The effect of chronic cancer pain on functional capacity Kanser aǧrisinin fonksiyonel kapasiteye etkisi

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the functional capacity of patients in different stages of cancer and to evaluate the effects of chronic cancer pain on functional capacity. Material and methods: Total of 60 patients from inpatient services in Internal Medicine and Oncology Departments, Dokuz Eylül University were included in this study. Thirty subjects who had stage II cancer and pain intensity of 3.30 according to VAS, another 30 subjects who had stage III cancer and pain intensity of 8.27 according to VAS and 30 healthy subjects who had a pain intensity of 0.60 according to VAS were evaluated with the Functional Status Index (FSI) and compiled data was compared between three groups. Results: As a result VAS and FSI showed significant difference between cancer patients and healthy subjects (p<0.05). Statistical analysis revealed that pain intensity and FSI had positive correlation (r: 0.77, p<0.01). Conclusion: Although there was no motor deficit in cancer patients, it was seen that pain affected functional capacity negatively in these subjects. Efficiently controlling pain is important

Effects of brisk walking program on plasma homocysteine level and lipid profile in sedentary young subjects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 6-week brisk walking training on plasma homocysteine levels and lipid profiles in sedentary young subjects. Materials and methods: Fourteen female and 15 male physiotherapy students were included voluntarily in this study. The subjects performed six weeks of brisk walking program, with a speed of 6.4 km/h and over, three times a week. Plasma homocysteine, total cholesterol triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) levels were measured before and after the exercise training. Results: After the training, plasma homocysteine levels increased whereas HDL-c, and triglyceride levels decreased. These differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). On the contrary, total cholesterol and LDL-c decreased significantly (p<0.05). In addition, plasma homocysteine levels were higher in males as compared to females before and after training. Conclusions: The results suggest that brisk walking training for 18 sessions, as an aerobic exercise, could be effective on the lipid profile, but this training program does not change the levels of plasma homocysteine

Comparing the lifestyles and environmental perceptions of rural and urban children: a case study in Turkey

This study aims to compare lifestyles and environmental perceptions of urban and rural children. Ninety-two students completed a questionnaire and were given two means (drawing or wring) to express their thoughts regarding (1) the activity and play areas, (2) their neighborhood and (3) their city. The results showed higher levels of parental supervision and restrictions on the independent mobility of the urban children in outdoor areas. This and other differences regarding the life styles are reflected in the children's drawings of various settings. The results have applied value for planners and urban designers, and additional research is currently underway