Yeliz Bahar-Ozdemir

Myofascial adhesions are an important cause of upper extremity dysfunction among breast cancer surgery (BCS) patients. Myofascial-adhesions-in-patients-after-breast-cancer (MAP-BC) is a quantitative method developed to assess scar tissue and adhesions. This study aims to create a Turkish version of the MAP-BC tool and to test its validity and reliability. This cross-cultural adaptation and validation study included 81 female BCS patients aged 18-80 years. For convergent validity, patients were assessed using MAP-BC and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale observer subscale. For test-retest reliability, the patients were assessed on days 0 and 14. Thirty-two patients were evaluated by a second researcher to assess interrater reliability. Validity was fair to good (rho = 0.631). For test-retest reliability, intraclass correlation (ICC) values for the subgroups ranged from 0.798 to 0.954, with an ICC = 0.948 for the total score, indicating good-to-excellent test-retest reliability. Interrater ICC values ranged from 0.417 to 0.949, with ICC = 0.938 for the total score, suggesting good to excellent interrater agreement, except for the "frontal chest wall" section. The Turkish MAP-BC tool is valid and reliable for evaluating myofascial adhesions and scars after BCS and adjuvant treatments. Clinicians are encouraged to use MAP-BC to detect myofascial adhesions and evaluate treatment efficacy, as this is the first tool available in Turkish for this purpose.

Background: Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid dysfunction, and current evidence suggests that it increases the risk of osteoporosis in these patients. Assessing the level of osteoporosis awareness and understanding among hypothyroid patients is an important requirement for implementing preventive interventions to maintain bone health.Methods: Thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels were recorded along with the patients’ demographics. Osteoporosis awareness was assessed with the osteoporosis awareness scale (OAS), and knowledge level was assessed with the revised osteoporosis knowledge test (R-OKT). Health beliefs related to osteoporosis were evaluated using the osteoporosis health belief scale (OHBS).Results: The median (interquartile range) values for OAS and R-OKT of 348 patients were calculated as 66.0 (32.0) and 9.0 (5.0), respectively. Female patients had higher OAS scores (P<0.001), OHBS benefits of exercise (P=0.002), and calcium intake (P<0.001) subscores compared to males. The distribution of OAS, R-OKT, and OHBS total and susceptibility scores differed significantly across education categories (P<0.001). The linear regression model revealed significant predictors of OAS score variation, including gender (β=-0.27, P<0.001), education (β=0.09, P=0.045), and osteoporosis knowledge (β=0.49, P<0.001).Conclusions: Patients with hypothyroidism, particularly males and those with lower educational attainment, lack adequate knowledge and awareness regarding osteoporosis. To better comprehend and manage osteoporosis, targeted educational initiatives are required for this vulnerable group.

This study aimed to assess the effects of kinesiotaping (KT) adjunct to physical therapy (PT) on proprioception, cervical range of motion (ROM), pain, disability, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) in cervical spondylosis. Sixty-nine patients aged 50-70 years were randomized into three groups: PT, PT plus KT(PT+KT), PT plus sham-taping(PT+ST). All participants underwent standardized 15-session PT, 5 days/week. Additionally, group-II received KT, and group-III received ST 2 days/week for 3 weeks. Primary outcome was the cervical-joint-position-error-test (CJPET), with secondary outcomes active-cervical ROM, handgrip strength, Visual-Analogue-Scale (VAS), Douleur Neuropathique-4 Questions (DN4), Upper-Limb-Functional-Index (ULFI), Neck-Disability-Index (NDI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). CJPET for flexion improved in all groups (p < .05), with no significant intergroup differences (p > .05). ROM improved in all groups (p < .05), with significant intergroup differences in extension at both T1 (p = .006, eta squared = 0.125, medium effect size) and T2 (p = .022, eta squared = 0.086, medium effect size); revealing greater improvement for PT+KT and PT+ST compared to PT (p < .05).VAS, DN4, NDI, and SF-36 pain domain scores improved in all groups (p < .05). Handgrip strength increased in the nondominant hand in PT+KT and PT+ST (p = .021). No improvements were observed in HADS (p > .05). ULFI increased in PT (p = .043) and PT+ST (p = .005). KT adjunct to PT shows potential in improving proprioception, pain, and disability in cervical spondylosis. Further studies are needed to refine taping techniques and assess long-term effects.

