Mohammad Ali Mohseni-Bandpei

Nonspecific low back pain in 5000 Iranian school-age children.

Low back pain (LBP) is common in adult population, and it is becoming a serious health concern in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of nonspecific LBP and associated risk factors in school-age children. After ethical approval, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 5000 randomly recruited secondary schoolchildren aged 11-14 years in the north of Iran. A structured questionnaire including questions concerning demographic, mechanical, and lifestyle data as well as the prevalence and characteristics of LBP was used. Of the original sample, 4813 (96.2%) children returned the questionnaire. Point, last month, last 6 months, and annual prevalence were 15%, 14.4%, 15.6%, and 17.4%, respectively. No association was found between schoolbag weight and prevalence of LBP (P = 0.824). Low back pain was significantly correlated with age (P = 0.000), position and time spent watching television (P = 0.028 and P = 0.002, respectively), position and duration of homework (P = 0.021 and P = 0.012, respectively). There was no association between LBP and body mass index (P = 0.596) or between LBP and sex (P = 0.412). The results indicated that the prevalence of LBP in schoolchildren is relatively high. Further studies focusing on the effect of different preventive strategies to reduce the impact of such a problem in schoolchildren is strongly recommended.

Ultrasonography of longus colli muscle: A reliability study on healthy subjects and patients with chronic neck pain

In this study, the reliability of the longus colli muscle (LCM) size was assessed in a relaxed state by a real time ultrasonography (US) device in a group of healthy subjects and a group of patients with chronic neck pain. Fifteen healthy subjects (19-41 years old) and 10 patients with chronic neck pain (27-44 years old) were recruited for the purpose of this study. LCM size was measured at the level of thyroid cartilage. Two images were taken on the same day with an hour interval to assess the within day reliability and the third image was taken 1 week later to determine between days reliability. Cross sectional area (CSA), anterior posterior dimension (APD), and lateral dimension (LD) were measured each time. The shape ratio was calculated as LD/APD. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) were computed for data analysis. The ICC of left and right CSA for within day and between days reliability in healthy subjects were (0.90, 0.93) and (0.85, 0.82), respectively. The ICC of left and right CSA for within day and between days reliability in patients with neck pain were (0.86, 0.82) and (0.76, 0.81), respectively. The results indicated that US could be used as a reliable tool to measure the LCM dimensions in healthy subjects and patients with chronic neck pain.

Application of rehabilitative ultrasound in the assessment of low back pain: A literature review

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common work-related conditions affecting all populations both in industrialized and non-industrialized countries, with reported high prevalence and incidence rates and huge direct and indirect costs. Among various suggested causes of LBP, dysfunction of back muscles, particularly lumbar multifidus and transverse abdominis, has been the subject of considerable research during last decades. Of the available imaging techniques, ultrasound (US) imaging technique is increasingly used to assess muscle dimensions and function as a valid, reliable and non-invasive approach. The purpose of the present study was to review the previously published studies (1990-2009) concerning the merit of US imaging of lumbar and abdominal muscles with particular attention to its clinical application in patients with LBP. Studies showed wide variation in terms of methodology, sample size, procedure, definition of LBP, heterogeneous sample, method of analyzing US imaging, US imaging parameters, etc. However, a convincing body of evidence was identified that supports US imaging as a reliable and valid tool both to differentiate patients with LBP from normal subjects and to monitor the effect of rehabilitation programs.

Low back pain in 1,100 Iranian pregnant women: prevalence and risk factors

BACKGROUND Low back pain (LBP) is a common and costly problem in pregnancy. It is one of the main reasons for disability, absence from work, and responsible for huge direct and indirect economical impact. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of LBP during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional study was carried out on Iranian pregnant women. PATIENT SAMPLE Eleven hundred randomly selected pregnant women. OUTCOME MEASURES A structured questionnaire including demographic, lifestyle, as well as prevalence and characteristics of LBP was used. Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry low back disability questionnaires were also used to assess the pain intensity and functional disability, respectively. METHODS After ethical approval from Medical Ethics Board at the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,100 pregnant women from 18 health centers in Sari district, at northern Iran. RESULTS Point, last-month, last 6-month, last-year, and lifetime prevalence of LBP were 40.2%, 55.9%, 59.4%, 76.2%, and 84.1%, respectively. Prolonged standing and rest were found to be the most significant aggravating and relieving factors (76.3% and 87.7%, respectively). LBP was significantly correlated with history of previous LBP and LBP in previous pregnancy (p=.000 in both cases). CONCLUSION The prevalence of LBP in pregnant women appears to be high and future research should focus on different preventive strategies during pregnancy.

Ultrasonography of the Cervical Muscles: A Critical Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE This article presents a review of the literature concerning size measurement of cervical muscles using real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) in patients with neck pain and in healthy populations. METHODS A literature search from 1996 to December 2009 making use of Science Direct and PubMed databases was conducted. Medical Subject Headings and other terms were as follows: ultrasonography, cervical, muscle, neck, size, pain, validity, reliability, neck pain, and healthy subjects. We included studies using RUSI for assessing cervical paraspinal muscles both in healthy subjects and in patients with neck pain. We assessed muscles investigated and the reliability and validity of the method used. RESULTS The literature search yielded 16 studies. Twelve (75%) studies assessed the posterior muscles, whereas in the remaining 4 (25%), the anterior muscles were studied. Three studies quantified the size of the muscles during contraction; 3 assessed the relationship between cross-sectional area, linear dimensions, and anthropometric variables; 1 evaluated the training-induced changes in muscle size; 1 assessed the differences in muscle shape and cross-sectional area of cervical multifidus between patients with chronic neck pain and controls; 8 studies looked at the reliability of using RUSI in patients with neck pain or healthy subjects; and 3 studies evaluated the validity of RUSI compared with magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSIONS This literature review has shown that there are not sufficient studies for assessing neck muscles with RUSI. It seems that using constant landmarks, knowledge of anatomy and function of target muscle, and a proper definition of muscle borders can help to take a clear image. Standardized position of the subject, correct placement of the transducer, and using multiple RUSI for statistical analyses may improve results.

