Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences and Research
Volume:11 Issue: 1, Winter 2024

This systematic review and meta-analysis study aims to investigate the effect of warming up on knee position sense.

The keywords of this systematic review and meta-analysis study were searched on December 1 by two authors in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The Downs and Black checklist checked the quality of articles. Statistical analysis was performed using CMA software. The I-square statistic was used to examine the data heterogeneity and estimate the percentage of heterogeneity. Besides, the Funnel Plot method was used for assessing the risk of bias in articles, and the trim-and-fill method was used in case of observation of possible bias.

Out of 5,133 studies found in selected databases, 31 were selected after reviewing the title and abstract, and seven articles were included in the study after reviewing the full text. The results indicated that warming up has a significant effect on reducing the active absolute angular error (P<0.05) and increasing the active relative angular error (P<0.05) but has no significant effect on the passive absolute angular error (P>0.05).

Warming can reduce absolute and relative angular error. Therefore, it has a significant effect on improving proprioception.

This study aimed to assess the impact of a corrective exercise program on the balance and performance of female volleyball players with knee dynamic valgus defects.
This study employed a semi-experimental design in the field of sports. the study's target population comprised female volleyball players in East Azarbaijan with knee dynamic valgus defects. From this population, 30 subjects were selected and randomly divided into control and experiment groups, following the completion of personal profiles and screening for knee dynamic valgus defects using a squat test. The study measured static and dynamic balance through the Balance Error Score System (BESS) and Y balance tests for lower limb assessment and upper extremity function through the Y functional test for upper extremities in both groups. The experimental group underwent a 10-session program of corrective exercises, while the control group continued with their regular volleyball exercises. After the training period, both groups underwent a post-test. The data's normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. The effect of the corrective exercise program on the research's dependent variables was analyzed through covariance analysis and dependent t-tests, with a confidence level set at P ≤ 0.05.
The results showed a positive impact of corrective exercises on static and dynamic balance (P = 0.001) and upper extremity function (P = 0.001) in volleyball players with dynamic knee valgus defects.
The study results demonstrate that the corrective exercise program, following the National Academy of Sports Medicine approach, significantly reduces knee dynamic valgus, improves balance, and enhances upper extremity function in young female volleyball players.

This study explored the concept of ‘life balance’ during physical isolation due to COVID-19 in Iran in 2020.
In a cross-sectional design, 403 participants completed the internet-based "Life Balance Inventory (LBI)”, which includes five subscales: health, relationship, identity, challenging/interesting activity, and daily activities. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21, and a significant level of less than 0.05 was considered. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and one-way ANOVA were utilized in the analysis.
The total mean score of LBI was 1.51+_0.38(unbalanced). The scores were distributed among the participants as follows: 52.6%  of participants scored between 0.6 and 1.5 (very unbalanced);  37.7% of participants scored between 1 and 1.5 (unbalanced); 8% of participants scored between 2 and 2.5 (moderately balanced); and finally, 1.7% of participants scored between 2.5 and 3 ( very balanced). Significant relationships were found between LBI and gender (P=0.001), chronic comorbidity (P-value =0.029), and Job (P-value=0.044). The health subscale showed no statistical difference according to the demographic factors. Males demonstrated more life balance in their daily activities, including driving and social transportation (p=0/001). Married participants and those older than 40 exhibited more balance in the relationship subscale (p-value=0/001). Teachers and faculty members showed more balance in identity (p=0.014) and relationship (p=0.001). Higher-income participants revealed more life balance in the challenge/interesting subscale (p=0.033).
The results suggested that participants experienced an unbalanced lifestyle during the early phase of COVID-19 isolation.

This study aimed to investigate kinematic parameters of lower limb joints during gait on inclined surfaces compared to level ground.
In this cross-sectional study, 15 healthy individuals walked at their self-selected speed on level ground with a zero slope and on two inclined surfaces. These surfaces were constructed to mimic real environments with slopes of +8 (uphill) and -8 (downhill) along an eight-meter distance. The measured variables included the angles of the ankle, knee, and hip joints sagittal plane during different phases of gait, captured through a three-dimensional motion capture system.
Significant differences were observed in uphill walking compared to level-ground walking, including an increase in ankle, hip, and knee angles at initial contact, maximum ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, maximum knee flexion in the stance phase, and maximum knee extension in the swing phase. There was also a reduction in the maximum extension of the hip joint (P<0.05). In downhill walking compared to level ground, significant differences were observed in the increase of ankle and knee angles at initial contact, maximum ankle dorsiflexion, maximum knee flexion in both stance and swing phases, and a decrease in the maximum angle of hip extension. However, no significant difference was observed in the hip joint angle at initial contact maximum ankle plantarflexion, maximum knee extension in swing phase between level and downhill surfaces and at maximum knee flexion in swing phase between uphill and level surfaces (P>0.05).
Walking on inclined surfaces influences the flexion and extension angles of lower limb joints during different phases of gait, necessitating increased joint movement. These alterations are more pronounced during uphill walking than downhill, especially at the initial contact point.

Functional abdominal bloating (FAB) is a subjective sensation of increased abdominal pressure. Musculoskeletal factors may be related to functional abdominal bloating, but this association has not been investigated. The present study compares trunk-related musculoskeletal factors (spinal alignment and abdominal muscle function) in females with and without FAB.
This is a protocol study of a case-control study that will be conducted in females with (n=45) and without FAB (n=45), aged 18-60 years. A specially designed load cell setup and a flexicurve ruler will be used for the measurements of static abdominal muscle force and endurance, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis, respectively. Additionally, skeletal muscle mass will be measured using body composition analysis. Depending on data distribution, an independent t-test or Mann-Whitney test will be used to determine differences in variables between the two groups. A multiple logistic regression will be used to investigate the adjusted associations of the trunk-related musculoskeletal variables and associations of the trunk-related musculoskeletal variables with functional abdominal bloating.

