Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences and Research
Volume:10 Issue: 3, Sep 2023

The use of push-ups has been suggested to strengthen the scapular stabilizers, while incorporating unstable surfaces is recommended to enhance the involvement of the neuromuscular system. However, the impact of this instability on electromyography (EMG) activity in the periscapular muscles during push-ups in individuals with Scapular dyskinesis remains uncertain. Consequently, the objective of the current study was to assess the influence of unstable surfaces on EMG activity in the trapezius and Serratus anterior muscles among individuals with scapular dyskinesis during push-ups.

A comprehensive search was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases, covering articles published from the inception of these databases until September 25, 2021. The search strategy utilized three main keyword categories: Scapular dyskinesis, electromyography, and push-up. Initially, 5,249 articles were identified through this search process. After a thorough assessment of the full text of these articles, four studies were deemed suitable for inclusion in the final review. Data extraction and evaluation of methodological quality were carried out as part of the review process. The Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) and corresponding 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were calculated to perform the meta-analysis using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) Software, Version 3. Statistical significance was determined by a p-value less than 0.05.

The findings of the study revealed that the utilization of unstable surfaces among individuals with scapular dyskinesis led to an increase in the activity of the upper trapezius (P= 0.011; SMD= 0.807 [95%CI 0.188, 1.427]). Conversely, it reduced the Serratus anterior's activity (P= 0.000; SMD= -0.665 [95%CI -1.023, -0.307]). However, the electromyography activity of the Lower trapezius was not significantly affected (P= 0.176).

Due to the imbalance between the upper trapezius and serratus anterior muscles in individuals with scapular dyskinesis, caution should be exercised when using unstable surfaces. Incorrect utilization of unstable surfaces may worsen these individuals' muscle imbalance. Therefore, it is advisable to approach unstable surfaces with heightened caution in individuals with scapular dyskinesis.

 Quality of life (QOL) is a multidimensional concept encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and social functions. Lumbar pain (LP) experienced during pregnancy can have a negative impact on QOL, but the use of pregnancy belts has been known to improve it. Presently, these belts' most common design pattern involves an adjustable one-piece panel at the pelvic girdle (PG) but does not support the lumbar region. However, the new pregnancy belt evaluated in this study is designed to support the lumbar and pelvic girdles simultaneously. The primary objective of this study is to assess the QOL of pregnant females experiencing lumbar pain while using the new pregnancy belt compared to the current belt (CB).

  In this randomized controlled trial study, a total of 48 pregnant females experiencing pregnancy-related lumbar pain (LP) participated. They were divided into three groups: the CB, new belt, and control groups. At the beginning of the study and after three weeks, all groups completed a demographic questionnaire and a Quality of Life (QOL) questionnaire using the SF36 tool.

 After three weeks, all eight health concepts of the SF36 questionnaire showed improvement in both the CB and new belt user groups. However, in the control group, there was a decrease in these health concepts during the same period. A significant difference was observed in the physical and mental health scales when comparing the new belt group to the CB group. However, the two variables had no significant difference, with p-values of 1.00 and 0.15, respectively.

 Based on the study's findings, it can be inferred that the new pregnancy belt has a more significant impact on enhancing the Quality of Life (QOL) of pregnant females compared to the CB (current belt).

