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Purpose: This study was planned to investigate falls, their frequency, reasons, and consequences in the older patient with lower limb amputations. Methods: Twenty-five patients with lower limb amputations were included in the study. A questionnaire for falling was applied. Functional levels of these patients were determined according to the Medicare Functional Level System. Results: The falling questionnaire revealed that except for 5 patients with amputations, the subjects had experienced an incident of falling once or more than once. The common reasons for falls turned out to be losing balance, stumbling on the prosthesis, and colliding with someone. Conclusions: It was concluded that performing comprehensive evaluations in which falling histories were assessed before planning rehabilitation programs enriched the rehabilitation programs by suggesting different types of activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The Amputee Body Image Scale (ABIS) is a self assessed questionnaire with 20 items created to measure body image perception of amputees. The questions assess how an individual perceives and feels about his or her body experience. But no Turkish version is available. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt the ABIS for use with Turkish speaking lower limb amputees and to determine reliability. Methods: The sample consisted of 50 transtibial amputees. The mean age of the participants was 43.14, SD: 14.66. The ABIS has been filled by the patients for two times. Results: Internal consistency of the ABIS was very high (Cronbach alpha 0.834 for test and 0.842 for retest). The test-retest reliability was excellent for the ABIS (ICC = 0.939, 95% CI 0.895-0.965). Conclusions: The Turkish version of the ABIS is a reliable instrument to assess body image in lower limb amputees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, result in numerous injuries, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, limb amputations, fractures, and peripheral nerve injuries. This study aimed to investigate the types of orthopedic injuries sustained by earthquake survivors who require long-term rehabilitation, as well as to assess the rehabilitation programs, orthoses, prostheses, and assistive devices employed., Methods: This descriptive analysis was conducted at a physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic. Data on earthquake survivors were recorded retrospectively. The study included survivors who presented to the clinic between April 15, 2023, and May 1, 2024, with injuries sustained during the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023. The types of orthopedic injuries, rehabilitation programs, and orthoses-prostheses used were documented., Results: Data from 223 earthquake survivors were analyzed. Among these, 97 (43.5%) had compartment syndrome, 65 (29.1%) had amputations, 57 (25.6%) had fractures, 20 (9%) had peripheral nerve injuries, 12 (5.4%) had soft tissue injuries, and two (0.9%) had dislocations. Physiotherapy was provided to 211 (94.6%) patients, occupational therapy to 56 (25.1%), amputation rehabilitation to 65 (29.1%), and electrotherapy to 12 (5.3%). Prostheses were fitted for 37 (16.5%) amputees, orthoses were used by 57 (25.6%) patients, and 103 (46.1%) required assistive devices., Conclusion: Among earthquake-related injuries requiring medical rehabilitation, compartment syndrome was the most common. The rehabilitation process of patients who developed compartment syndrome and amputation continues 1 year after the earthquake. Adults were the most frequently affected age group. The data obtained in this study will help plan local health services to coordinate medical rehabilitation in earthquakes., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) provides a universal framework for assessing the functioning of any person. To facilitate the application of the ICF in practice, ICF core sets are being developed. This study is part of a project intended to develop an ICF core set for upper-limb amputation (ULA) and aims to identify relevant concepts included in the outcome measurements used in studies of ULA. Articles involving ULA aged 18 years or older from January 2011 to December 2021 were searched on Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, SPORTdiscus, and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online. We included studies with particular designs (randomized controlled trials, before/after studies, cross-sectional studies, and longitudinal observational studies) and published in English. Relevant concepts were extracted from measurements and linked to the ICF using linking rules, and a frequency analysis was conducted. Sixty-one of the 1272 identified publications were included, from which 86 measurements were extracted. Concepts extracted from measurements were linked to 129 ICF categories. Three hundred twenty-six (29.23%) of the 1115 concepts were related to body functions, 643 (57.66%) to activity and participation, 96 (8.60%) to environmental factors, 19 (1.70%) to body structures, and 6 (0.53%) to personal factors. Twenty-five (2.24%) were characterized as "nd-not definable." "Fifty-four" categories identified in at least 5% of the publications will be considered for inclusion in the final ICF core set for ULA during the consensus conference. This review provides information about the content of measures, and the identified ICF categories reveal the research perspective for developing an ICF core set for ULA., (Copyright © 2024 International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics.)