Feyza Nur Yücel, Semiha Özgüç, Yeliz Bahar-Özdemir, and Emre Ata. Korean J Pain -0001;0:. https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.24290

The purpose of this study was to: 1) investigate the differences in the needs of end-stage cancer who can move independently, using mobility aids (MA), or are bedridden; and 2) determine the effects of these different mobility levels on the patients’ current quality of life (QoL), fatigue, and mental conditions. The study employed an exploratory prospective cross-sectional study design, which was carried out in two hospitals. The study included 99 end-stage cancer. The mobility levels of the patients were evaluated in three groups: Group 1: bedridden; Group 2: mobile with MA; and Group 3: ambulatory (under supervision or fully independent). A core cancer-specific questionnaire-integrating system for assessing health-related QOL (EORTC-QLQ-C15-PAL), the Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS), and the Hospital Anxiety-Depression scale were utilized. The median age was 60years (31–83). Cancer types were as follows: gastrointestinal (45.5%), lung (38.4%), breast (4%), genitourinary system (4%), and others (8%). Forty-two percent of the patients were completely bedridden, 42.2% used MA, and 15.2% were independently ambulatory. The EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL physical (=.000) and emotional function values (=.029) differed among mobilization statuses. There was a significant difference among mobilization groups, in terms of behavioral values, in the PFS (=.006). The depression rate in the independent ambulatory group was lower than in the bedridden and MA groups (=0.011; =0.004). p p p p1  p2  Health-related QoL, fatigue level, and emotional state vary in end-stage cancer who undergo evaluations according to their mobility levels. These patients should be assessed comprehensively, and treatment plans should be organized carefully, with a multidisciplinary approach.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) on the balance and gait and to compare the effects of hinged AFOs with solid AFOs on balance in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). Patients and methods: Between January 2015 and January 2016, 19 hemiplegic children with CP (11 males, 8 females; mean age: 9.5±2.2 years; range, 6 to 15 years) and 23 sex- and age-matched controls (8 males, 15 females; mean age: 10±1.6 years; range, 6 to 13 years) were included in this study. All patients were using either solid or hinged AFO. Hemiplegic patients were attended to specific tests with orthoses and barefoot. Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and Five Times Sit to Stand Test (FTSST) were used for functional evaluation. The quantitative balance was evaluated using the device-assisted balance tests, Limits of Stability (LOS), Walk Across (WA), and Sit to Stand (STS) tests. Results: The control group had a better functional balance than the CP group (p<0.001 for PBS and p<0.001 for FTSST) and the CP group with AFO had a better balance than the barefoot (p=0.001 for PBS and p=0.009 for FTSST). Children with CP also showed a higher sway velocity in STS (p<0.001) than the control group. In patients with AFO, a decrease in the sway velocity in STS (p=0.037) and an increase in directional control in LOS (p=0.044) were observed, compared to barefoot. Conclusion: The AFO use offers a significant contribution to the functional balance in CP. Prescribing AFOs are usually required in ambulatory CP patients in combined with a well-designed standard physiotherapy.

Background Searching for information on the Internet, especially YouTube^TM, is gaining popularity for cancer survivors. Based on the topic of online health information, the importance of studies using YouTube data for various cancer types and treatment methods has increased. This study aims to investigate the quality, reliability, and accuracy of YouTube videos on cancer rehabilitation (CR). Methods YouTube search was performed on February 26th, 2021, with two keyword sets: “cancer rehabilitation” and “oncology rehabilitation.” The modified DISCERN, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) scoring system, and the Global Quality Score (GQS) were used to evaluate the quality and reliability of the videos. The features of each video such as the number of likes, dislikes, and views, upload date, duration, like ratio, and the uploader profile were also collected. Results Fifty-three of the first 200 videos shown in the search results met the criteria. Most of the videos were low quality. The most common uploader profile was academic institute/university hospital. The three most common subjects in the videos were CR definition, physical therapy and occupational therapy, and patient experiences. The mean modified DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS scores were 2.14, 2.03, and 2.78, respectively. Higher quality videos had longer duration, greater number of views, and better reliability scores. Conclusion The results showed that most of the rated videos were of low-quality and didn’t provide sufficient information on the topic discussed. Higher-quality and more accurate YouTube videos are needed to increase awareness of CR. Implications for Cancer Survivors For cancer survivors, CR-related YouTube video content often provides information of low reliability. In this context, it is necessary to focus on the production of video content that includes clinical guides, references, and are based on clinical-based practices.

