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Nunca como no contemporâneo o protagonismo da mulher na área da educação esteve em ascendência. Daí resulta olhar para a “mulher-surda-professora”2 presente em nossos tempos. A educação é um dos campos mais propícios para facilitar o protagonismo. E a mulher surda, nele, sente-se como sujeito diferente e útil. Com este artigo tencionamos citar a presença das “mulheres-surdas-professoras” e, com isso, apresentar suas contribuições à Pedagogia Surda3. Percebe se a importância da presença dessas “mulheres-surdas-professoras” na transformação necessária que acontece visando os espaços da educação bilíngue.

Impostas à existência como mulheres surdas serem narradas sob a ótica da deficiência, historicamente esse grupo foi e é sujeitado a diversos tipos de violência. Na atualidade mulheres surdas têm conquistado lugar de destaque na sociedade. Mas uma parte representativa destas mulheres ainda sofre por ser apartada e destituída da plena participação social. O objetivo deste texto é tensionar a reflexão sobre como as mulheres surdas na atualidade enfrentam as barreiras que a sociedade impõe. Para tanto, apresentamos relatos narrados durante o II CONALI (Congresso Nacional de Libras), ocorrido em abril de 2023, em Brasília (DF). As questões que emergiram nos diálogos realizados no Grupo de Trabalho que debateu sobre as questões de direito deste grupo trazem indicativos de como as mulheres surdas enfrentam inúmeras barreiras sociais, muitas delas impostas pela ótica da deficiência, imputando-lhes o lugar de incapazes e constituindo-as em vítimas de múltiplas violências.

Com o objetivo de apresentar a constituição do heroísmo feminino surdo por meio da identificação de nomes de mulheres surdas consideradas pioneiras em suas áreas de atuação, a presente pesquisa busca valorizar as histórias da comunidade surda, reconhecer o protagonismo feminino em diferentes espaços sociais e políticos, e ampliar a lista de heroínas surdas. Para isso, o presente trabalho inscreve-se, teoricamente, na articulação entre o campo dos Estudos Culturais e Estudos Surdos. A produção dos dados deu-se por meio da metodologia de pesquisa em mídias sociais, com uma postagem na rede social Instagram, na qual a autora recebeu 184 comentários que mencionavam 34 nomes de mulheres surdas consideradas heroínas. Essas mulheres são referenciadas pelo pioneirismo em suas áreas de atuação e pela representatividade na comunidade surda. Considerando as interações na referida rede, é possível concluir que a presença e o protagonismo das mulheres surdas rompem com estereótipos e contribuem para o empoderamento das jovens surdas, marcando um deslocamento epistemológico nas últimas décadas. Assim, o pioneirismo e protagonismo feminino constituem elementos essenciais na constituição do heroísmo feminino surdo e abrem caminho para outros modos de ser surdo na contemporaneidade.

Esse artigo tem como objetivo apresentar a escrita que nasce do cotidiano de uma mulher indígena surda, professora, pesquisadora e participante dos Movimentos Surdos Brasileiros, focalizando a potencialidade do Ser e Estar da mulher indígena surda na sociedade brasileira, bem como os direitos linguísticos e seu espaço cultural enquanto escritora e poetisa, seja em língua de sinais, línguas indígenas de sinais, ou em português. São analisados os direitos para formação cultural da identidade de famílias bilíngues de indígenas e não indígenas surdos. A metodologia deste artigo é “Escrevivência” que, segundo Evaristo (2007), é uma produção narrativa que valoriza as experiências pessoais. Como resultado, destaca-se que, apesar das legislações e demais conquistas alcançadas depois dos anos 1980, há a necessidade de novas propostas, principalmente quanto aos diversos direitos linguísticos das comunidades surdas e especificidades em relação aos direitos humanos, assim como novas pesquisas voltadas ao campo de estudos sobre as mulheres indígenas surdas do Brasil, suas línguas de sinais (LIS) e suas culturas étnicas.

O presente trabalho faz parte da investigação da tese de doutorado, propondo uma análise comparativa entre os países sul-americanos (Brasil, Argentina, Paraguai, Uruguai e Venezuela), sob o viés da política cultural da comunidade surda. Teve como objetivo analisar o atendimento às mulheres surdas no âmbito da saúde e na esfera policial. Nesse trabalho, foram utilizados os pensamentos do filósofo e sociólogo alemão Axel Honneth (teoria de reconhecimento), e da filósofa norte-americana Nancy Fraser para discussão sobre reivindicação política e social como prática da organização cultural o que inclui também a questão da comunidade surda, especialmente o movimento das mulheres surdas nas esferas de ações institucionalizadas. Foram utilizados quatro métodos: o comparativo, da análise cultural, do grupo focal e análise documental e bibliográfica (física e digital), de fontes de trabalhos em diversas áreas. Como resultado percebemos que, embora a pesquisa tenha abrangido diferentes países, as conquistas de direitos das mulheres surdas nas políticas públicas de saúde e de segurança pública, apresentam semelhanças e diferenças na comparação entre os países.

O presente artigo tem como objetivo dar visibilidade às mulheres surdas cientistas. Com efeito, pretendeu-se apresentar brevemente a história da vida acadêmica de quatro mulheres surdas, a saber, uma astrônoma estadunidense, nascida no século XIX, e três pesquisadoras brasileiras. Consideramos ser relevante este tipo de levantamento como uma forma de valorização destas mulheres no âmbito acadêmico, espaço ainda fortemente marcado pelo sexismo.

Este trabalho se concentra no estudo de caso de Sônia Maria de Jesus, uma mulher negra-surda residente na região sul do país, que viralizou em vários veículos de comunicação, por ter sido submetida a condições análogas à escravidão por aproximadamente quatro décadas. A pesquisa foi motivada pela ampla repercussão do caso e por investigá-lo a partir da análise de reportagens veiculadas em jornais eletrônicos. As análises foram baseadas nos conceitos de epistemicídio surdo, privação linguística e violência linguística, buscando conhecer a história dessa personalidade, a partir do que foi falado sobre ela nas reportagens e, refletir/problematizar as intenções discursivas presentes por trás das matérias selecionadas. Para isso, elegemos três fontes provenientes da internet, especificamente de jornais eletrônicos. O objetivo central desta pesquisa é lançar luz sobre a privação e violência linguística, bem como o epistemicídio surdo, a fim de promover uma compreensão mais profunda desses temas. O estudo inclui uma análise da nota de repúdio emitida por doutores surdos e doutoras surdas em resposta à história em questão. A nota de repúdio é contextualizada dentro do debate sobre privação linguística, epistemicídio surdo e violência linguística oferecendo uma perspectiva autorizada da comunidade surda acadêmica sobre essas questões complexas.