Purpose: Amputations are a common surgical procedure resulting from trauma during earthquakes, leading to severe disability. This study aims to investigate surgical outcomes specific to amputations that occurred in Adıyaman after the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes., Methods: This descriptive study included amputees who presented to Adıyaman University Training and Research Hospital. Between March 6, 2024 and March 29, 2024, amputees were contacted by phone and asked the questions in the form. Data analyzed included demographic information, number and level of amputated extremities, phantom limb pain, stump infection, extrication time, time to initiation of rehabilitation, number of revision, and whether a prosthesis was fitted., Results: The study reached 75 amputees. The mean age was 37.9 ± 19.2, and the most frequently amputated age group was adults. Stump infection was observed in 40 amputees (53.3%), phantom limb pain in 47 (62.6%), and revision in 29 (38.7%). The median extrication time was 36 h and initiation of rehabilitation time was 45 days. It was noted that 35 amputees (62.5%) used prostheses. A statistically significant relationship was found between fasciotomy and stump infection (p = .000). Infection was detected in 65% of those who underwent fasciotomy., Conclusion: Earthquake-related amputations most frequently affected the adult age group and primarily involved lower extremity amputations, such as transfemoral and transtibial amputations. Phantom limb pain, need for revision, and infection are common in earthquake-induced amputations. Delayed fasciotomy increases the risk of stump infection. The data obtained in this study will help plan local health services to coordinate amputation care in disasters., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to SICOT aisbl.)

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on quality of life during the survival period in individuals with small cell lung cancer., Methods: Thirty-six patients with a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), who completed chemotherapy treatment and were in the survival period, were included in the study. A pulmonary rehabilitation program was applied to individuals at 40-70% of submaximal heart rate, 3 days a week for 8 weeks. The pulmonary rehabilitation program will consist of warm up, breathing exercises, gait training, aerobic exercises, and cool down exercises. Demographic information, walking distance, and presence of dyspnea were questioned. Inspiration/expiration difference was evaluated. Vital signs were evaluated before each session. Quality of life was assessed with the Cancer-Specific Developed Quality of Life Scale (EORTC-QLQ-C30)., Results: Of the patients, 80% (36 people) completed the entire 8-week program. The mean age of the individuals was 51.78 ± 10.23. In the evaluation made at the end of the rehabilitation program, it was observed that the walking distance of the individuals increased significantly. Inspiration of individuals' expiratory difference increased by an average of 2.01 ± 0.40 cm. Improvement was found in the sub-parameters of quality of life (p < 0.05)., Significance of Results: The participants with small cell lung cancer had decreased quality of life due to long-term immobilization, surgery, hospitalization times, side effects of chemotherapy treatment, and other problems. Regular exercise programs can provide an increase in the individual's pulmonary functions. Individual-specific pulmonary rehabilitation programs have important contributions to the quality of life in SCLC on the survival period, and it has shown that this study can guide physiotherapists and physicians working in oncological rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: This study investigated the effects of three different exercise protocols on functional capacity in early-stage burn patients., Methods: A total of 25 patients hospitalized in the Burn Center (wards and intensive care unit) were included in the study. The individuals were divided into three groups by covariate adaptive randomization according to burn percentage and type: 1 - standard treatment, 2 - standard treatment + aerobic exercise training, 3 - standard treatment + combined exercise (aerobic and resistance) determined by metabolic status. Individuals were evaluated weekly for six weeks from the first day of hospitalization using the 6-minute walk test, physiological cost index, and Medical Research Council muscle-strength measurements to assess functional capacity. A portable metabolism tracker device measured the metabolic status of all patients., Results: Aerobic exercises and combined exercise (aerobic and resistance), when added to standard treatment and determined by metabolic status, were more effective in enhancing functional capacity than standard treatment alone (p<0.05). Patients performing the combined exercise (aerobic and resistance) showed faster improvement in functional capacity determined according to metabolic status than those in the other two groups (p<0.05)., Conclusion: Aerobic exercises, when added to standard treatment and combined with aerobic and resistance exercises based on metabolic status, are more effective at improving functional capacity than standard treatment alone. Further controlled studies are required to explore the potential long-term benefits of this approach.

