Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences & Research

Abstract Background: The aim of this meta-analysis review study was to examine and summarize the benefits of Pilate's exercises on disability in patients with low back pain (LBP).
Methods: Research was conducted from March 2005 to December 2018. Patients with chronic low back pain formed the statistical population of this study. The keywords were Pilates together with low back pain, chronic low back pain, and back pain. The Medline, Embase, Pubmed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and SID databases were searched for relevant literature.
Results: Nineteen papers, including 15 high quality and 4 poor quality papers, were assessed. The results showed that Pilates exercises had a significant and high effect size (p =0.000) on disability in comparison with the control group (Hedges g=1.183) as well as a significant (p =0.000) and medium effect size compared with the exercise group (Hedges g=0.526). When the durability of the Pilates exercise effect was assessed in the follow-up period, a significant and low effect size (p =0.017) was found in the Pilates group compared with the control group (Hedges g=0.488).
Conclusion
Pilates exercises improved the stability of patients with LBP compared to the control group. The effect of Pilates exercises decreased during follow-up after 13 weeks of inactivity. Pilates exercises are more effective than other types of exercise. Equipment Pilates exercises have a greater effect than mat Pilates on disability improvement during the follow-up periods; thus, it is advisable for therapists to use Pilates-based equipment exercises to increase the stability of patients with LBP.

Abstract Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which leads to various clinical signs and symptoms such as dysphagia. Given the prevalence and consequences of the disease, it is vital for patients with MS (PWMS) to be under medical supervision and receive specific care and services immediately. The present study aimed to comprehensively and inherently describe various SRSs and clarify the probable effects of each on the swallowing mechanism in PWMS suffering from dysphagia and to eventually answer the question: Which SRS(s) are effective on dysphagia in PWMS?
Study design: This study is a literature review.
Method: A search of the Web of Science, PubMed, and Science Direct databases was carried out for relevant studies published from 1990 to 2020 and written in English. The search resulted in 772 articles. Ultimately, 103 articles in total were selected for inclusion in the present study.
Results: The clinical results show that using different SRSs in dysphagia management can help reducing dysphagia and the risk for aspiration. These approaches are classified in four categories: compensatory methods, stimulation techniques, exercises, and maneuvers.
Conclusion: The current review reports the positive impact of SRSs such as electrical and sensory stimulation methods, maneuvers, and compensatory methods on dysphagia in PWMS. They can reduce the risk of aspiration for PWMS and, consequently, provide a better quality of life.



 

Abstract Background: This study examined the effect of bilingualism on the processing of clustering and switching in verbal fluency tasks in Farsi-Balochi bilinguals.
Methods: Ninety participants entered this study, including 45 Farsi monolinguals and 45 Farsi-Balochi bilinguals. All participants were male university students between the ages of 18 to 24 years. Verbal fluency tests were performed and the clustering and switching scores were calculated. Data was analyzed in SPSS-16 software.
Results: The monolingual group obtained a score of 32.84 in the total semantic fluency task and 24.13 in the phonemic fluency task, while the bilingual group obtained 30.70 in the semantic task and 29.37 in the phonemic task. The number of switches between the clusters and the mean cluster size were 35.82 and 2.6 in the monolingual group and 38.65 and 2.26 in the bilingual group, respectively. The difference between groups in phonemic fluency, phonemic switching, and semantic clustering was significant (p˂0.05).
Discussion: The bilingual group performed better in phonemic fluency and switched more between the clusters. Meanwhile, the monolinguals produced more words in each cluster than the bilinguals.

Abstract Background: Approximately 60% of individuals above 50 years of age are affected by knee osteoarthritis (KOA). KOA is most commonly assessed through radiographic evaluation and classified using the Kellgren -Lawrence (KL) grading system with KL Grade 0 (KLG0) indicating a definite absence of radiographic KOA (RKOA) and KLG2 presenting a definite presence of RKOA.
The current study compared knee joint muscle flexibility among three groups with KLG0, KLG2, and KLG3 RKOA.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 94 KLG0, KLG2, and KLG3 knees on 57 women aged ≥40 years were examined. The flexibility of the quadriceps, hamstring, iliotibial band, adductor, and gastrocnemius muscles was compared.
Results: Iliotibial band flexibility was lower in subjects with KLG3 RKOA than those with KLG2 (p <0.05) or KLG0 (p ≤0.001) RKOA, with the latter two groups being statistically equivalent (p =0.075). In addition, quadriceps muscle flexibility was lower in subjects with KLG3 RKOA than those with KLG2 (p ≤0.001) or KLG0 (p ≤0.001) RKOA, with the latter two groups being statistically different (p ≤0.001). No significant differences were found between groups regarding other muscles (p >0.05).
Conclusion: In patients with RKOA, the flexibility of the iliotibial band and quadriceps muscles may decrease as the disease progresses from KLG2 to KLG3. Moreover, quadriceps and iliotibial band flexibility may be lower in KLG3 compared to KLG0, with a lower likelihood of quadriceps flexibility in KLG2 compared to KLG0. These results suggest that quadriceps and iliotibial band stretching may be potentially important components of treatment.

