فصلنامه طب توانبخشی
سال یازدهم شماره 5 (آذر و دی 1401)

The purpose of this letter to the editor is to provide an insight into the editorial process from submission to publication. There are many guidelines for authors before submission for the manuscript preparation to help their manuscript be processed faster; however, if the editors do not follow them, it will be less likely to process the submissions in a short time. After submission, the chief editor consults with the associate editors to decide whether to reject the manuscript or send it to the reviewers. If not rejected, it will be carefully assessed by a checklist in terms of different technical issues based on the instructions for authors exist in the journal website. The authors should ensure that they comply with instructions. This can speed up the process. A template is usually available for them in this regard. The second step is to select qualified reviewers for the manuscript. This is a very important step in the editorial process. The reviewers should be invited based on the relevance of their profession to the topic of the submitted manuscripts, and also based on their previous reviews. Since the “Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine” is a multidisciplinary journal, a large group of professionals are cooperating in the reviewing process.  The reviewer comments are sent back to the authors, and the amendments and responses of authors should be sent back to the reviewers. This process may be repeated for several times until the reviewers are satisfied with the responses and revisions of authors.

Massage therapy is widely used by athletes for various reasons such as recovery from fatigue, preventing injury, and relaxation. It is believed that massage improves the performance of the athletes by increasing their blood flow, removing lactic acid, and stimulating the nervous system. This review study aims to investigate the physiological and neurophysiological effects of sports massage on the athletes’ performance, to find out whether the clinical beliefs of sports physiotherapists about the effects of sports massage on sports injuries are supported by scientific evidence or not.

In this review study, a search was conducted in Google Scholar PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases on studies published in English from 1975 to 2020 using the keywords: Sports massage, sports injuries, physiological mechanisms, neurophysiological mechanisms, and performance of athletes. Fifty articles about the effects of sports massage were assessed for eligibility. Finally, 14 clinical trial studies and one case report study were included in the review.

Few studies have been conducted on the effect of sports massage on the athletes’ performance. The existing studies are heterogeneous, i.e., they have examined the effect of massage on different factors and reported contradictory results. It seems that the effects of sports massage on the athletes’ performance are more due to its psychological effects rather than its clinical effects. The effects of sports massage on athletes’ performance have not yet been supported by scientific evidence.

Many scholars consider that the effects of sports massage are due to increasing blood flow, but there is insufficient scientific evidence. In treatment of tendonitis and muscle strains, there is insufficient evidence that sports massage can reduce pain and accelerate healing. It seems the therapeutic effects of sport massage are more psychological and less physiological.

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are characterized by impulsivity, distraction, and hyperactivity and have high comorbidity with sluggish cognitive tempo. This study aimed to investigate the effect of mentalization-based treatment (MBT) on slow cognitive tempo and clinical symptoms (symptoms) of children with ADHD.

The study method was semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up with a control group design. The statistical population in this study were 7-9 years old students with ADHD studying in public schools in the six districts of Isfahan. To select the sample, 28 mothers of students who met the inclusion criteria were assigned and randomly divided into experimental and control groups (14 students in each group). The research instruments were the sluggish cognitive tempo questionnaire and the connors parent form questionnaire. The sessions of this treatment were 8 sessions of 60 minutes that were presented to the mothers of the experimental group and were not provided to the educational control group. After examining the assumptions of statistical tests, repeated measures analysis of variance was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 21.

Comparing the experimental group with the control group showed that the SCT and symptoms of ADHD in the experimental group compared to the control group were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Also, the comparison of mean scores showed a significant difference between pre-test and post-test and follow-up scores in both variables. Still, there was no significant difference between post-test and follow-up stage scores. There is a significant difference between the mean scores of SCT and the ADHD symptoms in the experimental and control groups and pre-test, post-test, and follow-up.

Considering the effectiveness of mentalization-based therapy on sluggish cognitive tempo and ADHD symptoms, this approach can be used as an effective treatment method in Iran.

Balance disorder in patients with stroke can cause the loss of independence and increase possibility of falling. The olfactory stimuli can activate the brain areas involved in balance activities. This study aims to investigate the effect of balance exercises combined with olfactory stimuli on the balance of patients with stroke.

In this randomized clinical trial, 32 patients with stroke were randomly assigned into groups of balance+olfactory stimulation and balance. The first group performed the balance exercises while wearing a mask containing the lavender essential oil. The second group performed the balance exercises while wearing a mask containing distilled water. Both groups performed the exercises for 20 min at one session. The timed up & go (TUG) test, 10-m walk test with self-selected speed, and Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BEST) were used for assessments. The data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 22. P<0.05 was statistically significant.