Introduction: The application of the refinements of linking rules to the outcome measurement methods provides an opportunity to obtain information concerning what the available instruments actually measure and how the instrument measures certain outcomes. The purpose of the study was to analyze the content of 4 commonly used upper limb amputee scales using the refined International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) linking rules., Methods: The Upper Extremity Functional Status module of the Orthotics and Prosthetics User Survey (OPUS-UEFS), Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales, Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure (SHAP), and Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand were analyzed by 2 health professionals for a content comparison based on ICF categories. The Kappa statistic was used to calculate the degree of agreement between 2 professionals., Results: The scale questions were linked with 43 different ICF codes in this study. Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale addresses all ICF domains. All items of SHAP and most items of OPUS-UEFS were linked to the activity-participation domain. Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand items were linked with activity-participation and body function domains. The perspectives of OPUS-UEFS and SHAP are descriptive. The perspectives of Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand were descriptive and appraisal. The perspectives of Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale subscales were descriptive, appraisal, and needs or dependency. Estimated kappa values ranged from 0.44 to 0.91 for ICF codes., Conclusions: Most concepts in the scales were frequently linked to the activity-participation domain. We think that the results of this study will be a useful guide to clinicians and researchers in selecting relevant and appropriate outcome measurements for upper limb amputee rehabilitation., (Copyright © 2023 International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics.)

Objective: To investigate the effect of cervical mobilization on joint position sense, balance and gait in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients., Methods: Sixteen MS patients received traditional rehabilitation and traditional rehabilitation+cervical mobilization treatments in different orders, 2 days a week for 4 weeks. For the cervical mobilization, joint traction and shifts with myofascial release techniques were applied. Joint position sense was evaluated from the bilateral knee and ankle joints with a digital goniometer, balanced with the Berg Balance Test (BBT), the Functional Reach Test, and gait with the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) and the Timed 25-Foot Walk Test., Results: Improvements were determined in joint position sense, balance, gait with both treatment methods ( p  < 0.05). With the addition of cervical mobilization to traditional treatment, there was observed to be an increased effect carried over in knee joint position sense and BBT ( p  < 0.05). The BBT and DGI scores improved in the group applied with cervical mobilization following the washout period ( p  < 0.05)., Conclusions: Cervical mobilization could be effective in improving joint position sense, balance and gait, and accelerated improvements in a short time. The application of cervical mobilization could be a supportive treatment method to improve position sense, balance and gait in patients with MS.

Mortality rate is considered as the most important outcome measure for assessing the severity of burn injury. A scale or model that accurately predicts burn mortality can be useful to determine the clinical course of burn injuries, discuss treatment options and rehabilitation with patients and their families, and evaluate novel, innovative interventions for the injuries. This study aimed to use machine learning models to predict the mortality risk of patients with burns after their first admission to the center and to compare the performances of these models. Overall, 1064 patients hospitalized in burn intensive care and burn service units between 2016 and 2022 were included in the study. In total, 40 parameters, including demographic characteristics and biochemical parameters of all patients, were analyzed in the study. Furthermore, the dataset was randomly divided into two clusters with 70% of the data used for artificial neural networks (ANNs) training and 30% for model success testing. The ANN model proposed in this study showed high success across all machine learning methods tried in different variants, with an accuracy of 95.92% in the test set. Machine learning models can be used to predict the mortality risk of patients with burns. This study may help validate the use of machine learning models for applications in clinical practice. Conducting multicenter studies will further contribute to the literature., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2023 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To develop a Newborn Skin Assessment Attitude Scale (NSAAS) for neonatal ICU (NICU) RNs., Methods: The study was conducted with 326 nurses working in NICUs in three cities in Turkey. The researchers evaluated the content and construct validity and reliability of the scale with item-total score correlation analysis, the test-retest method, and calculating the Cronbach α reliability coefficient., Results: The content validity index of the scale ranged between 0.87 and 1.00. Prior to exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient of the NSAAS was 0.976, and the Bartlett test of sphericity result was χ2 = 15,337.052 (P < .001). The scale was constructed with 35 items with factor loads greater than 0.40 and three subdimensions. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the fit indices of the NSAAS were χ2/df = 3.57, root mean square error of approximation = 0.08, normed fit index = 0.98, non-normed fit index = 0.98, comparative fit index = 0.98, and standardized root mean square residual = 0.05. The overall reliability coefficient of the NSAAS was α = .978. The test-retest coefficients of correlation were r = 0.558 for the overall scale and r = 0.615, r = 0.504, and r = 0.598 for the Awareness, Practice, and Avoidance subdimensions, respectively. In addition, no statistically significant difference was observed when comparing the test-retest mean scores for the total scale and the subdimensions (P > .05)., Conclusions: The NSAAS can be reliably used for measuring NICU nurses' attitudes toward newborn skin assessment., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Many studies have reported that insulin resistance (IR) is present and persistent in patients with major burns; however, the evidence remains insufficient. This study was planned to investigate insulin levels and IR in the early post-traumatic period in patients with major burns and to determine the prevalence of IR after burn injury., Methods: This study included 68 patients. These patients were followed up once a week for 4 weeks after hospitalization. In the follow-up examinations, demographic and burn injury characteristics; HbA1c, procalcitonin serum glucose, and insulin levels; and IR were evaluated., Results: IR was seen in some weeks only in 25 of the 68 patients included in the study. Among all patients, IR was determined in only 11 (16.17%) patients from the 1st day of hospitalization until discharge. Patients with and without IR were evaluated as 2 groups, and their biochemical parameters were compared, and no significant difference was found between glucose and procalcitonin levels (P>0.05). Glucose levels were >100 mg/dL in the first few weeks in all patients who were followed up; however, they returned to the normal range in the following weeks., Conclusion: In patients with IR, there was insufficient evidence to conclude that the condition persists. We believe that the HOMA-IR value is not directly related to burn injuries and that other additional pathologies may cause it during treatment.

