YouTube_®, one of the busiest video-sharing platforms, may lack sufficient or accurate information on health information and practices given the absence of a rigorous evaluation process. This study aims to evaluate the reliability of information and quality of exercise videos on YouTube_® for rheumatoid arthritis. Video features and the source of the upload were sorted. Reliability of the information shared in the videos was evaluated using the mDISCERN too, and quality was assessed using the Global Quality Scale and JAMA scoring system. Videos were independently analyzed by two physiotherapists specialized in rheumatologic rehabilitation. Any bias was resolved by an independent third assessor. One hundred thirty-four exercise videos were included. A hundred and twenty-six (94%) of the 134 exercise videos were found to be useful, and 8 (6%) were misleading. The useful and misleading videos had similar numbers of views, likes, comments, and subscribers (p > .05), while video duration and time since upload were higher for useful videos (p < .05). Cohen's Kappa scores demonstrated that the level of agreement between the assessors were moderate (mDISCERN = 0.417, Global Quality Scale = 0.582, and JAMA = 0.555). There was a significant difference in JAMA scores (p = .013) between the sources of the videos. However, no significant difference was found in mDISCERN (p = .104) and Global Quality Scale (p = .128) scores. YouTube_® exercise videos provide partially reliable and moderate-quality information for people with rheumatoid arthritis. However, patients should be cautious and not rely directly on YouTube_® exercise videos. Instead, they should consult a physician or physical therapist for exercises.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can impact any organ in the body. The pathophysiology of shrinking lung syndrome (SLS), a rare pulmonary complication of SLE, remains unknown. The objective of the current case series was to investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on diaphragm thickness/mobility, respiratory muscle strength, peripheral muscle thickness/strength, and functional exercise capacity in patients with SLE and associated SLS. Three patients with SLE were included in the case series. Respiratory muscle strength, peripheral muscle strength, peripheral muscle thickness, diaphragm muscle thickness, diaphragm muscle mobility, functional exercise capacity, and pulmonary function test were assessed. A significant improvement has been determined in respiratory muscle strength, functional exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength, peripheral muscle thickness, diaphragm muscle thickness, and diaphragm muscle mobility. This is the first case series showing the beneficial effects of IMT on respiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness/mobility, peripheral muscle thickness/strength, and exercise capacity in patients with SLE.

The study aims to evaluate the effects of virtual reality (VR) programs on disease activity, central sensitization, kinesiophobia, body awareness, and pain catastrophizing in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Twenty-nine with FMS were randomized into the VR group or the control group (CG). FMS patients in the VR group were included in the VR-based relaxing treatment for 4 weeks, with one session per week. The progressive muscle relaxation technique and the breath-counting exercise were taught to participants in the CG. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Central Sensitization Inventory Short-Form (CSI-SF), TAMPA, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) were evaluated. Additionally, in the VR group, the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), pain, stress, and exhaustion were assessed during each session. Post-treatment, the VR group showed significantly greater improvements than the CG in FIQ, CSI-SF, PCS, and BAQ (p < 0.05). Effect sizes in the VR group, except for TAMPA, ranged from large to very large (Cohen's d = 0.993-1.350). Although GSR scores decreased post-treatment, this reduction was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Additionally, symptoms of SSQ, pain, stress, and exhaustion were notably reduced in the VR group. we recommend the widespread use of this innovative treatment approach in FMS patients.

Background This study aimed to evaluate the effect of telerehabilitation-based exercise programs in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Methods Forty-six SSc patients were randomly separated into two groups as telerehabilitation and control. Videos comprising clinical Pilates-based exercises were designed and uploaded to YouTube™ for the telerehabilitation group by physiotherapists. A video interview was conducted with the SSc patients once a week and an exercise program was performed twice daily for 8 weeks in the telerehabilitation group. The same exercise programs were printed on paper brochures and patients were instructed on their application in the form of a home exercise program to be continued for 8 weeks in the control group. Pain, fatigue, quality of life, sleep, physical activity, anxiety, and depression were assessed in all patients at the beginning and end of the study. Results The clinical and demographic characteristics were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Fatigue, pain, anxiety, and depression decreased in both groups, while quality of life and sleep quality increased after the exercise program (p < 0.05). However, the improvements in the telerehabilitation group were statistically more significant than in the control group for all studied parameters (p < 0.05). Conclusion The results of our study demonstrate the superior efficacy of telerehabilitation-based treatment programs over home exercise programs, hence, we suggest widespread use of this innovative treatment program in SSc patients.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a systemic autoinflammatory disease that causes recurrent attacks of fever, polyserositis, arthritis or skin eruptions, resulting in pain in the abdomen, muscles, joints and chest. All of these might lead to a reduction in exercise capacity, muscle strength, physical activity level (PAL) and quality of life (QoL). Therefore, assesment of these parameters are important. The aim of this study was to assess exercise capacity, muscle strength, PAL and QoL in patients FMF as compared to controls. 40 subjects with FMF and 36 healthy control subjects participated in the study. The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) was used to assess exercise capacity. Muscle strength measurements for shoulder flexors, extensors and abductors, hip flexors, extensors and abductors, knee flexors and extensors, and ankle dorsiflexors were evaluated by hand-held dynamometer. PAL was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). QoL was investigated by Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Significant differences were found between patients and healthy subjects for 6MWT (p=0.003), muscle strength of ankle dorsiflexors (p=0.001), hip flexors (p=0.047), extensors (p=0.003) and abductors (p=0.004), total scores of IPAQ-SF (p=0.004), and pain (p<0.001), physical mobility (p<0.001) and energy level (p=0.026) subscales of NHP. However, there were no significant differences between groups for the shoulder flexion (p=0.089), extension (p=0.440) and abduction (p=0.232) , hand grip strength (p=0.160) , and knee flexion (p=0.744) and extension (p=0.155) muscle strength and emotional reaction (p=0.088), sleep (p=0.070) and social isolation (p=0.086) subsets of NHP. Subjects with FMF demonstrated lower exercise capacity, muscle strength, PAL and QoL than healthy peers. Therefore, it is important to evaluate and improve these parameters in patients with FMF.