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BackgroundThe aim of this study was to review the effects of developmental care in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting on mental and motor development of preterm infants.MethodWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane library until October 8th 2017, and included randomized controlled trials that assessed effects of developmental care in NICU on mental and motor development of preterm infants at 12 and 24 months of age, using the Bayley scale of infant development in this systematic review. In addition, data were pooled by random effects model and Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), calculated for meta-analysis.ResultsTwenty one studies were eligible to be included in this systematic review; however, only thirteen studies had data suitable for meta-analysis. According to statistical analysis, developmental care in NICU improved mental developmental index (MDI) (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23–0.87;p p p p = 0.15).ConclusionCurrent evidence suggests that developmental care in only NICU setting could have significant effect on mental and motor development of preterm infants, especially at 12 months of age. However, because of clinical heterogeneity, more studies are needed to evaluate the effects of developmental NICU care in the development of preterm infants.

Background: Sexual health as an essential component of life, has been affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Changing in sexual life has consequences for couples and society. A critical review of current literature on sexual function in general populations will shed light on possible determinants as well as at-risk groups. Thus, the aim of this systematic review is to assess the consequences of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health. Methods/Design: A systematic review of literature on data reporting changings of individuals’ sexual life during the COVID-19 pandemic will be performed. The scientific databases of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, the World Health Organization, as well as protocols and guideline related to sexual health, behaviors, function and practices will be systematically searched from the onset of the disease in the world until August 15, 2021. We will consider, appraise, and synthesize studies including the change of sexual function and behaviour (physical, emotional, mental and relational health), SRH-care and services (contraception, birth control, STIs management), and sexual rights (gender-based and sexual minorities violence). Screening of search results and extraction of data from included studies will be conducted cooperatively by two authors. The quality of the studies will be appraised and documented. Results will be compiled and presented in evidence tables. Risk of bias (the quality assessment) will be evaluated by two review authors using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool. This protocol has been conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. Also, this protocol is registered in PROSPERO with number CRD42021275387.Discussion: Given the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the people’s sexual life and reproductive health, this review aims to provide accurate information on different aspects of sexual function and behavior in populations from various age groups, cultures, and sexual orientations sexual health and reproductive care delivery (contraception, and birth control, SDTs management) and sexual rights (gender-based and sexual minority, sexual violence) to provide a better understanding of COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on people’s sexual lives The findings could be used by health planners and health care providers to address the adverse effects of this period on reproductive health and sexual lives. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021275387

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to estimate the within-day and between-day reliabilities of sonoelastography to measure the strain ratios of lumbopelvic muscles, including multifidus (MF), piriformis (P), quadratus lumborum (QL), and gluteus medius (GM), in a resting position by the sonoelastography device in both patients with unilateral discogenic lumbar pain and healthy individuals. Failthe treatment of deep infection of peri-articular fracture fixation. METHODS: First of all, the participants (n=25) were enrolled in this study, including patients (n=15) and healthy subjects (n=10). In the first session, an examiner estimated the strain ratio of lumbopelvic muscle three times by sonoelastography. The last session was held at a one-week interval. The collected data were analyzed using an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and a standard error of measurement. RESULTS: The ICC calculated for MF, P, QL, and GM measurements indicated good to excellent reliabilities in both healthy and patient groups for within- and between-intra-examiner reliabilities, which were obtained at 0.94-0.91 and 0.86-0.86, 0.87-0.89 and 0.82-0.82, 0.88-0.86 and 0.86-0.86, 0.88-0.84 and 0.84-0.84, respectively. Furthermore, the standard errors of intra-examiner reliability for MF, P, QL, and GM strain ratio measurements in both healthy and subject groups were estimated at the ranges of 0.52-0.51 and 0.64-0.65, 0.60-0.62 and 0.77-0.78, 0.23-0.25 and 0.25-0.25, 0.25-026 and 0.30-0.35, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that sonoelastography seemed to be a reliable instrument to measure MF, P, QL, and GM muscle strain ratios in healthy subjects and patients with unilateral lumbar radicular pain. However, further studies are recommended to support the findings of the present study in other patients.