Este texto apresenta parte da pesquisa em Dissertação de Mestrado (Tavares, 2024), promovendo reflexão do papel do professor Surdo na educação de Surdos. A partir de teóricos como Quadros (2011), Rocha & Nascimento (2019), entre outros, procurou-se entender o ensino bilíngue para crianças Surdas na Educação Básica, além de conceitos relacionados à aquisição e aprendizagem de língua (L2), iconicidade dos Sinais, uso de Insumo, e ao processo de aprendizagem do português a partir da Libras enquanto língua de instrução. A partir da metodologia da pesquisa-ação, analisamos nossa própria prática pedagógica ao repensar sobre nossos desafios e problemáticas neste contexto específico de ensino de português para Surdos. Por fim, consolidamos a validade dos materiais didáticos bilíngues para Surdos (doravante, MDBS) e suas ramificações que trazem o Letramento Visual como uma possibilidade no ensino-aprendizagem de alunos Surdos, aproximando-se de um contexto visual tal qual pessoas Surdas veem e sentem o mundo.

Los problemas de las mujeres sordas en Colombia han tenido poca difusión y, por consiguiente, escasea la discusión e investigación en el tema. Y en caso de discutirse, se aprecia una baja representatividad de ellas en espacios académicos y políticos para incidir positivamente a su favor como minoría lingüística. Este ensayo recoge algunos hechos y experiencias para abrir el camino a la reflexión y así aportar una interpretación sobre la magnitud de los retos de la diversidad femenina sorda, bajo la figura de un Sísifo femenino como imagen representativa de la magnitud del problema, que enfrenta en cuanto a la discriminación y la violencia en Colombia.

O presente estudo se fundamenta nas discussões levantadas por diversos pesquisadores sobre a acessibilidade da saúde da mulher. São apresentadas as dificuldades de compreensão nos serviços de saúde – tanto para os profissionais do ramo quanto para os pacientes surdos, onde são trazidos relatos de insatisfação de ambas as partes com relação à comunicação. Desta forma, a presente pesquisa tem como objetivo apresentar os trabalhos já desenvolvidos no escopo da acessibilidade em saúde da mulher, especialmente com vistas a produzir o Glossário Bilíngue (Libras-Português) de Saúde da Mulher. Para isso, optou-se por uma busca preliminar de estudos que compõem a revisão de literatura, reunindo as perspectivas de pesquisadores e estudiosos da área. Os resultados se apresentam inicialmente em forma de tabela com sinais em Libras, a partir de vídeos disponíveis gratuitamente nas plataformas digitais. Foram elaboradas cinco fichas terminológicas que indicam uma parte dos 73 sinais-termo que estão sendo desenvolvidos. A elaboração dos materiais demonstrou atender uma carência que ainda se observa quanto à comunicação médico-paciente – que deve estar pautada nos direitos preconizados pelas legislações. Além disso, este estudo buscou incentivar a produção de novos materiais e conteúdos sobre o assunto em tela.

Background: Undergraduate students from all fields of study are under constant perceived stress due to workload, and their perceptions about academic success. Determining the difference in the perception of Academic stress to cope with it. Objective: To determine the differences in perceptions of academic stress among medical and non-medical undergraduates. Materials and Methods: In this comparative cross-sectional study, data was collected through a stratified sampling technique from undergraduate medical (n=200) and non-medical (n=200) students. This research included male and female undergraduate students with a minimum of 50% attendance. Data was collected through the Perception of Academic Stress Scale (PASS) to measure the perception of academic stress. An online structured questionnaire was shared through a communication media platform and data analysis was made through SPSS version 27. Results: There were n=179 male undergraduates and n=221 female undergraduate students. The overall PASS score showed no significant difference (p≥0.05) in Perceived Academic stress in Medical and Non-Medical Undergraduate students and between male and female students. Conclusions: This study found moderate level of Perceived academic stress to be the most prevalent with no significant difference in the perception of academic stress between medical and non-medical students. Additionally, it showed that male and female students experienced similar levels of academic stress.

Background: In sports and for physical fitness capacity explosive strength is of great significance, as the players regularly require high-intensity actions as fast as possible. Objective: to compare the effects of resistance training with resistance bands and resistance training with dumbbells on the explosive strength performance of male track & field athletes Materials & Methods: A randomized control trial study design was used for this study, the participants were male track & field athletes, aged above 18 years and above actively involved in any competitive sports. a total of n=60 participants were equally divided into three groups i.e., Resistance band group (RBG), Dumbbells Resistance Group (DRG), and control group (CG). The vertical jump and standing board jump tests were performed to evaluate the explosive power at the baseline and after the 8th-week intervention. Results: There was a significant difference among the groups when comparing the vertical jump (p

Background: Tear production increases ocular surface health and improves visual clarity. Which facilitates the physical activity comfortably. Different dosages of glucose intake had a significantly varying impact on tear production in euglycemic, initially decreasing followed by an increase. Objective: to compare the effect of 0.5% and 1% glucose intake on tear production in euglycemic. Methodology: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with n=200 participants at Irfan Eye Care Hospital Peshawar, from September 2022 to May 2023. The participants were euglycemic without any ocular and systemic pathology and determined its effect on tear production. The participants were divided into two groups equally for 0.5% and 1% glucose intake. Tear production was measured at baseline, after 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 120 minutes, and 150 minutes with the Schirmer test. Results: There was a significant reduction of tear production from baseline to 120 minutes (p

Background: Sufficient literature is available regarding Functional Electrical stimulation (FES) for its effects on the function of both the upper limb and lower limb. However, there is still a lack of literature that describes accurate frequency and time duration of FES in improving lower limb functions. Therefore, this review aimed to report the effects of FES regarding its various frequencies, duration, and intensity in improving lower limb muscle strength, gait, posture, and quality of life in patients with stroke. Methods: We included all those individuals with stroke (Hemiplegia) both acute and chronic irrespective of its type ischemic and hemorrhagic. All patients were well-oriented without cognitive impairments aged between 45 and 80 years old. Randomized controlled trials in which patients were provided FES either four channels or bi-channels on various muscles of the lower limb only were selected. In addition, we only included those RCTs, where FES was applied with specific frequencies and durations on the lower limb only. Results: The participants in the included studies ranged from 16 to 61 years of age. The majority of the studies were conducted with a population with post-stroke duration of ≥ 6 months. It was evident that functional electrical stimulation with low frequencies is effective in improving various outcomes related to function in the stroke population (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Functional electrical stimulation with low frequency improves activities of daily living, balance, gait, mobility, postural control, and range of motion, and reduces spasticity and foot drop. For rehabilitation, it would be important to replicate the findings by conducting highly randomized control trials with high quality and a larger number of samples.

