Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences & Research

Abstract Background
Ankle instability results in sensory and motor impairments. Typically, health professionals recommend conservative treatment as the initial approach for individuals with this condition. One such treatment option is Electrical Stimulation (ES). This systematic review assesses the effects of ES techniques on postural control measures in cases of ankle instability.
Method
We systematically searched five electronic databases: ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. To evaluate the quality of the included articles, we utilized the PEDro checklist. We extracted data on population, intervention, and outcomes and synthesized them narratively.
Result
ES decreased the time needed to stabilize the center of pressure, velocity, displacement, and area, thereby enhancing the performance of clinical tests. While postural stability indexes remained unaffected, the gait inversion angle increased with electrical stimulation.
Conclusion
These results suggest that ES interventions are crucial in enhancing postural control in subjects with ankle instability compared to coordination exercises therapy alone. Stochastic resonance reduced A/P and M/L TTS, COP velocity, COP displacement, and COP area, resulting in enhanced postural control.
 

Abstract Background: Numerous studies have yielded conflicting results concerning the disparities in verbal (semantic and letter) fluency between monolingual and bilingual individuals. Given the linguistic variations among bilinguals and the influence of cultural differences on language, this study examined verbal fluency in Kurdish and Azari bilinguals and compared it with that of Farsi monolinguals.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 30 Farsi monolingual students, 28 Kurdish-Farsi bilinguals, and 29 Azari-Farsi bilinguals. The study utilized semantic (fruits and animals) and letter fluency tasks (/f/, /a/, and /s/). Each bilingual participant was instructed to perform the verbal fluency tasks twice: once in their native language and once in Farsi.
Results: In both fluency tasks, bilinguals demonstrated superior performance in Farsi compared to their mother languages (Azari and Kurdish) (P <0.001). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between bilinguals and monolinguals in the formal language of their community (Farsi).
Conclusion: The formal language in Iran (Farsi) predominates among bilingual individuals. This is likely because the educational system and formal writing are conducted in Farsi. Bilinguals typically use their native language only for conversations within their native context and with their peers.
 

Abstract Background: This study aimed to examine the impact of a regimen of scapular stabilization exercises on pain, shoulder position, and performance in volleyball players diagnosed with scapular dyskinesia.
Methods: This semi-experimental, applied study involved 30 female volleyball players with scapular dyskinesia, who were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to control and training groups. The position of the shoulder, shoulder pain, and specific performance of the volleyball players were assessed using photographic methods, a numeric pain rating scale, and the AAHPERD service test. The training group performed scapular stabilization exercises for eight weeks. Post-tests were conducted after the exercise regimen. Parametric data were analyzed using paired t-tests and analysis of covariance, while non-parametric data were evaluated using the Wilcoxon and Yeoman-Whitney tests.
Results: The findings indicated that an eight-week program of scapular stabilization exercises significantly improved shoulder position and specific performance and reduced shoulder pain in volleyball players with scapular dyskinesia.
Conclusion: Scapular stabilization exercises can effectively enhance shoulder position, improve specific performance, and alleviate shoulder pain in volleyball players suffering from scapular dyskinesia.
 
 

Abstract Background: The research aims to investigate the impact of a single bout of functional fatigue on proprioception, coordination, and variability among lower extremity joints and segments in semi-skilled male cyclists. Cycling is recognized as a sport in both professional and public contexts, yet excessive activity and fatigue pose significant risks for injury during pedaling.
Methods: The present study utilized a semi-experimental design employing a pretest-posttest method. It involved 24 randomly selected semi-skilled male cyclists with a mean age of 26.32±5.72 years. Before inducing fatigue through cycling, participants underwent pretest and posttest assessments to evaluate coordination and variability among segments of the lower extremities and proprioception of the knee and ankle joints. These assessments were conducted using a three-dimensional optoelectronic system with six cameras operating at a sampling frequency of 200 Hz. This system facilitated the acquisition of kinematic data related to the lower extremities. Statistical analysis included a one-way repeated measures ANOVA test and dependent t-test to compare all variables.
Results: The significance level in all statistical tests was set at 0.05. The findings indicated a significant increase in knee and ankle proprioception (P < 0.001) as well as coordination and variability among lower extremity segments (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The presence of heightened proprioceptive errors in the joints, decreased coordination, and increased variability between segments indicates their association with sports injuries. Consequently, prolonged cycling and fatigue may contribute to an elevated prevalence and diversity of sports injuries among semi-skilled cyclists.
 
