Predicting the Risk of Hearing Impairment Following the Cervical Spine Diseases by Measuring the Cervical Range of Movements: A Pilot Study

Introduction: Cervical spine abnormalities can affect the ear vessels and or nerves with different mechanisms. Ear dysfunctions following cervical spine injuries can be manifested as hearing loss, vertigo, or tinnitus. Usually, cervical spine injuries can cause pain and Range of Motion (ROM) limitation. The major objective of this study was to determine which cervical ROM limitation was accompanied with higher level of hearing loss. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 42 volunteers (20 women and 22 men) with cervical spine injury and pain participated after giving their informed consent. Audiometry, tympanometry, and pure-tone threshold of individuals were taken in frequencies from 250 to 8000 Hz in all cases. The ROM limitation in flexion, extension and rotation was recorded.  Results: About 53% of participants had bilateral hearing loss. In 40.48% (n=17) of cases, rotation to the left was limited. Flexion and extension motion were restricted on 23.8% (n=10) and 30.95% (n=13) of the participants, respectively. There was no statistically significant relationship between sex and hearing loss but a significant correlation was observed between hearing loss and ROM limitation of rotation to the left in men. Conclusion: According to the present study, the likelihood of hearing loss was high in patients with cervical left rotation limitation, and that the incidence of hearing loss following the cervical spine injuries was more in men. It seems that left Rotation limitation can be used as a predictor to diagnosis of hearing impairment following the cervical spine injuries (especially in men)

Effects of X-ray on fibroblast mechanical properties

Concerning the widespread use of X-rays to detect various diseases, such as oral and dental ones, it is essential to study the effects of this radiation on living cells. From the past, genetic effects and cell death because of X-rays have been studied. In addition, the effect of this ionizing radiation on the mechanical properties of the cell and cytoskeleton has been studied, but different results have been obtained based on different models. In this study, post-culture gingival fibroblast cells were classified into two groups of control and radiation with Nano Magnetic Particles functionalized by folic acid. The cells of the radiation group were exposed to X-rays of 3 mGy·cm2 . The specimens were undergone static creep test by a magnetic tweezer. Spring and damper coefficients were obtained based on the viscoelastic solid modeling. The static and dynamic stiffness of the groups was also calculated. The maximum deformation was decreased after radiation from 0.049 ± 0.01 µm to 0.029 ± 0.01 µm and the static stiffness of the model was 1.6 times decreased. Also, the gel point frequency for the control group was 27 Hz and for the radiation group was 7.5 Hz. The results show that the static and dynamic stiffness of the cells decreases after radiation, and less deformation appears in the cells after irradiation. These changes can be due to the breakdown of membrane chemical bonds and activation of actin fibers after radiation

Absence of Hearing Loss in Young People With the Forward Head Posture

Background and Objectives: One of the major problems of today’s industrial life is the injuries and abnormalities caused by improper use of equipment in the neck muscles and spine. One of these injuries is forward head posture (FHP). The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of the presence of FHP and its severity on the students’ hearing thresholds. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 55 volunteer students participated. All subjects completed a questionnaire containing general questions and specialized questions in the field of hearing risk factors. Side-view pictures were taken of each person. After selecting three photos, the size of the craniovertebral angle was determined using the MB Ruler software. The mean of the three sizes obtained was used in statistical analysis. Audiometry and tympanometry were performed. Results: Out of 31 women and 24 men, 24 women (77.41%) and 21 men (87.5%) had FHP. In women, the number of severe FHP was twice that of men. No statistically significant difference was observed between men and women suffering from FHP alone and according to its classification. In this study, no statistically significant difference was observed between FHP and its classification with hearing thresholds. Conclusion: In this study, most students had FHP (81.8%). Considering that the volunteers are students and are faced with the factors affecting the occurrence of FHP, the existence of a large number of students with this condition is not surprising, and it can be concluded that this condition does not affect the young students’ hearing

The Effects of Shoulder Kinesio Taping on Shooting Accuracy and Joint Position Sense in Female Archery Athletes

Background and Objectives: Archery is a static sport and requires high degrees of accuracy and stability in the glenohumeral joint. Kinesio Tape (KT) is known as a technique for increasing joint stability and Joint Position Sense (JPS), with subsequent improvement in accuracy. The present study aims to investigate the effect of KT on shoulder JPS and accuracy in female archery athletes using Olympic recurve bows.  Materials and Methods: A total of 30 female archers with a mean age of 24.77±6.16 years and minimum of one year’s experience of archery, volunteered to take part in the study. The repositioning angle test was performed on the shoulder JPS (of the drawing arm) at 30 degrees and 60 degrees of external rotation. In this test, the drawing arm shoulder was at 90 degrees of abduction and the elbow was at 90 degrees of flexion. Then, each participant shot three arrows from distances of 18, 30, and 50 meters, and their scores were recorded. Next, KT was placed on the deltoid and supraspinatus muscles, and repositioning test and shooting were repeated. Results: KT positively affected archery scores (P=0.004, 0.000, and 0.004 for 18, 30, and 50 meters, respectively). The results for absolute error in repositioning angle test showed an increase in JPS at 60 degrees of external rotation (P=0.000), but no significant difference was observed at 30 degrees of external rotation (P=0.637). Conclusion: It appears that KT technique can be used to increase the shoulder joint JPS and improve archers’ shooting accuracy

