Arzu Razak Ozdincler

Cancer remains a major public health concern not only in terms of its medical burden but also because of the perceptions, fears, and attitudes it creates in society. This study aimed to evaluate cancer-related knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and behavioral tendencies among Faculty of Health Sciences students. Data were collected online and face-to-face from 336 volunteer students (245 females, 91 males) aged ≥ 18 who were able to read and understand Turkish. Participants completed the Cancer-Related Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitudes Form designed to assess cancer knowledge and attitudes. The mean cancer knowledge score of the students was 13.11±2.62. Although the overall knowledge level was relatively high, 74% of the participants reported fear of cancer. No significant association was found between fear of cancer and smoking or alcohol use, regular exercise, family history of cancer, or bereavement due to cancer (p>0.05). Furthermore, multivariable binary logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for all potential confounders, gender was the sole independent predictor of cancer fear, with female students being 2.16 times more likely to experience this fear than males (adjusted OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.25–3.72, p = 0.006). Conversely, students who reported a fear of developing cancer demonstrated significantly higher knowledge scores than those without this fear (p

Aim: This study aimed to assess knowledge levels regarding rare diseases among health sciences students in Turkey as it is thought that these knowledge levels may be limited, and this situation may be associated with various risks in terms of early diagnosis, patient safety, and healthcare service efficiency. Rare diseases, despite their low individual prevalence, collectively represent an important public health concern due to their diagnostic complexity and limited treatment options. In this context, the present study also sought to identify specific gaps in students’ knowledge, explore the relationship between subjective awareness and objectively measured knowledge, and highlight key educational needs to inform the development of health professions curricula. Understanding these dimensions is important, as insufficient knowledge may delay early diagnosis, negatively affect patient safety, and reduce healthcare service efficiency. Methods: A total of 206 students (156 females, 50 males; aged ≥18 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected through face-to-face and online questionnaires to enhance accessibility. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling from faculties of health sciences. Knowledge and awareness levels were assessed using the Rare Diseases Knowledge and Awareness Scale. Results: The mean knowledge score was 4.56 ± 3.13 (range: 0–22), indicating low levels of knowledge. Students familiar with the term “rare diseases” had significantly higher scores (U = 4457, z = –3.17, p = .002). Knowledge levels differed significantly according to self-assessed awareness (χ²(4) = 11.28, p = .024), with those reporting “very poor” awareness scoring lower than others.Conclusion: Health sciences students in Turkey demonstrate limited knowledge of rare diseases. Prior exposure is associated with higher levels of awareness and knowledge. These findings highlight the need to integrate structured and interdisciplinary education on rare diseases into health professions education to support early diagnosis and improve patient care. From a medical education perspective, embedding rare diseases within competency-based curricula through case-based learning, early clinical exposure, and structured assessment strategies may offer a sustainable approach to bridging this gap and better preparing future professionals for real-world clinical complexity.

Purpose : Presence of a pes planus foot deformity negatively affects the balance of the individual, revealing disturbances and different balance strategies. In this situation, the training of intrinsic muscles is of great importance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of intrinsic strengthening and dynamic balance exercises in participants having flexible pes planus.Methods: Forty-five participants with pes planus aged 18 to 35 years were enrolled in the study, and the first group underwent intrinsic foot muscle strengthening training with short foot exercises (SFE) and used insoles. The second group trained using the dynamic balance board, which promotes dynamic balance and used insoles. The third group used only insoles. The total duration of treatment was 8weeks/3days. The degree of foot deformity was assessed with the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) angle, measurements of subtalar angle. Navicular drop test was assessed with foot pronation level. Foot posture assessed using Foot Posture Index (FPI) Static balance was assessed with the Flamingo Balance Test and dynamic balance was assessed using the BOBO Health Platform with Gaming®, a technology-based system designed to measure dynamic postural control.Results: After the intervention, statistically significant improvements were observed in the medial longitudinal arch angle and foot posture index scores in Group 1. SFE were found to improve foot arch, subtalar angle, navicular level, and foot posture index scores, as well as static and dynamic balance(p≤0.05). No significant changes were observed in the medial longitudinal arch, foot posture index, or balance parameters with the use of silicone insoles alone (p > 0.05).Conclusion: The use of silicone insoles in addition to exercise therapy in the management of flexible pes planus improves balance and foot posture.

Age-related declines in strength and balance increase fall risk in nursing home residents. This study compared the effects of the modified Otago Exercise Program and the Large-Amplitude Functional Exercise Program (LAFEP) on fall risk, balance, functional capacity, and lower-extremity strength. In this randomized controlled trial, 70 participants (aged ≥ 65) residing in nursing homes were randomly assigned to the modified Otago Exercise Program ( n = 35) or the LAFEP ( n = 35). Both groups received supervised group exercise three times weekly for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were the functional reach test and the timed up-and-go test. Secondary outcomes included the Performanz Balance System, the 6-min walk test, and the five times sit-to-stand test. Both interventions led to significant within-group improvements ( p < .05). However, the LAFEP group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in dynamic balance, specifically in the functional reach test ( p = .03). Improvements in functional mobility outcomes, including the timed up-and-go ( p = .67) and the five times sit-to-stand tests ( p = .17), were also more pronounced in the LAFEP group; however, these between-group differences did not reach statistical significance. Both the modified Otago Exercise Program and the LAFEP were effective in enhancing balance and functional outcomes for older adults in residential care. The LAFEP, however, yielded superior gains specifically in dynamic balance. The findings suggest that the LAFEP, adapted from neurorehabilitation principles, may be a viable and potentially more effective alternative to conventional fall prevention exercise programs for this population.