 
 
 

Abstract  Background: It is important to screen athletes before the competition season to identify those at risk of injury. Three-person basketball is a team sport where injury risks should be closely monitored. The present study investigates the role of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test in predicting sports injuries in three-person basketball athletes.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 male athletes (22 athletes with injuries and 28 athletes without injuries) with an average age of 25.58±3.83, weight of 76.64±6.23, and height of 184.18±6.55. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors related to injury. SPSS software was used for data analysis, with a significance level of p<0.05.
Results: The multiple logistic regression model showed a strong association between the FMS functional screening test and injury. The risk of injury decreased significantly with higher scores on the FMS functional screening test (P-value < 0.05). The FMS functional screening test's adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 0.673.
Conclusion: The results indicate that the FMS test can identify athletes more prone to injury in team-neighborhood and championship sports. Coaches and athletes are suggested to use FMS tests in neighborhood disciplines such as three-person basketball to predict and develop more targeted sports injury prevention programs.
 
 
 

Abstract Background: Identifying the risk factors and protective measures for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) can significantly contribute to their prevention. This study aimed to ascertain the risk factors and protective measures associated with ASD.
Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted in Sari, Iran, from 2020 to 2021. A total of 196 children, aged 2-17 years, were recruited by convenience sampling from the Baghban (Touba) Clinic, Zareh Psychiatric Hospital Clinic, and Bu-Ali Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic. The case group consisted of 98 children with ASD, diagnosed based on the DSM-V criteria, while the control group included 98 children without ASD. Subsequently, potential risk factors in both groups were examined. The odds ratio was calculated at a 95% confidence level, with a significance level of P<0.05.
Results: After adjusting the odds ratio (95% CI), ASD was found to be significantly associated with relatives’ consanguinity [0.625 (0.409, 0.953)], breastfeeding [0.743 (0.582, 0.950)], and the child’s history of head trauma [15.911 (1.78, 142.238)]. A closer degree of relatives’ consanguinity increased the risk of autism in children by 1.6 times. Children who were breastfed for a longer period (up to 2 years) were 1.34 times less likely to develop autism. Moreover, children with a history of head trauma were approximately 16 times more likely to develop autism compared to children without such a history.
Conclusion: Breastfeeding has been identified as a protective factor, while the existence of closer relatives’ consanguinity and a history of head trauma have been identified as risk factors for ASD. Further studies on these factors are recommended.
 

Abstract Background:  Patients with foot drop may need compensatory mechanisms to improve their gait. Although several gait analysis parameters have been studied in these individuals, no prior research has examined their joint contact force. Thus, this study investigated multiple gait analysis parameters and the joint contact force in patients with foot drop.
Methods: This experimental study recruited twenty individuals aged 15 to 60 (mean value 56.4 ± 3.68) with foot drop disorders. A control group was also matched with the first group based on age, height, and gender. The participants were instructed to walk along a 12-meter path. A motion analysis system with eight high-speed cameras and a Kistler force plate was used. During gait analysis, various parameters were measured, such as spatiotemporal, peak forces applied on the leg, range of motions, moments applied on the lower limbs, and joint contact forces.
Results: The mean values of stride length and speed for normal subjects were 1.32±0.2 m and 1.24 ± 0.177 m/s, respectively, compared to 0.961±0.24 m and 0.686 ± 0.25 m/s for foot drop subjects (p-value = 0.00). The joint contact force components of the ankle joint increased significantly in foot drop subjects compared to normal subjects.
Conclusion: The joint contact forces of the ankle joint increased significantly in foot drop patients, which should be considered in the rehabilitation treatment of these patients.
 

Abstract Background: Cerebral palsy is one of the most prevalent physical disabilities in childhood. Children afflicted with this condition face a myriad of challenges and potential disabilities, which complicate treatment efforts. Integrating scales with other diagnostic instruments is increasingly crucial for accurately assessing these children and devising effective treatment strategies. This study primarily aims to review functional classification systems based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) for children with cerebral palsy and explore the relationships among these systems.
methods: This study was designed to review the ICF-based functional classification systems. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, ERIC, OVID, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, and OTseeker. Search terms related to cerebral palsy and various aspects of body function, activity, and participation were utilized. The search was conducted until September 2022 to gather relevant literature for analysis.
Results: The analysis of the reviewed articles revealed the existence of five valid and reliable classification systems. In most studies, the correlation among these systems was moderate. Owing to their simplicity and comprehensiveness, these classification systems have significantly impacted the depiction of the functional status of children with cerebral palsy and the quality of their care. However, additional classification systems remain needed to address other overlooked functions and complete the overall description.
Conclusion: The outcomes of this review indicated the development of classification systems for certain functions in children with cerebral palsy. In conjunction with the classifications above, creating additional new systems for overlooked functions could offer a comprehensive and integrated understanding of children with cerebral palsy's crucial functional capacities and performances.