Mert Doğan

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the comparative effectiveness of various sleep and wakefulness scales used in children and their usefulness for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Setting: The study was conducted at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Health Sciences Research and Training Hospital, Antalya, Türkiye, which serves as a regional referral centre for children and adolescents with developmental and behavioural disorders. Participants: A total of 230 children participated in the study, including 155 children diagnosed with ASD and 75 typically developing peers, aged between 4 and 18 years. Primary outcome measures: Sleep-wake disorders were assessed using five questionnaires: the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (ESS-CHAD), Paediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS), Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC). These tools evaluated sleep patterns, daytime sleepiness, and sleep-related behavioural problems based on caregiver reports. Results: The mean age of children with ASD and the typically developing peer group was 9.0±3.69 years and 9.07±4.25 years respectively. The CSHQ, ESS-CHAD, PDSS, PSQ and SDSC all demonstrated discriminant validity and internal consistency in the assessment of sleep-wake disorders in children with ASD (p0.60). The CSHQ and SDSC showed similar levels of diagnostic accuracy in detecting sleep disorders. The PSQ had a high positive predictive value, the PDSS demonstrated a high negative predictive value and the ESS-CHAD showed a high level of agreement. Conclusions: A combination of tools such as the CSHQ, ESS-CHAD, PDSS, PSQ and SDSC may be useful for assessing sleep-wake disorders in children with ASD.

Background: Facial paralysis rehabilitation has progressed substantially over the past two decades, yet the scientific landscape of this field remains highly fragmented across surgical, neurological, and rehabilitation disciplines. Despite growing clinical and technological advances—including neuromuscular retraining, chemodenervation strategies, nerve transfer techniques, and artificial intelligence‐assisted assessment—no comprehensive bibliometric synthesis has mapped the intellectual structure, global research trends, or emerging fronts of facial paralysis rehabilitation. Methods: A bibliometric and scientometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection (SCI‐E, SSCI, ESCI) covering the period 2000–2025. A total of 1441 publications were analyzed using Bibliometrix/R, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace. Performance indicators, collaboration networks, co‐authorship and co‐citation structures, keyword co‐occurrence clusters, thematic evolution, and citation burst patterns were examined. Results: Scientific output increased markedly, with an annual growth rate of 12.26% and a major acceleration after 2016. The United States dominated publication volume ( n = 990), followed by Italy and China, while Harvard University and Massachusetts Eye and Ear emerged as the central institutional hubs. Hadlock TA represented the most influential author based on productivity and local citation impact. Source analysis demonstrated that Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , Laryngoscope , and Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery formed the journal core. Keyword and thematic analyses identified four major conceptual clusters: (1) rehabilitation and patient‐centered outcomes, (2) surgical and reconstructive techniques, (3) synkinesis and chemodenervation, and (4) etiology and clinical assessment. Recent thematic fronts highlighted rapid expansion in artificial intelligence–based facial analysis, motion tracking systems, neuroplasticity‐informed rehabilitation, and quality of life research. Citation burst detection revealed shifting priorities from early Bell's palsy management to contemporary technological and neurorehabilitation paradigms. Conclusions: Facial paralysis rehabilitation has evolved into a multidisciplinary and rapidly expanding field driven by innovations in surgical reanimation, neuroplasticity‐based therapy, and computational assessment. However, research output remains geographically concentrated, international collaboration rates are modest, and high‐quality comparative effectiveness trials are limited. Future priorities include global research capacity building, standardized outcome measurement, long‐term follow‐up studies, and real‐world evaluation of technology‐assisted interventions.