Background: Patients undergoing heart surgery experienced postoperative pulmonary problems which can result in increased hospital stay. This literature analysis aims to ascertain whether breathing exercise training before surgery improves postoperative outcomes for patients having heart surgery. Methodology: Cochrane Clinical Answers and Cochrane Database are all extensively searched. Studies that looked at adult patients censured for elective procedures are considered. Heart surgery patients participated in a preoperative breathing exercise program designed to enhance their breathing abilities, avoid pulmonary issues after surgery, and shorten their hospital stay. Results: For heart surgery patients, a preoperative breathing intervention may assist shorten hospital stays. And with intervention preoperative breathing exercises can reduce this to 5 to 7 days, potentially shortening hospital stays by 2 to 3 days., minimize postoperative pulmonary problems without intervention postoperative pulmonary complications can affect 15-30% of patients, with reductions of 20-30% while with intervention the decline in FEV1 and FVC can be minimized to 10-15%, indicating better preservation of lung function following surgery. Conclusions: Patients who received preoperative diaphragmatic breathing exercises considerably improved respiratory function and reduced length of hospital stay, which are more effective in (CABG) surgery.

Background: In combat sports athletes have a high incidence of concussive injuries that lead to short-term or long-term vestibular impairment and cognitive function. Understanding how concussion history impacts vestibular and cognitive functions, thereby enhancing the safety and performance of combat sports athletes. Objective: To evaluate the association between the history of concussion with vestibular impairment and cognitive function in sports athletes. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Hayatabad Sports Complex in Peshawar from November 2023 to April 2024, on n=115 athletes involved in combat sports with a history of concussion within the last 30 days. The data was collected through Sports Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (SCOAT- 6) was used to assess Vestibular Impairment (mVOMS) and cognitive dysfunction. Regression analysis for association of History of Concussion with Vestibular and Cognitive Impairment via SPSS version 23. Result: The mean of age of the (n=115) participants was 18.7± 2.4 years were with n=28(24.3%) mild, n=18(15.7%) moderate and n=6(5.2%) severity of concussion. There was a statistically significant (p

Background: Nowadays the level of physical activity is compromised among all, especially in young adults, which may contribute to early development risk of cardiac disease. Objective: To determine the association of risk of cardiac disease with physical activity among young adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2024 to April 2024 at Iqra National University, Peshawar after approval from the ethical committee. A total of n=102 undergraduate male and female students between the age of 18-24 years were included in the study. To determine the physical activity of the participants International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form was used. To evaluate the risk of cardiac disease was observed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program. Results: The mean age and BMI of the n=102 study participants were 23.22±3.4 years and 23.37±5kg/m2 respectively. The risk of cardiac disease was found in n=45(44.1%) while most of the participants (n=33) were moderately and (n=42) highly physically active with a mean METs score of 2881.51±2704.83. Physical activity (PA) is not significantly associated (p=0.44) with the risk of cardiac disease. However, gender showed a strong association (p

People with disabilities experience significant health inequalities and inequities compared to people without disabilities. However, there is little evidence on the frequency of health conditions and their association with disability in the prison context. The aim of this study was to compare the proportions and associations between various health conditions and different disability indicators. A secondary analysis of existing data from the Ecuador Prison Census 2022 was conducted. The variable of interest was based on three disability indicators from the six-item Washington Group Short Set on Functioning. A cross-tabulation was carried out to estimate the proportion of prisoners with different disability indicators by gender. These proportions were also calculated for different health conditions. Moreover, we analyzed the association between each of the three disability indicators and the different health conditions using multivariable logistic regression. A total of 30,612 incarcerated persons were included in the analysis, revealing that 8% had disabilities. According to gender, a higher proportion of women had disabilities (10.7% vs. 8.5%), some difficulty functioning (33.8% vs. 28.0%), and multiple disabilities (2.4% vs. 2.0%) compared to men. Furthermore, people with disabilities had a higher proportion of health conditions compared to those without a disability. Strong and very strong evidence of associations were found between different disability indicators and several health conditions, while a lower odds of drug use was observed in people with disabilities and multiple disabilities compared to their counterparts, and no evidence of association was found with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Our results reflect the health inequalities and inequities experienced by prisoners with disabilities. This highlights the need to implement targeted policies within prisons and to include prisoners with disabilities in the country’s agenda.

This study investigates the sociodemographic and contextual determinants influencing Internet usage among individuals with visual impairments in Thailand, contributing to the literature on the digital disability divide. Data from the “Disability Survey 2022” conducted by the National Statistical Office of Thailand were used. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis were performed on data from 5621 visually impaired respondents. The findings indicate that approximately 26.88% of individuals with visual impairments use the Internet. The logistic regression analysis highlights several critical disparities. Males exhibit lower odds of Internet use compared with females (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.850, p = 0.034). Younger individuals are more likely to use the Internet; a decline in use was observed with increasing age (AOR for 60+ years = 0.052, p < 0.001). Regional disparities are evident. Individuals from the northeastern (AOR = 2.044, p < 0.001), central (AOR = 1.356, p < 0.008), and southern (AOR = 1.992, p < 0.001) regions showed higher odds of Internet use compared with those from the northern region. Higher income (AOR for 5000–9999 THB = 1.798, p = 0.001), educational attainment (AOR for bachelor’s degree = 14.915, p < 0.001), and wealth index (AOR for wealthy = 5.034, p < 0.001) increase the likelihood of Internet use. Employed individuals are more likely to use the Internet (AOR = 3.159, p < 0.001) compared with unemployed individuals. Additionally, the severity of the visual impairment is crucial, with those having low vision in both eyes more likely to engage online than those who are completely blind in both eyes (AOR = 5.935, p < 0.001). These findings highlight the need for comprehensive digital inclusion initiatives that address various factors, including age-inclusive digital literacy programs, targeted regional infrastructure development, economic support to improve digital access, and advancements in assistive technologies. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers in Thailand and other developing countries, enhancing the understanding of the digital disability divide and informing strategies to foster greater digital equity.

Diagnoses of ADHD in adults continue to increase, and the number of college students with ADHD has risen in particular. Qualitative research on this population has been common, but it is not clear what conclusions can be drawn from this research base. We conducted a review of the qualitative research on college students with ADHD over a 20-year period (2002–2021). A systematic search yielded 41 papers that were reviewed in detail. Studies were grouped into four topic areas, with the most researched area being the college experience for these students. Most sample sizes were small, with a median of 10 participants, and most studies used students’ self-reports of having ADHD as the sole method of diagnosis identification/verification. Very few studies (7.3%) included a comparison group of students without disabilities. These results suggest that the qualitative research base on college students with ADHD has significant limitations, including difficulties with generalization, uncertainty regarding diagnostic accuracy, and an inability to make comparative statements about students with vs. without ADHD.

