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The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is a widely used method for monitoring the load during training, as it provides insight into the subjective intensity of effort experienced during exercises. Considering the role of brain in monitoring and perception of the effort, several studies explored the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on RPE in different populations. The aim of current study is to review the studies that investigated the effect of tDCS on RPE in three groups including healthy untrained people, physically active persons, and athletes. Nine databases were searched for papers assessing the effect of tDCS on RPE. The data from the included studies were extracted and methodological quality was examined using the risk of bias 2 (ROB2) tool. Thirty‐three studies met the inclusion criteria. According to the meta‐analysis, active a‐tDCS significantly decreased the RPE compared to the sham stimulation. The a‐tDCS could decrease the RPE when it was applied over M1 or DLPF. Regarding the measurement tool, Borg's scale 6–20 and OMNI scale could show an improvement in RPE scale. A‐tDCS is a promising technique that can decrease the RPE. M1 and DLPFC are suggested as the target area of stimulation. From the tools that measure the RPE, Borg's RPE 6–20 and OMNI scale could better show the effect of a‐tDCS. This study demonstrates the impact of tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) on RPE (rating of perceived exertion) and addresses the effect of population, tDCS protocol, and measurement tools on the intervention. The most promising outcomes were the use of M1 (primary motor cortex) and DLPFC (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) tDCS in athletics. In addition, Borg's scale 6–20 and OMNI (overall monitoring of the neuromuscular intensity) were the most effective measuring tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

[Display omitted] • Anodal tDCS over the motor cortex has shown positive effects on gait. • Anodal tDCS over the DLPFC improved gait parameters only under DT conditions. • TACS over the cerebellum has shown positive effects on gait. • Conclusions about the efficacy of rTMS, tRNS, or tPCS on gait are premature. Walking is an important function which requires coordinated activity of sensory-motor neural networks. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is a safe neuromodulatory technique with motor function-improving effects. This study aimed to determine the effect of different types of NIBS interventions explored in randomized controlled trials on gait in healthy young and older adults. Based on the PRISMA approach, we conducted an electronic search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PEDro for randomized clinical trials assessing the effect of NIBS on gait in healthy young and older adults and performed a narrative review. Fourteen studies were included in this systematic review. According to the outcomes, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the motor cortex and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over the cerebellum seem to be promising for improving gait characteristics such as speed, synchronization, and variability. Furthermore, tDCS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) improved gait speed and reduced gait parameter variability under dual-task conditions. Only one repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was available, which showed no effects. No studies were available for transcranial random noise stimulation, and transcranial pulsed current stimulation. Moreover, the intervention parameters of the included studies were heterogeneous, and studies comparing directly specific intervention protocols were missing. NIBS is a promising approach to improve gait in healthy young and older adults. Anodal tDCS over the motor areas and DLPFC, and tACS over the cerebellum have shown positive effects on gait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gait problems are an important symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulatory intervention that can modulate cortical excitability of the gait-related regions. Despite an increasing number of gait-related tDCS studies in PD, the efficacy of this technique for improving gait has not been systematically investigated yet. Here, we aimed to systematically explore the effects of tDCS on gait in PD, based on available experimental studies. Methods: Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) approach, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PEDro databases were searched for randomized clinical trials assessing the effect of tDCS on gait in patients with PD. Results: Eighteen studies were included in this systematic review. Overall, tDCS targeting the motor cortex and supplementary motor area bilaterally seems to be promising for gait rehabilitation in PD. Studies of tDCS targeting the dorosolateral prefrontal cortex or cerebellum showed more heterogeneous results. More studies are needed to systematically compare the efficacy of different tDCS protocols, including protocols applying tDCS alone and/or in combination with conventional gait rehabilitation treatment in PD. Conclusions: tDCS is a promising intervention approach to improving gait in PD. Anodal tDCS over the motor areas has shown a positive effect on gait, but stimulation of other areas is less promising. However, the heterogeneities of methods and results have made it difficult to draw firm conclusions. Therefore, systematic explorations of tDCS protocols are required to optimize the efficacy. [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]

The present study aimed to determine the psychometric characteristics of the Persian version of the Injustice Experience Questionnaire (IEQ-P). Data were collected from 230 participants (122 females and 108 males between 20 and 60 years of age) with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Principal component analysis was used to test the factor structure of the questionnaire. Construct validity was assessed by investigating Pearson correlations among the IEQ-P and other related questionnaires. Internal consistency was indicated by Cronbach's alpha, and test-retest reliability was examined through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in 48 participants within a three-week period. To examine the differences in the IEQ-P total scores by categorical independent variables, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used. A two-component solution was yielded with good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha.86). The IEQ-P was correlated significantly with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), r =.62, p <.01; McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), r =.44, p <.01; Pain Disability Index (PDI), r =.5, p <.01; Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), r =.48, p <.01; and Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), r =.4, p <.01. Regression analyses revealed that the IEQ-P contributed significant unique variance to the prediction of pain severity, β =.28, p <.001; self-report disability; β =.26, p <.001; and depression, β =.21, p <.001. The obtained results demonstrated an excellent test-retest reliability (ICC =.95). Age, duration of pain, occupation, and educational level were related to the IEQ-P total scores. The IEQ-P was found to be a reliable and valid assessment tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To review the literature on the effects of aquatic intervention on gross motor skills for children with cerebral palsy (CP).Data sources: Six databases were searched from inception to January 2016.Review methods: Aquatic studies for children aged 1–21 years with any type or CP classification and at least one outcome measuring gross motor skills were included. Information was extracted on study design, outcomes, and aquatic program type, frequency, duration, and intensity. Quality was rated using the Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine: Levels of Evidence and the PEDro scale.Results: Of the 11 studies which met inclusion criteria, only two used randomized control trial design, and the results were mixed. Quality of evidence was rated as moderate to high for only one study. Most studies used quasi-experimental designs and reported improvements in gross motor skills for within group analyses after aquatic programs were held for two to three times per week and lasting for 6–16 weeks. Participants were classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I–V, and were aged 3–21 years. Mild to no adverse reactions were reported.Conclusions: Evidence on aquatic interventions for ambulatory children with CP is limited. Aquatic exercise is feasible and adverse effects are minimal; however, dosing parameters are unclear. Further research is needed to determine aquatic intervention effectiveness and exercise dosing across age categories and GMFCS levels. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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]

Introduction: Forward head posture (FHP) is a common postural deviation and chin tuck exercise has been traditionally prescribed to manage this condition. On the other hand, turtle is one of the common exercises in tai chi. Although, recently the physiotherapists are more interested in including tai chi in exercise therapy, there is no study comparing the effect of chin tuck and turtle exercise. Aim: The aim of this study was comparison of chin tuck and turtle exercise effects on FHP. Material and methods: 46 asymptomatic FHP subjects aged 22.45 ± 1.70 years were randomly assigned into two groups of chin tuck and turtle exercise. Cervical curve was measured before and after a 6-week intervention. The measures were compared by Mann-Whitney U test, paired sample T test and Wilcoxon. Results: 40 subjects completed the study. Within group analysis showed significant cervical curve increase. Interestingly, between group analysis showed equal cervical curve improvement. Conclusions: Both chin tuck and turtle exercises improved the cervical curve in subjects with FHP. However, the effects of these two approaches seemed to be the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]