Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences & Research

Abstract Background: Chronic otitis media with effusion (CME) primarily affectschildren. Temporary auditory deprivation is a serious complication of thisdisease and can result in auditory processing disorder, as demonstrated in paststudies. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of CMEduration on binaural processing and amblyaudia.Methods: Ninety-four children were examined, including 48 children (29girls=60%) with different CME durations (from 3 months to more than 9months) and 46 children (34 girls=73%) with no history of CME or a durationof less than 3 months CME. Persian versions of the dichotic digits and dichoticrhyme tests were applied.Results: Significant differences between the groups (P<0.001) in dichoticdigits difference (DDD) and dichotic rhyme difference (DRD) in free recallconditions were identified. With longer durations of CME, the DDD and DRDaverage scores were increased in the CME positive group, and the probability ofamblyaudia was also enhanced.Conclusion: A history of CME and the long-term auditory deprivation resultingfrom it in early childhood can increase the risk of amblyaudia.

Abstract Background: Hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease (ESR) havelower physical, emotional, and cognitive functions than healthy people of thesame age due to their inactive lifestyles and treatment approaches. This studyaimed to investigate the effects of selected core stability exercises on the dialysisquality and muscular strength of male hemodialysis patients.Methods: In this quasi–experimental study, 30 male hemodialysis patients(age: 62.24±6.51 years; history of dialysis: 9.4±18.44 months) were selectedby convenience sampling and assigned into experimental (n=15) and control(n=15) groups. The quality of dialysis and muscular strength of the subjects wereassessed by blood sampling before and after dialysis and 5× sit-to-stand tests,respectively. A core stability exercise program was performed for 6 weeks, 3sessions per week, 45 minute per session.Results: Data analysis showed that there was no significant difference in thequality of dialysis between the experimental and control groups (P=0.485), buta significant difference was observed in muscular strength between the twogroups (P=0.001). Exercise has a significant effect on the variable.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, core stability exercises can berecommended to male hemodialysis patients as a safe and practical strategy forimproving their muscular strength and quality of life.

Abstract Background: Shoulder joint function and the athletic performance of overheadathletes are influenced by scapular dyskinesis (SD) due to its high prevalenceamong these athletes and the motor interaction between the scapula and the arm.The present study investigated the prediction of SD through the electromyographicindices of scapulothoracic muscles in female overhead athletes.Methods: The present descriptive-correlational study was carried out on 60female volleyball, handball, basketball, and badminton athletes. The lateralscapular slide test was used to examine their SD. The required electromyographyand electrogoniometry data was recorded simultaneously to measure the activityand onset time of scapulothoracic muscles, including upper trapezius (UT),lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA). The collected data was analyzedusing Spearman correlation and multiple regression tests.Results: Significant correlations were found between all electromyographicvariables and SD (P<0.01). The regression effects of all predictive variables on SDwere significant (P=0.001). In terms of predictive power, UT/SA co-contraction(β=0.765), UT/LT co-contraction (β=0.716), LT onset time (β=0.672), LT activity(β=0.612), and SA onset time (β=0.576) had the highest regression effects onSD, respectively. The analysis of the study model showed that there was a strongcorrelation (r=0.694) between the predictive variables and SD and that theindependent variables predicted 48% of the variance.Conclusion: The presence of imbalance in the scapulothoracic muscles ofoverhead athletes with SD indicates that athletes should be monitored bycoaches, physiotherapists, and physicians for SD screening. It is also necessaryto carry out prospective studies to examine and explore other variables relatedto SD.

Abstract Background: Decreased lumbar spine control may be associated with early and/or excessive lumbopelvic motion with trunk and lower extremity movementsduring functional and daily activities. This study investigated differences inlumbopelvic movement patterns in people with and without low back pain(LBP) during a stair descending (SD) task.Methods: A total of 36 subjects, 18 females with non-specific chronic low backpain (NSCLBP) and 18 healthy females, participated in this study. A threedimensionalmotion capture system was used to record kinematics during theSD task.Results: The results showed that in the LBP group, the start-time of the lumbarmuscles occurred early in the movement (P=0.015). Additionally, subjects withLBP showed excessive lumbar spine and pelvic movement during the SD task(P<0.05).Conclusion: LBP patients make early and excessive lumbopelvic movementsduring a SD task, and this can be an important factor contributing to thedevelopment or persistence of their LBP problem. This finding should beconsidered by clinicians when evaluating functional tasks as part of movementbasedexaminations and rehabilitation programs for people with LBP.

Abstract Background: Time perception is considered as an important subject incognitive psychology, which is essential for our understanding regarding brainmechanisms underlying human cognition and disabilities. Deficits in timeperception have been found in people with both attention-deficit/hyperactivitydisorder (ADHD), dyslexia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. The presentstudy aimed at developing and evaluating the Time Perception Software witha sample including 152 Iranian students.Methods: The computerized time perception task was designed based on timeestimation, reproduction, production and time comparison method. In order toverify the reliability of the task, 30 students which were participated in the testsample repeated the test after one month. The content and construct validitywere used in order to examine the validity of the task. The construct validityof the time perception task was verified by analyzing the confirmatory factoranalysis using the Amos 24 software.Results: In the modified model, the comparison factor was eliminated(CFI=0.965). The highest correlation was observed in the time estimation of11 seconds with a correlation coefficient which was equal to 0.935 (P=0.001),while the lowest correlation coefficient was observed in the time production of17 seconds with the correlation coefficient which was equal to 0.679 (P=0.001).The internal consistency of the task indicated that the time perception taskhad a near-optimal validity and its reliability was at the optimal level with theCronbach’s alpha which was equal to 0.67.Conclusion: In order to conclude, The Time Perception Software appeared tobe reliable and valid for assessing and measuring time perception in the Iranianstudents. This software can be used in future research investigations.