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Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fate of the articles after they were rejected from the Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Turk J Phys Med Rehab). Materials and methods: Between January 2016 and December 2021, rejected manuscripts by the Turk J Phys Med Rehab were retrospectively analyzed and whether these rejected articles were published in another journal was identified. For the manuscripts published elsewhere, article type, change in the article name, and the number and order of authors were noted. The index of the new journal, the impact factor for SCI-E journals and journal quartile were recorded. Whether the journal was a national journal/international journal, a specialty or non-specialty journal, and whether the impact factors were higher, lower, or the same as Turk J Phys Med Rehab were evaluated. Results: Totally, 76% of 1,051 rejected articles were accepted for publication in another journal, after an average of 13.73 months. The name of the article, the order of the authors, and the number of the authors remained unchanged in 71.4%, 79.3%, and 80.8% of the articles, respectively. A total of 69.9% of the journals were non-specialty journals and 61.8% were general international medical journals. In addition, 32.6% of the journals were included in the SCI-E, and 70.9% of the articles in SCI-E were included in the Q4 and Q3 scope. The impact factor with 51.9% were lower or the same with the Turk J Phys Med Rehab. Conclusion: Our study results showed that a high percentage of the articles rejected by the Turk J Phys Med Rehab found a place in another journal later, and that non-specialty journals that accept general articles were more prominent in the selection of journal. The fact that an article rejected from a journal can be corrected and amended in accordance with valuable reviewer comments by improving its academic quality and seeking success in other journals may be promising for researchers who submit their articles to journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study was carried out to assess and compare the efficacies of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied to sciatic Valleix points to reduce sciatica in patients with chronic lumbar radiculopathy. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 164 patients with chronic radicular pain caused by LDH. The remaining 75 patients were studied in three groups. TENS and hotpack were applied to the lower back region of all patients. In addition, group 1 (n = 24), group 2 (n = 25), and group 3 (n = 26) received LLLT (4 J/cm2 for each point), TENS, and sham LLLT, respectively, on sciatic Valleix points five days a week, for three weeks (15 sessions). Outcomes were assessed at the beginning of the treatment, after completion of 3 weeks of treatment, and after three months (follow-up). Results: Post-treatment assessments indicated that all parameters investigated within the scope of the study improved in all three groups, except for the VAS leg pain (VASLP) score in group 3. Post-treatment VASLP and DN4 scores of group 1 were significantly superior to those of group 2 (P=0.001). Follow-up assessments revealed an improvement only in the VASLP score and in group 1. The VASLP, DN-4, and ODI scores of groups 1 and 2 were significantly superior to those of group 3. There was no significant difference between the groups in the PSQI score and lumbar ROM value. Conclusion: Both LLLT and TENS were found to be effective in treating the sciatic nerve associated with lumbar disk herniation with radiculopathy. LLLT was found to be more effective than TENS in reducing leg and neuropathic pains. Follow-up assessments revealed that the only lasting effect of the treatments, which continued into the third month, was the improvement in leg pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The study aimed to examine the reasons for the rejection of manuscripts, considering the increased rejection rates of our journal of up to 73% in 2022, and help authors realize what the editors and referees are paying attention to while assessing the manuscript. Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, original articles, case reports, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses submitted and rejected to the Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation were searched between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2022. After reviewing the referee's evaluations and editorial opinions for all rejected articles, the reasons for rejection were classified under three main headings: journal, manuscript, and ethical issues. The manuscript issues were detailed under 11 subheadings. Results: A total of 1,293 rejected submissions were reviewed. Of these, 35% were rejected at the editorial stage, while 65% were rejected after peer review. Thirty-three submissions were rejected for ethical reasons, 168 were out of the journal's field of interest, and 1,092 (84%) submissions were rejected for reasons related to the manuscript. The three most common reasons for rejection were protocol/methodology errors (44%), lack of contribution to the literature (41%), and lack of adequate discussion (40%). Conclusion: Before starting the studies, supporting the hypotheses with the current literature review, planning with the right protocol, and interpreting the findings in the discussion will facilitate the acceptance of the manuscripts to our journal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on agreement with the Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation by Cochrane Rehabilitation. Topics include incontinence while sneezing or exercising is called stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and can occur if the muscles that control bladder outlet are weaker; and Conservative interventions are generally recommended as the first line of treatment for women with UI.

This study was planned to investigate the utility of the vertical Faces Pain Scale (FPS) in the assessment of pain in stroke patients using the shoulder pain model and to assess its utility in the Turkish patient population. The secondary aim was to analyze the association of FPS with the quality of life and depression in the study population. Thirty stroke patients (group I) and 30 controls (group II), all suffering from shoulder pain were included in the study. The patients with subacute shoulder pain and with no other known diseases and impairments were recruited as a control group. Shoulder pain was evaluated by the commonly used pain scales including the Visual Analogue Scale, Likert Pain Scale and 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale besides FPS. Depression was screened using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and quality of life was evaluated using Short Form-36 (SF-36). FPS showed good correlations with the other pain scales in both the groups (r=0.950-0.972 and 0.674-0.926, respectively). In group I, there were significant correlations between FPS and physical functioning, pain and emotional role subscales of SF-36 (r=-0.432, 0.707 and -0.461, respectively). Although there was a low correlation between the FPS and BDI scores, it was not statistically significant. In group II, FPS showed significant correlations with the BDI scores and all subscales of SF-36 except social functioning and vitality (r=-0.679 to 0.848). FPS had a high degree of convergent validity and can be used in the assessment of shoulder pain in stroke patients. It may be a good alternative for pain assessment especially in patients with speech disorders and illiterate patients.

