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Objectives: Transcranial direct current stimulation and robotic therapy (RT) are two modalities in neurorehabilitation for the improvement of upper limb function in stroke patients. However, the additional effects of the concurrent application of these two techniques compared to RT alone on upper limb function in stroke patients have not been studied yet. We analyzed the effectiveness of concurrent tDCS and RT compared to RT alone on upper limb motor function in stroke patients. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, EMBASE, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database was performed from 2000 to January 1, 2021. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool. All statistical analyses were performed in STATA software, version 14, and the Mean±SD was used as the pooled statistics. Results: The result showed that concurrent tDCS and RT had moderate but non-significant pooled effect sizes for upper limb Fugl-Meyer assessment (SMD=0.31, 95% CI, -0.20%, 0.83%, I2=84.1%). Discussion: According to the results of this study, no difference was obtained in the efficacy of concurrent tDCS and RT compared to RT alone on upper limb function in stroke survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic low back pain (LBP) causes some neuroplastic changes in the brain, which result in body perception impairment. The Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire (FreBAQ) is a suggested tool for the diagnosis and evaluation of back perception in people with LBP. The aim of this study is to translate and cross culturally adapt the FreBAQ into Persian language and to assess its reliability and validity in patients with chronic LBP (CLBP). Materials and Methods: Fifty people with CLBP and fifty healthy people participated in this study. To evaluate the discriminant validity, we assessed the ability of the FreBAQ to discriminate between people with and without LBP. After an interval of 1 week, 25 patients with CLBP completed the questionnaire in the retest session. Data obtained from the first test administration were used for internal consistency and data obtained from repeated testing were used for test--retest reliability. Construct validity was assessed by investigating a correlation between the FreBAQ with the Roland--Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), Visual Analog Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. In addition, the construct validity of Persian FreBAQ was measured by factor analysis. Results: The test--retest reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.96. Cronbach's alpha was 0.74 for Persian FreBAQ. The standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change were 0.91 and 2.52, respectively. Construct validity was demonstrated by statistically significant relationship between the Persian FreBAQ and questionnaires of PCS (P < 0.001) and RDQ (P = 0.01). Conclusion: The Persian version of FreBAQ is a valid and reliable measurement tool for evaluating back perception changes in Persian-speaking patients with LBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Falls have been strongly associated with decreased physical activity and impaired mobility. Reduced range of motion, as a consequence of muscle stiffness, has been indicated to assume a positive relationship to fall incidence. Also clinical observations suggest that maintaining the normal spinal curves is associated with the prevention of spinal, knee and hip disorders. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare hip and ankle range of motions and thoracic and lumbar curves between young and old persons Methods: Using a nonprobability sampling 30 elderly persons at average of 68.14 ±4.03 years of age and 30 young people (age 23.37 ± 2.31 years) through a case -- control design participated in the study. Maximal hip extension and ankle dorsiflexion range of motions were measured by a standard goniometer. Thoracic and lumbar curvatures were measured by a flexible ruler in both groups. Independent t test were used to statistically analyze differences between groups. Results: Compared with the young group, the elderly group had decreased hip extension and ankle dorsiflexion motions (p<0.01). The result of independent t test showed that the mean of lumbar curve was higher in young group (31.29± 6.37) than elderly subjects (27.93±8.11),however, no significant difference was found between two groups (p=0.08). The result also showed increasing thoracic curvature with aging (young group=34.43±13.27, old group= 36.19±8.97), however, no significant difference was found between two groups (p=0.55). Conclusion: Findings suggest decreased ankle and hip joint range of motions should be considered in rehabilitation of elderly people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hemophilic arthropathy (HA) causes severe joint damage and impairs the quality of life (QoL) of hemophiliacs. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on the clinical signs and QoL of patients with severe hemophilia A experiencing moderate HA in the knee joint., Materials and Methods: Thirty-six severe hemophiliacs with HA of the knee joint were randomly assigned into the PEMF ( n = 20) or placebo ( n = 16) groups. The PEMF group received 60 min of PEMF (2 Hz, 25 Gauss for 30 min and 70 Hz, 30 Gauss for 30 min) on the knee joint, three times per week for 6 weeks. The clinical signs, QoL, and pain intensity were measured by the Hemophilia Joint Health Score, A36 Hemofilia-QoL Questionnaire, and visual analog scale, respectively, before and after treatment., Results: In the PEMF group, a significant difference before and after intervention in terms of clinical signs, QoL, and pain intensity ( P < 0.05) was founded. Between-group analysis showed a significant improvement in clinical signs (except for atrophy, strength, and swelling duration), QoL, and pain intensity in the PEMF versus control group ( P < 0.05)., Conclusions: PEMF can improve the clinical signs, QoL, and pain intensity of severe hemophilia A patient with moderate knee hemophilic arthropathy., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Advanced Biomedical Research.)