Purpose: The purpose of this study was to translate the Swallow Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) into Turkish and to test its reliability and validity among patients with neurogenic swallowing disorders. Methods: One hundred and five patients (mean age= 57±15.4 years, mean weight= 69.5±16.3 kg, mean height=162.8±22.4 cm) completed the Turkish version of the SWAL-QOL (T-SWAL-QOL) and short form of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHO QOL-BREF). The internal consistency, test-retest reliability and criterion validity of T-SWAL-QOL as psychometric analysis were explored. Reliability was estimated using tests of internal consistency and test– retest reliability. The correlation between T-SWAL-QOL and WHO-QOL-BREF was calculated to evaluate criterion validity. Results: The internal consistency of T-SWAL-QOL was found to be high with 0.88 Cronbach’s alpha value for test and 0.91 Cronbach’s alpha value for retest. General burden, eating duration, eating desire and social subscales were found to have good test-retest reliability (r=0.696, r=0.790, r=0.787, r=0786, p<0.001; respectively) and, food selection, fear of eating, sleep, fatigue, communication and mental health were found to have excellent test-retest reliability (r=0.832, r=0.833, r=0.841, r=0.839, r=0.883, r=0.847, p<0.001; respectively). A weak/moderate correlation was found between the T-SWAL-QOL and WHO-QOL-BREF (p<0.05). Discussion: The T-SWAL-QOL was shown to be a valid and reliable questionnaire in dysphagia evaluation. This study will contribute to solve the problem about the lack of a scale to measure the dysphagia specific quality of life in Turkey.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to investigate upper extremity function and shoulder position sense in patients with multiple sclerosis and its relation with disability level. Materials and methods: In this study, 20 multiple sclerosis and 20 healthy subjects participated. The disability level was determined by the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Mental state was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination. Upper extremity function was measured with the 9-Hole Peg Test and shoulder position sense was evaluated with a Dualer IQTM digital inclinometer. The study protocol was also registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03846336). Results: Upper extremity function scores were lower and shoulder position sense error scores were greater in patients with multiple sclerosis in comparison to healthy controls (p < .05). While disability level was associated with dominant and non-dominant upper extremity function, no relationship was found between the disability level and shoulder position sense (p < .05). Only the dominant side shoulder position senses at 30° and 60° abduction were found to be associated with upper extremity function (p < .05). Conclusions: These results indicate that shoulder position sense and upper extremity function were affected in patients with multiple sclerosis with mild to moderate disability. Upper extremity functions were associated with shoulder abduction joint sense in patients with multiple sclerosis. In the assessment of upper extremity functions, joint position sense should be taken into account even at early stages of multiple sclerosis, so it may provide guidance in planning rehabilitation programs.

To investigate biomechanics, muscle performance, and disability of the craniocervical region in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients and compare them with controls.Craniocervical posture was e...

Neck pain is a musculoskeletal problem increasing with age. The disorders that occurs in the neck region may also affect the upper extremity due to its close anatomical relationships. The aim of this study was to determine whether neck pain affects shoulder position sense and upper extremity function in the older adults. This cross-sectional study was carried out in nursing homes. The older adults over 65 years of age with chronic neck pain for the last 6 months were included. Pain intensity was evaluated with a Visual Analog Scale. Acumar dual digital inclinometer was used for the evaluation of shoulder position sense. 9-Hole Peg Test was used for the measure of upper extremity function. It was found dominant side shoulder position sense and the function of both upper extremities were different between the three groups (p < 0.05). Pain was correlated with dominant and non-dominant 60ᵒ flexion shoulder position sense and 60ᵒ abduction shoulder position sense (p < 0.05). Additionally, a relationship was found only between pain and non-dominant side upper extremity function (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we found that in older adults with neck pain, position sense and function decreased in upper extremities. The findings from this study support that detailed evaluation of anatomically related regions as well as the cervical region where pain is felt is important in creating a more effective rehabilitation program.