Search

Introduction: In this revolutionized era, thanks to cutting-edge technological breakthroughs like 3-dimensional (3D) computerized environments, physiotherapy trainers can improve their knowledge and confidence by using such training tools. Hence, there is room for developing these technologies for training medical students to expand their skills and expertise. This study aims to identify the design requirements and key functionalities of a 3D simulation software for the clinical education of physiotherapy students in neurology departments. Method: First, by carefully reviewing neurological books, scientific articles, curriculum, and medical records, and consulting with experts, a scenario was compiled. In the next step, a researcher-developed questionnaire was designed. Then, experts' opinions were considered to confirm the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. The designed questionnaire was distributed among several neurological physiotherapists. Finally, the information elements, contents, and functional capabilities of the 3D software were determined by analyzing the data obtained from the questionnaire. Findings: The main components for the design of physiotherapy educational software were identified based on the findings of the literature review, curriculum analysis, and medical record review. A survey of physiotherapy professors was conducted using a questionnaire created by the researcher in order to enhance the capabilities of simulation software and ascertain its primary functions. Following an analysis of the data from the distributed questionnaire, 37 essential features and contents have been proven to be more crucial than the rest for the creation of 3D simulation software. As a result, the essential and fundamental needs for the patient's training in reading their medical records and performing muscle strength assessments were recognized and extracted. Based on these findings, a researcher-developed scenario for the various real cases was then established. In the patient's medical record reading scenario, the student is required to read the patient's record in text format. Similarly, in the section on cranial nerves, pictures are utilised to reinforce the student's assessment skills in addition to textual content. Together with the audio and pop-up texts, the simulated 3D environment also offers training for the assessment of muscle strength. Conclusion: As an educational tool, this software can enhance students' learning and assist in addressing the drawbacks of conventional teaching methods like lectures and hospital visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Clinical performance without documentation, assessment, and feedback may lead to an inefficient internship in the field. Logbooks are recommended to assess physiotherapy (PT) students' clinical practice in the curriculum, therefore, this study aims to design, implement, and evaluate a logbook for undergraduate PT students. Materials and Methods: The present study includes three phases. In the first phase, a logbook was designed based on the existing evidence, undergraduate PT program curriculum, and opinions of clinical instructors of the relevant internships. After that, it was adjusted based on the topics of clinical rotations. In the implementation phase, students completed these logbooks during neurology, musculoskeletal inpatient, outpatient, and cardiovascular inpatient rotations. In the third phase, a 29-item questionnaire was used to assess the students' and instructors' perspectives on the logbook. Results: The designed logbook for undergraduate PT students consisted of two major sections, assessment of students' clinical competencies and documentation of clinical experience. Sixty-nine students and 12 clinical instructors completed the questionnaires. Approximately 49% of the students and 87% of the instructors felt that the logbook's quality was satisfactory. Nearly 53% of the students and over 90% of the instructors consider the use of the logbook and its content essential. Conclusion: A logbook was developed as a workplace-based assessment (WBA) method. It was designed to cover different internships, including PT in musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and neurological conditions in outpatient or inpatient settings. Both students and instructors agreed on using the designed logbook to assess the student's clinical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The positive contribution of dry needling (DN) in conjunction with exercise therapy for patients with stroke and spasticity remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of DN combined with exercise therapy on wrist flexor spasticity and motor function in patients with stroke. METHODS: Twenty-four participants with stroke were randomly assigned to either the DN and exercise therapy group or the DN alone group. Assessments were conducted at baseline, after the 4th treatment session, and 3 weeks post-treatment. RESULTS: A significant Group×Time interaction was observed for wrist active range of motion (ROM) (P = 0.046), favoring the DN with exercise therapy group (∼10° at baseline, ∼15° immediately after the 4th session, and 15.4° at follow-up). The improvements in spasticity, passive ROM, and H-reflex latency were sustained during follow-up. However, there were no significant between-group differences in any outcome at any measurement time point. CONCLUSION: The combined DN and exercise therapy did not exhibit superiority over DN alone concerning spasticity severity and motor function. However, it demonstrated additional advantages, particularly in improving motor neuron excitability and wrist passive extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The face-to-face education was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. In such situations, online education method was used. In this study, we aim to assess the quality of online education for theoretical courses of audiology from the perspective of audiology students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 77 audiology students of the School of Rehabilitation at TUMS. Data collection were a demographic form and two quality and satisfaction assessment questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS version 17. Results: There was a significant difference in all subscales of Shourcheh questionnaire among students with different educational stages (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between age (except for social solidarity component) and gender (p>0.05) groups. The results of Kruskal-Wallis test showed a statistically significant difference in the quality scores among students with different educational stages (p=0.033), but there was no significant difference between age (p=0.300) and gender (p=0.630) groups. Conclusion: The quality of online education for theoretical courses of audiology at TUMS is high from the perspective of PhD students, while it is low according to BSc and MSc students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) refers to the skeletal muscle pain that follows the novel eccentric exercise. Although this condition is self-limiting, it can temporarily affect the function and interrupt training. