Purpose: There is a growing concern surrounding the utility of medical content on social media. In this study, the popularity metrics and content quality of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) videos on YouTube regarding patient education were examined. Methods: Using the search key word “cardiac rehabilitation,” we analyzed the 50 most relevant videos. Our video popularity analytics encompassed viewing rate, such as ratio, number of comments, and the video power index (VPI). We assessed content quality using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), the modified DISCERN questionnaire, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audio/Visual Materials (PEMAT-A/V), and a novel tool, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Specific Scale (CRSS). Results: Notably, 78% of the videos were uploaded by medical organizations. The average viewing rate was 4.6 views per day. There were positive correlations between the scores from different content quality scales. Median scores for the GQS, the modified DISCERN questionnaire, JAMA benchmark criteria, and the CRSS were 3, 3.5, 2, and 5, respectively. Mean PEMAT-A/V scores were 60.4% for understandability and 38.3% for actionability. Videos published by entities other than medical centers predicted lower CRSS and GQS scores. High JAMA benchmark criteria scores were negative predictors of VPI, view rate, and number of comments. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that CR-related videos on YouTube are characterized by low popularity, average content quality and understandability, but a lack of reliability and actionability. To ensure individuals seek accurate CR information on social media platforms, we recommend directing them to videos uploaded by medical centers.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on ambulation and mobility in hospitalized patients undergoing stroke rehabilitation. This study was conducted retrospectively between September 2020 and October 2020 in Gazi University Faculty of Medicine Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department. Seventy-six patients who received inpatient stroke rehabilitation treatment between May 2018 and February 2020 were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as those who did and did not take vitamin D supplements. Lower extremity motor function and ambulation status were compared using Brunnstrom Recovery Stage (lower extremity) and Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) scores before and after rehabilitation. Thirty-nine patients received vitamin D treatment during the rehabilitation process and 37 patients did not. The two groups were similar according to age, sex, time since stroke, stroke type, comorbid diseases, nutritional status, rehabilitation duration, and FAC and Brunnstrom scores before rehabilitation (p>0.05). At the end of rehabilitation, the changes in FAC and Brunnstrom scores were higher in patients receiving vitamin D supplementation (p=0.005 and p=0.018). The change in FAC and Brunnstrom scores in patients who were undergoing rehabilitation for the first time and/or in the first 3 months after stroke was higher in the group receiving vitamin D supplementation compared with the group not receiving vitamin D (p<0.05). In patients who were not within the first 3 months after stroke, vitamin D treatment did not affect FAC and Brunnstrom scores. Vitamin D supplementation may increase the success of rehabilitation therapy in patients during the first 3 months post-stroke.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the combined hydrolyzed type 2 collagen, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), glucosamine sulfate (GS), and chondroitin sulfate (CS) supplement on knee pain intensity in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Patients and methods: This multicenter, observational, noninterventional study included 98 patients (78 females, 20 males; mean age: 52.8±6.5 years; range, 40 to 64 years) who had Grade 1-3 knee OA between May 2022 and November 2022. The patients were prescribed the combination of hydrolyzed type 2 collagen, MSM, GS, and CS as a supplement for knee OA. The sachet form of the combined supplement containing 1250 mg hydrolyzed type 2 collagen, 750 mg MSM, 750 mg GS, and 400 mg CS was used once daily for two consecutive months. Patients were evaluated according to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analog Scale (VAS)-pain, and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Patients were scheduled to visit for follow-up four weeks (Visit 2) and eight weeks (Visit 3) after Visit 1 (baseline; day 0 of the study). Results: For the VAS-pain, WOMAC, WOMAC-subscale, and HAQ scores, the differences in improvement between the three visits were significant (p<0.001 for all). The patient compliance with the supplement was a median of 96.77%, both for Visit 2 and Visit 3. Conclusion: The combination of hydrolyzed type 2 collagen, MSM, GS, and CS for eight weeks in knee OA was considered an effective and safe nutritional supplement.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association of medial longitudinal arch (MLA) height and stiffness with lower extremity alignment, pain, and disease severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study included 90 patients (75 females, 15 males; mean age: 63.6±9.4 years; range, 50 to 90 years) diagnosed with knee OA according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria between December 2022 and June 2024. Medial longitudinal arch height and stiffness were assessed using the arch height index (AHI) method in both sitting and standing positions. The arch stiffness index (ASI) was calculated. The OA-related clinical outcomes included pain severity (numeric rating scale), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, and tibiofemoral angles. Associations between MLA characteristics and OA parameters were examined. Results: Low and high arch rates were 10% and 16%, respectively. No significant differences in OA clinical and radiological parameters were observed across different MLA types. Within-patient comparisons showed higher MLA height in the extremity with greater knee pain and more advanced OA. Correlation analyses indicated that increased ASI was associated with higher arch height and knee varus angles, suggesting a biomechanical interplay between MLA structure and knee joint alignment in advanced OA patients. In the early OA group, ASI was negatively correlated with knee pain severity. Conclusion: A higher medial arch and increased midfoot stiffness were associated with knee pain, radiological severity, and knee varus in patients with OA. These findings support the complex relationship between the foot arch structure and knee OA through the perspective of the lower extremity kinematic chain.

Background: This study assessed Transcutaneous Pulse Radiofrequency Therapy’s (TCPRF) effectiveness in reducing shoulder pain and improving shoulder function. Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled trial involved 50 SAIS patients with chronic shoulder pain. Participants were randomized into two groups: the study group (n = 27) received TCPRF, while the control (n = 23) received sham treatment. The primary outcome was shoulder pain, secondary outcomes, including shoulder function, quality of life, and range of motion, were assessed at baseline, and at 1, 4, and 12 weeks using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and the SF-36 questionnaire. Supraspinatus tendon thickness (SSPT) and acromiohumeral distance (AHD) were measured by ultrasound. Results: Both groups showed reductions in activity and resting pain over 12 weeks. In the control, activity pain dropped from a median (IQR) of 8 (7–8) to 6 (3–7), and in TCPRF from 8 (7–10) to 3.5 (2–6.3), with no significant difference at 12 weeks (p = 0.192). Resting pain decreased from 3 (1–6) to 1 (1–3) in the control, and from 3 (2–4) to 0 (0–2) in TCPRF, showing a lower resting pain at 12 weeks (p = 0.041). SPADI-Total scores decreased from 87 (54–105) to 50 (29–82) in the control and from 84 (69–107) to 21 (9–66.3) in TCPRF, favoring TCPRF at 12 weeks (p = 0.017). SPADI–Disability scores reduced from 49 (30–63) to 30 (15–30) in control and from 47 (35–62) to 11 (5.8–38.8) in TCPRF, also favoring TCPRF (p = 0.008). Both groups showed similar improvements in other outcomes. Conclusions: TCPRF reduced resting pain and shoulder disability in SAIS over 12 weeks, though other outcomes showed similar improvement in both groups. Further studies are needed to determine long-term effects.