Journal of Research in Rehabilitation Sciences
Year:2014 | Volume:10 | Issue:1|Papers Count:29

Introduction: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is thought by some authors to be the main cause of neck and shoulder pain. MPS is characterized by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). The aim of this study was to compare the effects of ischemic compression (IC) on the trigger points of the trapezius muscle in stretched and neutral positions.Materials and methods: Sixty computer operators with the upper trapezius MTrPs participated in this study. Subjects were divided randomly into two groups. The subjects in the Group1 received IC in stretched position while those in the group2 received IC in the neutral position of the upper trapezius muscle. The local pain intensity, degree of active cervical lateral flexion ROM and pain pressure threshold (PPT) were measured before intervention. Outcome measurements were repeated 5minutes and 3days after the treatment. Statistical methods of kolmogorov-smirnov test, repeated measures ANOVA, independent t and Chi-square tests were used for data analysis.Results: The results showed a significant improvement in PPT and active cervical lateral flexion ROM and a significant decrease in the local pain intensity within each group. There was no significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion: IC technique in stretched and neutral positions was found to be effective in increasing active cervical lateral flexion ROM, PPT and in reducing pain intensity. IC technique in stretched position was more effective but the difference between the groups did not reach statistical significance.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess both implicit and explicit motor sequence learnings in children with attention deficit hyper activity disorder (ADHD) and their typical peers using the serial reaction time task.Materials and methods: 24 children with ADHD and 24 typical children were separately assigned into two equal groups of 12 children each (i.e. there were four subgroups in total). For each group of children, one subgroup received implicit learning while the other subgroup received explicit learning. Repetitive measured ANOVA was applied for comparing response time and errors in different blocks and paired t-test was administered for comparing regular and irregular blocks.Results: The comparison of implicit and explicit learning in terms of accuracy (error response) and speed (response time) in ADHD explicit group would indicate accuracy (P-value=0.012), speed (P-value=0.012) and in ADHD implicit group would indicate accuracy (P-value=0.094), speed (P-value=0.954). so in typical explicit group would indicate accuracy (P-value=0.008), speed (P-value=0.05) and in typical implicit group showed that accuracy (P-value=0.011), response times (P-value=0.442).Conclusion: This study showed that explaining the task at hand in motor sequence learning is more effective in ADHD children. Therefore, pre-training sessions before performing a task should be considered.

Introduction: Apraxia, a prevalent disorder in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), is highly correlated with other behavioral and communicational -social problems seen in this population. Constructional apraxia is more common than the other types of the disorder among children with ASD. One of the conventional treatments for ASD children is the sensory integration approach (SI) that has aroused some controversy concerning its efficacy. Therefore, the present study was designed to examine the efficacy of this approach in treating the constructional apraxia of ASD children.Materials and methods: This was a quasi-experimental study conducted at one of the specialist autism schools of Shiraz, Iran in the summer of 2012. Of all children whose parents were willing to participate in the study, 21ones recruited through convenience sampling. The participants were randomly assigned to a control (n=11) or an intervention group (n=10). The intervention group was provided with the SI treatment approach for twenty sessions and the control group did not receive any intervention. A researcher-made test -the Block Test- was used to test childhood constructional apraxia. The ANCOVA test was used for statistical analysis of the obtained data.Results: Statistical results showed no significant differences between the two groups with regard to improving the constructional apraxia (F=0.2005, p=0.175).Conclusion: Although applying the SI approach is common among occupational therapists, it does not yield satisfactory results for the above-mentioned problem, according to the results of this study. Therefore, if therapy is aimed at treating constructional apraxia in children with ASD, simultaneous utilization of other reference frames beside the SI may result in better outcomes.

Introduction: Current approaches to the rehabilitation of children with various disabilities have focused on function as an effective aspect of their qualities of lives. The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) was designed to assess the functions of children with the age range of 6 months to 7.5 years. The aim of this study was to translate the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) to Persian and to evaluate the content validity of its translated version.Materials and methods: The translation process was based on the International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA) Project. The Persian version of the PEDI was prepared in three stages: the translation phase (from English to Persian and in reverse by four translators), the phase of examining the quality of the Persian translation (By eight rehabilitation specialists who were proficient in English language) and the phase of evaluating its content validity (by 15 pediatric rehabilitation specialists).Results: Raters judged the translated version of the PEDI as being acceptable. Content validity of the Persian translation of PEDI was confirmed without any need for changing its content.Conclusion: The results show that the Persian translation of the PEDI is acceptable and has appropriate content validity.