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of Kinesio tape on pain intensity, range of motion, and function during delayed onset muscle soreness in the amateur hamstring muscles. Materials and Methods: This study is a clinical trial conducted on 32 untrained individuals with a Mean±SD age of 24.16±3.049 years. At first, the participants were assessed with an active knee extension range of motion, distance in triple hop test, pressure-induced pain, and overall pain before Kinesio tape intervention, and then Kinesio tape intervention was applied to the hamstrings from origin to insertion (proximal to distal) in a Y shape with a tension of approximately 30%. The study variables were evaluated again 24, 48, and 72 hours after the intervention (4 times totally) Results: Kinesio tape could significantly reduce pain intensity 24 hours and 48 hours after the intervention compared to before the intervention (P<0.05). Also, Kinesio tape intervention increases the range of motion of active knee extension in the first 24 hours compared to before the intervention (P=0.0.4). Besides, the effect of using Kinesio tape intervention on the variable of the triple hop test was significant 24 and 48 hours after the intervention compared to before the intervention (P<0.05). Kinesio tape increase in the threshold of compressive pain after the intervention was not significantly different from before the intervention (P>0.05). Conclusion: According to the present study results, the Kinesio tape possibly reduced DOMS-induced parameters like pain, range of motion limitations, and function, but it had no significant advantage in other DOMS-induced parameters like pressure pain threshold. Kinesio tape application before exercise or competition should be considered by exercise trainers and athletes. Future studies may evaluate different strategies or therapeutic applications to prevent and manage DOMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Using Simulated Patients (SPs) in clinical skills education is a common method of training students to improve their skills for future client encounters. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the SP strategy in Physical Therapy (PT) education. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from January 1980 up to November 2019. Different keywords related to the topic were selected using MeSH. Any types of quantitative study design which had used simulation-based learning in physical therapy were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers read studies and appraised them critically. Results: A total of 1049 abstracts were retrieved and after reviewing the full-text paper, 11 fulltext articles met the inclusion criteria. These studies had used simulated patients for various objectives, including replicate different aspects of knowledge, self-perceived skills, real clinical practice, attitudes, and feasibility. Based on the result of studies, SP as an educational technique can improve student's clinical reasoning skills, communication, and motivation in a safe environment. Conclusion: SP is a useful learning strategy to deliver learning activities in medical education and physical therapy curricula, facilitating feedback on students' performance with opportunities to interact with real patients and environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Kinesio Taping (KT) on low back/ pelvis pain, disability, and trunk Range of Motion (ROM) in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP) after 72 h. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients with nonspecific CLBP participated in this study. Pain intensity, Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire, and lumbar ROM were evaluated once before the intervention (KT with 50% tension) and then 72 h after. For statistical analysis, we used the paired sample t-test. Results: Pain intensity was significantly reduced (P<0.01). But KT did not improve disability and lumbar ROM (P>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results, 72 h KT over the lumbopelvic area did not improve disability and lumbar ROM in people with nonspecific CLBP while there was a significant reduction in pain intensity. The proposed mechanism of the KT effects is inconsistent with these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Position sense, one of the most accurate senses in the body, makes everyone aware of the state of the body in space. This sense is an essential ability in maintaining physical health and avoiding injury. Deficits in position sense cause balance impairments in people with mild Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Position sense requires instant and coordinated communication between the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, while in patients with MS, communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted. This study aims to compare the position sense of knee joint in people with MS and healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: Ten healthy subjects with the Mean±SD age of 27.6±3.71 years and 10 persons with MS disease and the Mean±SD age of 31.40±3.50 years participated in this study. For evaluating their position sense of knee joint, they flexed their knees (from 90 to 45 degrees) four times, and then a software calculated their repositioning errors. Results: No significant changes in repositioning errors (constant, variable, absolute) were observed in MS patients, and the control group (P˃0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that mild MS disease cannot disturb the position sense of knee joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Flexibility is considered as one of the most significant components of rehabilitation protocols including two definitions: static flexibility measured by the Range of Motion, and dynamic flexibility measured by stiffness. Generally, a normal flexibility is necessary for an appropriate posture and flawless activity in daily life. With regard to various