Primary aim was to investigate the association between laboratory measures of balance and clinical balance tests in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). The secondary aim was to compare the balance performances according to postural instability and gait disorders (PIGD). Sixty-four individuals with PD were included in the study. Clinical data were investigated using modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up&Go Test (TUG), Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST) were used for clinical measures of balance. Laboratory measures of balance were evaluated by Balance Master System including the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction of Balance (mCTSIB), Limits of Stability Test (LOS), Sit to Stand Test (STS), and Tandem Walk Test (TW). The relationship between clinical and laboratory measures of balance was determined. After participants were divided into two groups based on UPDRS: patients with and without PIGD, their balance performance was compared. There were significant correlations between BBS and mCTSIB, LOS-Movement Velocity, and LOS-Endpoint Excursion. FTSST was correlated with STS-Weight Transfer and STS-Rising Index, and TUG was correlated with TW-Speed. Patients with PIGD had worse scores of balance assessments including FTSST, LOS-Movement Velocity, STS-Rising Index. Laboratory measures are associated with clinical balance tests and they may reflect clinical balance outcome measures. Furthermore, PIGD may negatively affect balance performance in patients with PD.

Özet Parkinson hastalığı (PH) nigrostriatal dopaminerjik yolaktaki bozulmadan kaynaklı, Alzheimer Hastalığından sonra en sık görülen ikinci nörodejeneratif hastalıktır. Rijidite, PH'nin tanı koydurucu, temel semptomlarından biridir ve rijidite değerlendirilmesi PH’de motor semptomları takip etme, hastalığın seyrini izleme ve tedavilerin etkinliğini değerlendirme gibi önemli konularda kullanılabilmektedir. Rijidite değerlendirilmesinde kullanılan objektif ve kantitatif yöntemler bu nedenle önem taşımaktadır. Bu derlemenin amacı rijiditenin değerlendirilmesinde kullanılan yöntemleri genel olarak açıklamak ve bu yöntemler arasında myotonometrinin yerini belirlemektir. Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's Disease and is caused by a disruption in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway. Rigidity is one of the diagnostic and cardinal symptoms of PD, and rigidity assessment can be used in important matters such as monitoring the course of the motor symptoms, the disease severity, and evaluating the effectiveness of the treatments. Therefore, using objective and quantitative methods in the assessment of rigidity is important. The purpose of this review is to explain generally the methods used in the assessment of rigidity and to determine the place where myotonometry stands among these methods.

Objective: Work-related musculoskeletal problems, particularly myofascial pain, are common among teachers, with prevalence rates ranging from 39% to 95%. This study aims to examine the relationship between leisure time physical activity and musculoskeletal pain in primary school teachers, taking into account the confounding effects of workload during working hours and sedentary behavior. Material and Methods: The study included 38 primary school teachers with a mean age of 43.58±9.12 years. Sociodemographic data (age, gender, weight, height, experience, standing hours, daily TV and phone use) were recorded; sedentary behavior was calculated by summing TV and phone use, workload by multiplying working days and daily hours. Pain was assessed with the modified Numeric Rating Scale, and physical activity with the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. Results: Pain intensity showed a weak correlation with total leisure-time physical activity (rho:-0.337, p:0.039) and vigorous activity (rho:-0.341, p:0.036); after adjusting for workload and sedentary behavior, these correlations slightly strengthened (total activity rho:-0.377, p:0.024; vigorous activity rho:-0.360, p:0.031). Similarly, pain-related distress also showed a weak correlation with total (rho:-0.352, p:0.035) and vigorous physical activity (rho:-0.360, p:0.031) after adjustment. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a relationship between physical activity levels and pain perception in primary school teachers. Physical activity is thought to have a potential protective role against pain. The current study supports the need for interventions aimed at reducing pain in sedentary professions, including primary school teachers.