O. Yılmaz

Prednisolone therapy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy prolongs ambulation and prevents scoliosis

Steroids may have a beneficial effect on the course of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, results vary in different studies. This study consisted of 66 DMD boys who were in the therapy group and 22 DMD boys in the control group. The mean ages were 6.8 ± 2.1 years (range 2.5–12.5) and 7.0 ± 1.3 years (range 5.0–9.0), respectively. We assessed muscle strength, 10‐m walking, ankle contracture, and loss of independent walking ability age and onset of scoliosis. Treatment regimen was oral prednisolone 0.75 mg/kg on alternate days, plus vitamin D 600–1200 units/day and a calcium‐enriched diet. After a follow‐up period of 2.75 ± 1.1 years (range 1.5–5) and when compared with controls, there was a statistically significant change in muscle strength between the two groups after 12 months (P < 0.05). Although 10‐m walking time decreased in therapy group (P < 0.05), there was not significance between the groups in the end. Boys in the control group developed significantly less ankle contractures (P < 0.05). None of the therapy group had scoliosis during the follow‐up period (mean age 10.8 ± 1.2 years), whereas seven boys of the control group had scoliosis at a mean age of 11.7 ± 2 years. Loss of walking ability age was statistically different between groups (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that, alternate‐day prednisolone regimen may prolong ambulation and scoliosis can be delayed or prevented.

Different types of upper extremity exercise training in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Effects on functional performance, strength, endurance, and ambulation

We investigated and compared the effects of 2 different types of upper extremity exercise training on upper extremity function, strength, endurance, and ambulation in patients with early‐stage Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

The environmental barriers of children with Muscular Dystrophies and its effect on mother's low back pain

Purpose : The aim of this study is to determine the architectural barriers of children with Muscular Dystrophy at home according to their diminished functional capacity and its effect on their mothers back problem. Method : Twenty children with Muscular Dystrophy (11.1 - 4.14 years) were evaluated with Brooke Scale and WeeFIM. Quebec and Oswestry Disability Scales were used for determining physical disability of their mothers (38.65 - 5.91 years). The architectural barriers have been detected with attention to standard criterias of International Organizations for all countries around the world. Results : The heights of thresholds, switches of wall plugs, shelves, cupboards, mirrors, hangers, arm of windows and siphons were found to be higher than standard values. The relation between back disability questionnaire results of mothers and dependency level of children on Activity of Daily Living has showed negative correlation (p < 0.05). Conclusions : The protective back health programmes and home arrangements that are suitable for disabled children must be added to the neuromuscular rehabilitation programmes.

Mothers' depression and health-related quality of life in neuromuscular diseases: Role of functional independence level of the children

Background:  In the literature there have been studies about quality of life of parents who have children with chronic diseases. Most of these studies have focused on the stress of parents of children with neuromuscular disease (NMD), and there was no evidence to support hypothesized relationships between caregiving demands and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate the relations between maternal depression and HRQOL and functional limitations of the children with NMD.

Comparison of pain, kinesiophobia and quality of life in patients with low back and neck pain.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare patients with low back and neck pain with respect to kinesiophobia, pain, and quality of life. [Subjects and Methods] Three-hundred patients with low back (mean age 43.2±11 years) and 300 with neck pain (mean age 42.8±10.2 years) were included in this study. Pain severity was evaluated by using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, which includes a Visual Analogue Scale, quality of life by the Nottingham Health Profile, and kinesiophobia by the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. [Results] Pain severity was similar in both groups, with a Visual Analogue Scale score of 6.7±2 in the low back pain and 6.8±2 in the neck pain group. Nottingham Health Profile pain [z=−4.132] and physical activity scores [z=−5.640] in the low back pain group were significantly higher. Kinesiophobia was also more severe in the low back pain group, with a mean 42.05±5.91 versus 39.7±6.0 Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia score [z=−4.732]. [Conclusion] Patients with low back pain developed more severe kinesiophobia, regardless of the pain severity, and had greater pain perception and lower physical activity levels. Kinesiophobia adversely affects the quality of life and requires effective management of low back pain.

Orthotic management of the lower limb in children with hereditary motor sensory neuropathy (HMSN)

The lower limbs of 55 paediatric patients, with the diagnosis of hereditary motor sensory neuropathy (HMSN) referred to the Orthotics and Biomechanics Department of Hacettepe University, were assessed for appropriate orthotic intervention. Since in the natural history of HMSN symptoms and complaints are variable there is a wide range of interventions possible. The biomechanics of deforming forces and the consequential incidence of deformities in these 55 children, its orthotic implications and the efficacy of orthotic applications are discussed in detail.

Effect of muscle weakness distribution on balance in neuromuscular disease.

To assess balance and identify the effects of muscle weakness distribution on balance in children with different neuromuscular diseases.

Effects of different physiotherapy applications on pain and mobility of connective tissue in patients with myofascial pain syndrome

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of electrotherapy and exercise on pain intensity and mobility of connective tissue in patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) in their cervical region. METHODS 60 patients were divided into 3 groups using a random allocation programme method. A hotpack was applied, and ultrasound was carried out on the patients in the treatment group who were also given exercise training. Exercise training was only given to the exercise group while the control group was given two weeks rest. The demographic characteristics, autonomic symptoms, and other MPS-associated symptoms of patients were recorded. The Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire was used to evaluate the intensity and quality of pain, and a skin-roll test was used to evaluate connective tissue mobility. RESULTS There was a statistically significant difference between treatment and control group on the sensory pain, total pain, and Visual Analog Scale measurements (p< 0.05). There was a decrease in connective tissue sensitivity measurements in the treatment and control groups. The connective tissue tension measurements were also decreased after treatment in the treatment and exercise groups. CONCLUSION We concluded that combined treatment was more effective to decrease pain intensity, and increase connective tissue mobility.

Two different back pain scales and their relation to pain intensity in women

People suffering from low back pain (LBP) fail in performing many daily living activities. The aim of this study was to compare two different back pain scales and to determine the relation between pain intensity and these scales on women with low back pain. Fifty-five women with chronic LBP (X ± SD: 37.76 ± 5.12 years) participated in this study. Their disabilities were determined by Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) and Oswestry Low Back Disability Questionnaire Scale (OLBDQS). Pain intensity was measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS). Outcome of this study showed that the QBPDS and OLBDQS were highly correlated. Also, VAS scores were correlated with both scale scores but this correlation was less strong. These two disability measuring methods are comparable, but OLBDQS has the advantage of requiring shorter time. summary

The effect of independence level of the children with muscular dystrophies on the mother's low back pain

Abstract Introduction: Forward bending, rotation, lifting, carrying, pulling and pushing during bathroom activities, dressing, transferring, feeding, etc. increase stress on structures in the back and neck of mothers caring for disabled children. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of independence level of children with muscular dystrophies on their mothers low back pain. Methods: Thirty mothers who had children with muscular dystrophies were included in this study. They were divided two groups as mothers of nonambulatory (group 1) and ambulatory (group 2) disabled children. To investigate the activities of daily living the WeeFIM scale was used; to investigate the functional status the Broke Scale was used. Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) was used to measure disability and a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure pain in mothers. Results: The QBPDS scores of mothers were higher in group 1 (36.13 ± 17.9) than in group 2 (20.8 ± 14.87). There was positive correlation betwe...