Helping people with intellectual and visual disabilities engage in activity and mobility is considered crucially important to promote constructive occupation and a basic form of physical exercise (i.e., objectives that are essential for the individuals’ wellbeing and in line with their rights). This study assessed two new programs aimed at helping eight participants with intellectual and visual disabilities (four in each program) to independently move through specific indoor destinations, collect and transport objects, and access stimulation events (e.g., music) with the support of technology systems involving a smartphone linked to mini cameras and speakers. The second program was more advanced than the first and (a) required the participants to discriminate the objects used and transport two (rather than one) of them before any stimulation event, and (b) included telephone calls to and stories from preferred communication partners among the stimulation events. Each program was implemented using a single-case research design (i.e., a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants). The results showed that both programs were effective in enabling the participants to collect, transport, and put away objects and access stimulation independently during 20-min sessions. Based on the results, both programs might be considered useful tools to help people with intellectual and visual disabilities manage independent activity and mobility.

Access to higher education has been widely open for students with disabilities (SwD) as also enforced by the Government of Indonesia (GoI). However, challenges evidently face SwD in their survival of university life including limited accessible services and facilities, as well as negative stereotypes surrounding SwD. This study aimed to explore the diverse strategies adopted by SwD in navigating these challenges, examining the nuances and implications of the deployed strategies. This review explored the experiences of SwD in higher education institutions in Indonesia and adhered to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Review) guidelines. Data were gathered from seven databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and Portal Garuda. In total, 17 of 1777 articles were selected based on two inclusion criteria viz. peer-reviewed articles derived from empirical studies and utilizing life experiences of SwD in Indonesian HE as the primary data source. The study identified the five key strategies employed by SwD: Adaptation, Technology Assistive Optimization, Requesting Support, Building Relationships, and Passive Action. Detailed elaboration of the findings is presented to shed light on the prominent insight to improve the quality of education services for SwD in Indonesia.

Innovative initiatives emerge in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. They are often place-based, context-dependent, and are not easily adapted for use in other contexts. It raises the question of their transferability. This concept has been studied in the field of public health. To explore the conditions surrounding the transfer of disability interventions, this study aims to determine the advances related to the transferability of complex interventions in public health. A review was conducted. Data were analyzed according to the concepts and terms used to describe the terminology related to transferability and the processes used to manage, assess, and report transferability. Fourteen papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The analysis shows that different terms and concepts are used. Numerous tools or frameworks have been developed to structure the identification of transferability factors or adaptations and usually require the involvement of stakeholders. Considering context is central. Finally, we identified a lack of reporting. This review provides a structured and operational framework for various concepts, including transferability as a form of knowledge generation, and implementation/adaptation as proactive actions. It emphasizes that a holistic approach to assessing transferability involves shifting the focus from transferability factors to understanding mechanisms of change and their interactions with the context. The review highlights the pivotal role of stakeholders in generating knowledge, capturing diverse contexts, and prioritizing information. Ultimately, this work will serve as a valuable foundation for guiding methodological developments on transferability in the field of disability.

Objectives: Children with cleft palate may experience hearing problems, including middle ear disorders, which require careful monitoring to ensure successful treatment. To diagnose these hearing disorders, appropriate tools are necessary. While traditional single-frequency tympanometry has been commonly used as a practical tool for diagnosing middle ear problems, the effectiveness of this method has been questioned in some cases. Recently, newer tests of wideband tympanometry have been developed and may be able to provide a more comprehensive assessment of middle ear conditions in children with cleft palate. Methods: To evaluate the effectiveness of wideband tympanometry, this study analyzed 14 young children who were scheduled to undergo cleft palate repair surgery. The children’s ages ranged from 4 to 24 months. The study involved two evaluations, one before the surgery and another one month after the surgery. Different wideband absorption parameters were analyzed using the paired t test and the Wilcoxon test. Results: The analysis of statistical data regarding tympanometric parameters before and after cleft palate surgery indicated a general enhancement in the condition of the middle ear. The study found that the middle ear pressure decreased, the absorption percentage increased, and admittance increased across all five frequencies, which is consistent with our initial assumptions. Discussion: The results confirm that wideband tympanometry can be an effective approach to detecting changes in the middle ear after cleft palate repair surgery in children. The use of more sophisticated parameters and evaluations at various frequencies provides a more complete picture of the child’s middle ear condition, potentially replacing single-frequency tympanometry assessments in the future.

Objectives: The speech and language therapy (SLT) profession in Bangladesh has been around for a decade. Yet, therapists are facing challenges in measuring the effectiveness of SLT services after providing this therapeutic intervention to the patient for a certain period. Due to patients’ demands, there is an increasing need to develop and adapt outcome measurement tools for patients with communication difficulties. Accordingly, this study examines the validity and reliability of communication outcomes after the stroke scale developed in the Bengali language for individuals with stroke. Methods: Content validity of the communication outcome after stroke Bengali (COAST-BD) scale was determined by item objective congruence (IOC) as ≥0.67 of three experts. Meanwhile, 110 stroke survivors and their caregivers from the SLT department of CRP hospital were enrolled in this study, considering one-to-two-week intervals for examining the test re-test reliability of the scale. The Cronbach α, correlation matrix, the Kaiser-Meyer–Olkin (KMO) test and the Bartlett test (χ2), in addition to the intraclass correlation coefficient, were applied to compute the psychometric properties of the scale. Exploratory factor analysis was applied to identify the potential item structure in the scale. Results: The Cronbach α coefficient for the internal consistency of the overall scale was 0.97 and 0.89. The interclass correlation coefficient for the test re-test reliability of the COAST-BD scale was 0.96 and the composite reliability score ranged from 0.70 to 0.91. The COAST-BD scale estimated correlated values among its subscales on visit-1 (0.370 to 0.661) and visit-2 (0.288 to 0.520), respectively. The KMO test and χ2 were also calculated correlation values on visit-1 (KMO=0.628; χ2=82.90) and visit-2 (KMO=0.614; χ2=48.10), respectively. Discussion: The COAST-BD scale showed significant internal consistency, test re-test reliability, correlation matrix, and construct validity.