Introduction:  This study aimed to compare the dual-task and cognitive skills of problematic video gamers and non-problematic video gamers based on the fact that cognitive skills (e.g., inhibition, decision-making, attentional control, time perception) and dual-task performance may be positively affected in individuals who play games., Methods: The study was conducted on 62 individuals. The study group (n=33) consisted of individuals who played games, and the control group (n=28) consisted of non-gamers. Their scores on exercise benefits and barriers perception, cognitive performance, cognitive skills, and dual-task performances were measured. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale was used to evaluate cognitive function, and the Trail Making Test (TMT) was used to determine attention, speed, and better motor performance. The Stroop test was used to evaluate executive functioning., Results: It was determined that the problematic game players group was faster at the Stroop 1 and Stroop 2 test times (respectively p=0.020, p=0.005). In the comparison of dual task-cognitive 10-meter walking) test times of both groups, it was seen that individuals in the problematic game players group were faster than the control subjects (p=0.044)., Conclusion: It can be said that playing digital games improves the cognitive dual-task cost (DTC) and the executive functioning of individuals., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Maden et al.)

Study Design: Randomized controlled study., Introduction: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) causes pain and loss of function in the affected limb. Different exercises have been used for the treatment of LE. In recent years, the technique of neuromobilization has been frequently used to treat tendinopathy. However, there is no study that demonstrates the effects of neuromobilization techniques on patients with LE., Purpose of the Study: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of neuromobilization techniques on pain, grip strength, and functional status in LE patients and to compare them with conservative rehabilitation treatment., Methods: A total of 40 patients (26 females and 14 males; age: 42.80 ± 8.91 years) with a history of LE participated in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the neuromobilization group and the control group. The neuromobilization group completed a 6-week conservative rehabilitation and radial nerve mobilization program, whereas the control group received conservative rehabilitation therapy only. Both groups underwent a 7-day weekly conservative home rehabilitation program. Pain severity, grip strength, pinch strength, joint motions, and upper extremity functional level were assessed before treatment, at the third week after treatment, and at the sixth week after treatment., Results: There was a significant decrease in all pain scores in favor of the neuromobilization group at week 6 after treatment (at rest: P = .001, effect size (ES) = 0.84; at night: P = .001, ES = 0.91 and during activity: P = .004, ES = 1.06). No significant differences were found for grip strength, pinch strength, joint motions, and functional level in the neuromobilization group, although trends toward better improvement were observed., Conclusions: Radial nerve mobilization techniques are more effective on pain than conservative rehabilitation therapy in LE patients, and this effect continues after treatment., (Copyright © 2020 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aim of the study was to assess the characteristics of footwear altogether and to compare the effect of appropriate-fitting and ill-fitting footwear on functional performance, balance, and fear of falling (FoF) in older adults. Individuals who wore appropriate-fitting (n = 61) or ill-fitting footwear (n = 92) were enrolled in the study. Footwear was evaluated using the Footwear Assessment Scale (FAS). The participants were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for balance, the Timed Up and Go test for functional performance and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale for FoF. Tests were conducted twice for each individual with or without footwear. Differences between the groups were analyzed using the MANOVA for scores of balance, performance and fear of falling and Chi-squared test for homogeneity. The Paired t-test was used to compare test scores with or without footwear. It was concluded that appropriate-fitting footwear improves balance, reduces fear of falling and may affect functional performance positively. ClinicalTrials.gov No: NCT04151654., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The Author(s) declare(s) that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Vertigo appears as a result of a sudden neural activity imbalance of the vestibular system. The vertigo prevalence is higher in patients over 60 years of age compared to patients under 40 years of age., Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of craniosacral osteopathy on dizziness and balance in individuals who have peripheral vestibular pathology., Methods: A total of 30 individuals, aged 24-50 years, participated in this study. Twenty-four of the participants were female (80%) and 6 were male (20%). The participants were separated into 2 groups, with 15 patients included in the cranial osteopathy treatment group (study group) and 15 patients included in the group that used dimenhydrinate (control group). The individuals were evaluated in terms of dizziness and balance. A visual analog scale was used to evaluate dizziness. Balance was evaluated using the Berg balance scale and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence scale. The craniosacral treatment program was applied once per week for 6 sessions. All of the individuals included in this study were evaluated 3 times, i.e., prior to treatment, on the third week of treatment, and on the sixth week of treatment., Results: Significant improvement was noted within each group in terms of dizziness and balance (p < 0.05). When the groups were compared with each other, it was observed that craniosacral osteopathy was more effective than dimenhydrinate treatment for dizziness and balance (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Craniosacral osteopathy is an effective treatment choice in individuals who have chronic peripheral vestibular pathology. In individuals who have resistant and chronic vestibular pathology, craniosacral osteopathy should be evaluated among the treatment choices., (© 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

