Effect of a 12-Week Greek Traditional Dances Program on the Development of Kinesthesis and Dynamic Balance in School-aged Children

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of a Greek traditional dances program on the development of kinesthesis and dynamic balance in school-aged children. For this purpose seventeen children, six boys and eleven girls, pupils of elementary school, with their age ranged from 6 to 10 years, took part in the study. All the children received a 12-week program of Greek traditional dances at a frequency of one lesson per week, for 90 minutes. Data collection included pretest and posttest measurements of the kinesthesis and dynamic balance for all the children. Kinesthesis was measured by the kinesthesiometer (Lafayette Instrument Co.) and dynamic balance was measured by the stabilometer platform (Lafayette Instrument Co.). For data analysis, descriptive analysis and the non-parametric tests Wilcoxon of the SPSS ver. 18.0 for windows were used. The level of significance was set to p<0.05. The results showed that after the 12-weeks program of Greek traditional dances there was a significant improvement in the kinesthesis (z=-3.01, p<0.01) and the dynamic balance ability (z=-3.29, p<0.01) of the children. In conclusion, a program with Greek traditional dances with music accompaniment, could lead to significant improvements in children’s abilities, kinesthesis and balance

THE EFFECT OF GREEK TRADITIONAL DANCES, SONGS, AND GAME-BASED ACTIVITIES ON ANXIETY AND ENGLISH LEARNING AT SCHOOL IN STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

The present study aimed to examine the effects of a program with teaching means Greek traditional dances, songs, and game-based activities on anxiety and English learning at school in students with intellectual disability (ID). The research involved 20 students with ID, who attended a Special Needs Vocational High School and were randomly divided into an intervention group (n=10) that was taught the English language with Greek traditional dances, songs, and game-based activities, and a control group (n=10) who participated in the standard English language course, for once a week for 45-minutes, for 12 weeks. Before and after the 12 weeks, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger et al., 1970) was used to assess anxiety and specially designed cognitive tests to assess English learning. Before the beginning of the program, there was no difference between the two groups concerning the studied variables. However, after the program, the two groups showed significant differences in all variables (p&lt;0.01-&lt;0.001). More specifically, after the intervention program there was a significant decrease (z=-2.157, p&lt;0.05) in anxiety and a very significant improvement of the students with ID in the cognitive tests for the lessons taught (p&lt;0.01). For the control group, anxiety remained unchanged, while all cognitive test scores in the English language slightly improved except for the significant improvement in the unit prepositions (p&lt;0.05). However, intervention group scores were significantly higher on all cognitive tests in the English language (p&lt;0.01-&lt;0.001). In conclusion, the positive effect of Greek traditional dances, songs, and game-based activities on anxiety and English language learning by students with ID is evident.  Article visualizations

MEDITERRANEAN DIET AND ADOLESCENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the adoption of Mediterranean diet in adolescents with intellectual disabilities. The sample of the study consisted of 24 adolescents (8 boys and 16 girls) with intellectual disabilities who were studying at a secondary education school, with an average age of 17.63+2.018 years. For data collection, the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents (KIDMED) by Serra-Majem et al. (2004) was used. KIDMED is supported by specific principles sustaining traditional healthy Mediterranean dietary patterns. KIDMED is based on a 16-item food consumption log questionnaire that can be answered either self-administered or in interview. As for the pupils with intellectual disabilities, the answers were recorded in an individual interview. For the statistical analysis the Statistical Package for Social Sciences ver. 23.0 for windows was used. Data processing showed that over the 1/3 of adolescents with intellectual disabilities (37.5%) has a very low diet quality, while the proportion of adolescents following an optimal Mediterranean diet was zero. In addition, the diet of the adolescents with intellectual disabilities in a very large proportion (62.5%) needs improvement for the adaptation of the consumption / intake to Mediterranean patterns. The results show that adolescents with intellectual disabilities do not follow the Mediterranean diet. Therefore, priority should be given to the application and implementation of health educational programs on diet in general, and more specifically on the benefits of Mediterranean diet to adolescents with intellectual disabilities, in order to adopt the Mediterranean diet patterns aiming on the beneficial effects, both directly and long-term in their adult life.  Article visualizations

THE EFFECT OF A 24-WEEK GREEK TRADITIONAL DANCES PROGRAM ON THE CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS OF ADULT PEOPLE