Objectives: COVID-19 was triggered by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, leading to a pandemic. The risk of developing dysphonia and dysphagia amongst COVID-19 patients is considered to be high. Methods: In this prospective study, 150 patients affected by COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and the ward of Firoozgar Hospital in Tehran, Iran, were analyzed. Dysphagia and dysphonia were evaluated according to the swallowing impairment score and the consensus auditory-perceptual evaluation of voice (CAPE-V). Also, the quality of life (QoL) was measured using the Persian version of the voice handicap index, the swallowing QoL and the Persian version of the dysphagia handicap index (DHI). Results: A total of 150 COVID-19 patients (mean age: 59.64±17.87 years and 54.3% male; 75 admitted patients to the ICU and 75 patients admitted to the ward) were evaluated. A total of 115(77%) patients with COVID-19 were experiencing dysphagia, and the prevalence of dysphagia did not vary meaningfully between the two sets. According to the swallowing QoL, the QoL of the two groups was meaningly different (P

Objectives: People who stutter (PWS) experience many problems in their lives in addition to speech fluency disorder. Meanwhile, stuttering reduces their quality of life (QoL). QoL depends on different social, economic, and cultural conditions of societies. Considering that there is no specific questionnaire to investigate the QoL in Iranian PWS; this study develops and evaluates the psychometric properties of a stuttering related QoL questionnaire (SRQoLQ). Methods: First, by interviewing 11 PWS, with the help of 10 speech-language pathologists in the stuttering field, in addition to reviewing the literature, initial items were developed and a preliminary version of the SRQoLQ was designed. The content validity of the SRQoLQ was evaluated using two qualitative and quantitative methods (determining content validity ratio and content validity index) using the opinions of 12 experts. The qualitative method was also used to determine the face validity and interviews were conducted with 10 PWS. Finally, the reliability of the SRQoLQ was investigated through internal consistency and test re-test reliability with the participation of 83 and 30 PWS, respectively. Results: Interviews with PWS and experts in addition to literature review led to the development of a questionnaire with 40 items. After determining content and face validity, the number of items in the SRQoLQ was reduced to 32. The results of calculating the Cronbach α coefficient showed the appropriate reliability of the SRQoLQ (0.96). The intraclass correlation coefficient of the SRQoLQ items in the test re-test phase ranged from 0.6 to 0.95. Moreover, the intraclass correlation coefficient value of the SRQoLQ was 0.95. Discussion: A suitable tool was developed to evaluate the QoL of PWS, and its psychometric properties were investigated. Based on the results, the SRQoLQ for PWS is a valid and reliable tool with 32 items that can be used for clinical or research purposes in the field of stuttering.

Objectives: This study determines the effect of the Bobath approach versus task task-oriented approach for motor activity, activities of daily living and quality of life (QoL) in young stroke patients. Methods: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 60 patients participated in this study from different clinical setups (30 subjects in each group). The patients were analyzed after a three-month follow-up with the following three assessment tools: Barthel index (BI) scale for assessment of activities of daily living, motor assessment scale (MAS) for motor function and stroke-specific QoL scale (SSQOL) in post-stroke patients. Results: This study included two treatment groups (group A and group B) with an equal distribution of participants. Paired sample t-tests were applied to compare pre and post-treatment measures within each group. The results indicated significant changes in several measures. In pair 1 (pre-BI vs post-BI), the index showed a significant improvement after treatment. In pair 2 (pre-MA vs post-MA), the index also showed a significant improvement after treatment. However, in pair 3 (pre-SSQOL vs post-SSQOL), there were no significant changes in the SSQOL index. Furthermore, the independent sample t-tests were conducted to compare the measures between the groups. Accordingly, the results showed significant differences in some measures. In terms of pre-treatment BI and post-treatment BI, group A showed a significantly higher improvement after treatment. Meanwhile, group A showed a significantly higher improvement after treatment in pre-treatment MA and post-treatment MA. However, in pre-treatment SSQOL and post-treatment SSQOL, there were no significant differences between group A and group B in terms of SSQOL after treatment. Discussion: This study shows improvement in both treatment groups and effectiveness after the assessment of three different tools which assessed the overall body function of young stroke patients. Following the application of these tools, this study concluded which treatment is most effective as compared to other approaches in young stroke patients. However, in previous studies in which Bobath treatment was also compared with the motor relearning approach in geriatric stroke patients, in patients treated according to motor relearning, in patients who had a short stay in hospitals and those who were treated according to both treatment groups demonstrated effective improvement of body function; however, that study confirmed better results according to gender-wise description, i.e. women treated by motor relearning programme (MRP) are more effective and have better results compared to the Bobath approach.

Objectives: This study examined how women with low back pain (LBP) responded to comprehensive physical exercises (CPEs) combined with cognitive functional therapy (CFT) in terms of pain, disability and postural sway (PS). Methods: A total of 45 women with non-specific chronic LBP (NSCLBP) participated in this quasi-experimental study. The participants were randomly assigned to the CPEs, CPEs combined with CFT and control group (CG) (15 participants per group). The McGill pain questionnaire, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire, and Zebris platform were used to assess pain, disability and PS in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions with eyes open and closed. For eight weeks, the participants engaged in both CPEs and CPEs combined with CFT. The CG continued their usual routine. The multivariate analysis of variance statistical test with repeated measures design was used to analyze the data (P

Objectives: Children with learning disabilities have problems with processing speed, reaction inhibition, attention and perception, hearing, and visual clarity. Accordingly, this study examines the effects of cognitive rehabilitation on processing speed, response inhibition, attention, and Perceptual Reasoning in students with mathematics learning disabilities. Methods: This was a semi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The statistical population included all third-grade students with mathematics problems in Tehran City, Iran, in 2017. They were referred to Roozbeh Counseling and Rehabilitation Clinic for treatment and met the inclusion criteria. A total of 30 students were selected from among these individuals using the purposive sampling method. The participants were assigned to experimental (n=15) and control groups (n=15). The participants in the experimental group underwent a 20-session cognitive rehabilitation program. The Grant and Beck Wisconsin test (1948), the Wechsler intelligence test (2003), the fourth edition, the Sarrold continuous achievement test (1956), and the Toulouse-Piron attention test (1986) were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using the multivariate analysis of variance and the SPSS software, version 22. Results: Cognitive rehabilitation strategies effectively affect information processing speed, responsiveness, attention and perceptual reasoning in children with math learning disabilities (P

Objectives: Rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) is a common upper extremity musculoskeletal condition in the working population, often leading to prolonged work absences. This study assesses and contrasts the impacts of Mulligan mobilization (MWM) and transverse friction massage in individuals with RCS. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted at Northwest General Hospital and Research Centre in Peshawar from January to June 2023. The trial involved 42 participants in the age range of 30 and 70 years who had grade I/II rotator cuff tear and pain. These participants were randomly divided into two groups. Group A was administered MWM, while group B received transverse friction massage in addition to standard care. Both groups received a six-week treatment and were evaluated at the beginning, third and sixth weeks using the visual analogue scale to measure pain, goniometry to assess shoulder range, and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire to evaluate physical function. Results: The between-group comparison showed a significant difference in VAS, shoulder ranges, and DASH scores in both groups in the third and sixth weeks (P

