The study provided validity and reliability evidence of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in Greek patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The FSS was administered to 72 MS patients, without co morbid fatigue and 75 matched paired controls with respect to gender and age. Both groups responded to the FSS, SF-36v2, BDI-II and a demographic questionnaire on two time points separated by a 1-week interval. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test construct validity, concurrent and divergent validity, internal and test-retest reliability were also examined. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, intercorrelations with BDI-II (r = 0.552, p < 0.01) and SF-36v2 vitality (r = −0.715, p < 0.01) and physical functioning (r = −0.673, p < 0.01) subscales, and differences between patients and non patients (t (145) = 6.007, p < 0.001), revealed sufficient construct, concurrent and divergent validity evidence. The factor analysis demonstrated a unidimensional structure Cronbach alpha (0.953) and ICC (0.889) was high, indicating that the responses of our sample were internally consistent and stable across time. The Greek version of FSS is valid and reliable and may be used by clinicians and researchers to assess fatigue of Greek MS patients.

The aim of the study was to examine the differences in joint position sense at the elbow joint between 15 children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) and 15 typically developing (TD) controls without neurological or other health deficits. Joint position sense, a major proprioceptive component, was evaluated actively using a Kin Com 125 AP isokinetic dynamometer (Chattanooga Group, Chattanooga, TN). A significant interaction was found (p<0.05) between disability and side, with respect to the active reproduction movement scores. Post-hoc independent t-tests, with Bonferroni adjustments, revealed significant differences for the dominant (t=-3.63, p=0.001) and non-dominant sides respectively (t=-6.19, p=0.000). Repeated measures t-test revealed wider errors with the non-dominant (affected side) in the active reproduction test, compared to the dominant (nonaffected) side for the CP group of children (t=-4.73, p=0.000). A positive correlation was evident between the level of spasticity and joint position sense (Rho=0.71, p=0.003). Based on our findings, joint position sense is impaired at the elbow joint in children with spastic hemiplegia. The proprioceptive deficit is present at both the affected and unaffected sides and is related to the level of spasticity.

Objectives: 1. To compare postural alignment in erect standing between osteoporotic fallers, osteoporotic non-fallers and healthy women. 2. To compare BMI, number of fractures and intensity of pain between osteoporotic fallers and non-fallers. Method

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra and characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. Boxing is a type of complementary therapy to improve symptoms in PD. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of boxing training on the functionality and quality of life of patients with PD. The literature search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar search engines. The PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. This systematic review included three studies that examined disease severity, mobility, physical activity, balance, and quality of life. According to the PEDro scale criteria, the three articles included were of high methodological quality. Statistically significant improvements after the implementation of boxing training was shown for balance and quality of life in contrast to the other variables. Boxing training intervention programs had a positive effect on balance and quality of life in patients with PD; however, the results are conflicting regarding certain functionality variables. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct further research to examine the effectiveness of boxing training on the functionality and quality of life of patients with Parkinson’s disease.

The study examined the quality of life (QoL) of parents with disabled children in Greece. Further, the relationship between QoL with depressive symptoms and involvement in physical activity were reported as well. The total sample constituted from 73 parents (Mean age = 42.87 years, SD = 7.58), classified to 42 parents of children with disabilities and 31 parents of children without disabilities (control group). The participants responded to the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) (Beck, Steer & Garbin, 1996), the QoL SF36v2 scale (Ware et al., 2007), and the Self Administered Physical Activity Checklist (SAPAC) (Sallis, Strikmiller, Harsha, & Feldman, 1996). The multivariate (lambda = .99, F = .35, p = .70, eta2 = .01) and univariate comparisons between the two parental groups did not reveal significant differences in the physical (PCS) and mental components (MCS) of the SF36v2. The QoL was significantly related to the depressive symptoms, while the involvement in physical activity was not related to QoL. On the other hand, parents of children with disabilities had less sedentary behaviors compared to the control group. The overall findings are discussed in line with relevant studies examining the QoL of families with disabled children.Keywords. Quality of Life, depression, physical activity, parents, disability.Resumen. Este estudio examinó la calidad de vida (QoL) de los padres de niños discapacitados en Grecia. Además, se reporta la relación entre la calidad de vida y los síntomas depresivos y de la participación en actividades físicas. El total de la muestra estuvo constituida por 73 padres (edad promedio = 42.87 años, DE = 7.58), clasificadas en 42 padres de niños con discapacidad y 31 padres de niños sin discapacidad (grupo control). Los participantes respondieron el Inventario de Depresión de Beck II (BDI-II) (Beck, Steer & Garbin, 1996), la escala QoL SF-36 v2 (Ware et al., 2007), y el Self Administered Physical Activity Checklist (SAPAC) (Sallis, Strikmiller, Harsha, & Feldman, 1996). Las comparaciones multivariadas (lambda = .99, F = .35, p = .70, eta2 = .01) y univariadas entre los dos grupos de padres no mostró diferencias significativas en los componentes físicos (PCS) y mentales (MCS) de la escala SF-36. La QoL se relacionó significativamente con síntomas depresivos, mientras que la participación en actividades físicas no estuvo relacionada con la QoL. Por otra parte, los padres de los niños con discapacidad tuvieron menos comportamientos sedentarios comparados con los padres del grupo control. Los resultados generales se discuten en línea con los estudios pertinentes que examinan la calidad de vida de las familias con niños discapacitados.Palabras claves. Calidad de vida, depresión, actividad Física, padres, discapacidad