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a Greek traditional dances program on adult people cardiorespiratory fitness. For this purpose, 40 sedentary healthy adults, 23 women and 17 men, aged 35-55 years, who didn’t participate in any group or individual exercise, physical activity or dancing program for the past six months, were randomly chosen and separated to an experimental and a control group. The subjects of the experimental group (n=20, 12 women and 8 men) attended a Greek traditional dances program of moderate intensity, at a frequency of three training sessions per week, for 60 minutes each, while the subjects of the control group (n=20, 11 women and 9 men) were asked to continue their daily habits for the same period. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) was assessed for both groups before and after the 24-week period by the implementation of the Rockport one-mile walk test. Before and after the 24-week period, resting heart rate (RHR), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were, also, measured. For the statistical analysis the Statistical Package for Social Sciences ver. 23.0 for windows was used. No significant difference was found in the baseline measures between the two groups. After the participation in the 24-week Greek traditional dances program, VO2max of the experimental group increased significantly from 35,95+4,3 ml/kg/min to 38,91+3,7 ml/kg/min (t=-6,204, p&lt;0,001). Changes in DBP and SBP to the desirable direction were found. More specifically, DBP decreased from 79,4+7,6 mmHg to 78,8+7,6 mmHg (t=0,399, p&gt;0,05), and SBP decreased from 125,6+7,7 mmHg to 122,6+7,7 mmHg (t=2,198, p&lt;0,05). No significant difference was found after the 24-week period for the control group. The results allow us to use Greek traditional dances as an alternative and, also, effective form of physical activity that may help in improving aerobic capacity and may bring favorable changes in cardiorespiratory status of adult people.  Article visualizations

The Examination of Injuries in Dancers

The purpose of the present study was to examine the incidence of the injuries in dancers. A hundred and sixty eight dancers (135 women and 33 men) 23.17+6.43 years old, members of different dancing clubs, participated in the research. All the subjects participated only in dancing programs for learning, performing and practicing in any kind of dance and no other form of physical activity, and filled the instrument of measurements concerning general questions as well as questions about injury incidence. For data analysis, descriptive analysis and Pearson chi-square test of the SPSS version 17 for windows, were used. From the results it was shown that the biggest percentage of dancers take hip-hop (25.1%) and Latin American lessons (18.6%). Moreover, the dancers are involved in European dances, classic ballet, modern dance, oriental dances and Greek dances. The subjects participated in dance programs for 4.44 + 4.45 years, 3.16+1.63 days a week, for 2.29+1.30 hours a day. According to the dancersrsquo statements, 44.62% of them have suffered an injury. The most usual kinds of injuries are muscle strains (22.9%), muscular spasms-cramps (20.15%), callus (13.18%), sprains (12.53%), blisters (11.80%) and abrasions (11.10%). Also, in smaller percentages follow the fractures (3.48%), hematomas (3.48%) and dislocations (1.38%). The most significant causes of the injuries are poor warming-up (21.92%), fatigue (16.64%), clumsiness (15.68%), bad technique (10.48%), and concentration (10%), and nbspin smaller percentages performance pressure (7.12%), shoes (5.2%), partner and floor (4.8% both), hour of the day (1.44%), as well as competition and space tightness (7.96% both). Most of the dancers of the present sample (34%), who had an injury, overcame it with medication, 25% needed further medical examinations and 20% overcame the injury with rehabilitation. 16% of the dancers needed rest, while fortunately, only 5% overcame the injury with a surgery. Finally, most of the dancers of the present sample (63.76%) consider that dance teachers, as well as dancing clubs, are concerned very much with injuries prevention (63.76%). Consequently, recognizing, resolving, but above all, preventing the causes of injuries is very important concerning injuriesrsquo avoidance, good physical condition of dancers, reduction of training time loss, continuation of professional career, and continuation of dancing activity of those who have finished their career or are not professionally engaged in dancing