Abstract Background: Musculoskeletal pain and burnout can influence the quality of services provided by librarians working in libraries; therefore, the present study has been designed to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain as well as the existence of burnout among librarians working in libraries affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.
Method: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted by taking a census of librarians working in libraries affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was assessed using the standard Nordic questionnaire, and the pain intensity was measured based on the numeric pain rating scale. The standard Maslach and Jackson questionnaire, with a reliability coefficient of 0.78, was used to measure burnout.
Results: According to the findings, the most common musculoskeletal pain experienced by the librarians was a pain in the spinal region, particularly in the low back, and after that, the pain in the upper limb was most frequent. In terms of burnout, librarians experienced low levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and moderate levels of personal accomplishment.
Conclusion: All librarians reported at least one musculoskeletal pain. Low back pain is frequent among librarians. These individuals suffer from burnout.

Abstract Background: Chronic stroke patients face impairment due to ankle dorsiflexor weakness that can influence their ankle kinematics and gait. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of a pneumonic ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) with those of a posterior leaf spring (PLS) AFO on the spatiotemporal parameters of gait and ankle range of motion in hemiplegic stroke patients.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 5 participants with chronic stroke were tested during one session under three conditions: without orthosis, with pneumatic AFO, and with PLS-AFO. Spatiotemporal gait parameters and ankle joint range of motion were measured with a motion analysis system.
Results: The results indicated that the pneumatic orthosis can improve gait speed in comparison with no orthotics (p = 0.04). No significant difference was seen regarding other evaluated spatiotemporal parameters and ankle range of motion under different orthotic conditions.
Conclusion: The comparison of the immediate effects of the pneumatic ankle-foot orthosis and those of the posterior leaf spring ankle-foot orthosis showed that in comparison with no orthosis or with PLS-AFO, the pneumatic orthosis could improve gait speed, but had no effect on cadence, step length, or ankle range of motion in chronic stroke patients.

Abstract Background: The eye is one of the most vital organs of human body, and glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness after cataracts in the world. However, glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. The main objective of this study is to investigate intraocular pressure (IOP), stress, strain, and deformation in the retina in early stages of glaucoma.
Methods: In this study, a model of the human eye is numerically investigated. The aqueous humor pressure is considered as 30, 35, and 40 mmHg and compared with normal eye pressure. The problem is considered as transient 3D and accurate. Comparison between obtained results shows that the model has been applied. Eye components are also considered with their real properties. Due to the inappreciable effects of turbulence and temperature variation, these effects have been neglected. To determine the pressure field, a two-way fluid-structure interaction is applied, and then, the results are used in a one-way fluid-structure interaction to determine the amount of stress, strain, and deformation of the retina.
Results: The maximum deformation in the retina of a glaucoma patient is about 0.33 mm higher than a normal eye, the maximum stress is about 1,300 Pa higher than a normal eye, and the maximum strain is about 0.06 higher than a normal eye.
Conclusion: In patients with increased IOP, the amount of deformation in the retina has increased, and the maximum deformation occurs near the optic disc in all cases. Furthermore, maximum stress and maximum strain occur at the place of maximum deformation.

Abstract Background: One of the disorders in stroke patients is asymmetrical posture, which leads to decreased movement and balance control. An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is the most common orthopedic device used in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia, and are often utilized with shoes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect, in stroke patients, of rocker bottom shoes on an AFO in the clinical assessments of balance compared to standard shoes on an AFO.   
Methods: This quasi-experimental study involved 10 chronic stroke patients. The evaluated individuals were under four conditions using rocker bottom shoes and standard shoes coupled with a rigid AFO immediately, and after a 3-week adaptation. The walking speed was assessed using a 10-m walk test (10 MWT), and the clinical assessments of balance were evaluated using the Timed-Up and Go test (TUG) and the Functional Reach Test (FRT).  
Results: The findings revealed that wearing rocker bottom shoes on the AFO significantly increased walking speed, the distance on the FRT, and reduced the TUG compared to wearing standard shoes on the AFO (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The study indicated that stroke patients showed an improvement in walking speed and functional balance when utilizing the AFOs with rocker bottom shoes. This outcome could be a possibility in application by doctors to prescribe this type of footwear for individuals who have had a stroke.