The mean score of 10-m walk test before and after the intervention was significantly different (decreased) in the combined group (P=0.001) and balance group (P<0.001). The mean TUG score before and after the intervention was also significantly different (decreased) in the combined group (P= 0.008) and balance group (P=0.003). The mean score of mini-BEST before and after the intervention was also significantly different (increased) in the combined group (P=0.001) and balance group (P= 0.008). No significant difference was observed in the mean scores of 10-m walk test (P=0.386), TUG test (P=0.720) and mini-BEST (P=0.152) between the two groups before and after the intervention.

One session of balance exercise can improve the static and dynamic balances of patients with stroke. Including the olfactory stimulation by the lavender essential oil in the balance exercise program has no significant effect. It is recommended that the effects of long-term use of different olfactory stimuli on the balance of patients with stroke should be investigated in the future studies.

Running sport is one of the basic and medal-winning sports. For success in this sport, it requires to improve the performance of athletes in young ages. This study aims to assess the effect of eight weeks of two plyometric and resistance training methods on selected biomechanical variables (flexibility, balance, power, and speed) of adolescent male runners.

This is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test design using a control group. The study population consists of all adolescent male runners aged 12-17 years attending the training sessions of youth teams active in the league competitions in Tehran, Iran. Of these, 45 were selected and randomly divided into three groups of plyometric training (n=15), resistance training (n=15) and control (n=15). The training programs were presented to the training groups for eight weeks, three sessions per week, each for 45 minutes, while the control group participated in their routine training of their teams. The Sargent jump test was used to evaluate their power; the 30-m sprint test was used to evaluate their speed; the star excursion balance test was used to evaluate their dynamic balance, and the sit and reach test was used to evaluate their flexibility. To analyze the collected data, descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post hoc test were used in SPSS software, version 24.

The eight weeks of two plyometric and resistance training methods had a significant effect on the selected biomechanical variables of adolescent male runners in the training groups compared to the control group. The results of post hoc test showed that the plyometric training was more effective than the resistance training.

Plyometric and resistance training methods can be helpful in improving the physical performance of adolescent male runners and increase their records.

Specific learning disabilities Based on the latest statistical diagnostic version of mental disorders, neurodevelopmental disorder of biological origin is considered, which causes abnormalities at the cognitive level. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on students’ impulsivity and aggression with a particular learning disorder.

The present research method was a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of all male and female students in the second grade of elementary school with special learning disabilities was the type of reading in Tabriz. The study sample included 36 male and female students in the second year of elementary school with a learning disability. To select the sample, first from the 3rd district of Tabriz education, three primary schools for girls in the second year and three schools for boys in the second year were selected as a cluster. And their parents completed the consent form. Fourty five people were selected for targeted sampling and 36 of them were selected as the final sample by considering the entry and exit criteria as the final sample and randomly tested in two experimental groups. Particepents (18 in each group) were in test group and control group. Raven’s intelligence test, checklist of teacher dysfunction checklists (teacher form), Buss and Perry’s aggression questionnaire, and Barratt’s developmental scale were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance with SPSSsoftware 22 and the significance level was considered to be 0.05.

The results showed that Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation on aggression and impulsivity of children in both experimental and control groups was significant (P<0.001).

According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation is effective in reducing impulsivity and aggression in children with learning disabilities.

Fractures due to osteoporosis impose high economic costs on patients and the health care system. Data mining has many applications in various fields, including medicine and sports, due to its ability to process large amounts of data and reduce detection time. Therefore, this study aims to provide a model for detecting osteoporosis in active older men using the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm.

This is a development-applied study. Medical data of 652 patients were first examined. Of these, 108 active older men were selected including 58 healthy men, 33 with osteopenia, and 17 with osteoporosis. The SVM algorithm was used to differentiate them. MATLAB software version 2020 was also used for data analysis. Evaluation was performed using the confusion matrix and based on the accuracy and precision criteria.

Of 103 features related to sociodemographic information of participants, 8 features were selected as the inputs of the algorithm. The SVM algorithm could detect osteoporosis with 59.3% accuracy and 54.91% precision.

By discovering hidden patterns and relationships in the data, the SVM algorithm can help improve the quality of diagnostic services for osteoporosis.

The morphology of knee joint extensor muscles including vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL), is one of the important and effective factors in lateral patellar compression syndrome (LPCS). This study aims to examine the morphological differences of these knee extensor muscles between women with and without LPCS.