BACKGROUND: Trunk muscles play an important role in providing both mobility and stability during dynamic tasks in athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the within-day and between-day reliability of ultrasound (US) in measuring abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscle (MF) thickness in athletes with and without hamstring strain injury (HSI). METHODS: Fifteen male soccer players (18-30 years old) with and without HSI were evaluated using two US probes (50 mm linear 7.5 MHZ and 70 mm curvilinear 5 MHz). The abdominal muscle thickness as well as the cross sectional area (CSA) of the MF was measured. To determine within and between days reliabilities, the second and third measurements were repeated with two hours and one week intervals, respectively. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficients for athletes with and without HSI demonstrated good to high reliability for the abdominal muscle thickness (0.82 and 0.93) and CSA of the MF muscle (0.84 and 0.89, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that US seemed to be a reliable instrument to measure abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscle thickness in soccer players with and without HSI. However, further studies are recommended to support the present study findings in other athletes.

Objective The purpose of the present study was to compare the reliability of sonography in the evaluation of abdominal and multifidus muscles size between healthy subjects and patients with scoliosis. Methods In this study, 20 healthy males and 20 male patients with scoliosis (20–50 years old) were recruited. Multifidus and abdominal muscles (transversus abdominis, internal and external oblique) size were assessed by sonography. Three images were recorded; the first and second images were taken on the same day with an hour interval to evaluate within-day reliability, and the third image was taken one-week later to assess between-day reliability. Results Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.82–0.91) demonstrated high within-day reliability of sonography in the assessment of abdominal muscle thickness in both groups. In addition, high between-day reliability was observed for these muscles in both healthy and patient groups (ICC = 0.80–0.89). Within-day and also between-day reliability of multifidus muscle were shown to be high in the healthy group (ICC = 0.81–0.88) and the patient group (ICC = 0.78–0.85). Overall, within-day reliability was higher than between-day reliability and also the reliability of sonography in healthy subjects was greater than of those suffering from scoliosis. Conclusions According to the results, sonography was shown to be a highly reliable imaging technique for assessment of abdominal and multifidus muscle size in healthy males and those suffering from scoliosis.

Background Work-related musculoskeletal pain is usually caused by poor physical conditions, repetitive motion, and adverse environmental and psychological situations. Objective This study aims to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and their work-related factors among employees on offshore oil and gas installations in Iran. Methods Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to collect data. The relationship of musculoskeletal pain with job type, rest breaks, exercise, shift program, and work period was studied among employees on offshore installations. T-test and ANOVA were used for data analysis. Results Employees on offshore installations were exposed to high levels of risk of musculoskeletal pain in their knees and back. Consequently, they reported the highest level of complaints of pain in the neck and lower back areas. Workers in drilling and tour-scheduling jobs reported the highest level of musculoskeletal pain. In the course of seven days and 12 months, the highest level of significant relationship was observed between the limbs and the work periods (tour scheduling or days-off) of the staff. Conclusion The findings showed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among employees of offshore facilities was high due to inappropriate working conditions such as repetitive work, lifting heavy loads and limited rest periods. Therefore, strategies must be considered to reduce the effects of disorders.

The present study investigated group differences between the thickness changes of the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles, during performance of the isometric supine chest raise and the supine double leg-straight leg raise tests in women with and without low back pain (LBP).Twenty women with LBP and 20 women without LBP participated in this case-control study. The thickness of the right TrA, IO, and EO muscles was measured using B-mode ultrasound (US) at rest, immediately at the beginning of performing the tests and when participants in both groups self-reported fatigue. The percentage of change in thickness of the abdominal muscles from rest to the initiation and fatigue stages of both tests was measured.The results indicate a statistically significant difference in the pattern of changes in deep (TrA) and superficial (EO) abdominal muscles thickness at the fatigue stage of the supine double straight-leg raise (SDSLR) test between groups (P 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups for the abdominal muscles thicknesses change at rest or during stages of the clinical isometric endurance tests (P 0.05).An altered activation pattern in the deep (TrA) and superficial (EO) muscles of LBP participants during fatigue stage of the SDSLR test as compared to controls indicates motor control dysfunction in the LBP group. Comparison of the activity of TrA and EO muscles during fatigue stage of SDSLR test can be used to assess alterations in motor control of abdominal muscles.