THE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON THE REHABILITATION OF KNEE LIGAMENT INJURIES IN ATHLETES

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of exercise on the rehabilitation of knee ligament injuries in athletes and to identify what the injured athletes consider as the most effective treatment concerning their rehabilitation, through the administration of a reported condition inquiry. Two hundred ninety six healthy subjects, 22,59+6,31 years old, participated in the research. All the subjects were active or former athletes, competed or had competed in athletic clubs throughout Greece, in various team sports or individual sports and competing categories and had suffered a knee ligament injury in their career as athletes. The effects of exercise on the rehabilitation of knee ligament injuries were measured through a scale of measurements. For data analysis was used the descriptive analysis of the SPSS version 20 for Windows. Data processing showed that the highest percentage of the knee injuries (43,80%) concerns anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, 34,40% partial or total meniscus rupture, 15,60% ligament injuries and 6,20% medial collateral ligament (MCL) or lateral collateral ligament (LCL) rupture. More than half of the knee injuries (53,10%), namely ruptures of ACL (76,50%), the partial-total rupture of meniscus (17,60%), and the patella dislocations and partial ruptures of MCL and LCL (5,90%), were treated surgically, combined with abstaining from training and matches, medication, bandage usage, immobilization with plaster-brace, medical examinations, physiotherapies, and special therapeutic exercise. The rest of the cases of the knee injuries (46,90%), namely all the cases of ligament over-voltages, ¾ of the meniscus ruptures, half of the patella dislocations and partial ruptures of MCL and LCL, as well as 1,25% of ACL rupture, were treated conservatively, with different combinations of  physiotherapies, special therapeutic exercises, abstention from training and games, medication, bandage usage, immobilization with plaster-brace, further medical examinations. In addition, almost all the injured athletes (except a 6,20%) did a combination of exercise modes for the rehabilitation of their knee ligament injury. More specifically, 18,80% did exercises with straps, resistance bands, weightbearing and isokinetic machine. In addition, 15,60% did exercises with straps, resistance bands, weightbearing, exercises in the water and isokinetic machine and the same percentage (15,60%) did exercises with straps, resistance bands, weightbearing and exercises in the water. 12,50% did exercises with resistance bands and weightbearing, 9,40% did exercises with resistance bands and in smaller percentages the athletes did exercises in the water and gaiting (6,20%), exercises with straps, resistance bands and weightbearing (6,20%), exercises with straps and resistance bands (3,10%), exercises with isokinetic machine and exercises in the water (3,10%), as well as exercises with resistance bands, exercises in the water and in the isokinetic machine (3,10%). In addition, 93,80% of the athletes stated that their knee ligament injury is completely or partially restored. Concerning the athletes’ opinions,  43,80% consider that the most effective treatment for the rehabilitation of their knee ligament injury was strengthening with weightbearing and resistance bands. Likewise, 35,30% of the athletes who underwent surgery consider strengthening mainly by weightbearing and resistance bands as the most effective treatment for the rehabilitation of their injury. In conclusion, according to the opinions of the athletes, who treated their knee ligament injury both non-operatively and operatively, the most effective treatment for the rehabilitation of the knee ligament injury was exercise in the mode of weightbearing and resistance bands. Thus, it could be said that exercise brings about significant positive effects on the rehabilitation of the knee ligament injury. Consequently, exercise should be an integral part of the knee ligament injury rehabilitation and prevention.   Article visualizations

Hybrid approach of ventricular assist device and autologous bone marrow stem cells implantation in end-stage ischemic heart failure enhances myocardial reperfusion

We challenge the hypothesis of enhanced myocardial reperfusion after implanting a left ventricular assist device together with bone marrow mononuclear stem cells in patients with end-stage ischemic cardiomyopathy. Irreversible myocardial loss observed in ischemic cardiomyopathy leads to progressive cardiac remodelling and dysfunction through a complex neurohormonal cascade. New generation assist devices promote myocardial recovery only in patients with dilated or peripartum cardiomyopathy. In the setting of diffuse myocardial ischemia not amenable to revascularization, native myocardial recovery has not been observed after implantation of an assist device as destination therapy. The hybrid approach of implanting autologous bone marrow stem cells during assist device implantation may eventually improve native cardiac function, which may be associated with a better prognosis eventually ameliorating the need for subsequent heart transplantation. The aforementioned hypothesis has to be tested with well-designed prospective multicentre studies