Investigating the Relationship Between the Thesis Score and Grade Point Average of Master of Science Graduates of Rehabilitation Faculty From 2008 to 2019

Background and Objectives: Choosing a thesis subject is one of the critical concerns of master’s students because a student’s graduation depends on defending the thesis. The main research question was whether students with a lower grade point average (GPA) also require a lower score and spend more time and vice versa whether students with a higher GPA perform better for the thesis or not. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all master’s graduates of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences between 2008 and 2019 who had been recorded in a computer system were enrolled. Using the stratified sampling method, at least one sample was assigned to each stratum (field year), and the sample size was calculated to be 128 people. The data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 19 via correlation and regression analysis with a chi-square test. Results: In this study, the correlation coefficient between the duration of the study and thesis score was significant and obtained as -0.289 (P=0.001), while the correlation coefficient between the duration of the study and the student’s GPA was only significant (P=0.047) and equal to -0.176. The estimated Pearson correlation coefficient between the thesis score and GPA for all graduates was r=0.352 (r=0.338 for men and r=0.284 for women). Conclusion: Although the GPA of female students was better, the statistical analysis indicated that the student gender was not an effective factor in getting a thesis score. Considering the constancy of academic courses across all groups, the correlation between the duration of the study and the thesis score was negative. It seems that most students spend more time at university due to the delay in defending the thesis

The Prevalence and Characteristics of Shoulder Pain in Female Patients with Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

Background: Currently, cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the world. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of shoulder pain in female patients with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 136 women after (CABG) through easy access, and questionnaires were distributed to them. The subjects were asked to complete the questionnaire regarding the time of incidence and characteristics of their shoulder pain, their history of exercise, and their history of pulmonary, cardiovascular, and other diseases. The patients’ intensity of pain was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Results: In this study, 45 patients had shoulder pain. In nearly half of the patients, the pain began from the left shoulder, and one-third of the patients had pain in both shoulders. Onset of pain was sudden in more than 50% of cases. Conclusion: One-third of patients who underwent CABG suffered from shoulder pain which appeared quickly and within less than a day. The pain was frequently in the left shoulder or between the shoulder areas. Since the age of patients in this study was 50+ years, if the pain persisted, the probability of incidence of frozen shoulder is high

The Prevalence and Characteristics of Shoulder Pain in Female Patients with Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

Background: Currently, cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the world. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of shoulder pain in female patients with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 136 women after (CABG) through easy access, and questionnaires were distributed to them. The subjects were asked to complete the questionnaire regarding the time of incidence and characteristics of their shoulder pain, their history of exercise, and their history of pulmonary, cardiovascular, and other diseases. The patients’ intensity of pain was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Results: In this study, 45 patients had shoulder pain. In nearly half of the patients, the pain began from the left shoulder, and one-third of the patients had pain in both shoulders. Onset of pain was sudden in more than 50% of cases. Conclusion: One-third of patients who underwent CABG suffered from shoulder pain which appeared quickly and within less than a day. The pain was frequently in the left shoulder or between the shoulder areas. Since the age of patients in this study was 50+ years, if the pain persisted, the probability of incidence of frozen shoulder is high

The Cognitive Profile of People with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

Several studies have examined the cognitive profile of people with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (IQ > 70), and its relationship with the symptoms of ASD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV (WISC-IV). However, no data exist on the similarities or differences in this profile in less affluent countries. The present study examined the cognitive profile and its relationship with the symptoms of ASD and ADHD in 30 subjects aged 6⁻16 years with high-functioning ASD and compared the results with those of 30 typically developing (TD) subjects. In line with previous research findings, the WISC-IV cognitive profile analysis of subjects with high-functioning ASD showed a good competence in Matrix Reasoning and weaknesses in Comprehension, but the main distinguishing point was the competence in processing speed in both groups. In the present study, the Verbal Comprehension Index correlated negatively with the communication symptoms, and the Working Memory Index correlated positively with the social symptoms in the ASD group. Given the similarities that exist between the results of the present research and previous studies, it may be concluded that there are similarities in the cognitive profile of individuals with ASD