BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a common health issue, and such pains are often associated with muscle tightness. Understanding the link between lower back pain and tight lower extremity muscles is essential for effective pain management and enhanced quality of life. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between lower extremity muscle tightness and pain and disability in individuals with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). METHODS: A total of 52 individuals with NSLBP were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Lower extremity muscle tightness was assessed using various clinical tests, including the Active Knee Extension Test, Active Straight Leg Raise, Ober Test, and Modified Thomas Test. Pain intensity and disability were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale and the Oswestry Disability Index, respectively. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the correlation between muscle tightness, pain, and disability. RESULTS: The study found weak to moderate negative correlations between lower extremity muscle tightness and both pain intensity and disability in individuals with NSLBP (r: –0.287 to –0.526, p < 0.05). Dominant and non-dominant extremities exhibited differences in muscle flexibility, with the dominant extremity showing greater flexibility (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In individuals with NSLBP, lower extremity muscle tightness is closely related to pain severity and disability. These findings suggest that lower extremity muscle tightness plays a significant role in the severity of low back pain and disabilities. Additionally, the observed flexibility difference between dominant and non-dominant extremities warrants further investigation for more personalized treatment approaches.

Background and Study Aim: Handgrip strength is widely accepted as a functionality parameter to assess upper extremity performance. The measurement of hand grip strength by dynamometry is a low cost, non-invasive method of simple applicability. The present study is based on the association of dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength with demographic and anthropometric characteristics; height, body weight, body mass index, upper arm length, forearm length, hand length, forearm circumference, upper arm circumference. Material and Methods: The study included 70 male athletes in olympic style weightlifting (age: 18.06±2.18, height:1.74±.06 m, body weight: 76.09±13.04 kg). A total of 70 sedentary individuals as a control group (age 18.11±.18, height:1.75±.04 m, body weight: 74.01±13.94 kg) were also taken to compare study findings. The data obtained was analyzed by SPPS for Windows, version 25. Handgrip strength measurements were obtained by a Jamar dynamometer, according to the recommendations of the American Association of Hand Therapists. Results: It was found that the values of dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength, upper arm circumference and forearm circumference length of the weightlifting athletes were higher than those of sedentary individuals (p<.001). No asymmetry was observed in dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength values of the athletes and sedentary individuals. The correlations were noted between dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength values of weightlifting athletes and demographic characteristics, some anthropometric characteristics of upper extremity and weightlifting performance. Conclusion: The variability of handgrip strength might largely be explained by some anthropometric characteristics of upper extremity.

Background and purpose: In recent years, dietary practices have begun to be used in painful conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a vegan diet and therapeutic exercise in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. Materials and methods: A total of 45 young female patients with chronic non-specific neck pain, aged 18–25 years, participated in the study. Body mass index and body fat percentage were measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis. Pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale, quality of life with the short form-36 scale, kinesiophobia with the Tampa scale of kinesiophobia and neck disability with the Neck Disability Index. Results: The pain severity reduced in the diet group and exercise group after treatment (p = 0.001). After treatment, Neck Disability Index score decreased in the diet group and exercise group (p = 0.001). Tampa scale of kinesiophobia score decreased in the diet group and exercise group (p = 0.001). The eight domains of the short form-36 scale score increased in the diet group and exercise group (p < 0.05). No difference was found in the body mass index and fat percentage in all groups before and after treatment (p˃ 0.05). Conclusion: A vegan diet and therapeutic exercise are beneficial to patients with chronic non-specific neck pain in terms of pain severity and quality of life.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality and readability of ChatGPT responses to frequently asked questions by individuals with posture disorder. Providing reliable and evidence-based information about posture disorders is vital for individuals to be correctly informed. METHODS: The 10 most frequently asked questions about posture disorder were selected by two researchers from a list created by ChatGPT. The questions were transmitted to ChatGPT 4.0, and the initial responses were recorded without further follow-up questions. The quality of the responses was then assessed by five independent experts (three physiotherapists, one physical therapy and rehabilitation specialist, and one orthopedics and traumatology specialist) with a four-grade evaluation system. Readability levels were analyzed with the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level through WordCalc software. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v29.0, and intraclass correlation coefficients were used to measure inter-rater reliability. RESULTS: Following a thorough evaluation of the 10 responses received, six were rated as "Excellent responses requiring no explanation," while a further four were designated as "Satisfactory responses requiring minimal explanation." The median quality score of the responses was high, indicating good alignment with current evidence-based practice. The average readability level of the responses was determined to be 8.4. Inter-rater reliability was good, with an intraclass correlation coefficients value of 0.756. CONCLUSION: ChatGPT provides relatively coherent and generally readable answers to frequently asked questions about posture disorders, with most needing minimal explanation. While promising as a resource to meet the information needs of people with posture disorders, further improvements are needed to align it with personalized health needs.