Objectives: This study evaluates the effects of combining aerobic running and anaerobic Pilates exercises to reduce fatigue improve cardiovascular and muscular fitness, and enhance the quality of life (QoL) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods: A total of 19 SLE patients with index SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores ≤4 were randomly assigned into an intervention group (n=10), undertaking the combined exercise program, and a control group (n=9), undertaking normal activities of daily living only. The combined exercise program lasted 8 weeks and consisted of three 1-h weekly sessions. In both groups, functional capacity, cardiovascular fitness, muscle endurance capacity and QoL were assessed before and following the programmed activity or ADL only. The data were analyzed by the SPSS software, version 18 at the significance level of 0.05. Results: The results confirm that this combined exercise program provides significant benefits over activities of daily living concerning pre-test and post-test difference scores for functional capacity (VO2peak 1.86±1.45 vs -0.95±1.43 mL/min/kg, P

The upper limb plays a crucial role in daily life activities, self-care, work, leisure, and social activities. It enables a person to perform essential tasks, such as eating, drinking, writing and searching the environment, leading to increased cognition and intelligence in children. Various disorders in children (for instance, Erb palsy, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, muscular dystrophy, neuropathy) and adults (such as stroke and central, and peripheral nerve damage) can affect the functioning of the upper limb. While mobility aids exist for individuals with lower limb disabilities, there is a lack of suitable technical solutions for those with upper limb disorders because of structural and joint complications. Minimum muscle strength, at level 3 or higher, is necessary for limb movement, and this strength can be affected by neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, resulting in a limited range of motion or no movement.

Objectives: The outstanding performance of Paralympic athletes improves their quality of life and resilience. The present study explores the role of mental toughness in predicting resilience and distress tolerance in Paralympic athletes. Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted on Paralympic athletes who were members of the Iran Sports Federation for the Disabled (IRISFD) and were invited to attend the Paralympic games. The participants were 128 Paralympic athletes (n=60 women and n=68 men) who were selected via the simple random sampling method. The data were collected using the mental toughness questionnaire-48 (MTQ48), the Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC) and the distress tolerance scale (DTS). The collected data were analyzed using the multiple regression analysis by the SPSS software, version 26. Results: The results showed that mental toughness can predict resilience and distress tolerance in Paralympic athletes. Moreover, mental toughness accounted for 47.8% of the variances in resilience and 28.6% of the variance in distress tolerance. In addition, the analysis of the standard beta coefficients showed that mental toughness can positively and significantly predict resilience and distress tolerance in Paralympic athletes, with β coefficients equal to 0.69 and 0.53, respectively. Discussion: Mental toughness is a psychological construct that affects the performance and success of Paralympic athletes and increases their resilience and distress tolerance. Thus, a part of the preparation process, namely training and skill development programs for Paralympic games should focus on the mental toughness of athletes.

Objectives: This study tests the internal structure of the nurturance fathering scale (NFS) in the context of adolescents in Indonesia. Adolescents’ perception of paternal presence is important as it has positive impacts on young people’s lives. Father care is not necessarily present in Indonesia’s cultural context. This context underpins the need for a strong scale to measure adolescents’ perceptions of father nurturance. Methods: The data were collected through self-report using the adaptation of the NFS. Methods used for the current study include a confirmatory factor analysis to assess the internal structure of NFS. The total number of respondents to the study was 324 adolescents. Results: Eight items from the NFS adapted in the Indonesian version are fit for the sample of adolescents in Indonesia, based on several fit indicators as follows: Comparative fit index (CFI)=0.998, trophic level index=0.998, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)=0.074, standardized root mean square residual=0.037. Meanwhile, the factor loading ranged from 0.808 to 0.947 and the cronbach α coefficient=0.938. Discussion: The Indonesian iteration of the NFS demonstrates great potential and could prove beneficial in future investigations. It can serve as a foundation for formulating specific policies. The outcomes of this study will act as a catalyst, propelling the advancement of subsequent research about paternal caregiving, particularly within the Indonesian context.

Objectives: The working situation of railway traffic control rooms (RTCR) employees makes them susceptible to human error. On the other hand, the occurrence of human error by these staff can lead to catastrophic events. Due to the lack of a standard questionnaire in estimating the probability of monthly human errors in employees of the RTCR, this study designs and validates such a tool. Methods: In this mixed-method research, an initial questionnaire of 67 questions was designed, using the literature review and experts’ experiences. To standardize and validate this questionnaire, the opinions of 15 experts, including university professors and experienced people working in control rooms were used. To determine the validity of the questionnaire, two indexes content validity index and content validity ratio were used. Meanwhile, to check the reliability, the weighted kappa coefficient was used. Results: All the initial questions were accepted and a final questionnaire with 67 questions was compiled in two sections for employees of the central control room and employees working in other RTCR. The content validity index values of the questionnaire were 0.9, 0.9 and 0.92 in terms of simplicity, relevancy and clarity, respectively. The content validity ratio value was 0.87. The reliability of this questionnaire was also confirmed by obtaining 73.71%, 87.14% and 80.31% for the minimum, maximum and average percentage of agreement between the questions, respectively. Discussion: The designed questionnaire can estimate the probability of monthly human errors among RTCR employees and can be used in future studies.

Objectives: This study conducts a comparative analysis of the temporal facets of velopharyngeal coarticulation in Persian-speaking adults, differentiating between subjects with and without cleft palate, across three distinct vowel contexts. Methods: The study included 14 adults who had undergone cleft palate repair, with or without cleft lip and presented moderate to severe hypernasality. Another 14 adults without cleft palate were included in the study. The age range of participants was 18 to 50 years. By utilizing the Praat software, version 6.1.50, the study obtained data for the four temporal parameters by analyzing acoustic waveforms and spectrograms within three distinct vowel contexts. The analysis included the calculation of ratios of nasalization duration to neutralize the influence of speech rate variations between the cleft palate and control groups. Results: The results revealed that adults with cleft palate exhibited significantly extended durations for the four temporal parameters compared to the control group (P

Objectives: This scoping review allows a better understanding of current evidence regarding mirror therapy (MT) among children to help the future development of MT intervention protocol on children. Methods: PubMed, Science-Direct, Web of Science and ProQuest databases were searched from January 2005 to January 2023 for interventions within the scope of MT for children. Google Scholar was also scanned for additional resources. The process of the present study was according to guidelines of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews. The main inclusion criteria were articles in English and Persian language and peer-reviewed empirical studies of MT for children. This study charted methodological information from articles according to participant characteristics, design, intervention, and outcome measures. Results: Of 18 studies that were included in this scoping review, 17 studies were conducted in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, and only two studies were in other conditions. A total of 16 articles were randomized controlled clinical trials, one case study and one single subject. Meanwhile, 33 outcomes were in the body structures (BS) and functions level, and 10 outcome measures were in the activities and participation levels of the International classification of functioning. Discussion: The review indicates that in future studies, it is necessary to pay more attention to other disorders beyond hemiplegic cerebral palsy; furthermore, levels of activity and participation as the outcome need to be used more.

