Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences & Research

Abstract Background: In recent decades, policy changes in many countries have significantly affected the treatment of people with mental illness (MI), particularly in reducing the length of hospitalization in acute psychiatric departments. Occupational therapists, as key mental health professionals, must consider the impact of these shifts in mental health care delivery and focus on evidence-based interventions suited to the acute psychiatric setting. This review aims to examine existing studies to assess the scope and nature of research on occupational therapy interventions for acute psychiatric inpatients through a scoping review.
Method: The scoping review followed the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. The study comprised three stages: pre-search, search, and post-search, following the scoping review methodology. A structured search was performed using Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus for items published up to April 5, 2023. Two independent reviewers evaluated the selected literature in two rounds of review.
Results: Articles meeting the inclusion criteria (n=13) were incorporated into the analysis. Most publications originated from Japan, followed by the United States and Germany. For the initial days of an acute inpatient stay, especially given the unpredictability of behavior, tolerance, and unstable symptoms, short individual sessions of 20 minutes or less were generally recommended. Treatment sessions in the selected studies typically ranged from three to five days per week, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes to 2 hours. Flexible, one-on-one intervention structures appeared beneficial in the early hospitalization phase. Four main elements of occupational therapy interventions in acute mental health were identified: individual assessment and intervention, group therapy, and discharge planning. Interventions were compared with control groups who did not participate in these activities, revealing statistically significant Personal and Social Performance Scale improvements. Using weighted blankets in sensory rooms significantly reduced distress and disruptive behaviors. Studies on MetaCognitive Training (MCT), Cognitive Remediation, and Occupational Connections (OC) demonstrated significant differences in outcomes between intervention and control groups.
Conclusion: Occupational therapy interventions in acute psychiatric inpatient settings appear effective. Further studies are warranted to develop and refine these intervention methods for acute psychiatric inpatients.
 
 

Abstract Background: Chronic non-specific neck pain (CNP) is the second most common musculoskeletal disorder. Central sensitization (CS) of pain is likely a contributing factor to the persistence or recurrence of pain cycles in CNP patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pain neuroscience education (PNE) in addition to conventional physical therapy on pain intensity, CS, and quality of life in patients with CNP who have CS.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 25 patients with CNP and CS participated in a 4-week intervention program that included conventional physical therapy plus PNE. CS, pain intensity, and quality of life were assessed using the CS inventory, visual analog scale (VAS), and SF-36. All participants were evaluated before and after 12 intervention sessions (three times a week).
Results: The results showed that after the intervention, both pain intensity and CS decreased significantly (pain intensity: mean difference = -58.96 ± 16.35, effect size = -3.61; CS: mean difference = -25.52 ± 7.25, effect size = -3.52). Additionally, the quality-of-life score significantly increased (mean difference = 24.04 ± 12.50, effect size = 1.92). A significant correlation was also found between quality-of-life scores and age.
Conclusion: Adding PNE to conventional physical therapy appears to be more effective than conventional physical therapy alone in improving CS, pain intensity, and quality of life in patients with CNP.
 

Abstract Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) training on movement patterns and postural control in female athletes with lower cross syndrome (LCS).
Method: This research employed a quasi-experimental, pre-and post-test design. Thirty healthy female athletes with an average age of 24.98 ± 2.26 years and diagnosed with LCS were randomly divided into an experimental group (15 subjects) and a control group (15 subjects). Participants in the experimental group completed the DNS training protocol, which consisted of three sessions per week for eight weeks. Postural control and functional movements were assessed using the Y-balance test and Functional Movement Screening (FMS) before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests, ANCOVA, and the Wilcoxon test.
Results: ANCOVA revealed a significant difference in the Y-balance test and FMS scores between the experimental and control groups for participants with LCS. Within-group analysis indicated that the post-test mean scores of the experimental group were significantly improved compared to pre-test scores following DNS training (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results indicate that eight weeks of DNS training significantly improved functional movement screening and Y-balance test scores in female athletes with LCS. Therefore, DNS exercises may be recommended to athletes to enhance balance and lower limb performance.
 
 

Abstract Background: Over the past two decades, myoelectric signals have been extensively used in rehabilitation technology and hybrid human-machine interfaces. A key challenge in creating self-engineered, cost-effective devices lies in acquiring reliable and accurate myoelectric signals. Additionally, identifying optimal anatomical sites for signal detection remains complex and is addressed in this study.
Method: This applied research aims to tackle the outlined challenges through technological development and experimental testing. A Multi-Threading-based Queuing (MTQ) approach is proposed for real-time display and recording of muscle activity within a low-cost, multi-channel surface electromyography (sEMG) system. The technique was tested using raw (R) and feature (F) datasets via specialized classifiers to categorize sEMG signals from the silent utterance of English vowels captured from three facial muscles of a single healthy volunteer.
Results: The proposed low-cost sEMG data acquisition technique, utilizing MTQ, achieved a mean classification accuracy of 0.91 for both R and F datasets, surpassing previous techniques for English vowel classification. Model 4, paired with low-cost hardware, attained a remarkable mean accuracy of 0.94, showing improvements between 14.6% and 74.07% over prior studies.
Conclusion: The MTQ technique significantly enhances performance compared to existing configurations, suggesting that cost-effective sEMG data acquisition systems could replace commercial hardware in rehabilitation and human-machine interface applications.
 
