Objective: This study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of conventional and robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) programs on fatigue, mood, and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis who have fatigue. Methods: In this single-blinded, randomized controlled study, 37 patients with multiple sclerosis were randomized into two groups: RAGT (n = 18) and conventional gait training (n = 19). The RAGT group had gait training with RoboGait, whereas the conventional gait training group received conventional physiotherapist-assisted gait training. Outcome measures were the Fatigue Severity Scale, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54, Extended Disability Status Scale, Functional Ambulation Category, Berg Balance Test, and 6-min walk test. Results: Baseline demographic, clinic, and functional data were similar. Both groups showed improvements in the Fatigue Severity Scale, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale–Depression, Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life, Berg Balance Test, and 6-min walk test scores after treatment. Only the RAGT group showed an improvement in Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale–Anxiety score. The RAGT group had better Fatigue Severity Scale, and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale scores. Conclusion: In combination with the standard rehabilitation program, both RAGT and conventional gait training are effective for multiple sclerosis. However, RAGT has superior effects in terms of fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Therefore, it may be preferred in multiple sclerosis patients who exhibit prominent symptoms of fatigue, depression, or anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial pain syndrome is a common form of musculoskeletal disorder that originates from a painful site in a muscle or related fascia. There are various non-invasive and invasive treatment methods. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy

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.

Objective. The pathophysiology of fibromyalgia (FM), a continuously painful syndrome with no known origin, has been related to mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Recent studies have shown that FM may be associated with an oxidative balance disorder. The objective of this study was to measure the levels of oxidative stress in FM patients and try to understand the association between FM and free radicals. Methods. This study was performed on 100 volunteers admitted to the University of Health Sciences, Sultan 2, Abdulhamid Han Health Application and Research Center Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinic, including 50 healthy controls and 50 patients with FM. To analyze oxidative stress biomarkers, total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were measured. Total thiol (TT) and native thiol (NT) concentrations were measured to determine the relationship between thiol groups. Disulfide (DIS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were calculated with mathematical formulas. Results. While TOS and OSI levels were statistically higher in FM patients, TAS levels were significantly lower compared to the healthy control group (p<0.001). In comparison to the healthy control group, FM patients had considerably decreased TT and NT levels. DIS levels were significantly higher in FM patients than in controls (p<0.001). Conclusions. Reactive oxygen species have several negative impacts on the human body. As a result of the measurements we analyzed, the relationship between FM and oxidative stress should be studied in terms of disease progression and may help improve the treatment process.

Since the beginning of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists have played an important role in fighting this disease apart from the pulmonary rehabilitation. As a high number of patients have needed immobilization and intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, many complications have emerged inevitably. Heterotopic ossification (HO) is one of these complications. Herein, we present a case of young male patient who had widespread HO in his shoulders, elbows, and hips. Although he managed to survive, he still has difficulty in ambulation and daily living activities. Given the continuing high prevalence of COVID-19, many patients would need immobilization and ICU treatment. Therefore, causes of HO should be scrutinized, physicians and caregivers need to raise vigilance, and comprehensive protective measures should be put in place. On the other hand, as HO is used to be diagnosed quite frequently in the patients with neurological diseases, diagnosis of HO in the COVID-19 patients should not automatically be linked to the stay in the ICU. Yet, it is a fact that impaired immune response is prevalent both in COVID-19 and HO. The correlation between COVID-19 and HO is remarkable, but further research is needed to establish a causal relationship.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of varying ozone doses on proinflammatory cytokine levels in the synovial fluid collected from individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Patients and methods: The controlled clinical trial was conducted with 82 patients (61 females, 21 males; mean age: 63.1±10.0 years; range, 40 to 73 years) between 21 April 2023 and 20 May 2023. Synovial fluid samples were collected from the patients under ultrasound guidance and divided into three tubes, one of which was not injected with ozone, and the other two were injected with 10 and 30 gamma (γ) ozone, respectively. The total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, interleukin (IL)-1 beta (β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the joint fluids were measured. Results: The oxidative stress index and IL-1 β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in the synovial fluid were lower at 10 and 30 γ compared to 0 and 10 γ, respectively. In vitro ozone injection at 30 gamma was more effective in reducing proinflammatory cytokines in the synovial fluid than that at 10 and 0 γ. Ozone injection into the pathological joint fluid was more effective in terms of total antioxidant status at 10 and 30 γ compared to 0 and 10 γ, respectively. No significant difference in total oxidant status was observed between the groups. Conclusion: This study showed that in vitro ozone injection at 30 γ was more effective in reducing proinflammatory cytokines in the synovial fluid and in improving total antioxidant status than that at 10 and 0 γ. The results showed the potential significance of the ozone injection dosage in treating knee osteoarthritis.