Evaluation of the effectiveness of electromyographic biofeedback training in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback to an exercise pro- gram on pain, function, and electrical activity in the isometric contraction of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Methods: The study included 30 patients with PFPS. The biofeedback group received physiotherapy and an EMG biofeedback- guided exercise program, and the control group received only physiotherapy with a home exercise program. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and PFPS Severity Scale (PSS) were used to evaluate pain severity. The Kujala Patellofemoral Scale (KPS) and the Func- tional Index Questionnaire (FIQ) were used to evaluate the effect of knee pain on daily living activities and lower extremity function. Results: Compared to baseline, the VAS-current and severe pain, PSS, KPS, and FIQ scores and the mean and maximum iso- metric contraction values of the VMO and VL muscles were significantly improved in both groups. However, the maximum VMO and VL isometric contraction differential values were significantly increased only in the biofeedback group. Discussion and Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the EMG biofeedback adjunct to a physiotherapy program for PFPS produces additional benefits for pain relief, improvement of daily life activities, and increasing muscle strength

Failures and Inabilities of High School Students about Quadratic Equations and Functions

In this research study, it was aimed to examine failures and inabilities of eleventh grade students about quadratic equations and functions. For this purpose, these students were asked ten open-ended questions. The analysis of the answers given by the students to these questions indicated that a significant part of these students had failures and inabilities about quadratic equations and functions. The students were often unable to decide what to do in relation to the mathematical operations and made some arithmetical mistakes

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Antioxidants from Apium graveolens L. Seeds using Response Surface Methodology

In this study, optimum conditions for ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of antioxidants from Apium graveolens L. seeds were investigated by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was used to evaluate the effect of sonication time (5, 10, 15 min), ultrasound power (60, 120, 180 W) and the ratio of extraction solvent in terms of methanol (0, 50, 100%) on antioxidant capacity. The optimal UAE conditions for the parameters investigated were 11 min of sonication time, ultrasound power of 131 W and 100% methanol as an extraction solvent. Under these conditions, UAE of antioxidants from the seeds achieved a maximum of 95.08% in respect to 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Additionally, the high value of the adjusted coefficient of determination (R2adj = 0.9192) and the non-significant difference between experimental and predicted values confirmed the validity of the quadratic polynomial model. Hence, UAE is a suitable, fast, economical and practical technique for the extraction of antioxidants from Apium graveolens L. seeds