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Objectives This study aims to assess the effect of a forward and backward walking training program on some inflammatory markers and physical function of older women. Methods & Materials Twenty-four older women (aged 60-75 years) were divided into three groups of walking forward, walking backward, and control. Two groups of walking forward and walking backward, performed training three times a week for eight weeks with an exertion rate of 14-15 according to Borg’s scale. Before and after the training, anthropometric factors (age, body height, body weight, and body mass index) and the muscle strength and muscle endurance were measured and blood sampling (for biochemical analysis) was conducted. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the means in SPSS software, version 23, and the significance level was set at 0.05. Results The results showed that backward walking training significantly increased muscle strength and muscle endurance compared to the control and forward walking groups, but the program did not cause a significant change in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta, or vitamin D binding protein. Conclusion It seems that backward walking training can have a greater effect on physical function in older women compared to forward walking, and lead to a healthier life for them.

Objectives This study aims to assess the effect of a forward and backward walking training program on some inflammatory markers and physical function of older women. Methods & Materials Twenty-four older women (aged 60-75 years) were divided into three groups of walking forward, walking backward, and control. Two groups of walking forward and walking backward, performed training three times a week for eight weeks with an exertion rate of 14-15 according to Borg's scale. Before and after the training, anthropometric factors (age, body height, body weight, and body mass index) and the muscle strength and muscle endurance were measured and blood sampling (for biochemical analysis) was conducted. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the means in SPSS software, version 23, and the significance level was set at 0.05. Results The results showed that backward walking training significantly increased muscle strength and muscle endurance compared to the control and forward walking groups, but the program did not cause a significant change in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta, or vitamin D binding protein. Conclusion It seems that backward walking training can have a greater effect on physical function in older women compared to forward walking, and lead to a healthier life for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The quality of life of hemodialysis patients who are in the final stages of renal failure is affected by various factors. Balance, as an important factor in physical ability, plays an important role in the physical and daily activities of people, including hemodialysis patients. Exercise and physical activity in these patients can reduce the symptoms of uremic syndrome, increase hemodialysis quality, and reduce mortality in these patients. This study aims to investigate the improvement of balance, quality of life, and satisfaction with life of hemodialysis patients after 8 weeks of combined exercises. Methods: In this study, 24 patients with hemodialysis aged 40-60 years in Urmia, Iran participated voluntarily and were randomly divided into two groups of control (n=12) and exercise (n=12). Their quality of life (by 26-item World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire in four areas of physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environmental health), satisfaction with life (by the satisfaction with life scale), static and dynamic balance (using the Prokin 212N device) were measured before and after 8 weeks of resistance-aerobic exercises in both groups. The control group had their normal daily activities during this period without any intervention. Results: The combined exercise program significantly improved the static balance (P=0.001), dynamic balance (P=0.001), and quality of life (P=0.001 for physical, psychological, and environmental health; P=0.010 for social relationships) in the exercise group compared to the control group. In addition, a significant effect was found on the satisfaction with life in the exercise group (P=0.001). Conclusion: The combined exercise program is effective in improving balance, satisfaction with life, and quality of life of hemodialysis patients. It is recommended to use these exercises to improve the balance, quality of life, and satisfaction with life of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases of old age. This study aimed to compare the effect of Ai Chi and Tai Chi training on physical function, functional balance, and fear of falling of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: 30 male patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided to experimental groups 1 and 2. Ai Chi and Tai Chi training program was performed for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, and 60 minutes per session under the supervision of the researcher. To measure patients' physical function variables used the WOMAC questionnaire, take a stand-up test, sit for 30 seconds and get up from a chair, take a 40-meter brisk walk test and take a step-up test to assess functional balance, and fear of falling was assessed by FES-I questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using analysis of covariance at the level of 5% error, using version 22 of SPSS software. Results: The results showed that intragroup changes in physical function, functional balance, and fear of falling after eight weeks of training were significant in the Ai Chi and Tai Chi groups (P≤0.001). However, the results showed a significant difference only in the fear of falling between the two groups (P=0.003) and the mean score of patients in Ai chi group was significantly higher. Conclusion: In general, this study shows that Ai Chi and Tai Chi training, at least in the short term, can significantly improve the physical function, functional balance and fear of falling of patients with osteoarthritis. Therefore these treatments, are considered safe exercising methods alongside other treatments, and are recommended for osteoarthritis.