This study aimed to investigate the extent to which an 8-week scapular stabilizer strengthening and stretching exercise can reduce shoulder pain and improve wheelchair basketball sport skills. This is a parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving twenty-five elite wheelchair basketball players aged 25 to 54 who experienced shoulder pain. They were randomly assigned to either the exercise group (n=13) or the control group (n=12). The 8-week exercise program consisted of strengthening exercises targeting the serratus anterior, scapular retractor, and shoulder external rotator muscles, as well as stretching exercises for the upper trapezius, pectoralis major and minor muscles, and the posterior glenohumeral capsule and underlying soft tissues. Shoulder pain intensity was assessed using the wheelchair user's shoulder pain index, and basketball performance was evaluated using wheelchairs’ basketball skill tests. In addition, measurements of shoulder internal and external rotation range of motion, scapular upward rotation, maximal isometric muscle strength of middle and lower trapezius muscles, and pectoralis minor muscle length were taken at baseline and after the 8-week exercise intervention.Top of Form Participants in the exercise group experienced a significantly lower level of shoulder pain (p=0.001) and demonstrated a higher level of sports performance in all tests (p<0.05) compared to the control group. Moreover, the exercise group showed significant improvements in shoulder internal and external rotation range of motion (ROM) (p>0.001), external rotators muscle strength (p<0.001), and middle and lower trapezius muscle strength (p=0.003 and p=0.004, respectively) in comparison to the control group. Additionally, scapular upward rotation (p<0.001) and pectoralis minor length (p<0.001) were significantly increased in the exercise group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Indeed, the results suggest that an eight-week exercise program focused on scapular stabilizers and rotator cuff muscles can improve glenohumeral internal rotation, pectoralis minor length, and lower trapezius muscle strength. As a result, this exercise program could be considered a viable option for alleviating shoulder pain and enhancing sports performance in wheelchair basketball players.

Early detection and intervention can lead to successful future educational experiences for at-risk children and reduce the negative consequences of learning disorders. This study was conducted to develop a timely intervention package for first-grade students with specific learning disorders and examine its effects on their cognitive performance. The method employed in this study was quasi-experimental, utilizing a post-test and pre-test design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of first-grade Bojnord students referred to specific learning disorder centers. Thirty-two first-grade students referred to specific learning disorder centers were selected using an available sampling method and then randomly divided into experimental and control groups. During the pre-test stage, both groups underwent the fourth version of the Wechsler IQ Scale, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, and researcher-made spelling, reading, and arithmetic abilities tests. Afterward, students in the experimental group received cognitive interventions over 16 sessions. After the intervention, post-tests were conducted for the control and experimental groups. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using analysis of covariance. The results indicated that the experimental group obtained higher scores than the control group in the post-test reading, spelling, and mathematics evaluations. However, the experimental group had lower executive function scores than the control group. The results suggest that the designed cognitive package effectively reduces executive function problems and improves reading, spelling, and math performances.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the Prevent Injury and Enhance Performance (PEP) program on knee valgus and knee flexion angles, as well as Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) test scores in young male soccer players with poor landing mechanics. The study identified how increased knee valgus, decreased knee flexion and poor landing patterns contribute as risk factors for these young athletes' anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

The present study utilized a quasi-experimental design. A total of 47 soccer players with poor landing mechanics were purposefully recruited and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=23 players, age= 12.69±0.70 years, height= 1.53±0.06 m, weight= 49.91±6.76 kg) or the control group (n=24 players, age= 12.55±0.64 years, height= 1.51±0.08 m, weight= 51.25±7.73 kg). The study measured Knee Valgus angle, Knee flexion angle, and LESS test scores at the baseline and the end of the 8-week study period. During the study, the intervention group used the Prevent Injury and Enhanced Performance (PEP) program as a warm-up routine, while the control group continued with their regular warm-up routine. The researchers used ANCOVA (Analysis of Covariance) and paired-sample t-test statistical analyses to evaluate the changes.

the intervention group significantly reduced knee valgus angle (p=0.001). Additionally, there were significant enhancements in knee flexion angle (p=0.003) and the LESS test scores (p=0.001). In contrast, the control group did not show significant improvements in knee valgus and knee flexion angles (p>0.05), except for LESS test scores (p=0.001), where they also demonstrated improvement. Moreover, the study found significant differences between the intervention and control groups in knee valgus angle (p=0.001), knee flexion angle (p=0.025), and LESS test scores (p=0.001).

This study demonstrated that the PEP program effectively reduced dynamic knee valgus angles, increased knee flexion angles, and improved LESS test scores in young male soccer players. Therefore, it appears that this program can reduce the risk of ACL injuries in this population.

