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Background/aim: This study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of conventional physical therapy (CPT) methods for knee osteoarthritis (OA) and transfer energy capacitive and resistive (TECAR) therapy, a relatively new and increasingly used treatment modality, based on patient clinical outcomes assessments. Materials and methods: Two groups of 54 patients, aged 40 to 75, were randomly assigned. CPT was given to both groups. In addition to CPT, Group 2 underwent TECAR therapy for six sessions, three times a week for two weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to measure the disability and pain levels of each patient before and at the end of treatment and at 1 month and 3 months. Additionally, goniometric measurements of each patient's knee joint range of motion and isometric quadriceps muscle strength were taken. Results: Significant improvements were noted in the VAS, WOMAC, and isometric quadriceps strength ratings in both groups between the pre- and posttreatment follow-ups. However, there was no discernible difference between the groups. Conclusion: For the conservative treatment of OA in the knee, TECAR therapy may be a helpful therapeutic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the neuropathic component of chronic musculoskeletal pain in post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and examine the relationship between neuropathic pain and clinical and demographic characteristics. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study included 163 adult patients (85 females, 78 males; mean age: 41.7±4.3 years; range, 22 to 50 years) with post-COVID-19 musculoskeletal pain between February 1, 2021, and April 30, 2021. Demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, sex, affected site, duration, and severity of post-COVID-19 musculoskeletal pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), as well as a neuropathic component of pain using the Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS), were collected. The most common post-COVID-19 symptoms, presence of hospitalization, and length of hospital stay during active COVID-19 infection were recorded from the patient records. Results: The mean duration and severity of pain were 7.85±1.53 months and 5.09±1.95, respectively. Half of the patients were hospitalized, and the mean length of hospital stay was 12.15±18.06 days. The most common pain sites were upper and lower back pain, followed by leg and arm pain. A total of 92 (56.4%) patients had previously received pharmacological or nonpharmacological treatment for post-COVID-19 musculoskeletal pain. Based on the LANSS (scores >12), 31 (19%) patients had neuropathic pain. There was a significant correlation between the presence of neuropathic pain and pulmonary involvement/symptoms. The presence and length of hospital stay were correlated with LANNS scores (p<0.05). The frequency, LANSS scores, and VAS-pain scores of the patients with and without neuropathic pain were similar between male and female patients (p>0.05). Conclusion: The neuropathic component of chronic musculoskeletal pain may be common, as one-fifth of our patients had neuropathic pain as assessed by the LANNS. Therefore, the awareness of post-COVID-19 chronic neuropathic musculoskeletal pain should be increased. We believe that focusing on the identification of pain phenotypes would provide adequate and tailored chronic neuropathic musculoskeletal pain management in the post-COVID-19 period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Trauma & Emergency Surgery / Ulusal Travma ve Acil Cerrahi Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the effect of yoga-based exercises on functional capacity, dyspnea, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and sleep quality following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients and methods: Forty-one COVID-19-infected healthcare professionals (35 females, 6 males; mean age: 39.7±6.5 years; range, 28 to 55 years) who were actively working during the subacute period were included in the prospective controlled study between March 2021 and September 2021. The participants were divided into two groups: the yoga-based exercise group (YBEG; n=26) and the nonintervention group (n=15). Besides routine recommendations, the YBEG performed stretching, relaxation, isometric strengthening, breathing, and meditation exercises of 60 min twice a week for eight weeks. Clinical outcome was measured with flexibility tests (shoulder flexibility and sit and reach tests), hand grip strength, 6-min walk test, dyspnea score, Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventory, Short Form 36 (SF-36) quality of life, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) before and after eight weeks in both groups. Results: Beck anxiety scores, IPAQ scores, PSQI, SF-36 pain, and social functioning subparameters were positively statistically significant in the YBEG (p<0.05). The only parameter found to be insignificant in time and between groups was the SF-36 mental health subparameter (p>0.05). In addition, the YBEG had significant improvements in muscle strength, flexibility, functional capacity, physical activity level, quality of life, anxiety, depression levels, and sleep scores between before and after the eight-week intervention period (p<0.05). Conclusion: Yoga programs have led to an increase in functional capacity and physical performance, a decrease in anxiety and depression complaints, and an increase in the quality of life in healthcare professionals who were in the process of returning to work during the post-COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to examine the effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on gait parameters and lower extremity motor recovery in a more specific sample of individuals with chronic and traumatic incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). Patients and methods: This double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized study included a total of 28 individuals (20 males, 8 females; mean age: 35.7±12.1 years; range, 18 to 45 years) with chronic (>1 year) traumatic iSCI. The participants were randomly allocated to either sham rTMS group (n=14) or real rTMS group (n=14). We compared the groups based on the lower extremity motor scores (LEMS), the temporal-spatial gait measurements using three-dimensional gait analysis, the Walking Index for SCI-II (WISCI-II), and 10-m walking test at baseline, three weeks (post-treatment) and five weeks (follow-up) after the treatment. Results: The real rTMS group revealed a significant improvement in walking speed, LEMS score, and 10-m walking test after the treatment compared to baseline (p=0.001, p=0.002, and p=0.023, respectively). Changes in the LEMS score were significantly increased in the real rTMS group compared to the sham group at both three and five weeks (p=0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). No significant difference was observed in the other variables between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our study findings support the therapeutic effectiveness of rTMS on motor recovery in chronic iSCI. The rTMS can be used as an adjuvant therapy to conventional physiotherapy in the rehabilitation of patients with iSCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The pulmonary rehabilitation program has beneficial effects on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the response of each patient is not the same. The aim of this study is to compare the rehabilitation processes of severe and critical patients with COVID-19 infection and investigate the effects of sarcopenia and nutritional parameters on the rehabilitation course. Materials and Methods: Patients with COVID-19 infection who continued to use oxygen were enrolled and classified into severe or critical disease groups. The modified Medical Research Council scale, Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale, and Barthel Index were evaluated. A 6-minute walking test, hand grip strength (HGS), and chair stand test were performed. The thickness of the quadriceps muscle was measured by ultrasound to diagnose sarcopenia. Nutrition risk screening and daily protein and calorie intake were computed. Results: Twenty-two patients were included. The oxygen requirement at discharge was reduced compared to those admitted to the rehabilitation unit (p<0.001). Sarcopenia was present in 17 (77.3%) patients in all subjects, 12 (80%) patients in the severe disease group, and in 5 (71.4%) patients in the critical disease group. HGS and the Barthel Index were lower in the critical disease group (p=0.044 and p=0.037, respectively). The duration of rehabilitation was longer in the critical disease group (p=0.044). Daily protein and calorie consumption per kilogram were similar and low in both groups (both p>0.05). Conclusion: Sarcopenia and malnutrition were common in severe and critical COVID-19 disease patients. HGS was lower in critical disease patients, while muscle measurements were similar in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Sciences is the property of Turkiye Klinikleri and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)