Background & Aims of the Study: Nursing is one of the highly stressful jobs. Nurses have to provide health service, in many cases, to the patients with incurable disease. Working in such environment induces severe and permanent mental pressures, which in long-run can create fatigue and negative effects on performance of the nurses. The main objective of the present study is to survey effects of occupational fatigue and the pertinent factors on the nurses working in Kermanshah hospitals. Materials & Methods: The study is a cross -sectional study conducted on 112 nurses in Kermanshah-based hospitals in 2015. Data gathering was performed using job information and demographics questionnaire and Sweden occupational fatigue inventory (SOFI). The collected data was analyzed in SPSS-16. Results: The results showed that 67.9% of the nurses suffered from low and moderate fatigue, 23.2% suffered from high fatigue, and 8.9% suffered from very high fatigue. The highest mean scores of fatigue symptoms in the nurses were obtained by burnout, inability, drowsiness, yawning, and disinterest. The results showed significant relationship between occupational fatigue and its aspects. Fatigue in men was higher than that of women and it was more evident in married participants comparing with unmarried participants. In addition, nurses with masters’ degree, those in evening and overnight shifts, nurses with a second job, and the participants who expressed dissatisfaction with their job and their colleagues showed more occupational fatigue. Conclusions: The results showed that work-related fatigue was moderate to high in the participants. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses can consider some items to manage fatigue like reducing overworking, sleeping enough, using good nutrition and enough rest to improve the work system.

OBJECTIVES Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder among different age groups, including adolescents. The purpose of this study was to compare the abdominal muscle thickness between healthy adolescents and those with LBP. METHODS One hundred sixty healthy high school adolescents and 80 high school adolescents with LBP participated in the study. All participants were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire and also a visual analog scale and the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire to evaluate the pain intensity and functional disability. Then abdominal muscle thickness was examined with ultrasonography. RESULTS The healthy high adolescents included 80 boys and 80 girls, and the adolescents with LBP included 40 boys and 40 girls. The results showed a significant difference between healthy adolescents and those with LBP in terms of abdominal muscle thickness (P .05). CONCLUSIONS The thickness of abdominal muscles was lower in adolescents with LBP. Future studies with a larger sample and a wider age range are recommended to support the results of this study.

Objective: To evaluate the eligibility of the movement-based classification systems in the diagnosis of patients with low back pain. Methods: The present systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta -Analysis guidelines. Different databases including PubMed, Science Direct, OVID, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, ProQuest and Google Scholar were searched from January 1990 to December 2017. All studies assessed the reliability and validity of the movement-based classification systems to diagnose patients with low back pain were included. The keywords used to search the studies were: �reliability�, �validity�, �classification�, �movement impairment� and �low back pain�. Study selection and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. Results: Sixteen articles were met the inclusion criteria. Of these articles, 13 studies assessed the reliability and validity of movement-based classification systems to categorize patients with low back pain. Two out of 16 articles compared patients with low back pain and healthy subjects and one article had no control group. Conclusions: The results of the reviewed studies demonstrated that movement-based classification systems are valid and reliable enough to categorize patients with low back pain. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Background: Scoliosis is common in students with a prevalence of 1-2% in teenagers and more than 50% in adults ≥ 60 years. The aim was to compare the abdominal and multifidus muscles size in adults with and without scoliosis. Methods: Forty men with and without scoliosis were recruited. The Visual Analogue Scale and the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire were used to evaluate the pain intensity and functional disability in the patients’ group, respectively. Subjects were asked to lie down in a supine position with their knees bent to measure abdominal muscles using sonography. The linear transducer was placed vertically on the anterolateral abdominal wall to record images of the abdominal muscles (Transversus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique). To assess the lumbar multifidus muscle size, the curvilinear head was used horizontally on the multifidus muscle at the L5-S1 level in a prone lying position. Results: No significant difference was found between the two groups for demographic variables. A significant difference was found between the healthy subjects and patients with scoliosis for right and left abdominal and multifidus muscles size (p0.05). Conclusions: According to the results, patients with scoliosis had smaller abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles size, but no significant differences were found between the muscle size of the concave and convex sides in the scoliosis group. Future work is needed to support the findings of the current study.