In our country, outcome measures are needed to evaluate the results of occupational therapy in amputees. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) and to evaluate the reliability and validity of a Turkish version of the RNLI. The Turkish version of the RNLI was applied to 120 amputees. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to determine internal consistency and test-retest reliability, respectively. Criterion validity was assessed using Short Form 36 (SF-36). The Turkish version of the RNLI presented reliable results in repeated assessments (ICC = .88), and the internal consistency of the RNLI was high (Cronbach's α coefficient = .89). A statistically significant relationship was found between RNLI and SF-36 ( p < .05). The Turkish RNLI is a reliable and valid tool to evaluate the level of reintegration to normal living for amputees.

Background: This study sets out to investigate the effects of early physiotherapy on biochemical parameters in major burn patients., Methods: Ten women (50%) and 10 men (50%) aged 21-47 years old were included in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: the first group was the treatment group and the second group was the control group. In the treatment group, patients were admitted to the physiotherapy programme from the first day they have been hospitalised, in addition to their routine treatment (e.g. medical, surgery), for four days per week. The physiotherapy programme consisted of parameters, such as early mobilisation and ambulatory training, chest physiotherapy, and both active and passive normal joint movement exercises. The days of treatment were determined as of Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Patients could not be treated on a Monday because that was surgery day. The control group consisted of patients who could not receive physiotherapy due to various reasons. All patients included in this study were evaluated weekly for six weeks after admission to the hospital. Parameters, such as demographic information, characteristics of burn injury, C-reactive protein, fibronectin, transferrin and prealbumin, were evaluated., Results: When the results obtained in this study were considered, there was a significant difference in favour of the treatment group for all biochemical parameters (p<0.05). From the second week, a significant increase was observed in prealbumin values in the treatment group (p<0.05). A significant increase was observed in fibronectin after the fourth week (p<0.05)., Conclusion: We believe that early physiotherapy should be included in the treatment in major burns. Early physiotherapy may reduce the effects of hypermetabolic response after major burns. There is a need for multi-centered and broader studies.

Background: Shoulder pain in wheelchair (WC) basketball players is common. Yet there was no scale to define shoulder pain., Objective: This study was performed to develop a shoulder pain scale for WC basketball players., Methods: A five-step procedure was followed: Identifying the feature, writing down the items and drafting the form, formulating the final form, pre-pilot-pilot implementation, and validity-reliability analyses. The final form of the scale consisted of 15 items about self-care and sport-specific activities., Results: External factor analysis showed that the scale had a two-factor structure which is "Shoulder Pain during Sports" and "Shoulder Pain during Self-care Activities". Pre-rotation results of factor analysis showed that if all of the items were loaded on the first factor, it would have an eigenvalue more than 7 times larger than the eigenvalue of the second factor. Therefore, it can be concluded that the scale can be used as a one-dimensional scale. The Cronbach's Alpha values were found to be 0.94 and 0.92 for the shoulder pain factor during sports and self-care activities, respectively. Total value was found to be 0.95. The corrected item-total correlation values were all above 0.60., Conclusions: This newly developed valid, reliable scale allows assessment of the shoulder pain of WC basketball players.