Postural control relies on the integration of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory inputs under biomechanical constraints. Conventional Romberg testing provides limited quantitative insight, particularly regarding directional control and sensory dependence. Wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) enable portable, multidimensional assessment of postural sway. Thirty healthy adults (15 females, 15 males) completed a modified Romberg protocol with systematic manipulation of stance (normal, tandem), visual condition (eyes open, eyes closed), and arm position (arms at sides, arms forward), including both left and right leading foot during tandem stance. Whole-body kinematics were recorded using a full-body IMU system comprising 17 wireless sensors. Center-of-mass (CoM) trajectories were derived from a 23-segment biomechanical model, and linear, spatial, and nonlinear sway metrics were computed. Statistical analyses were conducted using repeated-measures ANOVA, with significance set at p < 0.05. Visual deprivation significantly increased sway path length, mean sway velocity, and sway area across all stance conditions (p < 0.001). Tandem stance elicited greater mediolateral sway than normal stance (p < 0.001). Romberg ratios exceeded unity for all metrics and were significantly higher in tandem stance (p < 0.01). Arm position effects were negligible in normal stance but showed significant Vision × Arm interactions during tandem stance (p < 0.05). Leading foot position had no significant main effects. Combining a modified Romberg protocol with full-body IMU-based CoM analysis enables sensitive characterization of sensory dependence and directional postural control. Tandem stance with visual deprivation increases mediolateral postural demands under reduced base-of-support conditions, providing a more challenging context for evaluating directional postural control.

This study evaluated the test–retest reliability of a depth sensor-based Fukuda Stepping Test and examined associations between sensor-derived kinematic parameters and established clinical outcomes in older adults. Eighty-six community-dwelling older adults (mean age 70.3 ± 4.7 years) performed an eyes-closed stepping task monitored by a Microsoft Kinect v2 sensor. Clinical assessments included the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test, Five Times Sit-to-Stand, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and WHOQOL-OLD. Test–retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients in a randomly selected subgroup. Reliability estimates varied across parameters, with temporal and displacement-based measures demonstrating more consistent agreement across sessions, whereas selected angular variables showed greater variability. Correlation analyses identified statistically significant associations between trunk kinematic changes and clinical measures, with effect sizes generally ranging from weak to moderate magnitude. Upper trunk rotation was associated with functional mobility measures, while traditional displacement-based metrics demonstrated limited clinical relationships. These findings support the feasibility of markerless depth-sensing technology for objective quantification of movement during the Fukuda Stepping Test and highlight the potential contribution of segmental kinematic parameters to multidimensional functional assessment in older adults.

Amaç: Bu çalışma, Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Bölümü öğrencilerinde teknostres düzeyleri ile bilgi, medya ve teknoloji becerilerini incelemek amacıyla yapıldı. Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel tasarıma sahip araştırmaya Hacettepe Üniversitesi Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Bölümü’nde öğrenim gören 231 öğrenci (yaş=20.52±2.08 yıl) katıldı. Veriler çevrim içi anket formu ile toplanmış, teknostres düzeyi Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Teknoloji Destekli Öğrenme Ortamında Teknostres Düzeyleri Ölçeği ve dijital yeterlilik Bilgi, Medya ve Teknoloji Becerileri Yeterlilik Ölçeği kullanılarak değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Katılımcıların %80.5’i kadın, %19.5’i erkektir. Ortalama teknostres puanı 32.1±10 ve dijital yeterlilik puanı 73.8±12.6 bulundu. Teknostres ile dijital yeterlilik arasında zayıf ve negatif yönde anlamlı ilişki saptandı (r=− 0.273, p

Background/Objectives: Perceived ageism has been increasingly recognized as a critical determinant of the health and well-being of older adults. However, the cross-cultural validation of instruments measuring ageism remains limited. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Perceived Ageism Questionnaire (PAQ-TR). Methods: Content validity was assessed by a multidisciplinary expert panel. Construct validity was examined using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). Convergent validity was tested through correlations with the Brief Aging Perceptions Questionnaire (B-APQ). Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, and test–retest intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics v27 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) and AMOS v22 (IBM Corp., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: A total of 307 older adults (137 men and 170 women) participated in the study. The mean age was 71.19 (6.96) years, and 55.7% of the participants were female. An EFA confirmed the original two-factor structure, explaining 61.2% of the total variance, which was subsequently verified by a CFA, showing a good model fit. EFA confirmed the original two-factor structure, explaining 61.2% of the total variance (Kaiser-Meyer–Olkin = 0.82; Bartlett’s χ²(28) = 412.5, p < 0.001). The structure was subsequently verified by CFA, which demonstrated an excellent model fit (Comparative Fit Index = 0.97; Tucker–Lewis Index = 0.96; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.052; Standardized Root Mean Square Residual = 0.041). The Negative subscale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha (α) = 0.84; McDonald’s Omega (ω) = 0.85), whereas the Positive subscale indicated moderate reliability (α = 0.58; ω = 0.60). The test–retest reliability was excellent, reflecting strong temporal stability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient = 0.91). Convergent validity showed that the positive subscale was related to positive aging perceptions and less to negative ones, while the negative subscale showed the opposite pattern. Conclusions: The PAQ-TR demonstrated adequate psychometric properties for assessing perceived ageism among older adults in Türkiye. While the Negative subscale showed robust reliability, the positive subscale required refinement. These findings highlight both the cross-cultural validity of the PAQ and the influence of cultural norms on positive aging perception. The PAQ-TR is a valuable tool for research and clinical practice.

