Effects of chest physiotherapy and aerobic exercise training on physical fitness in young children with cystic fibrosis

Background Cystic fibrosis is a multisystem disease where the main problems are existing in the respiratory system. Aerobic exercise programs are effective in increasing physical fitness and muscle endurance in addition to chest physiotherapy. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chest physiotherapy and aerobic exercise training on physical fitness in young children with cystic fibrosis. Methods Sixteen patients with cystic fibrosis, between the ages 5-13 years, were included in this study. All children were assessed at the beginning and at the end of 6 week of the training. Modified Bruce protocol was used for assessing the cardiovascular endurance. The sit-up test was used to evaluate the dynamic endurance of abdominal muscles, standing long jump was used to test power, sit and reach, trunk lateral flexion, trunk hyperextension, trunk rotation and forward bending tests were used to assess flexibility, 20 m shuttle run test and 10-step stair climbing tests were used to assess power and agility. All patients received chest physiotherapy and aerobic training, three days a week for six weeks. Active cycle of breathing technique and aerobic exercise training program on a treadmill were applied. Results By evaluating the results of the training, positive progressions in all parameters except 20 m shuttle run and 10 stairs climbing tests were observed (p 0.05). Conclusion It is thought that in addition to medical approaches to the systems affected, the active cycle of breathing techniques along with aerobic training helps to enhance the aerobic performance, thoracic mobility and improves physical fitness in children with cystic fibrosis

The effects of reflexology on constipation and motor functions in children with cerebral palsy

WOS: 000434239600007PubMed: 28716693Background: There is no evidence regarding the effects of reflexology on constipation and motor functions in children with cerebral palsy. This study was planned to investigate the effects of reflexology combined with neurodevelopmental therapy on constipation and motor functions in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: Forty children between the ages of 3 and 15 years with cerebral palsy within levels 3/4/5 according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) were included in the study. The participants were divided into two groups. While children in Group 1 received neurodevelopmental therapy, children in Group 2 also received reflexology. The therapy continued for two sessions per week for 8 weeks. Each session of neurodevelopmental therapy lasted for 45-60 min and reflexology took around 20 min. Motor performance of the children was evaluated with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) while constipation was assessed with the Modified Constipation Assessment Scale (MCAS). Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in the GMFM scores after therapy (<0.001). In the group where neurodevelopmental therapy was applied together with reflexology, there was a decrease in MCAS scores (<0.001). Conclusion: NGT improved motor performance in both groups and adding reflexology to therapy had a positive effect on constipation. We suggest applying reflexology to children with cerebral palsy who experience constipation problems. Copyright (C) 2017, Taiwan Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC

The effects of reflexology on constipation and motor functions in children with cerebral palsy

Background: There is no evidence regarding the effects of reflexology on constipation and motor functions in children with cerebral palsy. This study was planned to investigate the effects of reflexology combined with neurodevelopmental therapy on constipation and motor functions in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: Forty children between the ages of 3 and 15 years with cerebral palsy within levels 3/4/5 according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) were included in the study. The participants were divided into two groups. While children in Group 1 received neurodevelopmental therapy, children in Group 2 also received reflexology. The therapy continued for two sessions per week for 8 weeks. Each session of neurodevelopmental therapy lasted for 45-60 min and reflexology took around 20 min. Motor performance of the children was evaluated with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) while constipation was assessed with the Modified Constipation Assessment Scale (MCAS). Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in the GMFM scores after therapy (<0.001). In the group where neurodevelopmental therapy was applied together with reflexology, there was a decrease in MCAS scores (<0.001). Conclusion: NGT improved motor performance in both groups and adding reflexology to therapy had a positive effect on constipation. We suggest applying reflexology to children with cerebral palsy who experience constipation problems. Copyright (C) 2017, Taiwan Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC

Is There any Difference in Health Related Quality of Life, Self Care and Social Function in Children with Different Disabilities Living in Turkey?

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the differences in the health related quality of life and the self care and social function in daily life of children with different disabilities. Methods: One hundred and two children with physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities (cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and hearing loss) and 28 children age matched as a control group were included in this study for the comparison. The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) was used to evaluate the independence and participation of children in daily life activities. The Turkish version of the Child Health Questionnaire-Parent form (CHQ - PF50) was used to evaluate the health related quality of life. Findings: All 3 groups were different from the control group in terms of self-care and the social domains according to the PEDI results (P<0.05). Children with cerebral palsy (CP) were more dependent in the areas of self-care and mobility activities (P<0.05). The main difference was found in global general health (GGH), physical functioning (PF), the emotional impact on the parent (PE) subsections of the CHQ-PF50 between the CP and the hearing loss groups; the role of the physical (RP) and emotional behavior (BE) subsections between the mental retardation (MR) and the CP groups, and the BE and mental health (MH) subsections between the MR and the hearing loss (HL) groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: All the children with disabilities were different from the control group in their quality of life, self care and social function. However the status of the children with MR and HL were parallel between each other in their health related quality of life, self care and social function. On the other hand, the most affected and dependent group was children with CP. The results will provide guidelines for healthcare professionals in implementing effective rehabilitation programs, especially to those with cerebral palsy, to reduce the level of strain and increase the health related quality of life, self care and social function of children with different disabilities

