فصلنامه علوم پیراپزشکی و توانبخشی
سال دهم شماره 4 (زمستان 1400)

Gait is one of the most basic necessities of a child's daily life. Elimination of gait from child’s life leads to various complications. Therefore, in the process of rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy, gait phase is always of special importance. Today, with the advancement of existing technologies in the field of rehabilitation, the use of new equipments based on modern science to accelerate the process of walking will be very necessary. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of smart dynamic body-weight support system on functional performance and gait improvement in children with cerebral palsy or other neurological diseases.

Eleven children with cerebral palsy, motor delay, and other genetic or acquired neurological diseases were recruited for this study. Before starting an intervention, functional tests consisted of five-repetition sit-to-stand tests, Timed Up and Go Test, Lateral Step Up Test and Berg Balance Scale were taken from participants. The functional tests were taken from the participants at the end of the tenth and twentieth sessions. Training sessions were 20 which consisted of 10 general exercises sessions at first and 10 advanced exercises sessions at the end. The duration of each training session was 20 minutes. Exercises were carried out by smart dynamic body-weight support system. The data were analyzed via Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Marginal Homogeneity test by SPSS software in 0.1 p-value.

The results showed that the significant difference in Berg Balance Scale exists between first and third assessments (P=0.003, m=12.364), first and second (P=0.003, m=8.636) and also second and third (P=0.028, m=3.727). In 5×SS and TUDS tests the significant difference exists between first and third assessments and first and second times but in TUG test the only significant difference is between first and third times.

The results of study showed that the exercises which were carried out by smart dynamic body-weight support system have led to improvement in functional performance and gait in children.

Lumbar disc herniation is one type of low back pain, which can cause muscle spasm, change in walking and ultimately lead to disability and loss of quality of life in an individual. Massage is one of the effective interventions to reduce pain in patients with back pain and hernia. Therefore, in this study, the effect of acute massage on pain relief and subsequent changes in plantar pressure in each session was investigated.

In this study, 14 women with lumbar disc herniation ranging from 35 to 45 years with a BMI of 25 to 30, received 5 sessions of massage, and at the end of each session, the distribution of foot pressure and pain intensity were evaluated.

The results showed a significant decrease in pain after 5 sessions of massage (p<0.05). Additionally, there was a significant difference between massage sessions (p<0.05). The amount of pain reduction was higher in first sessions. Foot pressure during walking after five sessions of massage had a significant improvement only in the right foot (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between massage sessions (p<0.05).

A massage session can improve pain relief in patients with low back pain caused by a lumbar disc herniation, but has no significant effect on plantar pressure. However, 5 sessions of massage can probably neutralize the compensatory mechanism created to prevent pain.

The study of bilingualism is often separated from the study of language abilities in monolinguals. However, a comparative study can provide better and more comprehensive results. The purpose of this study was to find the bases and compare the ability of semantic fluency function in healthy Arabic-Persian bilingual and Persian monolingual subjects.This comparative cross-sectional study was performed on 58 Arabic-Persian bilingual and 60 Persian monolingual adults aged 20-40 years by Convenience sampling method. Semantic verbal fluency task was used to compare naming skill in both bilingual and monolingual groups. In this task, the subject was asked to name fruit and animal categories in one minute. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22).All variables, apart from number of fruits, had significant difference between Arabic and Persian in bilinguals (P<0.05). The difference in mother language between the two groups was statistically significant in all semantic fluency tasks (P<0.05). The difference in mean semantic fluency in Persian language between bilingual and monolingual subjects was significant except for the two variables of fruit number and cluster size. Bilinguals performed better in their second (Persian) language. There was a significant difference between the mother language of bilinguals and monolinguals in semantic fluency. However, in Persian language there were no differences between the two groups in the two variables of fruit number and cluster size.

Motor failure and musculoskeletal deformities, particularly among the students, can be considered as one of the most important issues in the health system nationally. Therefore, examining the relationship between physical condition and motor disabilities can play an important role in preventing and managing the postural and motor control problems.

The present study was descriptive, relational, and predictive. Three hundred and forty students aged 7.51±0.96 years, weight 26.7±6.64 kg, height 125.98±9.10 cm, body mass 16.37±2.92 index) were selected based on the principle of availability. To assess the balance, (both static and dynamic) two tests were performed: standing and walking on wood. Posture condition components including forward head posture, round shoulder, uneven shoulder, scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, uneven pelvis, and knee and sole condition were also assessed. Since the normality of the data was not confirmed, Spearman test was used to analyse the data.