Painful stiffening of the shoulder, "frozen shoulder" is a common cause of shoulder pain and disability. Continuous passive motion (CPM) is an established method of preventing joint stiffness and of overcoming it. A randomized, comparative prospective clinical trial was planned to compare the early response with different rehabilitation methods [CPM vs. conventional physiotherapy treatment (CPT) protocol] for adhesive capsulitis taking into consideration the clinical efficacy. A total of 57 patients with frozen shoulder were included in this study. Patients were assigned randomly to receive daily CPM treatments or CPT protocol. Parameters were measured at baseline, and at weeks 4 and 12. All patients were evaluated with respect to pain (visual anologue scale) at rest, pain at movement, pain at night, measurement of range of motion (shoulder flexion, abduction, internal-external rotation were assessed), constant functional shoulder score and the shoulder pain and disability index. The first group (n=29) (CPM group) received CPM treatments for 1 h once a day for 20 days during a period of 4 weeks. The second group (n=28) (CPT group) had a daily physiotherapy treatment protocol including active stretching and pendulum exercises for 1 h once a day for 20 days during a period of 4 weeks. All patients in both groups were also instructed in a standardized home exercise programme consisting of passive range of motion and pendulum exercises to be performed every day. In both groups, statistically significant improvements were detected in all outcome measures compared with baseline. Pain reduction, however, evaluated with respect to pain at rest, at movement and at night was better in CPM group. In addition the CPM group showed better shoulder pain index scores than the CPT group. CPM treatment provides better response in pain reduction than the conventional physiotherapy treatment protocol in the early phase of treatment in adhesive capsulitis.

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Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the physical and emotional effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. Patients and methods: The cross-sectional controlled study was performed with 1,360 participants (332 males, 1,028 females; mean age: 42.3±12.5 years; range, 18 to 65 years) between September 2020 and February 2021. The participants were evaluated in three groups: the FMS group (n=465), the CLBP group (n=455), and the healthy control group (n=440). Physical activity, pain levels, and general health status before and during the pandemic were evaluated in all participants. Stress levels were analyzed with the perceived stress scale (PSS) in all groups, and disease activity was analyzed with the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) in patients with FMS. Results: Patients with FMS had worsened general health status and pain levels during the pandemic compared to the other groups (p<0.01). The FMS group showed significantly higher PSS scores than those in other groups (p<0.01). There was a weak-positive correlation between FIQ and PSS parameters in patients with FMS (p<0.05, r=0.385). Conclusion: The general health status, pain, and stress levels of the patients with FMS and CLBP tended to worsen during the pandemic. This high-stress level appeared to affect disease activity in patients with FMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Epin calcanei is a common clinical problem with chronic plantar heel pain. 'Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)' is a non-surgical method administered to patients along with a variety of other options such as corticosteroid injections, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and physical therapy modalities. The aim of this prospective controlled study is to investigate the efficacy of ESWT in patients with clinical and radiological diagnosis of epin calcanei. Materials-Methods: The study included 49 patients diagnosed with epin calcanei according to the clinical and radiological criteria. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=25) used silicone insoles and received ESWT treatment as 1000 shots in each session at a frequency of 8 Hz, 3 sessions in total with intervals of four days. Group 2 (n=24) was accepted as the control group and used silicone insoles alone. The severity of pain was evaluated using the pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) as pain at night, pain in the morning, on the first step, pain on motion, pain at rest, pain on uneven ground and pain at the end of the day. The functional level of activity of the foot was evaluated by the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) index. Measurements were taken before treatment and after 4 weeks of follow-up. Results: After treatment, both groups showed statistically significant improvement in all parameters (p<0.05). Post-treatment VAS scores showed significant improvements in pain at night and pain in the morning on the first step (p<0.05) in ESWT group. However there was no significant difference in other parameters between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of our study, ESWT application is seen as an effective conservative method in decreasing pain related to heel spur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on Fibromyalgia (FM), a chronic syndrome with generalized pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive dysfunction with unknown etiology; management of FM includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments with a multidisciplinary approach; and the majority of non-pharmacologic treatments consist of exercise training which improves the stress, muscle strength, endurance and posture.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate and compare the cost-effectiveness of inpatient physical therapy, outpatient physical therapy applications, and back school education in low back pain (LBP) treatment. Patients and methods: Between March 2011 and September 2011, a total of 105 patients (43 males, 62 females; mean age 44.8±12.7 years; range, 27 to 58 years) who were treated for chronic LBP were included in this prospective study. Of the patients, 34 received inpatient physical therapy consisting of electrotherapy, superficial-deep heat application, and basic back exercise program, 35 received the same treatment in the outpatient setting, and 36 received back school education. Each patient was evaluated five times during the study using pain intensity Visual Analog Scale (VAS), spinal mobility measurements (inclinometer), general evaluation (VAS), functional disability measurement (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire [RMDQ]), and quality of life (Short Form-36 [SF-36]). All expenses and costs for treatment of LBP were estimated. Results: At the end of six months of follow-up, all study groups had a statistically significant improvement in all variables. Improvements in spinal mobility, RMDQ, and SF-36 scores were significantly higher in the inpatient physical therapy group (p<0.001). Direct and total costs were the highest in the inpatient treatment group and were the lowest in the back school education group (p<0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of additional cost of one-unit improvement in these variables among the study groups. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that all three treatment modalities are effective in chronic LBP. In patients with LBP-related impairment in functional status and quality of life, inpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation should be preferred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]