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Purpose: This correlational study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Visual Function Classification System (VFCS) for children with CP. Method: Two physiotherapists and caregivers (n = 56) applied the VFCS (n = 120) two times at a 15-day interval. Physiotherapists' classifications were compared for interrater reliability. Same physiotherapists and caregivers' classifications' were compared for intrarater reliability. Expanded & Revised Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS E&R), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) were used for assessing validity of the culturally adapted VFCS. Results: The interrater reliability between physiotherapists was excellent (ICC = 0.974, ICC = 0.988), while interrater reliability between the first physiotherapist and caregivers was good (ICC = 0.866, ICC = 0.893). The intrarater reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.971, ICC = 0.996, ICC = 0.984). A correlation was detected between the VFCS and the GMFCS E&R, MACS, and CFCS levels (r = 0.415, p <.001, r = 0.450, p <.001, r = 0.491, p <.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate the utility, compatibility and reliability of the Turkish version of the VFCS. Trial registration number: NCT05102955 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the effects of Cervical Mobilization (CM) and Clinical Pilates Exercises (CPE) in Cervigogenic Headache (CHA)., Methods: The 37 patients were randomized into the 3 groups. The CM for 1st group, CPE for 2nd group and CM+CPE for 3rd group were applied 3 days/a week for 6 weeks. Pain frequency, pain intensity, number of analgesic, were recorded. The posture was measured by Posture Screen application, the cervical range of motion by the CROM device, deep neck flexor muscle endurance by the pressurized biofeedback device. Evaluations were applied 2 times as pre-post treatment., Results: In within-group comparison a decrease in pain parameters, neck-shoulder postural deviation and an increase DNFE and CROM were observed in all groups ( p <0.05). In between-group comparison pain frequency, intensity and number of analgesics were significant changes in the CM and CM+CPE groups according to CPE (respectively p <0,001, p =0,001, p =0,018). Head and shoulder angulation were significant in the CPE and CM+CPE groups according to CM (respectively p =0.009, p =0,011). It was determined that the cervical right lateral flexion range of motion and right rotation were significant changes in the CM and CM+CPE groups according to CPE (respectively p =0,026, p =0,040). DNFE were significantly increased in CM+CPE according to CM and CPE ( p =0.001)., Conclusion: This study suggests that it would be beneficial to add CM and CPE to the treatment plans of patients with CHA., (Copyright: © Neurosciences.)

Background and Objectives : Physiotherapy approaches are used to eliminate the problems caused by cervicogenic headache (CHA), known as secondary headache associated with the structures of the upper cervical region. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cervical mobilization (CM) with clinical Pilates exercises (CPE) on pain, muscle stiffness and head-neck blood flow in CGH. Materials and Methods : A total of 25 patients participated in this randomized controlled study and were randomized into either the CM group or the CM+CPE group. All treatment methods were applied 3 days a week for 6 weeks. The outcome measure was headache intensity and frequency, the number of analgesics, muscle stiffness and vertebral artery (VA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) blood flow. Headache intensity was measured by a visual analogue scale, muscle stiffness by a myotonometer and blood flow by Doppler US. Evaluations were repeated after 6 weeks of treatment. Within-group comparisons were made by the Wilcoxon signed rank test, and between-group comparisons were made by the Mann-Whitney U test. Results : After treatments in the two groups, headache intensity and frequency and the number of analgesics decreased, the muscle stiffness of the suboccipital, upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles decreased, and the blood flow of the ICA and VA increased ( p < 0.05). There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of headache intensity ( p = 0.025) and muscle stiffness in SKM ( p = 0.044) in favor of the CM+CPE group. Conclusions : Non-pharmacological treatment approaches have an important role in CHA related to the upper cervical region. This study suggests that it would be beneficial to add CM in combination with CPE to the non-pharmacological treatment of patients with CHA.

Introduction: To evaluate the manual dexterity of dentistry students and academicians when using a mirror according to increasing professional experience., Materials and Methods: The study included 72 subjects, grouped according to professional experience 5th year dentistry students (DS) accepted as no experience-academicians with 1-4 years experience (A5L)-academicians with ≥5 years experience (A5M). Direct and indirect visualisation using the mirror was evaluated with the completion times of the O'Connor Finger Dexterity Test., Results: The hand grip strength values of both left and right hand were found to be statistically significantly higher in all the males than in the females (p < .05). The indirect test times (ITT) using the mirror were significantly longer for males than for females (p = .001), and no significant difference was determined between the genders in the direct test times (DTT) (p > .05). For all the study participants, DTT shortened as professional experience increased (p < .05). In addition, the mean values of both DTT (p = .031) and ITT (p = .028) in the DS group were statistically significantly longer than the A5M group., Conclusion: With increasing professional experience, manual dexterity was determined to increase, and females were found to be more successful in the direct manual dexterity tests independently of the groups. The statistical significance between the DS and A5M groups, especially in the hand dexterity test with a mirror, shows the importance of experience. The study results demonstrated that professional manual dexterity in dentistry can be developed with increasing practical application., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: This study was planned to determine the factors affecting backward walking in children with cerebral palsy (CP)., Methods: The study included 30 children with CP, with a mean age of 10.43 ± 2.76 years. Backward walking abilities were evaluated with the 3-Meter Back Walk Test (3MBWT). A digital goniometer was used to evaluate proprioception, the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) was used for trunk control, a digital muscle dynamometer was used for muscle strength, and the Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ) was used for gait evaluation., Results: When the spasticity of children at levels I and II according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was compared, a significant difference was found in favor of level I in hamstring, gastro-soleus, and gastrocnemius spasticity (p < 0.05). When the results of the 3MBWT, TCMS, and FAQ were compared, a significant difference was found in favor of level I (p < 0.05). No significant relationship was revealed between the 3MBWT and lower extremity proprioception and TCMS (p > 0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between the 3MBWT and FAQ (p < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between the 3MBWT and lower extremity muscle strengths (p > 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found only between hip extension proprioception and iliopsoas muscle strength (p = 0.023). There was no significant correlation between the FAQ and lower extremity muscle strength (p > 0.05)., Conclusion: It was revealed that the backward walking ability increased as the forward walking function improved in children with CP, but it was not affected by proprioception, trunk control, and muscle strength., Clinical Trials: NCT05088629 (10/11/2021)., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.)

