Assessment on self-care, mobility and social function of children with spina bifida in Turkey

The aim of the study was to investigate the functional performance in children with spina bifida, using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory(PEDI) to look into capacity of twenty-eight children with spina bifida with lesions at different levels in different dimensions of selfcare, mobility and social function. Mean age of the patients was 3.5 ± 2.3(1–10) years. In the muscle test carried out, 13 patients(44.8%) had no movements including pelvic elevation in lower extremity muscles and they were at level 5. Sixteen patients(54%) were non-ambulatory according to the Hoofer ambulation classification. Raw and scale scores in the self-care, mobility and social function domains both in the functional skill scale and in the caregiver scale were found to be lower compared to the data of the normal population. A statistically significant correlation was observed in the self-care values of the Functional Skills Scales and the Caregiver Assistance Scale measurements, which was positive for age and negative for Functional Ambulation Scale and muscle test(P < 0.05). A positive relation was found between the Functional Skills Scales-mobility area and age while a negative relation was observed between Functional Ambulation Scale and muscle test(P < 0.005). A negative relation was also found between Caregiver Assistance Scale-mobility and Functional Ambulation Scale and muscle test(P < 0.005). In our study, the functional performance of the children was found to be low. Low-level lesions, encouraging muscular strength and independence in mobility are all very important factors for functional independence.

The Factors of Musculoskeletal Pain in Geriatric Patients and the Relationship between Pain and Quality of Life

Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess the musculoskeletal pain frequency and intensity, to pinpoint the factors affecting the pain and to research their effect on patients’ quality of life. Methods: 203 patients over 65 who came to our Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation clinic were included in the study. Intensity of comorbid diseases were calculated by using Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS). Geriatric Pain Measure-24 (GPM) was used to assess the pain intensity, Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS) was used to detect the presence of depression and Short Form-36 (SF-36) was used to determine quality of life. Results: The median age of the patients was 72.9 ± 6.36 (65 - 92) years. 97% of patients complained of pain. GPM total value mean of the patients was 61.9 (0 - 99.9). GPM scores were significantly higher in patients who were female (p Conclusions: Low education, being single, presence of comorbidities and being a housewife all relates to pain intensity, yet the most important factors are being female and presence of depression. Pain intensity is connected to low quality of life. We think this study will show a path to program geriatric population’s healthcare needs.

The Effects of the Aerobics Exercise Program on the Cardiopulmoner Capacity and Disease Symptoms of the Patients with Primary Fibromialgia Syndrome

Backgrounds: To observe the effects of aerobic exercise program on the illness symptoms and cardiopulmonary capacity of the patients with primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) and to find out whether there is a difference or not in terms of cardiovascular capacity among the patients with primary FMS and sedentary healthy people. Materials and Methods: The study has been done on 20 female patients with primary FMS. Before the study and after a 6-week controlled aerobic exercise program, a cardiopulmonary exercise test has been applied on all cases. The symptoms, psychological state and life quality of the cases have been evaluated before and after the exercise program. The first cardiopulmonary results of the cases with FMS have been compared with a control group of 15 sedentary healthy. Results: When the patient and control groups are compared, although maksimal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) was lower in the patient group, this was not a significant difference. VO2 max showing the aerobic condition after the exercise increased significantly in the patients. Conclusions: Aerobic exercise programs lasting six to eight weeks are quite effective for the patients with FMS. There is not any limitation in the increase of the cardiopulmonary capacity of the patients after the exercise program.

Outcomes of bowel program in spinal cord injury patients with neurogenic bowel dysfunction

In this study, we aimed to determine gastrointestinal problems associated with neurogenic bowel dysfunction in spinal cord injury patients and to assess the efficacy of bowel program on gastrointestinal problems and the severity of neurogenic bowel dysfunction. Fifty-five spinal cord injury patients were included in this study. A bowel program according to the characteristics of neurogenic bowel dysfunction was performed for each patient. Before and after bowel program, gastrointestinal problems(constipation, difficult intestinal evacuation, incontinence, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, loss of appetite, hemorrhoids, rectal bleeding and gastrointestinal induced autonomic dysreflexia) and bowel evacuation methods(digital stimulation, oral medication, suppositories, abdominal massage, Valsalva maneuver and manual evacuation) were determined. Neurogenic bowel dysfunction score was used to assess the severity of neurogenic bowel dysfunction. At least one gastrointestinal problem was identified in 44(80%) of the 55 patients before bowel program. Constipation(56%, 31/55) and incontinence(42%, 23/55) were the most common gastrointestinal problems. Digital rectal stimulation was the most common method for bowel evacuation, both before(76%, 42/55) and after(73%, 40/55) bowel program. Oral medication, enema and manual evacuation application rates were significantly decreased and constipation, difficult intestinal evacuation, abdominal distention, and abdominal pain rates were significantly reduced after bowel program. In addition, mean neurogenic bowel dysfunction score was decreased after bowel program. An effective bowel program decreases the severity of neurogenic bowel dysfunction and reduces associated gastrointestinal problems in patients with spinal cord injury.