Motor Performance and Activities of Daily Living in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are developmental deficiencies that arise due to the damage of the central nervous system in the prenatal, natal, or postnatal period. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the motor performance and activities of daily living (ADL) and examine their relationship in children with NDDs who do not have physical disabilities. Methods: A total of 107 children who were diagnosed with NDDs, without physical disabilities, and 36 healthy peers between the ages of 4.5 years to 14.5 were included in this study. The subjects' fine and gross motor skills were assessed with Bruininks-Oseretsky test of Motor Performance and ADL with WeeFIM (Functional Independence Measure). Results: Motor performance and ADL were found to be affected in children with NDDs compared to their healthy peers even though they did not have a physical disability. Moderate or low correlations were found amongst 12 of 14 sub-tests of motor performance assessing various activities such as running, balance, coordination, and dexterity, as well as all parameters of WeeFIM in children with NDDs. Children with NDDs with better motor performance had less problems in ADL, were more independent, and had better social cognition and communication skills. Conclusions: Impairments found in motor performance and ADL show that even though children with NDDs, without physical disabilities, seem to be physically unaffected, it can be clearly seen that these children may have problems in coordination, motor control, and balance affecting their daily lives. Consequently, by improving motor performance, independence in ADL may be improved. In the light of these assessments, subjects with NDD's must be included in physiotherapy and rehabilitation and occupational therapy programs in order to address the problems in motor performance and insufficiencies in ADL

Acute effects of three different stretching techniques on hamstring flexibility in professional football players

Introduction: Hamstring injuries are common in physically active people and athletes. Lack of hamstring flexibility is the one of the most important characteristics of hamstring injuries in athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of three different stretching techniques on hamstring flexibility in professional football players. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five male football players between the ages of 18–20 years old were involved in the study. The participants were divided into 3 groups: static stretching, neuromobilization and Mulligan traction straight leg raise (TSLR), respectively. Each participant’s dominant lower extremity was assessed with a straight leg raise test (SLR) using a goniometer before and after the intervention. Results: There was a significant difference in the SLR range of motion before and after the intervention in all groups. There was no difference in the range of SLR between the groups at the beginning and at the end. However, the increase in the SLR range of motion was significantly higher in the Mulligan TSLR group. Conclusions: It was concluded that all 3 stretching techniques are effective in increasing hamstring flexibility in football players. However, the Mulligan TSLR technique could provide a greater increase in the range of motion than other techniques

Relationship Between Kinesiophobia and Pain, Quality of Life, Functional Status, Disease Activity, Mobility, and Depression in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Background/aim: Our aim was to investigate the association of kinesiophobia with pain, quality of life, clinical measures, and depression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Materials and methods: Patients with AS (n: 163) were enrolled in the study. Kinesiophobia was evaluated with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), pain with a visual analog scale (VAS), mobility with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI),disease activity with the Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), functional status with the Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), depression level with Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), and quality of life with the AS Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQoL). Besides correlation analysis, outcome measures were compared between patients with (TSK >= 37) and without (TSK 0.05). Patients with kinesiophobia had more pain and poorer BASFI, ASQoL, and BDI scores than patients without kinesiophobia (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study is the first study that investigated the relationship between kinesiophobia and other clinical measures in AS patients. Pain and psychological status have an impact on fear of movement and thus functional status and quality of life.WoSScopu

Nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy in Turkey

EKER, LEVENT/0000-0001-7301-4073; Elbasan, Bulent/0000-0001-8714-0214WOS: 000314148700009PubMed: 22725837Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status, and provide information regarding anthropometric measurements of cerebral-palsied children living in the city of Ankara, Turkey. Method: A total of 447 children with cerebral palsy (CP) were participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants were assessed for functional motor impairment by the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS). Assesment of nutritional status was based on the triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), arm fat area (AFA) estimates derived from TSF and mid-upper arm circumference measurements. TSF and AFA Z-scores were computed using reference data. Results: Cerebral-palsied children had lower TSF and AFA Z-scores compared to reference data from healthy children. The prevalence of underweight and overweight among boys was 8.3 and 9.5%, respectively, whereas it was 19.0 and 0.5% for girls. Underweight was more prevalent in the low functioning children than in moderate functioning children. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that cerebral-palsied children face nutritional challenges. Underweight is more prevalent than overweight among cerebral-palsied children. To optimize the outcomes of rehabilitation and prevention efforts, an understanding of the heterogeneity of nutritional status among children with CP is required