Background: Newborns show a series of behavioral and physiological reactions to painful stimuli., Aims: The current study aimed to determine the effect of different procedures on the pain levels of newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)., Methods: One hundred ninety-six newborns with gestational age (GA) of 23-40 weeks, birth weight (BW) between 2235 ± 911 g were included. Painful procedure (PP) (vascular access (VA), heel prick (HP), umbilical catheter (UC), orogastric catheter (OC), and intubation (I)) were recorded. Pain during the PP was evaluated with Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS). Pulse and O 2 saturation were recorded before (BP), during (DP) and after (AP) procedure., Results: NIPS total scores were found to be significantly higher with term infants (p < 0.05). When NIPS total scores were compared according to the type of PP, significant difference was observed between groups (p = 0.000). Positive correlation was found between birth week (p = 0.000, r = 0.364), BW of infants and NIPS total score (p = 0.000, r = 0.371), pulse values of DP and NIPS total score (p = 0.000, r = 0.386). Negative correlation was found between O 2 saturation values DP and the NIPS total scores (p = 0.000, r = -0.405)., Conclusions: It is concluded that as GA and BW increase, so do the pain responses of the infant, which showed that the pain thresholds of term-preterm infants are different, and decrease as GA and BW increase., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.)

This study was planned to determine the muscle architecture (pennation angle, muscle fiber length, and muscle thickness) and its relationship to lower extremity muscle strength in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). The muscle architecture (pennation angle, muscle fiber length, and muscle thickness) and lower extremity muscle strength were assessed in 33 pwMS [13 Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS), 5 Primary Progressive MS (PPMS), 5 Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS), and 11 matched healthy controls (HC)]. Muscle architecture features were assessed with ultrasonography and muscle strength were assessed with a digital hand-held dynamometer. The rectus femoris muscle thickness and pennation angle, gastrocnemius muscle thickness, and the tibialis anterior pennation angle were significantly lower in pwMS compared to HC (p < 0.05). The strength of hip flexors, hip extensors, knee extensors, foot plantar, and foot dorsi flexors were lower in pwMS. In PPMS group, muscle strength of hip flexors was lower than RRMS and SPMS groups, and muscle strength of foot dorsi flexors was lower than RRMS (p < 0.05). In pwMS, positive correlations were found, between knee flexor strength and biceps femoris pennation angle. Also knee extensor strength and rectus femoris fiber length and muscle thickness were correlated positively (p < 0.05). According to our results the muscle architecture is affected in MS. The determination of architectural changes of lower extremity muscles may guide the arrangement of optimal strength exercises in functional rehabilitation programs.ClinicalTrials: NCT03766698., (© 2021. Belgian Neurological Society.)

Background: The 3-meter backward walk test (3MBWT) evaluates neuromuscular control, proprioception, protective reflexes, fall risk, and balance. This study aimed to examine the reliability, validity, and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the 3MBWT in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS)., Methods: 40 pwMS (8 male, 32 female) were included in the study. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was used for the reliability of the 3MBWT. MDC estimates were calculated using baseline data. The validity of the 3MBWT was evaluated by the correlation between The Timed Up and Go test (TUG), The 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12), The 2 Min Walk Test (2MWT), The Timed 25-Foot Walk Test (T25FW), and The Four Square Step Test (FSST) RESULTS: The intra-rater (ICC 0.944-0.945) and inter-rater (ICC 0.932-0.935) reliability of the 3MBWT was determined to be excellent. MDC values for intra-rater were 1.13-1.30 sec, and MDC values for inter-rater were 1.10-1.24 sec. The correlation with 3MBWT, TUG, MSWS-12, and 2MWT was found to be statistically significant., Conclusion: The 3MBWT was found to be valid and reliable in pwMS. It is a short and easily applied test in outpatient and inpatient clinics without any need for equipment. According to the MDC results, small differences in pwMS can be adequately detected with 3MBWT. Therefore, it may be a clinically suitable test for detecting subtle changes in synergistic motor functions related to prorioception in relapsing or remitting periods. It, also may add some more information on to EDSS data for following the disease progression as well as treatment responses., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between physical activity level and disease severity, anxiety level, sleep quality, and fatigue in patients followed up with COVID-19 diagnosis., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 111 volunteer patients who were receiving treatment with COVID-19 diagnosis at the Chest Diseases Polyclinic, Sanko University, Sani Konukoğlu Practice and Research Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey between May 2021 and July 2021 were included in the study and classified clinically and radiologically. They were evaluated on the basis of demographic characteristics, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Fatigue Severity Scale., Results: Approximately 63% of the patients did not have a habit of exercise, while 52.3% of our patients were clinically mild cases, and 33.3% had normal lung tomography. While clinical disease severity was not associated with exercise habits, sleep quality was impaired in clinically severe patients., Conclusion: The results of our study suggested that physical inactivity is common. Anxiety is a frequent symptom in COVID-19 cases and also COVID-19 negatively affects sleep quality., (Copyright: © Saudi Medical Journal.)