Yasemin Çirak

Pregnancy physical activity questionnaire (PPAQ): reliability and validity of Turkish version.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to translate the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire into Turkish and test its reliability and validity among Turkish pregnant women. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 204 healthy, single pregnant women between the ages 18 and 40 who volunteered to participate in this study. Reliability was evaluated by measuring the one-week test-retest reliability with the intraclass correlation coefficient and Pearson’s correlation analysis. Concurrent validity was examined by comparing the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire with the long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and step counts with pedometer. [Results] The mean age of the participants was 28.23±4.94 years, and the mean for BMI was 26.09±4.40. For test-retest reliability, r values were respectively 0.961, 0.934, 0.957 and 0.981 for self-reported sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous activity, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficient scores ranged from 0.924 to 0.993. For validity, the Pearson’s correlation coefficients between the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire and long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire ranged from moderate (r = 0.329) to high (r = 0.672). The correlation value between the total score of the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire and the step counts was 0.70. [Conclusion] The Turkish version of the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for measurement of the physical activity level of pregnant women.

Is physiotherapy integrated virtual walking effective on pain, function, and kinesiophobia in patients with non-specific low-back pain? Randomised controlled trial

PurposeAccording to literature, virtual reality was found to reduce pain and kinesiophobia in patients with chronic pain. The purpose of the study was to investigate short-term effect of the virtual reality on pain, function, and kinesiophobia in patients with subacute and chronic non-specific low-back painMethodsThis randomised controlled study in which 44 patients were randomly assigned to the traditional physiotherapy (control group, 22 subjects) or virtual walking integrated physiotherapy (experimental group, 22 subjects). Before and after treatment, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), TAMPA Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Timed-up and go Test (TUG), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Single-Leg Balance Test were assessed. The interaction effect between group and time was assessed by using repeated-measures analysis of covariance.ResultsAfter treatment, both groups showed improvement in all parameters. However, VAS, TKS, TUG, and 6MWT scores showed significant differences in favor of the experimental group.ConclusionVirtual walking integrated physiotherapy reduces pain and kinesiophobia, and improved function in patients with subacute and chronic non-specific low-back pain in short term.

Immediate effect of manual therapy on respiratory functions and inspiratory muscle strength in patients with COPD

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of manual therapy (MT) on respiratory functions and inspiratory muscle strength in patients with COPD. Participants and methods Thirty patients with severe COPD (eight females and 22 males; mean age 62.4±6.8 years) referred to pulmonary physiotherapy were included in this study. The patients participated in a single session of MT to measure the short-term effects. The lung function was measured using a portable spirometer. An electronic pressure transducer was used to measure respiratory muscle strength. Heart rate, breathing frequency, and oxygen saturation were measured with a pulse oximeter. For fatigue and dyspnea perception, the modified Borg rating of perceived exertion scale was used. All measurements were taken before and immediately after the first MT session. The ease-of-breathing visual analog scale was used for rating patients’ symptoms subjectively during the MT session. Results There was a significant improvement in the forced expiratory volume in the first second, forced vital capacity, and vital capacity values (P<0.05). The maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure values increased significantly after MT, compared to the pre-MT session (P<0.05). There was a significant decrease in heart rate, respiratory rate (P<0.05), and dyspnea and fatigue perception (P<0.05). Conclusion A single MT session immediately improved pulmonary function, inspiratory muscle strength, and oxygen saturation and reduced dyspnea, fatigue, and heart and respiratory rates in patients with severe COPD. MT should be added to pulmonary rehabilitation treatment as a new alternative that is fast acting and motivating in patients with COPD.

Validity and reliability of Turkish version of the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists.

