese (n = 47), by their BMI values. Sociodemographic characteristics of the subjects were recorded, and their BMI values (body weight/height2 [kg/m2]) were calculated using height and body weight values. Balance was assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the tandem test, mobility by the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI), and physical capacity by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 69.64 ± 6.60 years. Statistical analysis revealed that there is no statistically significant difference between the BBS, RMI, and TUG values of normal, obese, and overweight elderly subjects (P > .05). A statistically significant difference was found in tandem test values of the right and left feet (P < .05). A correlation was identified between the BMI and balance (BBS) values for the subjects with a high mean age (P < .05), whereas there was no such correlation for the subjects with a lower mean age (P > .05). Conclusion: Although increased weight affects balance and mobility in the older adults, it is an important factor that affects balance and physical mobility in advanced age.

KORONER ARTER HASTALARINDA AĞRI, DİSPNE VE KİNEZYOFOBİNİN YAŞAM KALİTESİ ÜZERİNE ETKİSİ

Amac: Bu calismanin amaci koroner arter hastalarinda (KAH) agri, dispne ve kinezyofobinin yasam kalitesi uzerine etkisini incelemektir. Gerec ve Yontemler: Calismaya KAH tanisi konmus 114 hasta (88 erkek, 26 kadin) dahil edildi. Calismaya dahil edilen hastalarin sosyo-demografik ve klinik ozellikleri kaydedildi. Kinezyofobi icin TAMPA kinezyofobi olcegi, agri icin vizuel agri skalasi (VAS); dispne icin Modifiye Medical Research Council (MRCS), yorgunluk icinYorgunluk Şiddeti Olcegi (Fatique Severity Scale; FSS) ve saglikla ilgili yasam kalitesi icin de Nottingham Saglik Profili (NSP) kullanildi. Bulgular: Calismaya dahil edilen bireylerin yas ortalamasi 65.26±8.63 yil idi. Hastalarda VAS puanlari ile kinezyofobi duygusu, yasam kalitesinin agri, fiziksel aktivite alt parametreleri ve toplam NHP puani arasinda bir iliski bulundu (p<0.05). Kinezyofobi duygusu ile yorgunluk, yasam kalitesinin enerji seviyesi, agri, emosyonel reaksiyon, fiziksel aktivite alt parametreleri ve toplam NHP puan degeri arasinda da bir iliski belirlendi (p<0.05). Benzer sekilde, yorgunluk duzeyi ile yasam kalitesinin enerji seviyesi, agri alt parametresi ve toplam NHP puani arasinda da bir iliski gozlendi (p<0.05). Tartisma ve Sonuc: Calismamiz K AH’li hastalarda yorgunluk ve kinezyofobi duygusunun yasam kalitesini azalttigi gozlenmistir. Hastalarda kinezyofobiye neden olan agri ve yorgunluk gibi faktorlerin azaltilmasina yonelik yaklasimlarin yasam kalitesini onemli derecede arttiracagi dusunulmustur.

Kronik Engelli Çocuğa Sahip Annelerde Vücut Algısı, Depresyon Düzeyi Ve Yaşam Memnuniyeti Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi

Bu calisma, engelli cocuga sahip annelerde vucut algisi, depresyon duzeyi ve yasam memnuniyeti arasindaki iliskiyi degerlendirmek amaciyla planlanmistir. Calismaya 62 kronik engelli cocuga sahip anne katilmistir. Bireylerin demografik bilgileri alindiktan sonra, depresyon duzeyini belirlemek icin Beck Depresyon Skalasi, vucut algisini icin Vucut Algisi Olcegi ve yasam memnuniyetini icin ise Yasam Doyumu Olcegi kullanilmistir. Calismaya katilan bireylerin yas ortalamasi 40.08±8.09 yildi. Yapilan korelasyon analizinde, kronik engelli cocuga sahip annelerde depresyon ile vucut algisi arasinda pozitif yonde ve depresyon ile yasam memnuniyeti arasinda negatif yonde iliski bulunmustur. (p 0.05). Calismanin sonunda, engelli cocuk annelerinin yasam memnuniyetleri ile depresyon duzeyi arasinda iliskinin oldugu, fakat yasam memnuniyeti ile vucut algisi arasinda iliskinin olmadigi tespit edilmistir. Engelli cocuk annelerinde yasanabilecek olumsuzluklar annede beden algisinda bozulma ve yasam kalitesinde azalmaya da neden olabilmektedir. Engelli cocuga sahip annelere yararli olacak gerekli yardim ve hizmet almalari icin tesvik edilmelidir.