EFFECT OF REGULAR PRACTICING GREEK TRADITIONAL DANCES ON BODY COMPOSITION PARAMETERS IN ADULT PEOPLE

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a Greek traditional dances program on adult individuals’ body composition parameters. For this purpose, 73 sedentary healthy adults, 42 women and 31 men, aged 38-58 years, were randomly chosen and separated into an experimental and a control group. The subjects of the experimental group (n=37, 22 women and 15 men) engaged in a 24-week Greek traditional dance program with moderate intensity, and at a frequency of three training sessions per week, each lasting 60 minutes. The control group (n=36, 20 women and 16 men) did not engage in any physical activity. Body mass, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were measured, and BMI, body fat percentage and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were assessed pre- and post-24-week Greek traditional dances program. For the statistical analysis the Statistical Package for Social Sciences ver. 23.0 for windows was used. No significant difference was found in the baseline measurements between the two groups. After the participation in the 24-week Greek traditional dances intervention program the experimental group presented significant decreases in body mass from 77,71±16,8 kg to 75,57±15,7 kg (t=5,121, p&lt;0,001), in BMI from 25,75±4 kg/m2 to 25,05±3,8 kg/m2 (t=5,289 p&lt;0,001), in BF percentage from 28,3±6,4% to 26,33±5,6% (t=5.279 p&lt;0,001) and in WC from 89,81±12,9 cm to 87,46±12 cm (t=5.703, p&lt;0,001). No significant difference was found after the 24-week period for the control group. Regarding the WHR, no significant change was observed, although the experimental group showed a tendency for reduction while the control group showed a slight increase. The results of this study indicate that Greek traditional dances are a very beneficial alternative exercise form that brings favorable changes in body mass and body composition parameters. In general, among its multiple utilities and benefits, dancing can contribute to weight loss programs.  Article visualizations

Greek Traditional Dances Program and Self-Evaluated Effects and Changes in Life

The purpose of the present study was the evaluation of the effects of Greek traditional dancing programs on middle-aged peoplersquos life. Seventy one subjects (60 women and 11 men) 51.92+4.99 years old, members of different dance clubs, participated in the research. All the subjects participated in a group dancing program for learning and performing Greek traditional dances once a week. The effects and changes in life due to participation in the Greek traditional dancing program were measured through questions by Chewing, Yu kappaalphaiota Johnson (http://www.krapu4.com/taichi/research/Chewing Yu Johnson B. htm#emotions). For data analysis were used the descriptive analysis and Pearson chi-square test of the SPSS version 17 for windows. From the results, it was proved that almost 90% of the subjects supposed that their participation in the Greek traditional dancing program had an effect on their lives. The bigger percentage declared that the participation in Greek traditional dances offered them joy, well-being and calmness (33.30%), as well as many effects on their bodies (33.30%), while a smaller percentage claimed that their participation in the program offered them sociability-participation in a group (16.70%) and activity increase (16.70%). In addition, more than 4/5 (86.50%) believe that their participation in the Greek traditional dancing program has changed their confidence concerning their mobility or possible falls. About three-quarters of the subjects (73.70%) consider that their participation in the program of Greek traditional dances influenced in any way their everyday activities. The majority (78.90%) believe that their physical activity has changed as a result of their participation in the program of Greek traditional dances. Finally, all people think they have been benefited from their participation in the Greek traditional dancing program, which is very important. In addition, the Pearson chi-square test showed a significant effect (x2=8.15, plt0.05) of the years that the subjects participated in Greek traditional dancing programs on the feeling of people#39s confidence in their mobility or possible falls. Thus, as the years of participation in Greek traditional dances are increasing, the feeling of people#39s confidence in their mobility or even the potential falls is increasing. From the results, it was shown that all the middle-aged people suppose that they have been benefited from their participation in the Greek traditional dancing program.nbspThe benefits concern their better emotional state expressed in joy, well-being, calmness and sociability-participation in a group, but also their better physical condition, confidence in their mobility and possible falls, increase in their physical activities and the effects on everyday activities. The importance of participation in Greek traditional dances is also worth mentioning. Thus, it could be said that the participation in Greek traditional dancing programs brings about effects and changes on life. Consequently, Greek traditional dances as a regular physical activity may be extremely useful for the quality of life of middle-aged people offering many benefits.nbs

Carcinoma developing in ectopic pancreatic tissue in the stomach: a case report

The development of pancreatic tissue outside the confines of the main gland, without anatomic or vascular connections between them, is a congenital abnormality referred to as heterotopic pancreas. A heterotopic pancreas in the gastrointestinal tract is usually discovered incidentally and the risk of its malignant transformation is extremely low. In this study, we describe the first case of endoepithelial carcinoma arising in a gastric heterotopic pancreas of a 56-year old woman in Greece. She presented with epigastric pain, periodic nausea and vomiting. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed an ulcerated lesion in the gastric antrum, biopsies of which showed intense epithelial dysplasia with incipient malignant degeneration. The pathology report of the distal gastrectomy specimen demonstrated a 2 cm in diameter ulcerative mass in the gastric antrum. Microscopically, an endoepithelial (in situ) carcinoma of the gastric antrum was determined, which in places turned into an microinvasive endomucosal adenocarcinoma. It also incidentally demonstrated heterotopic pancreatic ducts, detected within the mucosa to the muscularis propria of the same region of the stomach, in which an endoepithelial (in situ) carcinoma was evolving. The follow-up course was uneventful 6 months postoperatively