Objectives: Erroneous perceptions about the cause of stroke may negatively impact survival during and after stroke occurrence. Patient health decisions may be influenced by various factors, such as advice, previous experience, beliefs and online information. Some patients of African descent maintain that stroke is caused by witchcraft and its related impairments can be permanently ameliorated by divination. Accordingly, seeking medical intervention is seen as a waste of resources and time, making it difficult for health professional to offer adequate care. This study explores the importance of patient education combined with physiotherapy intervention in the modulation of stroke-related impairment amid erroneous beliefs about the incidence and management of stroke. Case Presentation: This study is a case report of a 63 year-old Nigerian female with diabetes. She is a hypertensive stroke survivor with a complaint of inability to walk, weakness of muscle, and loss of functional movement in her right hand and leg from a year ago. She underwent 8 weeks of individualized home physiotherapy, such as progressive manual resistance exercise, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulations (ENS), electrical muscle stimulation, task-oriented circuit training, peripheral neuromuscular stimulation, task-specific training, and gait/balance exercise, in addition, to the use of routine drugs and diet 2 h daily for 3 days a week using discrete practice. Discussion: There was an improvement in muscle strength, hand functional abilities, gait/balance, activities of daily living and a reduction in spasticity, glucose level, body adiposity (body fat percentage (%BF), visceral fat percentage (%VF) and body mass index [BMI]) and blood pressure/derived cardiovascular indices as per post-intervention scores. Many factors could influence the patient’s decision and continuous education of the patient and informal caregivers may positively influence the patient’s condition and ameliorate erroneous beliefs among stroke survivors. We also provide evidence to corroborate and strengthen existing evidence that stroke-related impairments, can be modulated with physiotherapy intervention. We recommend that physiotherapists should include interventions targeted at increasing muscle mass and reducing body fat when treating stroke survivors to ameliorate the negative impact of stroke on the musculoskeletal structure, stroke recurrence, and enhancement of functional performance in activities of daily living.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate neuropsychological rehabilitation’s effectiveness on stroke patients’ cognitive status. Methods: This quasi-experimental study examined 22 adults with ischemic stroke of the left hemisphere (with an average age of 64.31 years) before and after the intervention. The patients had fluent aphasia (10 people) and non-fluent aphasia (12 people), along with cognitive disorders such as memory or attention disorder. Medical examination and para-clinical diagnosis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with different causes, along with the Persian diagnostic aphasia battery bedside version (P-DAB-AQ1, 2016), were conducted. The severity of language disorder and type of aphasia were investigated using the Persian diagnostic aphasia battery (P-DAB-1) and Persian picture naming battery tests. Also, the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) test checked the cognitive dimensions. Verb network strengthening therapy, treatment of underlying forms, Persian verb, and sentence production protocol, and semantic feature analysis (SFA) for patients were also used. Results: Findings show that the participants’ average aphasia quotient (AQ1) score increased from 74.80 to 80.12, and the average MMSE score increased from 17 to 22.59. The main variables do not follow a normal distribution (P

Objectives: Stroke is a major cause of disability in adults, necessitating consistent patient-therapist interactions and diligent adherence to home-based rehabilitation programs to achieve substantial functional recovery. This study assessed audio-based telerehabilitation's (TR) preliminary effect and feasibility in promoting home-based upper extremity exercises among stroke survivors. Methods: A 4-week parallel two-arm pilot study design was employed. Fourteen stroke survivors (seven each in the experimental and control groups) were recruited. Individuals in the control group received standard care consisting of visits to physiotherapy outpatient clinics, while the intervention group received standard care in addition to audio-based TR. The independent t-test and chi-square test were used to analyze differences in the clinical and sociodemographic data. The independent t-test was used to measure the treatment effect on the upper limb motor function (Fugl-Meyer upper extremity [FMA-UE] and Wolf motor function test [WMFT]), quality of life (QOL) (the World Health Organization (WHO) QOL brief, [WHOQOL-BREF]), and activities of daily living (Barthel index [BI]). Results: The overall Mean±SD age of the participants is 50±8.2 years. The FMA-UE and WMFT scores changed from 17.57 to 25.86 (P=0.02) and 28.14 to 43.71 (P=0.03). No significant improvements in physical health, psychological, and social relationships domains of WHOQOL-BREF were recorded after the intervention. However, the environmental domain showed significant improvement (P=0.001). Scores of BI did not change significantly (P=0.49). Discussion: The findings of this study provided preliminary evidence to support the feasibility and benefits of audio-based TR in promoting functional regain after the stroke. However, further studies with a robust design are needed to validate the reported effectiveness.

Objectives: We intend to find out current practice patterns in managing Bell’s palsy among the physiotherapists of Sargodha, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2022. Data were obtained from 50 physiotherapists working in various clinical settings of Sargodha with more than 2 years of clinical experience. They were selected using convenient sampling. A self-designed questionnaire was used to gather all necessary information regarding the physical therapy practice patterns of Bell’s palsy. The obtained data were analyzed by using SPSS software, version 20. Results: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) was the preferred (42%) neurodevelopmental technique used in current practice patterns to manage Bell’s palsy. The most used therapeutic exercises by the physiotherapists were facial expression coordination exercises (66%). Also, 44% of physiotherapists used electrical muscle stimulation as the preferred electrotherapeutic modality in their current practice. Soft tissue release (54%) was the most preferred manual therapy technique in Bell’s palsy patients. The combination of electrical muscle stimulation, facial exercises, and biofeedback was the most used (54%) among physiotherapists. Discussion: Current practice for Bell’s palsy treatment includes PNF techniques, facial expression coordination exercises, soft tissue release, and electrical muscle stimulation by most physiotherapists in Sargodha. The most preferred combination was facial exercises, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback.