Subacromial Pain Syndrome (SAPS) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain, leading to long-lasting disability if left untreated or if there is no access to a rehabilitation center. Treating musculoskeletal shoulder pain is challenging; however, evidence suggests that a combination of Exercise Therapy (ET) and Manual Therapy (MT) can be an effective approach for addressing shoulder dysfunctions. To ensure timely treatment and prevent the pain from becoming chronic, tele-physical therapy appears to be an effective method for properly delivering ET and MT
A prospective, assessor-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial study protocol
include 33 patients with Subacromial Pain Syndrome (SAPS). These patients will be divided into three groups (11 participants in each group): the Control group (supervised Exercise Therapy (ET) + Manual Therapy (MT)), the Videoconferencing group (ET + self-release therapy), and the Video-based group (ET + self-release therapy). Self-release therapies include self-joint mobilization and self-myofascial release with a tennis ball. MT includes joint mobilization techniques and transverse friction massages. ET consists of stretching and strengthening exercises. Each patient in the three groups will receive 10 sessions of ET and MT over three weeks. Assessments will be conducted three times: at baseline, midterm, and post-treatment. The Visual Analogue Scale, function by the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and Range of Motion will measure pain. The Telehealth Satisfaction Scale and Physical Therapy Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire will also be assessed.
Repeated measures ANOVA will be used for analysis of data after data gathering
This trial will focus on the assessment of tele-physical therapy based on ET and myofascial release, in comparison to a face-to-face approach with supervised ET and MT, on pain, function, Range of Motion, and patient satisfaction.

Most athletes retire young and severe sports injuries can be considered one of the most important reasons for psychological problems in sports retirees. This study aimed to investigate the impact of early retirement due to sports injuries on the physical condition, quality of life, health, self-esteem, and body-esteem of both active and inactive Iranian elite athletes.
This cross-sectional study was conducted on forty elite retired Iranian athletes, primarily from skiing, wrestling, and mountaineering, with an average age of 66.62 ± 4.65 years, height of 166.70 ± 3.66 cm, and weight of 66.15 ± 4.88 kg. The participants were divided into two groups, active (n = 20) and inactive (n = 20), based on their current level of sports activity. The Nordic, SF-36, Rosenberg, and Mendelson questionnaires were utilized to determine musculoskeletal pain, quality of life, self-esteem, and body image.
The results indicated that participants in the active group reported a higher quality of life score than those in the inactive group (P = 0.001). Furthermore, the active group scored significantly higher in terms of body image (P = 0.001) and self-esteem (P = 0.001) than the inactive group.
Based on the study's results, it is recommended that sports health and psychology experts pay increased attention to the post-exercise period of elite athletes. Furthermore, it is suggested that elite sports retirees continue to engage in light sports activities even after retiring from professional sports.

The incidence of stroke escalates with age in both genders, with nearly 50% and 30% of cases reported in individuals over the ages of 75 and 85 years, respectively. This pilot randomized clinical trial was designed to explore the effects of combined thermal and neuromuscular stimulations on dysphagia improvement. It also aimed to identify the most efficient dysphagia management plan for acute stroke patients.
In this pilot randomized clinical trial study, twelve acute stroke patients were randomly and concurrently allocated into two groups. The control group received routine medical treatment without speech therapy counseling, while the intervention group underwent superficial and deep thermal neuromuscular stimulations. In the intervention group, one patient received treatment for two weeks, three patients for three weeks, and two patients for five weeks (five times a week). Patients in the intervention group were re-evaluated each week after five days of therapy using the Motility Function (MF) and Mann’s Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) tests to monitor consistent improvement. Based on the cutoff point of the MASA test, treatment was either continued or terminated. Accordingly, different follow-up periods were considered for the patients: one received treatment for two weeks, three for three weeks, and two for five weeks.
The results indicated a significant difference between the two groups regarding the mean MASA score after a 21-day intervention. The intervention group scored 166.5±3.53, while the control group scored 163±10.02 after 35 days (P=0.03). Furthermore, the intervention group reached the cutoff MASA score in the sixth MASA assessment after a 35-day intervention.
According to the protocol proposed by speech-language pathologists, it is recommended to perform stimulations for approximately 21-35 days. Given the significant results obtained from this preliminary study, it is suggested that this protocol be implemented in a larger sample size.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTD) is a group of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies with a prevalence of approximately 1 per 2,500 individuals. The most common feature of this disease is muscle weakness and impaired sensation in the extremities. However, this disease group, which includes various heterogeneous diseases, can present in different ways, such as foot infections and ulcers.

In this case report study, we discuss an 18-year-old female patient who was referred to us with a non-healing ulcer on the plantar surface of her right foot. She was diagnosed with CMTD based on her history of sensory and motor symptoms, as well as the results of electromyography. After five sessions of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), her ulcer healed successfully.

In addition to the importance of considering patient symptoms for the diagnosis of CMTD, this case demonstrates the effectiveness of ESWT in promoting wound healing for a non-healing ulcer within a CMTD context. Further research is necessary to validate this treatment as a standard of care for such patients.