methods that contribute to increasing flexibility of hamstring muscles, the current study aimed at investigating immediate effects of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) on hamstring flexibility and stiffness in healthy young females Materials and Methods: Ten healthy young females with the mean age of 22.5±2.67 years old participated in the study. Flexibility was measured via active knee extension and modified sit-and-reach test, and stiffness was measured based on the ratio of torque to angular changes via Biodex System 3 before and after MET interventions by post-isometric relaxation method. Results: The amounts of active knee extension and modified sit-and-reach tests significantly increased after MET intervention; the amounts of active knee extension and modified sit-andreach increased significantly (P<0.001). Moreover, the estimated hamstring stiffness decreased significantly in comparison with its values before treatment (P<0.001) Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that MET may improve hamstring flexibility as well as its stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the effects of 4-week postural corrective exercise program on forward head posture in college-aged females. Materials and Methods: This is a randomized controlled study. Twenty-one female students with craniovertebral angle measured less than or equal to 50 degrees were selected and randomly assigned to intervention (n=12) or control (n=9) group. Intervention group performed forward head posture corrective exercises in the form of stretching and strengthening exercises. The craniovertebral angle, active neck flexion range of motion and strength of lower and middle trapezius were measured before and after 4 weeks exercise program. Results: After four weeks, significant increases were observed in the intervention group regarding the means of craniovertebral angle (P=0.0001), active neck flexion range of motion (P=0.04) and lower trapezius strength (P=0.03), while the mean strength of middle trapezius had not changed significantly (P>0.05). Conclusion: Four week intervention protocol successfully improved postural alignment related to forward head posture. Thus, corrective exercise program for 4 weeks is effective to decrease forward head posture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Knee joint has the highest percentage of injuries among lower extremity joints especially in athletes and people with high activity levels. Therefore, analyzing of knee movements has an important area of research in the bioengineering and rehabilitation fields. Sharif human movement instrumentation system (SHARIF-HMIS) is a new inertial sensor designed for movement analysis. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of knee kinematic parameters using SHARIF-HMIS. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 healthy male subjects (aged 18-28 years) participated in this study. SHARIF-HMIS sensors were fixed with straps on dominant leg of the participants. Thereafter, they performed double leg drop jump landing from a box with a height of 30 cm. Linear acceleration and angular velocity were analyzed in initial contact phase. The test was performed 3 times at an interval of 1 hour. To assess the intra-rater reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) were calculated. Results: ICC in X, Y and Z planes was 0.99, 0.80 and 0.97 for linear acceleration and 0.50, 0.79 and 0.74 for angular velocity, respectively. Furthermore, the SEM in X, Y and Z planes were 0.03, 0.19 and 0.14 for linear acceleration and 0.007, 0.009 and 0.01 for angular velocity, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed good test-retest reliability of knee kinematic parameters during double leg drop jump landing. Hence, the use of SHARIF-HMIS as a new and portable device is suggested for assessing knee joint movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In sports, reaction time and anticipatory skill are critical aspects of perceptual abilities. To date, no study has compared reaction time and anticipatory skill of athletes from open and closed skill-dominated sport. Accordingly, the present study investigated whether a difference exists in sensory-cognitive skills between these two different sport domains. Eleven volleyball players and 11 sprinters participated in this experiment. Reaction time and anticipatory skill of both groups were recorded by a custom-made software called SART (speed anticipation and reaction time test). This software consists of six sensory-cognitive tests that evaluate visual choice reaction time, visual complex choice reaction time, auditory choice reaction time, auditory complex choice reaction time, and anticipatory skill of the high speed and low speed of the ball. For each variable, an independent t-test was performed. Results suggested that sprinters were better in both auditory reaction times (P<0.001 for both tests) and volleyball players were better in both anticipatory skill tests (P = 0.007 and P = 0.04 for anticipatory skill of the high speed and low speed of the ball, respectively). However, no significant differences were found in both visual choice reaction time tests (P > 0.05 for both visual reaction time tests). It is concluded that athletes have greater sensory-cognitive skills related to their specific sport domain either open or closed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The somatosensory system is one of the most effective systems in balance control. It consists of peripheral and central components. Knowing the role of these components in balance control assists the developing of effective rehabilitation protocols. In some diseases peripheral components and in others central components are impaired. This paper reviews the effect of impairment of peripheral and central components of the somatosensory system on balance control. Methods: In this study publication about somatosensory impairments from 1983 through 2011 in PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar, Iran Medex, Iran Doc and Magiran were reviewed. Medical subject headings terms and keywords related to balance, somatosensory, somatosensory loss, and sensory integration/processing were used to perform the searches. Conclusion: Somatosensory impairments either with peripheral or central origin, can cause problems in balance control. However, these problems are not considered in some patients. In these impairments, balance training is recommended to be used alongside other routine treatments in the patients' rehabilitation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]