Investigation of Factors Related to Cervical Proprioception in Healthy Individuals

Purpose: This study was carried out to investigate whether there is a relationship between the sense of cervical region proprioception and cervical region joint range of motion and posture in healthy young adults. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 98 healthy young adults in Kırşehir Ahi Evran University School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. The cervical proprioception senses of the individuals participating in the study were evaluated in 4 different positions (flexion, extension, left rotation and right rotation) using the Cervical Joint Position Error Test. In addition, the posture of the participants was evaluated using the New York Posture Analysis and the cervical region joint range of motion values were evaluated using a manual goniometer. The correlation between parameters was examined using Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results: The mean age of the individuals participating in the study was 20.85±1.68 years. No statistically significant correlation was found between the cervical region proprioception sub-parameters with the New York Posture Analysis and the cervical region joint range of motion sub-parameters (for all p>0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that cervical proprioception was not associated with posture and cervical range of motion. However, we believe that cervical proprioception sense, range of motion and posture should be examined in patients with cervical region pathology

Nerve-glial antigen 2: A novel target for anti-tumor therapy in colorectal cancer

Background/Aims: To identify cell surface markers selectively expressed by tumor cells and tumor vasculature is the current goal for tumor therapy. One such marker is nerve/glial antigen 2 (NG2), which is a transmembrane glycoprotein. We aimed to investigate the expression of NG2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its association with clinicopathological parameters. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining of NG2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and CD34 in 65 patients diagnosed with CRC over a 5-year period was performed. NG2 expression in both tumor cells and tumor vasculature was scored according to the German Reactive Scoring System. The association between NG2 and patient and tumor characteristics was analyzed. Results: NG2 was expressed by tumor cells in 56.9%, tumor vasculature in 43%, and simultaneously by both in 27.6% of the cases. Tumor cell NG2 was more common in elderly patients (p = 0.023) and vascular NG2 was associated with better tumor differentiation (p = 0.035). Notably, vascular NG2 was expressed in half of the patients with left colon cancer, although it was not expressed in a majority of those with right colon cancer (50.9 vs. 17.7%, p = 0.041). Conclusion: Both tumor cell and vascular NG2 expression were shown to be present in a significant number of patients with CRC and this makes NG2 a double target for anti-tumor therapies. Such therapies might be more effective for elderly patients with well-differentiated left colon cancer. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel

The effectiveness of two different treatment approaches in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain: a randomized control trial

Abstract The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of conventional treatment and mobilization exercises in individuals with chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNNP). A total of 28 patients enrolled in the study. The Mobilization group (MG) completed a 4-week combined conservative physiotherapy and cervical mobilization program, whereas the control group (CG) received only the 4 weeks of conservative physiotherapy. Pain severity according to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were included the Bourdon Attention Test (BAT), Beck Anxsiety Scale (BAS), range of motion (ROM), muscle strength. All outcomes were assessed both prior to and following the treatment. In 2-way mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA analysis, when the change in time was analyzed between the groups (Group*Time [interaction]), a statistical difference was found for the VAS (p = .000, ηp2 = .007), BAT score ( p = .001, ηp2 = .082), BAS ( p= .000, ηp2 = .001), ROM flexion (p= .000, ηp2 = .104), ROM extansion (p= .000, ηp2 = .076), ROM right rotation (p= .006, ηp2 = .033), ROM left rotation (p= .05, ηp2 = .006), ROM right lateral flexion (p= .000, ηp2 = .060), ROM left lateral flexion (p= .002, ηp2 = .019), muscle strength flexion (p= .000, ηp2 = .008), muscle strength extansion (p= .000, ηp2 = .019), muscle strength right rotation (p= .000, ηp2 = .012), muscle strength left rotation (p= .000, ηp2 = .001), muscle strength right lateral flexion (p= .000, ηp2 = .001) and muscle strength left lateral flexion (p= .000, ηp2 = .011) parameters in favour of MG. Cervical mobilization produced a significant benefit to recovery of pain, ROM, muscle strength, attention and anxiety outcomes of patients with CNNP when added to a conventional CNNP physical therapy program. Keywords: Chronic non-specific neck pain, cervical mobilization, pain The study was registered on the Clinical Trials Registry (registration number: NCT05377645

Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test in people with non-specific chronic low back pain-a cross-sectional test-retest reliability study

Purpose/aim The Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST) is a method that evaluates lower extremity muscle strength and balance level. The aim of this study is to test the validity and reliability of the FTSST in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) whose lower extremity muscle strength and balance levels are adversely affected. Methods The first outcome measure of the study was the FTSST, which was conducted by two different researchers. Secondary outcome measures are Biodex Balance System (BBS), Quadriceps Muscle Strength Test, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was used for the validity and reliability of the FTSST, which was made by two different researchers, and Pearson's Correlation Analysis was used to determine its relationship with other measurements. Results Inter-rater and test-retest reliability for the FTSST were excellent (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient = 0.99). A statistically significant correlation was found between all secondary outcome measures (BBS, quadriceps muscle strength, ODI, VAS) and FTSST (p < 0.05). Conclusion In line with the findings of our study, we think that FTSST is a simple, easy, and reproducible method for evaluating lower extremity muscle strength, balance level, functional status, and pain in patients with NSCLBP

Validity and reliability of the Modified Four Square Step Test in individuals with ankle sprain

Abstract Background Postural instability and gait abnormalities are frequently observed after an ankle sprain. A modified Four Square Step Test (mFSST) was developed to assess dynamic balance during gait. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the mFSST in individuals with ankle sprains. Methods The study included 39 individuals with grade 1 and 2 ankle sprains with a mean age of 30.36 ± 6.21 years. The dynamic balance of the participants was assessed with the mFSST and Timed Up & Go test (TUG). To determine the test-retest reliability of the mFSST, the test was repeated approximately 1 h apart. Results The test-retest reliability of the mFSST was excellent (ICC = 0.85). Furthermore, when the concurrent validity of the mFSST was examined, a high correlation was found between with the TUG (r = 0.78, p < 0.001). Conclusion The mFSST is a valid and reliable clinical assessment method for evaluating dynamic balance during walking in individuals with ankle sprains. We think that the mFSST is preferable in clinical evaluations because its platform is easy to prepare and requires very little equipment