Descriptive results showed the prevalence of postural abnormalities in nonstructural scoliosis 55.6%, forward head 48.3%, left flat foot 71.2%, highest and hyperphysiosis 3% and knee brace 3.8% show the lowest value. The results showed the relationship between the variables as static balance with mean (5.7 ± 2.2) seconds with left shoulder prolapse with mean (.38 ±1.02) degree among 7-10 year old male students had a positive correlation (r=.155) and a negative correlation (r=.192) between the degree of sagging of the right shoulder (0.86 ± 1.5). There were not any other significant differences to report. Also dynamic balance with the average (5.45 ± 1.15) seconds and score (r=-.108) score with kyphosis angle value with average (30.34 ± 11.64) degrees and right shoulder sagging with average (0.86± 1.5) degree and score (r=.119) and cruciate knee with a mean (1.18 ± 2.11) cm had a negative correlation (r=.173) between 7-10 year old male students. There is a negative correlation between the overall balance (sum of static and dynamic balance) score and the mean points of right shoulder sagging (r=-.185) and there was a positive with the amount of left shoulder sagging (r=.146). There was not any other significant differences in other indexes

The results indicated a relationship between physical condition in different parts of the body with basic static and dynamic balance skills of 7 to 10 year old boys. It can be said that balance as one of the most important basic skills in children that depends on the strength and flexibility of the body muscles with changes in the correct direction of the spine, knees and shoulders, the ratio of strength and flexibility is disturbed and possibly the basic skill of balance changes. The research proposal to correctional and motor development specialists is to pay simultaneous attention to physical condition and basic skills in correctional programs and physical development. The results of the present study indicated the relationship between right and left shoulder sagging with static balance, knee deviation inward, kyphosis angle and right shoulder prolapse with dynamic balance and right and left shoulder prolapse with total balance in children 7 to 10-year-old boys. As a result, it can be inferred that balance as one of the most important basic skills in children, which depends on the strength and flexibility of the body muscles, is associated with changes in body orientation and body position and balance can affect each other. It is not yet possible to conclude about the origin of change and to specify which the cause of change and the main factors are, and therefore more research is needed in this regard.

Schizophrenia is one of the most debilitating psychological disorders and one of the most common psychoses. The level of performance of these patients can be affected by cognitive disorders and especially visual-spatial memory. Cognitive rehabilitation can help improve cognitive functions. It also seems that electrical brain stimulation via transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) can increase the working memory of these patients. In this study, we intend to investigate the effect of occupational therapy with TDCS on visual-spatial memory function and visual learning in this group of patients.

The present study is an interventional study in the form of a clinical trial with a double blind, pretest-posttest design. 24 people were selected by convenient non probability sampling method and randomly assigned into the control/intervention group. The intervention was conducted in 12 sessions of 20 minutes. The anode electrode was placed on the left F3 or left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) region and the cathode electrode was placed in the supraorbital region on the opposite side. All participants performed 3 cognitive tasks related to visual-spatial memory in each session and also received psychosocial occupational therapy services for 30 minutes. Participants' visual-spatial memory and learning were assessed by Spatial Recognition Memory (SRM) and Paired Associate Learning (PAL).

The results of the study showed that the application of electrical brain stimulation along with cognitive tasks and occupational therapy services can significantly increase (p<0.05) visual-spatial memory as well as visual learning. The results of SRM (P=0.004) test after the intervention were significantly different between the two groups. The results of PAL test (p=0.01) were also significant after the intervention.

The present study has found that if electrical stimulation is accompanied by cognitive tasks and occupational therapy, the function of visual-spatial memory and visual learning can be strengthened in a short time.

Improving postural control is essential as a basic functional ability to perform daily life activities. Muscle fatigue disrupts information received from sensory input to the brain, affects postural control, and reduces balance. Regarding the fundamental role of the foot as the principal point of contact between land and body, any external intervention that affecting the foot can therefore affect the balance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immediate effect of ankle taping on the ability to maintain static and dynamic balances with and without visual input before and after fatigue.

The statistical population of the present study was female colleague students of Bu-Ali Sina University. 20 female volunteers were enrolled in this study as a study population according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Criteria for inclusion in the study were: the right foot was the dominant foot, no obvious deformities in the lower extremities and normal navicular height. The interventions used in the present study included the application of Kinesiotape by basket weave method in the ankle and the creation of fatigue by the Bruce fatigue protocol. The static and dynamic balance of the subjects before and after taping with and without visual information were examined before and after fatigue using a Biodex balance system. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA test (p<0.05) using SPSS software.

The effect of time (with and without fatigue) and condition (with and without Kinesiotape) was not significant in any of the studied variables (p≥0.05). Also, the interaction of time and position in improving static balance in open eye (p=0.13) and closed eye (p=0.297) and dynamic balance (p = 0.738) before and after fatigue protocol did not showed a significant difference.

According to the results, ankle taping before and after the application of fatigue protocol in healthy individuals did not lead to improved static and dynamic balance. It seems that more studies are needed to show whether taping increases the ability to control the posture or it is more of a placebo role.

This randomized clinical trial study was performed to compare the effect of static stretching exercises and strengthening exercises in lengthened position of shortened hamstring muscles on changes in electrical activity (EMG) of the paravertebral muscles in the back of patients with chronic low back pain.