Abstract Background: The initial purpose of this study was to perform a linguistic and cultural translation of the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists into the Turkish language. Following the translation process the primary purpose of the study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists. Materials and methods: A survey study design was used. The Turkish version of Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists was developed. A pilot test was performed and a final version was completed. Participants were recruited to examine the reliability and validity of the new instrument. Participants received an online survey package with the PABS-PT-TR and Turkish Version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Results: A total of 51 physiotherapists (response rate 60.7%) completed the PABS-PT-TR and Turkish Version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia and 28 physiotherapists completed the retest. Factor analysis was conducted to determine the construct of the scale. Two factors emerged: one focused on biomedical orientation and the second on biopsychosocial orientation. The test–retest reliability (ICC) for the biomedical scale was 0.81 (95% CI = 0.60–0.91) and 0.82 (95% CI = 0.61–0.91) for the biopsychosocial scale. Internal consistency for the “biomedical” scale was Cronbach’s α = 0.72 and α = 0.59 for the biopsychosocial scale. When the relationship between PABS-PT-TR and TSK was investigated, r value was 0.39 (p < 0.05) indicating fair convergent validity. These results indicated that the PABS-PT-TR shows construct validity. Conclusion: The PABS-PT-TR appears to have good test–retest reliability, acceptable to good internal consistency, and acceptable construct validity.

Impairments of postural stability, core endurance, fall index and functional mobility skills in patients with patello femoral pain syndrome

BACKGROUND Postural control allows performance of daily and sports activities. The previous studies show that postural sway inceases in orthopaedic injuries such as osteoarthritis and total knee arthroplasty. OBJECTIVE To compare postural sway, risk of falling and function between individuals with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS). METHODS This study included 22 subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome, age-matched pain-free 22 females serving as a control group. Visual anolog scale and Kujala were used to evaluate the pain. Posturographic assesment was performed by Tetrax posturographic device. Biering Modified Sorenson test for extensor endurance and sit-up test for flexor endurance were used for the evaluation of trunk endurance. Timed get-up and go test was used for lower extremity function. The Students t Test was used to compare variables between the groups. The Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to examine correlation between the quantitative variables. RESULTS Postural sway included eyes open without pillow, eyes open on pillow, eyes closed on pillow, risk of falling, function and postural stabilization included flexor endurance, extansor endurance are impared in patient with patellofemoral pain syndrome when compare to controls. In subjects with PFPS increased postural sway significantly associated with body mass index (r= 0.52), pain duration (r= 0.43), postural control (extansor endurance) (r= -0.50) and risk of falling (r= 0.62) on pillow with open eyes. In addition we found function significantly related with postural control (extansor endurance and flexor endurance) (r= -0.59 and r= -0.59) and risk of falling (r= 0.77)CONCLUSIONS: Decreased neuromuscular control of the trunk core and increased postural sway and falling risk were found in patients with PFPS. Patients may be evaluated for deficits in postural control and falling risk before treatment.

Cultural Adaptation of the Friendship Scale and Health-Related Quality of Life and Functional Mobility Parameters of the Elderly Living at Home and in the Nursing Home

Aim: The aim of our study is to validate the Friendship Scale (FS) for the Turkish population and to evaluate the differences between the social isolation parameters, health-related quality of life, and functional mobility in the elderly people living at home and at the nursing home. Methods: One hundred sixteen elderly people, 65 years and older, living at home and the nursing home were recruited in the study. Nottingham Health Profile was used to assess the health-related quality of life, Rivermead Mobility Index for mobility level, and FS for social isolation of the elderly in both groups. Results: Mean age of the participants in the study was 76.10 ± 8.22 years (63-97 years). Seventy-one of 116 cases (63.5%) were women and 45 (36.5%) were men. No differences were observed between the groups in terms of age and demographic and clinical characteristics (P < .05). Intraclass correlation coefficient score for test-retest reliability was 0.981 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.957-0.991) for the FS. The results showed concurrent validity of the Turkish version of FS and were significantly different between the groups (P = .006). There was no difference between the groups in terms of Rivermead Mobility Index (P = .246). Although there was no difference between the groups in terms of Nottingham Health Profile total score (P = .290), there was a significant difference in social isolation subscale (P = .028). Conclusions: It is thought that the inclusion of mobility, social participation, and integration in the rehabilitation programs of the elderly would be useful to maintain their functional independence, social participation, and psychosocial well-being and in increasing health-related quality of life. Regardless of where and in which circumstances they live, all of them have to be supported in their mobility, participation, and social well-being as early as they can.