Background: Hand dexterity is important for daily living activities and can be related to cognitive functions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive dysfunction and hand dexterity in patients with COPD. Methods: 35 COPD patients and 36 healthy individuals were assessed. The Minnesota Hand Dexterity Test and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used for assessment of cognitive function and hand dexterity. Results: Hand dexterity test scores and cognitive function of COPD patients’ were significantly lower than the healthy group (p < 0.01). The MMSE scores were negatively correlated with hand dexterity scores in the COPD group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: There was a relationship between cognitive function and hand dexterity in the patients with COPD; however, hand dexterity did not alter according to hypoxemia severity. Hand dexterity which is important in daily living activities should be evaluated in greater detail with further studies in COPD patients.

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.

Purpose: Postural control deficits in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are common and aggravate in dual tasking. Spinal stabilization approaches like Pilates and aquaplyometric exercises may have a positive effect on postural control. We aimed to determine the effects of combined Pilates and aquaplyometric exercises on postural control with and without dual task and physical functions in people with MS with this study.Materials and Methods: Twelve people with MS were recruited to 8-week combined exercise programme applied twice in a week and evaluated before and after the exercise training. Timed up and go test was performed for functional mobility and Biodex Balance System was used to evaluate the limits of stability (LoS) with and without a cognitive task. Upper limb functions were evaluated with nine-hole peg test (NHPT) and grip strength where 5-Repetition Sit-To-Stand (STS) and timed 25-Foot walk test were used for lower limb functions.Results: Eight-week combined exercise programme improved postural control, upper limb functions and lower limb functions. Additionally, there was no significant difference between LoS tests scores with and without dual task. Conclusion: Eight-week combined aquatic plyometrics and Pilates exercises were effective in improvement of postural control, upper and lower limb functions in people with MS.

Background: The ankle–foot complex plays a key role in maintaining balance because it collects proprioceptive data. Kinesio taping (KT) is a rehabilitative method performed by the cutaneous application of a special elastic tape. The mechanical correction technique of KT was suggested to reposition the joints and alter balance parameters. The aim was to reveal the pure effects of ankle KT on balance, range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength in healthy individuals.Methods: Forty healthy students were recruited for this randomized, sham-controlled study at a local university. Participants were divided into two groups—experimental and sham application groups. The primary outcome measures were balance parameters. Athlete Single Leg (ASL), Limits of Stability (LoS), and Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (CTSIB) were used to measure single-leg dynamic balance, dynamic postural control, and sensory interaction of balance, respectively. Dorsiflexion ROM and dorsiflexor muscle strength were the secondary outcomes.Results: The ASL score showed significant improvement only in the experimental KT group (P=0.02); however, the LoS score increased significantly in both groups (P0.05). Moreover, there was no superiority of one intervention over the other in improving any of the variables (P>0.05).Conclusion: The mechanical correction technique of KT can be useful in providing immediate improvement in single-leg dynamic balance in healthy individuals. However, it may not be effective to significantly change the sensory interaction of balance, dorsiflexion ROM, and muscle strength.

Postural control, proprioception and lower extremity muscle strength are affected in individuals with low back pain (LBP). However, it is yet unknown whether these variables differentiate between acute, subacute and chronic stages of LBP. The aim was to investigate if there were any differences in postural control, proprioception, lower extremity muscle strength, pain intensity and disability between individuals in the different stages of LBP. In this cross-sectional study, 124 individuals with LBP were grouped as acute LBP (ALBP) (n = 38), subacute LBP (SLBP) (n = 30) and chronic LBP (CLBP) (n = 56) groups. Postural control was assessed via computerised technology. Lumbar proprioception, lower extremity muscle strength, pain intensity and disability were assessed using Joint Repositioning Error Test, hand-held dynamometer, Numeric Rating Scale and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively. Kruskal–Wallis Tests, ANCOVA and post hoc Mann–Whitney U-Test with Bonferroni correction were performed. While there were no significant differences in terms of postural control, proprioception and pain intensity (p > 0.05), significant differences were found in terms of lower extremity muscle strength and ODI scores between groups when adjusted for age (p < 0.05). Individuals with CLBP demonstrated poorer lower extremity muscle strength than those with ALBP and SLBP, and higher disability than those with ALBP (p < 0.017). Although postural control, proprioception and pain intensity were similar between individuals with acute, subacute and chronic LBP, muscle strength and disability seem to worsen stepwise as the pain becomes chronic. Muscle strength and disability should be taken into account while evaluating and/or managing individuals with acute and subacute stages of LBP.