The purpose of this study was to systematically review published studies (2000-2014) carried out on the application of ultrasonography (US) to evaluation of skeletal muscle size in children with and without neuromuscular disorders. Different databases including PubMed, Science Direct, OVID, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, ProQuest and Google Scholar were searched. The key words used were: "children," "ultrasound," "skeletal muscles," "neuromuscular disease," "neurogenic disorders," "spina bifida," "myelomeningocele" and "reliability." Eighteen articles were found to be relevant. Eight studies applied US in combination with additional methods of assessment. Four of the 18 studies did not have a control group. Ten studies applied only US in the assessment of skeletal muscles in children with and without neuromuscular diseases. In 9 studies, there were children ranging widely in age, and in 3 studies US was used to determine normal values for skeletal muscles. According to the results of these 18 reviewed articles, US is an appropriate, reliable and highly predictive method for assessment of skeletal muscles in children.

Objective The purposes of this study were; a) to compare multifidus muscle cross sectional area (CSA) in male adolescents suffering from low back pain (LBP) with healthy male adolescents using ultrasonography (US), and b) to assess the correlation between multifidus muscle size and demographic variables. Methods A random sample of 40 healthy boys (as a control group) and 40 boys with LBP (as an experimental group) at the age range of 15–18 years was recruited in the present cohort study. Multifidus muscle dimensions including CSA, antero-posterior and medio-lateral dimensions were measured at level of L5 in both groups using US. Results The results of an independent t-test to compare multifidus muscle size between the experimental and control groups showed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of CSA, antro-posterior and medio-lateral dimensions so that the experimental group had smaller muscle size than the control group. A significant correlation was found between height, weight and body mass index (BMI) and multifidus muscle size, but no significant correlation was observed between age and muscle size. Pain intensity and functional disability index was significantly correlated with muscle size in the experimental group. Conclusions According to the results, multifidus muscle size was decreased in 15–18 years old male adolescents suffering from LBP compared with their healthy counterparts. Further studies are needed to support the findings of the present study.

Using ultrasonography, this study investigated the abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscle size in patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis compared with healthy patients at rest and during contraction.This research was a nonexperimental, analytic case-control study. Ultrasound imaging was used to assess the thickness of the abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles in 25 healthy patients and 25 patients with spondylolisthesis. For the purpose of this study, both men and women, aged 30 to 70 years, were recruited from physiotherapy clinics affiliated with the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Measurements were taken at rest and during contraction.There was a significant difference in abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscle size between the healthy and spondylolisthesic groups, both at rest and contraction (P.05 in all instances). No significant difference was found between the right and left for all measurements (P.05).Patients with spondylolisthesis had smaller stabilizer muscle thickness at rest and during contraction compared with the healthy group.

Objective Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common and prevalent work-related conditions. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors associated with LBP in dentists and to analyze the association between individual and occupational characteristics and LBP. Methods Following ethical approval, 300 dentists from Tehran Iran have voluntarily participated. Different questionnaires were completed to collect personal, occupational characteristics and the prevalence and risk factors of LBP. Visual analogue scale and Oswestry disability questionnaires were used to determine pain intensity and level of functional disability. Results The results indicated that point, last month, last six month, last year and lifetime prevalence of LBP were 24.6%, 24.9%, 27.7%, 28.1% and 31.4%, respectively. A significant correlation was found between the prevalence of LBP and preventive strategies, general health condition, having an assistant and job satisfaction. Body mass index, age and gender were not significantly correlated with the prevalence of Low back pain. Conclusions The prevalence of Low back pain in dentists appears to be high. Further studies focusing on the effectiveness of different preventive strategies are recommended.