Introduction The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) defines 'participation' as an individual's 'involvement in life situations' and identifies it as a primary objective of rehabilitation (1). In this regard, rehabilitation sciences are undergoing a substantial paradigm shift from the traditional biomedical model, which concentrates solely on restoring impaired body structures and functions, to a comprehensive biopsychosocial model. This model emphasizes the individual's meaningful interaction with their environment and their ability to effectively maintain social roles, including personal, social, and occupational roles (2, 3). This conceptual transformation is predicated on the understanding that the effectiveness of rehabilitation outcomes should be assessed not only by improvements in clinical and physiological parameters but, more importantly, by the individual's full, active, and inclusive integration into social life. The research topic "Advances on Participation Perspective in Rehabilitation Sciences" was developed to encapsulate the most recent advancements in this field, offering a platform for interdisciplinary perspectives that integrate clinical practice, technological innovations, and policy considerations. Several themes are apparent in the articles contained within this collection. Firstly, innovative strategies for assessing participation are explored, including technology-assisted measurement systems, patient-reported outcome measures, and context-sensitive frameworks. Secondly, interventions aimed at enhancing participation – ranging from community-based programs to individualized therapy approaches – are presented, emphasizing the role of environmental facilitators and the removal of participation barriers. Thirdly, the importance of cultural, socioeconomic, and policy contexts in shaping participation opportunities is emphasized, advocating for a more inclusive and rights-based approach to rehabilitation. Overview of The Reseach Topic The articles contained within this collection are demonstrative of a broad spectrum of populations, methodologies, and intervention strategies, thus illustrating the multifaceted nature of participation in rehabilitation. Rozenberg et al. (2025) conducted a brief research report that brings together the outcomes of expert meetings and findings from narrative reviews to establish priorities for telerehabilitation in solid organ transplant recipients. Their analysis underscores the promise of remote interventions in sustaining and enhancing participation after transplantation, while also drawing attention to persistent challenges in ensuring equitable access and continuity of care. In another contribution, Boulay et al. (2025) present a case report describing a novel multimodal therapeutic approach aimed at improving locomotor function and participation in a pediatric population. By combining focal vibration therapy with botulinum toxin injections, the authors illustrate an individualized strategy for optimizing functional mobility outcomes. Camerota et al. (2025) explore the integration of focused muscle vibration with neurocognitive rehabilitation within a neuroplasticity-oriented framework. Their case report highlights the potential of this combined approach to facilitate functional recovery and promote greater participation in daily living activities for individuals with spinal cord injury. Shifting the focus to organizational dynamics, Steensgaard et al. (2024) conducted an original study using action research methodology to examine the barriers faced by nursing staff in embedding patient participation into routine practice during spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Their findings reveal that institutional culture and time constraints are critical factors influencing the adoption of participatory care models. Finally, Kumar Das et al. (2024) investigated the relationship between functional independence and community integration among individuals with spinal cord injury in a resource-limited setting. Their work emphasizes the influence of socio-economic and cultural factors on rehabilitation outcomes, underscoring the need for context-specific strategies to enhance participation. Conclusion The articles in this special issue make a meaningful contribution to a deeper understanding of the concept of "participation" in rehabilitation, both from scientific and practical perspectives. They present approaches that are technologically supported, grounded in contextual realities, and applicable in clinical practice. By placing participation at the core of rehabilitation goals, these contributions emphasize that the success of rehabilitation should be evaluated not only through clinical indicators but also by the extent to which individuals can fully and meaningfully engage in their life roles. The perspectives offered within this framework aim to guide future research, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and encourage the development of policies and practices that recognize participation as a fundamental right in rehabilitation.