Background and Aim: Conventional post-operative rehabilitation programs focus on quadriceps strengthening and knee range of motion. However, hip muscle weakness is evident in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The present trial study aimed to investigate the effects of adding early hip muscle strengthening exercises to conventional rehabilitation programs on pain, Range of Motion (RoM), Quality of Life (QoL), and physical function in patients with unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). Methods & Materials: The intervention was initiated from the second day after surgery and continued for 10 sessions, 3 times a week on 24 participants in the control and intervention groups. Both research groups received Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS) and Infra-Red (IR), followed by exercises. The control group performed knee extensor and flexor strengthening and RoM exercises. The intervention group conducted hip-strengthening exercises in addition. Outcome measures included pain, knee flexion, and extension RoM, and QoL using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Step Test, Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Hip and Knee Muscle Strength test. Ethical Considerations: This research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Iran University of Medical Sciences (IR.IUMS.REC.1396.9511340012) and it was registered in the Clinical Trial Registration Center (Code: IRCT 20150314021459N6). Results: All outcome measures improved in both research groups. The improvement in the scores of pain (P=0.03), knee extension RoM (P=0.007), and TUG test (P=0.033) were significantly higher in the intervention group, compared to the control group. The strength of knee flexors (P=0.023), hip flexors (P=0.040), hip extensors (P=0.028), hip adductors (P=0.040), and hip external rotators (P=0.047) significantly improved higher in the intervention group. Conclusion: According to the present research results, both treatment approaches were effective on patients with unilateral total knee arthroplasty. Considering the better result of some of the outcome measures in the intervention group, the addition of hip strengthening exercises to knee exercises can be useful.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to design a double blind randomized clinical trial in order to investigate the effect of dry needling of gluteus medius muscle on pain and function of women with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 30 women with PFPS were randomly divided into the two treatment and control groups. Both groups received a conventional knee physiotherapy program that included two exercises for quadriceps muscle (15 minutes total) and high frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) two times a week for three weeks. The treatment group also received dry needling once a week for three weeks with a fast-in and fast-out technique 10 times in the active trigger point of the gluteus medius muscle. The outcomes included pain and physical function, with the pain intensity and physical function measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Kujala questionnaire, respectively. The Shapiro-Wilk test was employed to check the distribution of data and based on the result of this test, the independent t-test was used if the data was of a normal distribution and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the control and treatment groups if the data distribution was not normal.Conclusion: Today, the use of dry needling technique in the treatment of musculoskeletal problems has a growing trend in physiotherapy clinics. Given the role of the gluteus medius muscle in PFPS, the results of this study may help plan treatment programs for these patients as part of their rehabilitation.

Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common diseases among older people that although does not directly lead to mortality, is one the leading causes of disability in older people. A variety of medical and surgical treatments are available based on the severity of OA that usually are costly with possible harsh side effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Melilotous Officinalis oil on the physical function of older adults with mild to moderate primary knee osteoarthritis. Methods & Materials: The participants were 61(35 women, 26 men) older adults aged ≥60 years (Mean±SD: 78±7.79, range: 63-94, median: 81 y), residing in one nursing home who were clinically diagnosed with mild to moderate osteoarthritis based on grade 1-3 Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading scale by an orthopedist. Then, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the participants were randomly assigned to one intervention group (n=34) who received of Melilotous Officinalis oil and one control group (n=27) who used Diclofenac Sodium Gel. The participants’ data including their demographic information, the severity of OA based on WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), and pain intensity based on Visual Analogous Scale (VAS) were collected at baseline, Two weeks, and four weeks after starting the intervention. The collected data were entered in SPSS version 23 and analyzed. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the intervention and control group in terms of sociodemographic variables at baseline. The physical function of the participants improved significantly in both the intervention group and control group (F2,58=20.4, P

Background and Objective: Opium consumption and addiction can negatively affect on pulmonary and physical function. This study was done to determine the effect of the combined training with different intensities on pulmonary and physical function in addicted men. Methods: This quesi-experimental study was carried out on 30 addicted men with an average age of 37.6±7.1 years, who were under treatment in Sabzevar city rehabilitation center in north-east of Iran during Fall of 2015. The subjects were non-randomly divided into three equal groups including control, the first intervention group, and the second intervention group. The control group did not participate in any training program. The interventional groups participated in an aerobic and resistance training period for six weeks (four times a week). The training intensities of the first and second intervention groups were 50-65% and 65-80% of HRmax or 1RM, respectively. Preior and after the training period, spirometry tests, maximal oxygen uptake, strength and endurance of upper body muscles and special strength of respiratory muscles were measured from all of the subjects. Results: The both intervention groups improved the peak expiratory flow index compared to control group (p