The study aims to investigate the impact of chronic kidney diseases (CKD) on the auditory processing abilities of patients, including uremic neuropathy. The impairment of auditory processing may result in communication, social, and emotional problems in their lives. Accordingly, this study analyzes the communication abilities and speech perception of noise in CKD patients to identify potential auditory disorders rapidly.

In this cross-sectional-comparative study, the authors randomly selected 30 CKD patients and 29 normal adults aged 20-55, all of whom had normal peripheral hearing. The participants underwent the consonant-vowel (CV) test with five signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and silence. Additionally, the participants completed the speech, spatial, and qualities of hearing scale questionnaire (SSQ), which consisted of three subscales. The scores of the two groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.

In both groups, the recognition scores for consonant-vowel decreased as the noise level increased. However, the normal group consistently outperformed the CKD patients at all noise levels. Regarding the three subscales of the SSQ, the patients obtained lower scores than the normal group, but this difference was not statistically significant.

Chronic renal failure appears to have a negative impact on speech perception abilities in noise, suggesting auditory neurological involvement in CKD. Although patient self-assessment did not indicate any speech processing disability, conducting regular and periodic assessments of central hearing in CKD patients is still advisable. Early diagnosis of hearing disability can help mitigate its consequences, and appropriate rehabilitation measures should be taken if a disability is detected.

Late identification and intervention of hearing loss in children negatively impact their hearing, language, and cognitive skills. Parents of hearing-impaired children (HIC) often experience high stress levels and depression. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of early intervention on the general health of parents of HIC. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted with parents of moderate to severe HIC who received either early or late intervention. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), which measures four subscales of physical symptoms, anxiety, social dysfunction, and depression, was administered to both groups of parents. The independent t-test, analysis of variance, and the Tukey test were employed to compare general health and its subscales between the two groups. A significant difference (Pv = 0.042) was found between the overall general health scores of parents (both fathers and mothers) of HIC with early interventions and parents of HIC with late interventions, particularly on the social dysfunction subscale (Pv = 0.003). Mothers of children with late interventions exhibited a greater disturbance on the GHQ's social dysfunction subscale than other parents (Pv < 0.05). Early intervention improves the general health of HIC's parents, especially in the social dysfunction subscale. However, late intervention appears to have a more pronounced impact on the general health and social function of HIC mothers than other parents.

Language professionals require effective tools to gather accurate information about children's language in diverse settings. This study aimed to create a Persian version of the Preschoolers' Conversational Skills scale and gather initial data on conversational skills in children with and without language disorders. The study primarily aimed to adapt an English research instrument into a Persian version. To achieve this goal, the research team employed a comprehensive process, including forward translation, synthesis of translations (harmony), backward translations (consolidation), expert committee review, cognitive interviewing, test of pre-final version, and submission and appraisal of all written reports. The participants involved in this process consisted of four translators, a statistician, a linguist, a speech therapist, the research team, eleven language professionals, ten mothers for cognitive interviewing, and 114 mothers for pretesting the final adapted version. A test-retest approach was utilized to assess the scale's reliability. During the translation process, there were no complicated words or phrases encountered. The expert panel retained all items from the adapted version, adding examples to two items. Participants who evaluated the Persian version found the items clear and straightforward. The Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Scale Content Validity Index (S-CVI) were 1 and above 0.9, respectively, indicating high content validity. The Cronbach's alpha value, which measures the scale's internal consistency, was calculated to be 0.9, signifying a high level of reliability. The scale used cut-off points of at or below 2.5, between 2.5 and 4.8, and at or above 4.8 to categorize children based on their conversational skills. the adapted version of the Preschoolers’ Conversational Skills scale has demonstrated excellent validity and high reliability. Moreover, the scale is easy and quick to administer, making it suitable for use in clinical settings to evaluate children's pragmatic language abilities. Based on the scale's categorization, children can be classified into three groups: "no or infrequent pragmatic skills," "emerging pragmatic skills," and "well-developed pragmatic skills."