Background: The aim of this paper is to determine the effects of playing soccer on various components of physical performance such as body composition, muscular endurance, anaerobic power, flexibility, balance, and speed of individuals with transtibial amputation., Methods: Twelve amputee football players aged 26.67±7.76 years and twelve sedentary individuals aged 33±6.7 years were involved in this study. Body composition, and isotonic and isometric endurance of trunk muscles were assessed. Vertical jump test, sit-and-reach test, modified Thomas test, Berg Balance Scale, L test, and figure-of-eight walk (F8W) test were used to assess other physical fitness parameters., Results: The Body Mass Index, waist circumference and body fat percentages of the amputee soccer players were significantly lower than the sedentary amputees (P<0.05). The endurance of back extensors was significantly higher in the soccer group (119.33±47.15 s) than the endurance in the control group (26.25±15.96 s) (P<0.001). Subjects belonging to the soccer group had significantly higher anaerobic power than those in the control group (P<0.05). Flexibility, as assessed by the sit-and-reach test was significantly higher for the soccer group (P=0.002), whereas the modified Thomas test, which is also used to measure flexibility, indicated no significant difference among both groups (P>0.05). Balance was higher in the soccer group (P=0.023). The completion period of the F8W test was significantly lower in the soccer group (4.54±0.9 s) than in the control group (7.71±2.25 s) (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed in the numbers of steps measured during the F8W test (P=0.231)., Conclusions: This is the first study which investigates the effects of sports on the physical fitness of individuals with transtibial amputation with the inclusion of a control group. Overall findings present the benefits of participating in playing soccer on physical fitness parameters of amputees, but further studies with randomized controlled trials, with larger populations, and with other sport branches should be conducted to motivate all amputees to participate in sports.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) in patients affected by hallux valgus in order to assess the accuracy of this cross-cultural adaption., Methods: Thirty female volunteers aged between 18 and 55 years were included in the study. Subjects with hallux valgus were asked to complete the MOXFQ and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). After receiving permission from the author, the MOXFQ was translated into Turkish twice and then back translated to English, after which its compatibility was evaluated. The Turkish version of the MOXFO was applied twice, 1-3 days apart, to the study subjects. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were assessed using Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. Construct validity was assessed with the use of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, using a priori hypothesized correlations with SF-36 domains., Results: Subjects achieved similar scores at the first and second administration of the questionnaire (<0.001). The internal consistency reliability was acceptable for all MOXFQ domains (pain, walking/standing, social interaction), with Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from 0.775 to 0.779. The assessment of test-retest reliability revealed satisfactory values, with ICCs ranging from 0.91 to 0.96. Construct validity was supported by the presence of all the hypothesized correlations, with SF-36 within its physical parameters., Conclusion: The Turkish version of the MOXFQ is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating foot pain and functional status in patients affected by hallux valgus.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of postural stability and lower extremity performance with core stability, knee laxity, and muscle strength in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction., Design: Twenty-eight anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed subjects were included in the study. Anterior knee laxity tests, isokinetic knee muscle strength tests, and core stability tests were performed. Single-limb postural stability was assessed in both eyes-open and eyes-closed positions on a static surface and an eyes-open condition on a foam surface. A single-legged hop test was performed to assess lower extremity performance. To detect differences between the operated and healthy leg, a Mann-Whitney U test was performed, and a correlation analysis was performed using the Spearman correlation coefficient., Results: Knee muscle strength and laxity were different between the operated and healthy legs (P < 0.05). Postural stability scores correlated with core stability tests (P < 0.05) in both the operated and healthy legs. In the operated leg, knee laxity and muscle strength correlated with the mediolateral sway index on a foam surface (P < 0.05). Knee flexor and extensor muscle strength correlated with the single-legged hop for both legs (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Decreased core stability, decreased knee muscle strength, and increased knee laxity correlated with single-limb postural stability. Better hop performance was demonstrated with better knee flexor and extensor muscle strength and was independent from core stability.