In this causal-comparative study, 15 women with LPCS aged 18-30 years and 15 women without LPCS as controls participated who were selected by a convenience sampling methhod. For muscle imaging, the anteromedial (VM) and anterolateral (VL) thigh distal ends were scanned by using a two-dimensional digital ultrasound device (SonoSite Co., USA). The muscles’ cross-sectional area at the patellar base was measured in square centimeters and the muscle-fiber pennation angles of these muscles was measured in degree. Independent t-test was used to compare the variables between the two groups. The significance level was set at 0.05.

The cross-sectional area of VM in the control group was significantly higher than in the LPCS group (P=0.001), while the cross sectional area of VL was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). The muscle-fiber pennation angle of VM in the LPCS group was significantly lower than in the control group (P=0.016), while the muscle-fiber pennation angles of VL in the LPCS group was significantly higher than in the control group (P=0.021).

The morphology of VM and VL in women with LPCS symptoms shows a significant muscle imbalance that can change the patella position from normal to a more lateral position and increase the contact between the lateral facet of the patella and the lateral femoral condyle, resulting in increased pressure on this area and eventually knee pain.Muscle morphology, Cross-sectional area, Muscle-fiber pennation angle, Lateral patellar compression syndrome, Knee extensors

The presence of a blind child in the family puts a lot of pressure on the caregivers, especially the mother. Therefore, the mother’s mental and emotional condition is affected and disturbs her ability to balance time. By knowing the pattern of time use in mothers of blind children, it is possible to help improve the health and quality of life of these mothers. This study aims to evaluate the time use in mothers of children with blindness compared to the mothers of healthy children.

This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Ninety mothers of blind and healthy children aged 6-14 years participated in this study. Mothers were selected from among those whose children were in exceptional schools of Shahid Mohebi, Narjes, and Khazaeili and normal schools in West of Tehran, Iran using a convenience sampling method. Mothers’ time use for different activities was evaluated by the Persian version of the Mothers’ time Use questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software versio 21 using independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test.

Mothers of children with blindness spent more time on household chores and childcare and less time on sleeping/resting compared to the mothers of healthy children (50.0≥P).

The presence of a blind child in the family affects the ability of mothers in balancing the time and the quality of the time spent by them on daily activities. Therefore, there is a need to pay attention to balance of time as a variable of health and quality of life.

A proper hand function is essential for performing activities of daily living. Hand injuries can significantly affect participation in these activities. Therefore, any factors that interferes with the treatment of hand injuries and postoperative recovery such as smoking should be controlled. Smoking cigarettes use is a public health problem worldwide. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between smoking cigarettes and hand function after tendon repair in men.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 men (20 smokers and 20 non-smokers) who had undergone at least 10 sessions of physiotherapy and 10 sessions of occupational therapy one and a half months after tendon surgery. In order to collect the information, a demographical form and the shortened disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (QuickDASH) were used. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 22.

There was a significant difference in hand function after tendon repair between smokers and non-smokers (P=0.006). There was no significant relationship between the number of cigarette consumed per day and hand function (P=0.3)

It seems that there is a significant relationship between smoking and hand function after tendon repair, but there is no significant relationship between the number of cigarettes smoked per day and hand function. Individual counseling to smokers with hand injuries and expressing the possible negative effects of smoking on their hand function can increase the effectiveness of rehabilitation in them.

The present study aims to compare the effects of two types of hopping and strength-balance exercises on the balance and strength of selected muscles in athletes with chronic ankle instability.

Participants were 30 male athletes with chronic ankle instability, who were selected using a purposive sampling method and randomly divided into two groups of hopping and strength-balance exercise. A questionnaire was used to record demographic characteristics and the information about the history of sports. To measure strength, a dynamometer was used. The Standing stork test and Y balance test were used to measure static and dynamic balances, respectively. Analysis of covariance and the Least Significant Difference post hoc test were used to compare the means.

There was a significant difference in the static balance (P<0.001) and the total dynamic balance between the two groups (P<0.001). The strength-balance exercise group in all directions of the Y balance test performed better than the hopping exercise group. Moreover, hip abduction strength (P=0.02) and the inversion (P=0.005) and eversion strengths (P=0.002) of ankle were significantly different between the two groups after training, where the strength-balance group had higher scores. There was no significant difference between the two groups in other factors.

Both hopping and strength-balance exercises can be effective in improving the balance and strength of male athletes with chronic ankle instability, where the strength -balance exercise program seems to be more useful due to its comprehensiveness and given that it emphasizes the improvement of balance, proprioception, trunk strength, and lower limb strength, and can have a greater effect on the fast recovery of athletes.