Objectives: The focus of patients’ attention during the physiotherapy program has been reported to affect the rehabilitation goals. The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an external focus of attention (EFA) on static balance and functional ability in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Methods: Fourteen subjects with CAI, aged from 19 to 25 years, were randomly assigned to two groups: external and internal focus of attention (IFA) group. The outcome measures of the study were static balance and functional ability. A pre-intervention evaluation was performed. Following instructions to an external or an IFA, subjects practiced on a balance board 3 times per week for 4 weeks. At the end of each week, they performed evaluation tests, including a time balance test, foot lift test, side hop test, figure-8 test, and star excursion balance test (SEBT). Parametric (mixed analysis of variance) and non-parametric analysis (the Mann–Whitney and Friedman tests) were performed between measurements and groups. Results: The intervention program showed a statistically significant improvement in static balance and functional ability in both groups. The results indicated the main effect of time (F(2.488, 29.855)=43.880, P

Objectives: To comprehend the kinematic effects of hallux valgus (HV) deformity on young and older people, we assessed the angular acceleration of the joints in the lower limbs of these women. Methods: Forty-eight women in two groups, young adults (20-30 years old) and older adults (50-60 years old), participated in this study (12 healthy and 12 with HV). We used an inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based motion capture system to measure the kinematics of motion. Biomechanical variables were assessed at an ideal speed during gait (stance and swing phases). All modules were calibrated in advance and then attached to the right thigh, shank, and foot. Results: The results showed that in the young group, angular acceleration was significantly different during gait in all planes of the ankle joint, the sagittal plane of the knee joint, and the horizontal and frontal planes of the hip joint. In the older group, it was significantly different in the sagittal plane of the ankle and knee and the sagittal and frontal planes of the hip joint. Discussion: It appears that the angular acceleration of the lower limb joints was affected by HV, especially in the young group. Additionally, the angular acceleration of the knee joint was less affected in both groups.

Objectives: Sleep patterns significantly influence the physical, psychological, and social health of children, with irregularities correlating with behavioral issues like aggression. Studies highlight the association between disrupted sleep pattern and increased aggression in elementary school children, emphasizing the need for interventions promoting healthy sleep habits. This study aims to detect the relationship between sleep pattern habits and disruptive behaviors among children of elementary schools. Methods: A correlational study was conducted in Al-Najaf elementary schools, focusing on disruptive behaviors among 198 children. The study data were collected through a refined Arabic questionnaire and sleep habits scale, revealing severity of disruptive behaviors and personal information variables. Tools’ validity was confirmed by experts, showing high reliability (Cronbach α=0.91). Results: The study examined elementary school children diagnosed with disruptive behaviors in Al-Najaf Province, Iraq. Most participants were male (60.6%), aged 8-10 years (43.9%), and primarily in the first education grade (24.2%). Sleep patterns during weekends and holidays exceeded the normal range (47%), with disruptions reported by over half of the samples (56.1%). No significant correlation was found between disruptive behavior and personal traits, except with variable age, which had a significant correlation (P=0.003). Sleep patterns did not significantly correlate with disruptive behavior, although a weak negative correlation was found between age and education grade. Discussion: Disruptive behaviors are prevalent among elementary school children in Al-Najaf Province, albeit mildly impactful and diminishing with increasing age. According to the current result, these behaviors are not primarily linked to personal traits and show no or little significant correlation with sleep patterns.

Objectives: Occupational performance occurs in a dynamic interaction between the people, their occupations, and context. Stroke could affect the individual’s occupational performance, which is the basis of social life. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting stroke patients’ occupational performance. Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 55 people with stroke participated. The patients completed the Canadian occupational performance measure (COPM), Barthel index, Brunnstrom stage, Montreal cognitive assessment, and a demographic questionnaire. Results: The results showed a significant correlation between occupational satisfaction and performance with cognition, the activities of daily living (ADL), and the severity of impairment in the upper and lower extremities (P

Objectives: Children with hearing loss often undergo considerable pain and distress due to their hearing impairment, leading to challenges in engaging constructively with others. Using games, mainly through play therapy, can significantly enhance interaction and adjustment in children, especially those with hearing impairments. This research seeks to evaluate the impact of play therapy on the adaptation and self-confidence of children dealing with hearing challenges. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at a welfare center affiliated with the Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in western Iran. Sixty-two children with hearing loss were selected from the welfare center. They were then assigned to the play therapy or control group using block random sampling. The pre- and post-intervention assessments included completing demographic information, an adaptability questionnaire for elementary school children, and a self-esteem inventory. Results: The implementation of play therapy led to a significant increase in adaptability immediately after the intervention and one month later (P

Objectives: To investigate the effects of myofascial release technique on pain and quality of life (QoL) in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted to investigate the effects of myofascial release technique on patients with FM in Shalamar Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. After initial screening, 28 patients aged 25 to 45 years of both genders meeting the predetermined inclusion criteria were selected using convenience sampling. They were divided into two groups. Group A was treated with myofascial release therapy and passive stretching, while group B was treated with passive stretching alone. The McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ) was used to assess the pain, and the revised FM impact questionnaire (FIQR) was used to evaluate QoL. Results: Out of 28 participants, 11(39.3%) were male and 17(60.7%) were females. Pre- and post-treatment mean scores of pain rating index on MPQ were 46.76±10.47 and 23.79±7.43 for the experimental group and 43.36±12.7 and 30.0±9.89 for the control group, respectively (P>0.05). Mean pre- and post-treatment FIQR scores were 52.9±13.6 and 33.02±13.75 for the experimental group and 57.77±23.04 and 46.59±19.37 for the control group, respectively. The difference in the means of post-treatment scores of the two groups for FIQR was significant (P=0.042). Discussion: Compared with passive stretching alone, the myofascial release method for FM did not demonstrate significant improvement in alleviating pain among such patients. However, it is remarkable that myofascial release therapy unveiled a positive impact by improving the overall QoL for FM patients.

Objectives: Fear of falling (FOF) is common among older people and may impact normal walking in this population. This study aimed to determine the effect of FOF on cognitive-motor interference in walking among older adults. Methods: Ninety older adults with the ability to walk 20 meters and without cognitive disorder participated in this study. Three groups of high FOF, low FOF, and no FOF were identified using the fall efficacy scale-international (FES-I). The cognitive-motor interference was determined for the completion time of three functional movements, namely forward walking (FW), timed up and go (TUG), and obstacle crossing (OC), as well as the correct answer rate in verbal fluency (VF) and mental tracking (MT) tasks. The difference in outcomes between the groups was determined using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The Pearson correlation coefficients determined the association between FES-I and cognitive-motor interference in subjects with FOF. Results: Dual-task cognitive performance measures, including MT + TUG, VF + OC, and MT + OC, significantly differed between the high FOF and no FOF groups (P