Objective The purpose of this study was to review the literature to determine whether surface electromyography (EMG) is a reliable tool to assess paraspinal muscle fatigue in healthy subjects and in patients with low back pain (LBP). Methods A literature search for the period of 2000 to 2012 was performed, using PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, EMBASE, OVID, CINAHL, and MEDLINE databases. Electromyography, reliability, median frequency, paraspinal muscle, endurance, low back pain, and muscle fatigue were used as keywords. Results The literature search yielded 178 studies using the above keywords. Twelve articles were selected according to the inclusion criteria of the study. In 7 of the 12 studies, the surface EMG was only applied in healthy subjects, and in 5 studies, the reliability of surface EMG was investigated in patients with LBP or a comparison with a control group. In all of these studies, median frequency was shown to be a reliable EMG parameter to assess paraspinal muscles fatigue. There was a wide variation among studies in terms of methodology, surface EMG parameters, electrode location, procedure, and homogeneity of the study population. Conclusions The results suggest that there seems to be a convincing body of evidence to support the merit of surface EMG in the assessment of paraspinal muscle fatigue in healthy subject and in patients with LBP.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for neck pain in dentists of Tehran province and to analyze the association of neck pain with individual and occupational characteristics. DESIGN Following ethical approval, a cross sectional study was conducted on 300 randomly selected dentists at Tehran city. Different questionnaires were used to collect personal and occupational characteristics as well as the prevalence and risk factors of neck pain. The Iranian validated version of visual analogue scale and neck disability questionnaires were also used to assess the pain intensity and functional disability of neck, respectively. RESULTS Point, last month, last year and lifetime prevalence of neck pain were 19.3%, 27.3%, 29.9% and 34.7%, respectively. The prevalence of neck pain was significantly correlated with regular exercise, general health condition and having an assistant (P< 0.05 in all instances) and was not significantly correlated with body mass index, age and gender. Prolonged sitting, awkward postures and repeated movements were the most significant aggravating factors. CONCLUSIONS Results indicated that the prevalence of neck pain in dentists appears to be high. Therefore, further studies on different preventive strategies in dentists' population seem necessary.

Abdominal muscles are one of the important elements to support the lumbar spine. Evaluation of muscle thickness using ultrasonography (US) is considered to be a source of information from muscles characteristics. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate normal reference data of abdominal muscles thickness and subcutaneous fat in adolescents using US. A random sample of 160 healthy adolescents (80 boys and 80 girls) at the age range of 15-18 years was recruited. Three abdominal muscles including Transversus Abdominis (TA), Internal Oblique (IO), External Oblique (EO) and subcutaneous fat (SF) were bilaterally measured using US. The range of normal values for TA muscle thickness was between 2.31 and 2.57 mm, for IO muscle thickness was between 4.02 and 5.15 mm and for EO muscle thickness was between 2.81 and 3.17 mm. The normal patterns of abdominal muscles were found as IO EO TA at both sides. Boys were taller, heavier with greater body mass index (BMI) and had larger abdominal muscles thickness than girls. A weak negative correlation was found between age and muscles size [r = (-0.06) - (-0.23), p .05], but a significant positive correlation was found between BMI and muscle size (r = 0.21-0.68, p .05). It seems that abdominal muscles thickness in adolescents followed the same pattern of muscle size in adults. BMI appeared to be the best predictor of muscle thickness. However, further studies are recommended to support the findings of the present study.

Despite different studies on the reliability of pelvic floor muscle assessment, there is still no general consensus on the most valid and reliable method. The purpose of this study was to investigate the intra-rater (within-day and between-days) reliability of perineometer in the assessment of pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance. Following ethical approval, 15 healthy women aged from 22 to 50-years old, with no history of low back pain were recruited. The Peritron perineometer instrument was used to measure pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance. Two measurements were taken on the same day with an hour interval to assess within-day reliability and the third measurement was taken five days later to determine between-days reliability. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) and the level of agreement between measurements were used for data analysis. The high ICC values (0.95 for strength and 0.94 for endurance) and high level of agreement between measurements indicated high within-day reliability for pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance. The perineometer was also shown to be reliable for between-days measurements with high ICC (0.88 for strength and 0.83 for endurance) and high level of agreement between measurements. The results demonstrated that the perineometer appears to be a highly reliable method of measuring pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance when measurements are taken in healthy subject by the same investigator.

Dysfunction of spinal stability seems to be one of the causes of low back pain (LBP). It is thought that a large number of muscles have a role in spinal stability including the pelvic floor muscle (PFM). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PFM exercise in the treatment of chronic LBP. After ethical approval, a randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out on 20 women with chronic LBP. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: an experimental and a control group. The control group was given routine treatment including electrotherapy and general exercises; and the experimental group received routine treatment and additional PFM exercise. Pain intensity, functional disability and PFM strength and endurance were measured before, immediately after intervention and at 3 months follow-up. In both groups pain and functional disability were significantly reduced following treatment (p0.01), but no significant difference was found between the two groups (p0.05). All measurements were improved in both groups (p0.01) although patients in the experimental group showed greater improvement in PFM strength and endurance (p0.01). It seems that the PFM exercise combined with routine treatment was not superior to routine treatment alone in patients with chronic LBP.