Background and Aim: Traditional Post-operative rehabilitation programs focus on quadriceps strengthening and knee range of motion. Hip muscles weakness is although evident in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this trial is to investigate the effect of adding early hip muscles strengthening exercises to traditional rehabilitation program on pain, range of motion, quality of life and physical function in patients wih unilateral Total knee Arthroplasty (TKA). Materials and Methods: The intervention started from second day after surgery and continued for ten sessions, three times a week on twenty four participants in Control and Intervention groups. Both groups recieved Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS) and Infra Red (IR) and then started doing exersice. The control group did knee extensor and flexor strengthening and range of motion exersices. The intervention group did hip strengthening exercises in addition. Outcome measures include pain, knee flexion & extension range of motion, quality of life using Short Form 36, Timed up and go test, step test, six minute walk test and strength of hip and knee muscles. Ethical Considerations: Research Ethics Code: 1396.9511340012 and Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Code: IRCT 20150314021459N6. Findings: All of outcome measures improved in both groups. Pain (P=0/03), knee extension range of motion (P=0/007), Timed up and go test (P=0/033) improvement was significantly higher in intervention group than control group. The Strength of knee flexors (P=0/023), hip flexors (P=0/040), hip extensors (P=0/028), hip adductors (P=0/040), hip external rotators (P=0/047) was significantly better improved in intervention group. Conclusion: According to the results, both treatments could be effective on patients with unilateral total knee arthroplasty. Considering better result of some of outcome measures in intervention group, addition of hip strengthening exercises to knee exercises can be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with chronic renal failure suffer physical and physiological constraints as a result of the hemodialysis process and lack of mobility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of selected core stability exercises on the pain, fatigue and physical performance in elderly hemodialysis patients. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 hemodialysis man patients with a mean age (62.246.51 years), history of dialysis (29.418.44 months) and dialysis three times a week were selected by available manner and randomly were divided into exercise (n=15) and control group (n=15). Pain, fatigue and physical performance of the patients was measured before and after the training program with VAS questionnaire, FSS questionnaire and two minute walk tests. Patient in the experimental group were done modified core stabilization exercises for 6 weeks, 45- minute three sessions in week. To analyze the data, variance analysis was used to measure the repeated values at the significance level (p0.05). Results: The results indicated that the changes and interactions of the two variables of pain (F=24.61, P=0.001), Fatigue (F=41.03, P=0.001) and the physical function (F=83.07, P=0.001) were significant in the experimental group after exercise. Also in the experimental group, showed significant improvement in the pain, fatigue and physical performance (p<0/05), compared to the control group. Conclusion: According to mobility constraints and aggravation of patients' problems in sport strategies based on lower extremity, the selected core stability exercises were an effective and suitable option for elderly hemodialysis in reducing the pain, fatigue and improving physical function, this type of exercise can be used as a non-pharmaceutical strategy by therapists and care staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Patients undergoing hemodialysis, regardless of age, suffer from impaired physical function. Many problems caused by lack of mobility affect different dimensions of their lives. Exercise training, commensurate with the ability and willingness of hemodialysis patients could be of great benefit in dealing with the lack of physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intradialytic and home-based walking exercises on physical function and adequacy of hemodialysis patients. Materials and methods: In a clinical trial, 60 hemodialysis patients were randomly selected from two hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Patients in the exercise group performed the exercise program for eight weeks (two weeks during dialysis and six weeks at home). The six-minute walk test (6MWt) was used to measure physical function and KT/V and URR values were used to measure the dialysis adequacy. Results: In the six-minute walk test, the mean distance walked by the exercise group was significantly different from that in the control group (P˂ 0.015). According to the KT/V and URR values, the adequacy of dialysis in patients in the exercise group increased, although this increase was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Exercise activities such as the program designed can improve physical function in hemodialysis patients. These activities are recommended for such patients since they are easily done at any time and place without any special equipment, have no complications, and are low cost.

Background and purpose: Patients undergoing hemodialysis, regardless of age, suffer from impaired physical function. Many problems caused by lack of mobility affect different dimensions of their lives. Exercise training, commensurate with the ability and willingness of hemodialysis patients could be of great benefit in dealing with the lack of physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intradialytic and home-based walking exercises on physical function and adequacy of hemodialysis patients. Materials and methods: In a clinical trial, 60 hemodialysis patients were randomly selected from two hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Patients in the exercise group performed the exercise program for eight weeks (two weeks during dialysis and six weeks at home). The six-minute walk test (6MWt) was used to measure physical function and KT/V and URR values were used to measure the dialysis adequacy. Results: In the six-minute walk test, the mean distance walked by the exercise group was significantly different from that in the control group (P˂ 0.015). According to the KT/V and URR values, the adequacy of dialysis in patients in the exercise group increased, although this increase was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Exercise activities such as the program designed can improve physical function in hemodialysis patients. These activities are recommended for such patients since they are easily done at any time and place without any special equipment, have no complications, and are low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction : This study reviews the effectiveness of training Spiritual intelligence on quality of life among veteran spouses . The statistical population included all veterans spouses employed to studying adult high schools in Tehran, in 89-90. Methods & Materials : The sample of study consists 60 veteran spouses randomly divided in to control and experimental groups. The data from the " Quality of Life Questionnaire ” including: ( general health, physical role limitations , understanding the patientchr('39')s body pain , physical function , mental health, mental problems , social functioning , vitality ) dimensions collected. Spiritual intelligence training administered over 12 sessions 90 -minute’s each . The research design was quasi experimental with pretest and posttest. The data was analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics (covariance, paired t test and Friedman test). Results : The results showed that:1) Spiritual Intelligence Training had effects on All dimensions of quality of life ( general health, physical role limitations , understanding the patient chr('39')s body pain , physical function , mental health , mental problems , social functioning , vitality ) ofveterans chr('39') spouses . 2) After the follow up the results showed good consistenly .