Cultural translation and psychometric testing. To translate and validate the Iranian versions of the Neck Disability Index (NDI-IR) and the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS-IR). The widely used the NDI and the NPDS scales have not been translated and validated for Persian-speaking patients with neck pain. This was to provide a validated instrument to measure functional status in patients with neck pain in Iran. The translation and cultural adaptation of the original questionnaires were carried out in accordance with the published guidelines. One hundred and eighty-five patients with neck pain were participated in the study. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire booklet including the NDI-IR, the NPDS-IR, the Iranian SF-36, and a visual analog scale (VAS) of pain. To carry out the test-retest reliability, 30 randomly selected patients with neck pain were asked to complete the questionnaire booklet 48 hours later for the second time. Cronbach α coefficient for the NDI-IR was 0.88 and for the 4 subscales of the NPDS-IR was found to be satisfactory (ranging from 0.74 to 0.94). The NDI-IR and the NPDS-IR subscales showed excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.90 to 0.97; P < 0.01). The correlation between the NDI-IR and the NPDS-IR subscales and functional scales of the SF-36 showed desirable results, indicating a good convergent validity (Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from −0.31 to −0.70). The correlation between the NDI-IR and the VAS was 0.71 and between the NPDS-IR subscales and the VAS ranged from 0.63 to 0.79 (P < 0.01). The Iranian versions of the NDI and NPDS are reliable and valid instruments to measure functional status in Persian-speaking patients with neck pain in Iran. They are simple and easy to use and now can be applied in clinical settings and future outcome studies in Iran and other Persian speaking communities.

Context: Numerous recovery strategies have been used in an attempt to minimize the symptoms of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Whole-body vibration (WBV) has been suggested as a viable warm-up for athletes. However, scientific evidence to support the protective effects of WBV training (WBVT) on muscle damage is lacking. Objective: To investigate the acute effect of WBVT applied before eccentric exercise in the prevention of DOMS. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: University laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 32 healthy, untrained volunteers were randomly assigned to either the WBVT (n = 15) or control (n = 17) group. Intervention(s): Volunteers performed 6 sets of 10 maximal isokinetic (60°/s) eccentric contractions of the dominant-limb knee extensors on a dynamometer. In the WBVT group, the training was applied using a vibratory platform (35 Hz, 5 mm peak to peak) with 100° of knee flexion for 60 seconds before eccentric exercise. No vibration was applied in the control group. Main Outcome Measure(s): Muscle soreness, thigh circumference, and pressure pain threshold were recorded at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 14 days postexercise. Maximal voluntary isometric and isokinetic knee extensor strength were assessed at baseline, immediately after exercise, and at 1, 2, 7, and 14 days postexercise. Serum creatine kinase was measured at baseline and at 1, 2, and 7 days postexercise. Results: The WBVT group showed a reduction in DOMS symptoms in the form of less maximal isometric and isokinetic voluntary strength loss, lower creatine kinase levels, and less pressure pain threshold and muscle soreness (P < .05) compared with the control group. However, no effect on thigh circumference was evident (P < .05). Conclusions: Administered before eccentric exercise, WBVT may reduce DOMS via muscle function improvement. Further investigation should be undertaken to ascertain the effectiveness of WBVT in attenuating DOMS in athletes.

About one-third of chronically constipated patients have an evacuation disorder, and dyssynergic defecation is a common cause of the evacuation disorder. In dyssynergic defecation, the coordination between abdominal and pelvic floor muscles during defecation is disrupted and patients cannot produce a normal bowel movement. The etiology of dyssynergic defecation is still unknown. Although a detailed history taking and a careful examination including digital rectal examination could be useful, other modalities such as anorectal manometry and balloon expulsion test are necessary for the diagnosis. Biofeedback therapy is one of the most effective and safe treatments. Here, we provide an overview of dyssynergic defecation as well as how to diagnose and manage this condition. Cite this article as: Sadeghi A, Akbarpour E, Majidirad F, et al. Dyssynergic defecation: A comprehensive review on diagnosis and management. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2023;34(3):182-195.