 

Abstract  
Background:  The side hop test (SHT) is widely used by physiotherapists to assess functional limitations in athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Determining if diminished SHT performance correlates with specific component deficits could enhance the test's clinical value. Therefore, this study investigates the association between SHT performance, dynamic balance control, and isometric strength of hip and ankle muscles in recreational male athletes with CAI. The aim is to examine the SHT’s ability to predict deficits in dynamic balance control and isometric strength of hip and ankle muscles in these individuals.
Methods: Sixty male athletes with CAI (mean age 29.6 ± 6.2 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. The SHT score, dynamic balance control (using the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test [MSEBT]), and maximal isometric strength for invertor, evertor, hip abductor, and external rotator muscles (using hand-held dynamometry) were assessed.
Results: Pearson correlation coefficient analysis revealed fair negative correlations between the SHT and MSEBT in the posteromedial (PM) (r = -0.43, P < 0.001) and posterolateral (PL) (r = -0.26, P = 0.04) reach directions. A linear regression model showed that SHT scores accounted for only 19% of the variance in the PM reach direction and 7% in the PL reach direction.
 Conclusion: The SHT may not be a reliable predictor of deficits in dynamic balance control and isometric strength of hip and ankle muscles in recreational male athletes with CAI.
 

Abstract Background: This study aimed to assess the impact of a volleyball-specific fatigue protocol on balance, proprioception, and performance in volleyball players with differing ACL injury risk levels.
Methods: his semi-experimental research utilized a pre-test-post-test design. Forty volleyball players from Urmia were selected and divided into low- and high-risk groups based on ACL injury potential, assessed using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS). A LESS score below 6 indicated low risk, while above 6 indicated high risk. Balance was measured using the stork test (static balance) and Y balance test (dynamic balance), knee proprioception was assessed with a goniometer, and performance was evaluated with the Sargent jump test. After baseline assessments, players were subjected to a volleyball-specific fatigue protocol, after which all tests were repeated. Analysis of covariance and dependent t-tests were used to evaluate inter-group and intra-group differences.
Results: The dependent t-tests and analysis of covariance indicated that fatigue significantly decreased static balance (P=0.001, P=0.001), dynamic balance (P=0.001, P=0.001), and performance (P=0.001, P=0.001). Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests also significantly reduced proprioception post-fatigue (P=0.001, P=0.001). Additionally, significant differences were found between the groups for all variables (P<0.05) except for proprioception (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that fatigue is a significant factor in reducing balance, proprioception, and explosive power. This decline was greater in the high-risk injury group, likely due to baseline neuromuscular weaknesses in this group.
 
 
 

Abstract Background: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment condition, impairing median nerve function at the carpal tunnel level. Previous studies indicate a strong patient preference for non-surgical treatment. While some evidence suggests electroacupuncture may promote nerve regeneration and improve functional outcomes, findings remain inconclusive. This study aims to assess the impact of electroacupuncture on symptom severity, functional status, pain, and grip strength in patients with mild to moderate CTS.
Methods: This is a protocol for a randomized, sham-controlled trial. Thirty-eight patients diagnosed with CTS will be randomly assigned to either a treatment group receiving electroacupuncture or a control group receiving sham electroacupuncture. Both groups will undergo ten sessions over five weeks (twice weekly) and receive neurodynamic techniques as standard care. Outcome measures—symptom severity, functional status, pain, and grip strength—will be evaluated at baseline, after the fifth session, 48 hours after the tenth session, and two months post-treatment. This trial is registered at https://www.irct.ir/ (IRCT20191208045652N5) as of 7/12/2022.
Result: Ultimately, the results of this study will provide evidence regarding the efficacy of Electroacupuncture combined with NDT techniques on Symptom Severity, Functional Status, Pain, and Grip strength in patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Conclusion: This study will provide insights into the efficacy of electroacupuncture as a treatment for CTS.
 

Abstract Background: Active participation in school is an effective way to foster children’s cognitive and social development. Children with Down syndrome (DS) face various challenges in the school environment due to different impairments in body functions and structures.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 51 children with DS was recruited from five schools for exceptional children, and their normally developing peers were recruited from four regular schools in Isfahan, Iran. Parents and teachers completed a demographic information questionnaire, and only teachers completed the School Function Assessment (SFA).
Results: Children with DS had a moderate level of participation (criterion score = 60.04). Their school function scores were significantly lower than those of their normally developing peers. No significant relationship was found between gender, age, or educational level and school function scores in children with DS (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The school functions of children with DS significantly differed from those of their normally developing peers. Children with DS performed significantly better in physical tasks than in cognitive-behavioral functions. The weakest cognitive-behavioral functions requiring particular rehabilitation interventions are task behavior/completion and safety.