Application of Ultrasound in the Assessment of Plantar Fascia in Patients With Plantar Fasciitis: A Systematic Review

Plantar fasciitis (PFS) is one of the most common causes of heel pain, estimated to affect 10% of the general population during their lifetime. Ultrasound (US) imaging technique is increasingly being used to assess plantar fascia (PF) thickness, monitor the effect of different interventions and guide therapeutic interventions in patients with PFS. The purpose of the present study was to systematically review previously published studies concerning the application of US in the assessment of PF in patients with PFS. A literature search was performed for the period 2000-2012 using the Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, Embase and Springer databases. The key words used were: ultrasound, sonography, imaging techniques, ultrasonography, interventional ultrasonography, plantar fascia and plantar fasciitis. The literature search yielded 34 relevant studies. Sixteen studies evaluated the effect of different interventions on PF thickness in patients with PFS using US; 12 studies compared PF thickness between patients with and without PFS using US; 6 studies investigated the application of US as a guide for therapeutic intervention in patients with PFS. There were variations among studies in terms of methodology used. The results indicated that US can be considered a reliable imaging technique for assessing PF thickness, monitoring the effect of different interventions and guiding therapeutic interventions in patients with PFS.

Shoulder Pain in Iranian Elite Athletes: The Prevalence and Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE Shoulder sports injuries are relatively common in athletes who perform highly repetitive motions. The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for shoulder injuries and to analyze how individual and other sport characteristics contribute to the risk of shoulder injuries among 6 overhead sports, those being swimming, rowing, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, and handball. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out on 613 Iranian overhead sports athletes in different collegiate sport fields. Data were collected using different questionnaires. A structured questionnaire including demographics, sport characteristics, and also prevalence and risk factors of shoulder pain was used. Visual analogue scale and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaires were used to determine the pain intensity and functional disability, respectively. RESULTS Point, last 6-month, last year, and lifetime prevalences of shoulder pain were 21.4%, 29%, 38.8%, and 41.6%, respectively. The highest point prevalence was related to the rowing athletes with 31.9% and the lowest for swimming athletes (12.3%). Sex, body mass index, sport level, days of practice per week, and satisfaction with income were found to be significantly correlated with the prevalence of shoulder pain (P < .05 in all instances). For those with shoulder pain, the mean pain intensity and functional disability were 53.8 mm and 15.46%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of shoulder pain in athletes with highly repetitive overhead motions seems to be high.

Reliability and validity of an iPhone® application for the measurement of lumbar spine flexion and extension range of motion

Background Measurement of lumbar spine range of motion (ROM) is often considered to be an essential component of lumbar spine physiotherapy and orthopedic assessment. The measurement can be carried out through various instruments such as inclinometers, goniometers, and etc. Recent smartphones have been equipped with accelerometers and magnetometers, which, through specific software applications (apps) can be used for inclinometric functions. Purpose The main purpose was to investigate the reliability and validity of an iPhone® app (TiltMeter© -advanced level and inclinometer) for measuring standing lumbar spine flexion–extension ROM in asymptomatic subjects. Design A cross-sectional study was carried out. Setting This study was conducted in a physiotherapy clinic located at School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Science and Health Services, Tehran, Iran. Subjects A convenience sample of 30 asymptomatic adults (15 males; 15 females; age range = 18–55 years) was recruited between August 2015 and December 2015. Methods Following a 2–minute warm-up, the subjects were asked to stand in a relaxed position and their skin was marked at the T12–L1 and S1–S2 spinal levels. From this position, they were asked to perform maximum lumbar flexion followed by maximum lumbar extension with their knees straight. Two blinded raters each used an inclinometer and the iPhone ® app to measure lumbar spine flexion–extension ROM. A third rater read the measured angles. To calculate total lumbar spine flexion–extension ROM, the measurement from S1–S2 was subtracted from T12–L1. The second (2 hours later) and third (48 hours later) sessions were carried out in the same manner as the first session. All of the measurements were conducted 3 times and the mean value of 3 repetitions for each measurement was used for analysis. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) models (3, k) and (2, k) were used to determine the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficients were used to establish concurrent validity of the iPhone® app. Furthermore, minimum detectable change at the 95% confidence level (MDC95) was computed as 1.96 × standard error of measurement × \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{upgreek} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document} }{}

Reliability and concurrent validity of a new iPhone® goniometric application for measuring active wrist range of motion: a cross‐sectional study in asymptomatic subjects

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Comparison of abdominal palpation, Johnson’s technique and ultrasound in the estimation of fetal weight in Northern Iran

\end{document}2. Results Good to excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were demonstrated for both the gravity-based inclinometer with ICC values of ≥0.84 and ≥0.77 and the iPhone® app with ICC values of ≥0.85 and ≥0.85, respectively. The MDC95 ranged from 5.82°to 8.18°for the intra-rater analysis and from 7.38°to 8.66° for the inter-rater analysis. The concurrent validity for flexion and extension between the 2 instruments was 0.85 and 0.91, respectively. Conclusions The iPhone®app possesses good to excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reliability and concurrent validity. It seems that the iPhone® app can be used for the measurement of lumbar spine flexion–extension ROM. Level of evidence IIb.