Forty-five patients with chronic low back pain were selected for this clinical trial through sampling available in the outpatient clinic of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. In addition to receiving conventional physiotherapy treatment for low back pain, all samples were randomly allocated into 3 groups: stretching exercises (n=15), strengthening exercises in muscle lengthened position (n=15) and the control group without additional intervention (n=15). Therapeutic interventions were performed for 4 weeks, 3 days a week and for a total of 12 sessions. Hamstring muscle length was measured by Norris test (thigh in vertical position and the patient tried to straighten the knee joint) with a goniometer. Electromyography information was recorded from the lumbar muscles of the patients during knee flexion against an elastic band.

Analysis of repeated measures showed that there was a non-significant difference between time, group, and time and group in the EMG activity of the back muscles (langismus and iliocostalis) (p>0.05) and only the time factor had a significant effect on pain and disability.

None of the static stretching exercise and hamstring muscle strengthening exercises in lengthened position did not cause a significant change in the electromyographic activity of the paravertebral muscles of the patients.

Maintaining balance is one of the most important parameters of a healthy body. Anyone experiencing balance issues is somehow trying to recover or upgrade their lost balance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks exercises on central yoga stabilization on static and semi-dynamic balance with open and closed eyes in female students of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on female students of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. The statistical sample consists of 20 individuals from the statistical population who were selected by available sampling. Pre-test (static and semi-dynamic balance with open and closed eyes with biodex balancer) was taken from all subjects. Then they practiced yoga for 8 weeks and then took the post-test. Data analysis was performed by dependent t-test at the significant level (p≤0.05) in SPSS software (version 24).

Findings showed that there was a significant difference between pre-test and post-test means for static balance variables with open eyes p=0.001 and with closed eyes p=0.001; Posterior-anterior semi-dynamic balance with open eyes p=0.013 and with closed eyes p=0.004; Posterior-internal semi-dynamic balance with open eyes p=0.001 and with closed eyes p=0.007; There was a posterior-external half-pubic balance with open eyes p = 0.001 and with closed eyes p=0.007.

Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that these exercises may have positive effects on semi-dynamic balance in all directions and static balance with eyes open and closed.

Proper scapular position is essential during upper limb movements. Improper positioning of this bone can play a role in the development of shoulder dysfunction and consequent pain. Therefore, knowledge about the methods of assessing the scapular position is an important issue. The aim of this study was to review the clinical and laboratory evaluation methods of scapula in different studies.

All studies in English language that were related to scapular position assessment methods from 1995 to 2020 were searched in Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct with the keywords Scapular kinematics, Scapular position, Scapular orientation, Clinical assessment, Evaluation, Assess, Measure, and Shoulder. Inclusion criteria were studies in which clinical or laboratory methods were used to assess the static or dynamic scapular position.

A total of 29 studies were found; 14 studies were related to clinical methods of scapular assessment, and 15 studies were related to laboratory methods of scapular assessment. These methods were introduced and explained in the present study. Also, the reliability, advantages and disadvantages of each method was described.

Based on the findings of this study, each of the methods of clinical and laboratory evaluation of the scapula has different applications as well as advantages and disadvantages; Therefore, one of the above methods cannot be introduced as the best method of scapular bone evaluation. It is suggested that the choice of scapular evaluation method be based on the purpose of the study, available facilities, and attention to the strengths and weaknesses of each of the mentioned methods.

The concepts presented in Persian medicine, as one of the holistic theories in complementary and alternative medicine, are closely related to other fields of sciences. Institutionalizing the World Health Organization's approach to the application of traditional medical schools requires an interdisciplinary academic approach. In Persian medicine, changing the quality of warmth and coldness can lead to a change in the quality of speech characteristics. One case of this quality change is the change in outside temperature due to climatic differences. Since according to the hypothesis of Persian medicine, climatic characteristics can affect the quality of warmth and coldness and consequently the rate of air exchange (Tarvih) and ultimately the qualities of sound and speech, the present study, with an inductive approach, tries to find evidence to refute or accept this hypothesis.

First, the reference books of Persian medicine, including Qanoun, Kamel al-Sena'a at-Tibbia and Zakhirih- e- Kharazm- Shahi were surveyed and materials related to the subject of speech and the quality of warmth and coldness were extracted. Then, Medical databases and search engines, including PubMed and Google Scholar, as well as linguistic databases were investigated.

The results show that in situations that according to the principles of Persian medicine lead to an increase in the quality of warmth, languages ​​with implosive consonants and clicks, as well as pharyngeal approximants and breathy voiced consonants are more concentrated. In addition, there is a greater tendency of concentration of the prototype of open-syllable languages and the languages with highest frequency of words ending to /h/ phoneme in warm areas. On the other hand, the focus of the prototype of the spectrum of close-syllable languages and the languages with the phenomenon of palatalization is more in the conditions and areas that lead to an increase in the quality of coldness.

The findings of this study are in line with the initial theory believing the qualities of warmth and coldness as external variables can influence speech characteristics. These results can be a confirmation on the hypothesis of the present study about the possibility of the relationship between speech characteristics and qualities of warmth and coldness from the perspective of Persian medicine, although there are other confounding factors that should be evaluated in larger studies.