Aim Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is known as one of the most effective treatment methods in plantar fasciitis (PF). Low‐dye taping, which is the most preferred method of banding treatments, provides an analgesic effect by correcting biomechanics. It was aimed to compare the efficacy of adjuvant low‐dye kinesio‐taping (KT), sham‐taping, or ESWT alone in PF. Methods In this double‐blind, sham‐controlled study, 45 patients with PF were randomised into Group 3 (Group 1: ESWT plus low‐dye KT, n = 15; Group 2: ESWT plus Sham‐taping, n = 15; and Group 3: ESWT only, n = 15) five‐session ESWT were administrated. KT was performed and changed every 1‐week for the ESWT sessions in Groups 1 and 2. The main outcome measures were the visual analogue scale (VAS) change, the heel tenderness index (HTI), foot function index (FFI). The patients were evaluated at the beginning and end of the treatment and at the 4‐week follow‐up. Results The demographic characteristics and baseline outcomes between groups were similar (P > .05). No significant difference was found between Groups 1 and 2, Groups 1 and 3 and Groups 2 and 3 with respect to VAS, HTI changes during the 4‐week follow‐up. VAS and HTI changes were observed in all three groups, there were no differences between groups. Repeated‐measures ANOVA showed a significant interaction between the time and the groups in FFI‐total (F_3.919 = 2.607; P = .043). For the FFI total, there was only a significant difference in favour of Group 1 when compared with Group 2 (P = .027). Conclusions Although low‐dye KT in addition to ESWT was more effective on foot function improvement than additive sham‐taping and ESWT alone, it did not provide a significant benefit on pain and heel tenderness because of PF. Clinical trial registration number: The study was registered at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) (NCT03904966)

Aim Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is known as one of the most effective treatment methods in plantar fasciitis (PF). Low-dye taping, which is the most preferred method of banding treatments, provides an analgesic effect by correcting biomechanics. It was aimed to compare the efficacy of adjuvant low-dye kinesio-taping (KT), sham-taping, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) alone in plantar fasciitis (PF). Methods In this double-blind, sham-controlled study, forty-five patients with PF were randomized to 3-group (Group 1: ESWT plus low-dye KT, n=15; Group 2: ESWT plus Sham-taping, n=15; and Group 3: ESWT only, n=15) five-session ESWT were administrated. KT was performed and changed every 1-week for the ESWT sessions in Groups 1 and 2. The main outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS) change, the heel tenderness index (HTI), foot function index (FFI). The patients were evaluated at the beginning and end of the treatment and the 4-week follow-up. Results The demographic characteristics and baseline outcomes between groups were similar (p>0.05). VAS and HTI changes were observed in all three groups, there was no difference between groups. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant interaction between the time and the groups in FFI-total (F3.919= 2.607; p=.043). At the 4-week follow-up, when Groups 1 and 2 were evaluated, the lower FFI-total, FFI-disability, and FFI-activity limitation were statistically significant in Group 1 (p=0.027; p=0.026; p=0.029, respectively). When Group 1 and 3 were compared, the decrease in FFI-pain and FFI-activity limitation were significant in Group 1 (p=0.042; p=0.035, respectively). Conclusions Low-dye KT, in addition to ESWT, is more effective than sham-taping and ESWT in pain relief and foot function improvement due to PF at a 4-week follow-up.

Background: Cervicogenic headache (CEH) is a type of headache that is considered to be originated from the upper cervical spine. There are conflicting results in studies showing changes in the cervical spine in patients with CEH. Objectives: We aimed to compare the cervical radiographs of patients with CEH and nonspecific neck pain. Study Design: A single-blind, prospective study. Setting: The department of neurosurgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation in a university hospital. Methods: In this cross-sectional study; 45 women with CEH and 45 women with neck pain were involved. The pain assessment of the patients was done by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the disability assessment was tested with the Neck Disability Index (NDI). General cervical lordosis (GCL) and upper cervical lordosis (UCL) angles were calculated on the lateral cervical x-ray. Clinical parameters including age, weight, height, pain (VAS), disability (NDI), and disease duration were recorded. Patients with CEH and neck pain were compared. Correlations between GCL, UCL, and pain assessment were analyzed. Results: Both groups were demographically similar. There was no significant difference at the lateral cervical x-ray measurements between CEH and neck pain groups (CEH group mean GCL = 19.2, UCL = 13.6; neck pain group mean GCL = 19.1, UCL= 14.8). The positive correlation between GCL and UCL in the neck pain group (r = 0.453; P= 0.002) was not found in the CEH group (P> 0.05). Limitations: Anesthetic blockade was not used for the diagnosis. Also, the whole spinal alignment was not evaluated. Conclusions: According to cervical lateral x-ray, there was no significant difference in posture In patients with CEH and neck pain.