Context : To cross-cultural translate the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) to Turkish version (CAIT-T) and to evaluate the validity, reliability, and cutoff score of CAIT-T for Turkish athletic population. Design: The English version of CAIT was translated to CAIT-T based on a guideline of cross-cultural adaptation. Fifty-two athletes with chronic ankle instability and 63 athletes without chronic ankle instability were included in the study. Construct validity was evaluated with correlations between the CAIT-T, Turkish version of Foot Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM-T), and Numeric Rating Scale. CAIT-T was completed twice by each participant at 7 to 10 days intervals to assess test–retest reliability based on the intraclass correlation coefficient, whereas Cronbach alpha evaluated internal consistency. Discriminative validity and content validity of the CAIT-T also evaluated. Results: In construct validity, strong positive correlation was found between CAIT-T and Numeric Rating Scale perceived ankle instability (rho = −.771, P < .001), as well as moderate negative correlations with FAAM-T-activities of daily living and FAAM-T-sports (rho = −.448, P < .001 and rho = −0.541, P < .001, respectively). The CAIT-T demonstrated strong test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient score of .98) with a good internal consistency (Cronbach α : .85). Receiver operating characteristic curve showed a cutoff score of 26.5 (Youden index: 0.78, sensitivity: 0.57, specificity: 0.90.5). No ceiling or floor effects were observed. Conclusions: CAIT-T is a valid and reliable questionnaire for the assessment of chronic ankle instability in the Turkish athletic population.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the intrarater and interrater reliability of handheld dynamometer (HHD) measurements in assessing isometric muscle strength of the shoulder abductors and to compare these results with those obtained using a fixed dynamometer (FD). Methods: The study involved 25 voluntary participants, all over the age of 18, asymptomatic (with no injuries in the upper extremity), and not engaged in overhead sports. The participants were evaluated twice by 2 different testers who were experienced in orthopedic rehabilitation, at 90 degrees of shoulder abduction in the scapular plane. On the first measurement day, Tester 1 performed measurements using both HHD and FD, while on the second measurement day, both testers used only the HHD. A 3- to 7-day interval separated the 2 measurement sessions. Paired-samples t-tests were used to evaluate the systematic bias between the testers. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change were calculated. The statistical significance level was accepted as P < .05. Results: Data from 22 participants (15 women, 7 men; mean age: 23.00 ± 3.19 years) were analyzed, as 3 individuals did not attend the final assessment. A strong correlation (r=0.772) was found between Tester 1’s HHD measurements and FD, while a similarly strong correlation (r=0.748) was observed for Tester 2’s HHD measurements. Excellent intrarater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.941) was found between Tester 1’s measurements, and excellent interrater reliability (ICC=0.889) was found between testers. Conclusion: Handheld dynamometer has demonstrated excellent interrater and intrarater reliability and high validity for assessing shoulder abductor muscle strength in research and clinical use. Since the muscle strength of testers using the HHD may influence the results, the FD may be a more appropriate option when the study population is stronger than the testers. Studies involving different clinical populations and testers with varying experience levels are needed to improve the relevance of the results. Level of Evidence: Level III, Diagnostic Study.Cite this article as: Atli E, Topaloglu M, Hosbay Z, Ozdincler AR. Measuring shoulder abduction strength using 2 different dynamometers: comprehensive intrarater and interrater reliability and validity. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc., 2025;59(5):259-264.

By improving core strength and stability, children with JIA can experience increased endurance, reduced pain, and improved posture. No study was found that investigated the effectiveness of 3-Dimension (3D) exercises in JIA. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of structured 3D exercises with that of a conventional exercise program specially planned for children with JIA who have scoliosis. This was a prospective, randomized-controlled study. Structured 3D scoliosis exercises for Group 1 (n: 25) and conventional exercises for the Group 2 (n: 25) were applied for 24 weeks. The angle of trunk rotation (ATR) by scoliometer, scoliosis angle by Cobb angle, pain by a numerical rating scale (NRS), respiratory functions by spirometry, and perception of cosmetic deformity by The Walter Reed visual assessment scale (WRVAS) were evaluated. ATR, Cobb angle, and pain in Group I showed significant improvement compared to Group II. While the sub-parameters of WRVAS and increased significantly in both groups, the improvement in Group I was found to be greater between the groups. While FVC (%) and FEV1 (%) results within the group were significant in both groups. 3D exercises and conventional exercises are an effective and feasible method in the treatment of scoliosis in these children. Despite the curative effect of both methods, 3D exercises have been proven in this study to be more effective on Cobb angle, ATR, WRAS, and respiratory parameters.