Upper cross syndrome is a type of muscle-skeletal disorder that leads to shortening of the anterior muscles and weakness of the posterior muscles at the neck and thorax. One of the common methods of correcting these malalignments is corrective exercises. So far, different approaches have been used to correct this malalignment. Given the physical distance during epidemics and the lack of participation in correctional programs, it is not known whether distance training approaches can be as effective as face-to-face training.

The present study was semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design. In the present study, 60 female employees were selected and assigned to four groups randomly. The first experimental group performed corrective exercises, the second experimental group performed postural reeducation training at home during the same period of the training program, the third group performed combination exercises, and the fourth group was considered as control. Before and after the intervention of the forward head angle, the kyphosis and rounded shoulders of the individuals were measured. One-way analysis of variance and paired t-test were used to analyze the data.

All three experimental groups showed a significant difference before and after the intervention on the forward head angle, kyphosis, and rounded shoulder (P˂0.05). The results also showed that the rate of improvement in the combined training group was higher than that of the two training groups.

According to the test of research hypotheses on the effectiveness of corrective exercise and postural reeducation training on the upper cross syndrome, probably combined exercises are more effective than independent corrective and postural reeducation training. Therefore, it is recommended to trainers and corrective exercise specialists that correctional exercises not be limited to the clinical environment and they can be combined with postural reeducation training at home to get better results.

With aging, muscle strength decreases, and older people try to stay healthy as much as possible while maintaining their independence. Regular exercise is needed to control and delay the negative effects of aging. This study aims to investigate the effect of a combined exercise program on balance and respiratory fitness of active older men.

In this quasi-experimental study, 40 active older men (Mean age= 62±12.74 years) participated who were selected by a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned into control and exercise groups. Their balance and respiratory readiness were measured using a static balance gauge and spirometry test, respectively before and after the intervention. The exercise group participated in combined exercise program (aerobic, resistance, and balance exercises) for eight weeks, three sessions per week, each for 60 minutes. The control group continued to perform their daily activities during this period. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software version 22 using paired t-test and independent t-test. The significance level was set at 0.05.

The combined exercise program had a significant effect on improving static balance in both groups (P=0.002), but not on forced vital capacity (P>0.05). Regarding the forced expiratory volume over 1 second, its effect was significant only in the exercise group (P<0.05).

It seems that the combined exercise program can improve static balance and respiratory fitness of older men. It is suggested that the older men use this combined exercise program to increase their balance and respiratory fitness.

Daily living activities require the composition and coordination of scapulothoracic and glenohumeral joints. In athletes, the position of the scapula have a direct effect on their athletic performance due to its relationship with shoulder function. This study aims to investigates the scapulohumeral rhythm, kyphosis and forward shoulder in Iranian Wushu athletes and non-athletes.

This is a quasi-experimental study. Participants were 27 wushu athletes (Age: 23.29±1.72 years, height: 1.72±0.20 m, weight: 69.50±11.50 kg, body mass index: 22.25±3.29 kg/m2) and 27 non-athletes (Age: 25.92±2.85 years, height: 1.75±0.07 m, weight: 69.36±11.73 kg, body mass index: 22.53±3.08 kg/m2) which were selected using a convenience sampling method. The kyphosis angle was assessed with a flexible ruler and the forward shoulder was assessed using the photographic method. The distance of the scapula from the spine was assessed using the lateral scapular slide test. Independent t-test was used to examine the differences between the groups, and Pearson correlation test was used to examine the relationship between the study variables. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 24. The significance level was set at 0.05.

The angles of kyphosis and forward shoulder had a significant relationship with the distance of the scapula from the spine at 0, 45 and 90 degrees of arm abduction (P≥0.05) such that with increasing kyphosis and forward shoulder angles, the distance increased. In non-athletes, there was a significant difference between the distances of dominant and non-dominant scapula from the spine in 0 degree (P=0.01) and 45 degrees (P=0.02) of arm abduction; in 90 degrees, no significant difference in non-athletes was observed. Results of independent t-test showed a significant difference in kyphosis and forward shoulder angles and in the distance of the scapula from the spine at different degrees of arm abduction between the two groups (P≤0.05), which were greater in athletes than in non-athletes.

The kyphosis and forward shoulder angles have a relationship with the position of the scapula on the spine in professional Wushu athletes. More attention should be paid to these changes and their evaluation in terms of injury and musculoskeletal disorders.