Objectives: The study aimed to examine the pandemic-related attitudes and behaviors of adult individuals with neuromuscular disease during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Patients and methods: A total of 87 individuals (55 males, 32 females; mean age: 39.7±14.5 years; range, 19 to 80 years) with neuromuscular disease were included in the cross-sectional study between July 2022 and December 2022. After obtaining the demographic information of the individuals, information about neuromuscular disease and COVID-19, vaccination status, and their situation during the pandemic were questioned with yes/no or open-ended questions. Results: While the most prevalent neuromuscular disease was spinal muscular atrophy (n=30, 34.5%), 72 (82.8%) individuals had no comorbities. Twenty-nine (33.3%) individuals had COVID-19, and seven (24.1%) of these individuals had COVID-19 with high severity. Eighty-two (94.3%) individuals were vaccinated. Among the individuals who had COVID-19, 10 (34.5%) individuals stated that their physical condition was worse than before the pandemic. Among the whole participants, 40 (48.3%) individuals stated that it was worse and much worse. Only 15 (17.2%) individuals continued to participate in physical therapy practices during the pandemic period. Forty-three (49.4%) individuals said that their social life was worse and much worse than before the pandemic. Conclusion: The course of COVID-19 in individuals with neuromuscular disorders may not be as severe as expected. Further studies are needed to generalize these findings to the broader neuromuscular disease population.

Physical inactivity is a major global public health issue and ranks as the fourth leading modifiable risk factor for mortality from noncommunicable diseases and a major cause of disability. One of the questionnaires used to assess levels of physical activity in older adults is the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). The aim of this study was to determine the cut-off value of the PASE for physical inactivity in older adults. This was a cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at Hacettepe University. In the course of the study, 420 older adults were included on the basis of the established inclusion criteria. Of these, 394 voluntarily agreed to participate. Older adults’ physical activity levels were assessed via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-Short Form) and the PASE. Participants categorized as low/inactive according to the IPAQ scale were classified as physically inactive. Conversely, those categorized as moderate or high activity were classified as physically active. This classification scheme was subsequently utilized to determine the physical inactivity threshold of the PASE. The physical inactivity cut-off point for the PASE score in older adults was a score of 67. For identifying physical inactivity, a PASE score of ≤ 67 has a sensitivity of 0.76 and a specificity of 0.61. Among the 394 older adults who participated in the study, 163 were in the inactive group, and 231 were in the active group. The prevalence of physical inactivity was 41.37% in this study. In the present study, the PASE was found to have moderate sensitivity and specificity in discriminating physical inactivity. It is not a sufficient stand-alone measure for physical inactivity, so it is recommended that the PASE be included as part of a comprehensive physical inactivity assessment in older adults.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of technology-based rehabilitation on grip strength, functionality, and disease activity in rheumatic diseases with hand involvement, and to compare these effects with the effects of conventional hand rehabilitation and with a control group that continued routine life. Materials and Methods: The study included 45 patients, with a mean age of 52.24 ± 10.03 years, who were diagnosed with rheumatic disease involving the hand. The patients were randomized to an intervention group (n = 15), conventional group (n = 15), and control group (n = 15). A virtual reality (VR) application with a leap motion controller (LMC) device was applied to the intervention group and stretching and strengthening exercises were applied to the conventional exercise group twice a week for 8 weeks. Evaluations were made using the Disease Activity Score-28, dynamometer, pinch meter, Michigan hand outcome test, Duruöz Hand Index, Jebsen hand function test, and 9-hole peg test. Results: A significant difference was determined in favor of the LMC group in terms of the Jebsen Hand Function test, 9-hole peg test and grip strength after the intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusion: For patients with rheumatic diseases with hand involvement, VR rehabilitation via LMC under the guidance of a physiotherapist has positive effects on the patients' grip strength and hand functions. Developing approaches that will maintain patients' motivation for exercise during the treatment process may help increase and maintain these effects.