Background: Text neck syndrome is an overuse condition that has become a global problem for all ages who use smartphones. Although therapeutic approaches are used to manage text neck syndrome, relatively little evidence exists on efficacy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques on individuals with text neck syndrome. Methods: Thirty-eight participants with text neck syndrome were randomly allocated to either the experimental or control group. Both groups performed the program including cervical range of motion, strengthening, and posture correction exercises for 6 weeks, 3 days a week, once a day for 10 repetitions. In the experimental group were included in a PNF program 3 days a week for 6 weeks. In the program, contract-relax and replication techniques were used. Pain intensity, cervical range of motion, cervical muscles’ endurance, posture, and disability were assessed. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks. Results: Pain intensity, neck muscle endurance tests, posture, and disability scores significantly improved in both groups (P < .05). The cervical range of motion values in all directions were significantly increased only in the experimental group (P < .05). The improvements in pain intensity, neck muscle endurance tests, posture, and disability scores were greater in the experimental group compared with the control group (P < .05). Conclusion: PNF could be used effectively to reduce neck pain and disability level and enhance cervical range of motion, cervical muscles’ endurance, and posture in individuals with text neck syndrome.

Background: Many pulmonary and extrapulmonary factors may impair balance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the determinants of this impairment are still debated. The primary aim was to compare both balance-related and independent variables that may affect balance with healthy subjects. The secondary aim was to investigate the potential determinants of balance in patients with COPD. Methods: This comparative study recruited 23 patients with COPD and 23 age- and comorbidity-matched healthy subjects. Participants were assessed regarding demographic and clinical data, “Postural Stability Test” (PST), “Limits of Stability Test” (LOST), “Clinical Test of Sensory Integration of Balance” (CTSIB), pulmonary function, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, functional capacity, and cognitive function. Results: There were significant differences in all outcome measures assessing balance, pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, peripheral muscle strength, and functional capacity, but not cognitive function, in the COPD group compared to the healthy group (p < 0.05). The PST had a significant and strong correlation with maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) (r = −0.630, p = 0.001) and a significant and moderate correlation with m. quadriceps strength and 6 min walk test (6MWT) distance (r = −0.472, p = 0.023; r = −0.496, p = 0.016; respectively). MIP, m. quadriceps strength, and 6MWT distance were independent predictors to explain the PST with an R² = 0.336 (p = 0.004). Conclusions: The present study revealed that balance is impaired in adults with COPD, even if compared with age- and comorbidity-matched healthy subjects. Assessing and improving balance and its determinants, inspiratory and peripheral muscle strength, and functional capacity may be important for fall prevention and disease management in patients with COPD.

Background and aim: The aim was to investigate the effect of thoracic mobilization exercises on hamstring flexibility. Materials and methods: One hundred twenty individuals with hamstring tightness were included in the study. The participants were randomized into two groups: the experimental group (EG) (n = 60) or the control group (CG) (n = 60). The EG performed a homebased thoracic mobilization exercise program comprising 2 sets with 10 repetitions, once a day, 3 days a week, for 4 weeks. The CG performed active-assisted stretching of the hamstring comprising 3 sets with 10 repetitions for 15 seconds. The active knee extension (AKE) test was used to measure hamstring flexibility, and self-reported hamstring pain intensity was evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS). All evaluations were conducted at the beginning and end of the intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in AKE (p<0.05). Pain intensity during the stretching exercises was significantly decreased only in the EG. The improvements in AKE and VAS score were greater in the EG than in the CG (p < 0.05). Between-group effect sizes were large for AKE (d = 1.075) and VAS score (d = 1.077). Conclusion: The current study showed that thoracic mobilization exercises may increase hamstring flexibility and reduce pain intensity during hamstring stretch exercises.

BACKGROUND: Incentive spirometry (IS) is a cost-effective, easy-to-use, and accessible device used peri-postoperative period for prevention or management of complications via maintaining maximum inhalation and open collapsed alveoli and resolving atelectasis. Although early pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is known to reduce the length of stay (LOS), it is controversial whether the addition of IS provides a further contribution. This study aimed to investigate whether using IS in addition to early PR in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation reduces LOS and whether it is a safe technique by assessing hemodynamic responses. METHODS: One hundred thirty patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) during hospitalization were randomized to an early PR group and an additional IS group (PR + IS). LOS (days), pre-, and postsession hemodynamic responses were recorded. RESULTS: The LOS was significantly lower in the PR + IS (5.34 days) group than in the PR group (7.17 days) ( P = 0.026). Changes in respiratory rate (breaths/min) and oxygen saturation (%) were within the well-tolerated interval in both groups and there was a statistically significant difference in the PR + IS group ( P < 0.001). Other hemodynamic changes were also within well-tolerated intervals, with no statistically significant differences between the groups ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The usage of IS in addition to early PR in patients with AECOPD reduced LOS by approximately 1 day compared to PR alone. Furthermore, no significant signs of intolerance were observed, suggesting that IS was well-tolerated, similar to PR alone.

Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease that influences patients’ physical, mental, and social functioning. Yoga is one of the most popular forms of mind-body approaches in people with MS (pwMS) to overcome the symptoms of the disease. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the yoga training program on fatigue, postural control, and depression level in pwMS. Material and Methods: Ten pwMS aged between 22-42 years were included in the study. The structured yoga training program was applied an hour per session, five times a week over 5 weeks. The yoga program consisted of basic yoga poses, breathing and warming exercises. Each session was focused on strengthening, postural control, relaxation, and flexibility. The yoga poses were asked to maintain for 15 seconds to 2 minutes. Patients were evaluated with The Fatigue Severity Scale for fatigue level, with single leg stance test for postural control, and with Beck depression inventory for depression level. Patients were evaluated before and after the therapeutic yoga program. Results: After 5 weeks of therapeutic yoga program, statistically significant improvements were detected in terms of fatigue, postural control, and depression level in pwMS (p=0.005; p=0.005; and p=0.007, respectively). Conclusion: This study showed that a supervised therapeutic yoga program might be effective on fatigue, postural control, and depression level in pwMS.