Amaç: Ülkemizde eğitim veren fizyoterapi ve rehabilitasyon lisans programlarının sayı ve kontenjanlarının artmasıyla, bu bölümde eğitim gören öğrenciler için iş bulma sorunları ortaya çıkmaya başlamıştır. Çalışmamız Türkiye’de devlet ve vakıf üniversitelerinde eğitim gören fizyoterapi ve rehabilitasyon lisans programı son sınıf öğrencilerinin işsizlik kaygılarını üniversite statüsü ve cinsiyete göre incelemek amacıyla planlandı. Yöntem: Araştırmamıza Türkiye’de eğitim veren farklı bölgelerden 10 üniversitenin fizyoterapi ve rehabilitasyon lisans programında eğitim gören 845 son sınıf öğrencisi (582 kadın, 263 erkek; ortalama yaş: 22,78±1,52 yıl) dahil edilmiştir. Lisans öğrencilerinin sosyo-demografik bilgileri alındıktan sonra İşsizlik Kaygısı Anketi uygulanmıştır. Sonuçlar: Çalışmaya katılan fizyoterapi öğrencilerinin işsizlik kaygısı puanları 70 üzerinden 39,90±8,53 şeklinde elde edilmiştir. Devlet üniversitesinde eğitim alan öğrencilerin işsizlik kaygıları (p=0,014), karamsarlık (p=0,001), başarma arzusu (p= 0,0001) ve çözüm arayışlarının (p=0,0001) vakıf üniversitesindeki öğrencilere göre daha yüksek olduğu görülmüştür. Tüm üniversiteler göz önüne alındığında, erkek öğrencilerin başarma arzularının kadın öğrencilere göre daha yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir (p=0,014). Akademik başarının işsizlik kaygısı ile pozitif yönde (r=0,072), başarma arzusu (r= -0,99) ve iyimserlik (r= -0,07) ile negatif yönde ilişkisi bulunmuştur. Tartışma: Çalışmadan elde ettiğimiz sonuçlar devlet üniversitesinde eğitim görmenin, erkek cinsiyetin ve yüksek akademik başarının işsizlik kaygısını artırdığını göstermiştir. Düşük aile gelir düzeyi, toplumlarda erkeğin aileyi geçindirmekle yükümlü birey olarak tanımlanması ve yüksek başarı düzeyi ile toplumda maddi ve manevi olarak daha kabul edilebilir bir birey olma düşüncesi gibi nedenlerin işsizlik kaygı düzeyini artırmış olabileceğini düşünmekteyiz. Fizyoterapistlere yönelik istihdam olanaklarının artırılmasına yönelik girişimlerin, bu popülasyondaki işsizlik kaygısını azaltacağı düşüncesindeyiz.

Giriş ve Amaç: Günümüzde artan teknoloji kullanımı nedeniyle gelişim çağındaki bireylerin teknolojik cihazlar ve internette geçirdiği zamanın kontrolsüzlüğü postüral rahatsızlıklara sebep olabilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı; 18 yaş altı iki farklı yaş grubunda ki bireylerin mobil teknoloji ve bilgisayar kullanım alışkanlıklarını incelemek ve postürlerini karşılaştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmaya 7-12 yaş grubu (Grup 1, n=48) ve 12-18 yaş grubundan (Grup 2, n=40) toplam 88 sağlıklı birey dahil edildi. Değerlendirmede katılımcıların sosyo-demografik özellikleri, vücut kütle indeksleri ile bel çevresi ölçümlerini içeren ve mobil teknoloji ve bilgisayar kullanım özelliklerini sorgulayan bir araştırma anket formu kullanıldı. Katılımcılar ayrıca New York Postür Değerlendirme Testi (NYPDT) ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması Grup 1 için 9,94±1,29 yıl iken, Grup 2 için 14,33±1,94 yıl idi. Katılımcıların bilgisayarla en çok vakit geçirdikleri aktivite; Grup 1 için oyun oynamak (%54,2), Grup 2 için ise müzik dinlemek (%60) idi. Katılımcıların cep telefonunu en çok hangi aktivite için kullandıkları incelendiğinde; Grup 1’in oyun oynamak (%37,5), Grup 2’nin ise internette serbest zaman geçirmek (%77,5) amacıyla kullandığı görüldü. İki grup arasında NYPDT skoru açısından Grup 1 lehine anlamlı bir fark olduğu belirlendi (p=0,0001). Sonuç: Gelişim dönemindeki bireylerin teknoloji kullanım özellikleri ve postüral düzgünlükleri incelendiğinde, artan yaş ile teknoloji kullanımının da arttığını görmekteyiz. Daha büyük yaş grubundaki bireylerin teknolojik cihazları internet kullanımı gibi sebeplerle ve daha uzun sürelerle kullanmalarının postürlerini olumsuz etkilediğini düşünmekteyiz.