Introduction: Permanent hearing loss is one of the most common congenital disorders with an estimated incidence of one to three per thousand live births. The best early diagnostic method for hearing impairment in newborns is the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS). This study surveys the history of hearing screening, prevalence of hearing loss in newborns and results of various protocols of newborn hearing screening in Varamin city, Iran.Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 29476 neonates using TEOAETEOAE (Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission) protocol from 2001 to 2011 and TEOAE-AABR (Automated Auditory Brainstem Response) protocol from 2011 to 1312. If the responses in both sessions were desirable, the infants were referred for a final diagnosis using the ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) test and an Otolaryngologic examination. Rehabilitative interventions were provided for hearing-impaired newborns.Results: The prevalence of hearing loss was 1.6 per thousand live births according to the first protocol and 2 per thousand live births on the basis of the second protocol. 55% of this population was exposed to risk factors of hearing impairment and 45% of them did not face any risk factors.Conclusion: According to the calculated prevalence of hearing impairment in this study, UNHS is necessary for all of new born. To protect parents from the stress of receiving a false-positive diagnosis, the method of newborn hearing screening should be improved.

Introduction: low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal complication. Although there are many ways to mange low back pain, achieving a concise, simple, and compact method is required in today's industrial societies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of six weeks selected core stabilization exercises on pain and functional disability in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain.Materials and methods: Twenty patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (10 men, 10 women, Mean+/-SD age; 24.55+/-3.4, height+/-SD; 164.15+/-9.6, weight+/-SD; 65.25+/-5.04) underwent a six week selected core stabilization exercises supervised by qualified physiotherapist. The amount of pain and functional disability were respectively measured using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) questionnaire both before and after the six-week exercise program. Data normality and the rate of intergroup changes were respectively calculated using Shapiro-Wilk Test and dependent student t-test (p<0.05). Also, data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 21.Results: Our finding showed that, after six-week exercise program, the amount of pain in participants with non-specific chronic low back pain was significantly reduced from 7.12±2.13 to 3.75±2.67 (p=0.00). Also, according to the results obtained from ODI questionnaire, after the six-week exercise intervention, the rate of functional disability was ameliorated significantly as it was reduced from 40.8±15.42 to 23.3±14.52 (p=0.00).Conclusion: Based on current results, the researcher's selected core stabilization exercises by reducing time of each training session, could have a significant role in rehabilitation of subjects with chronic low back pain. Therefore, this protocol can be used as a substitute for voluminous and time-consuming exercises.

Introduction: Stroke is one of the most common life-threatening neurologic disorders and is among the most important causes of disability in adult life. Unilateral upper-limb motor impairment is one of the main causes of dependence in the activities of daily living. Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and Fugl-Meyer Test (upper limb section) evaluate upper-limb motor performance in hemiplegic patients. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the inter-rater reliability of these two tests.Materials and methods: In this reliability analysis study, 20 patients with CVA, who ranged in age from 40 to 65 years, were selected form occupational therapy clinics and rehabilitation centers of Qazvin, Iran. Convenience sampling method was used in recruiting the subjects. The participants were tested by two occupational therapists in one session. The obtained data was statistically analyzed via ICC test using SPSS-18. The level of significance was set at a=0.05Results: The ICC inter-rater reliability coefficients of 0.972 (ARAT) and 0.977 (FMT) (p<0.05) were found.Conclusion: ARAT and Fugl-Meyer Test have acceptable inter-rater reliabilities that make them suitable for being used in CVA patients.

Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is one of the most common injuries in soccer players. The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of some selected intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors on the incidence of ACL injuries in professional soccer players.Materials and methods: A hundred professional soccer players (Mean age+/-SD; 25.05+/-4.1 years, height+/-SD; 1.81+/-0.06 m) who had ACL injury considered as a research sample from several countries. The information about intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors were gathered from medical records study, interview with team physicians, and authoritative electronic databases. The chi squares test was used to analyze the data (P<0.05).Results: The result showed that incidence of ACL injury between several soccer positions on the field was significantly different (P<0.05), as midfielders had the higher number of injury (38%) and goalkeepers (6%) had the lowest. The incidence of injury in dominant leg (52%) was more than in non-dominant (48%), but this differences was not prominently significant (P>0.05). The players with 1.79-1.83 meter height had the most number of injuries (26%) and players with 1.69-1.73 meter height had the least (13%), no significant differences were find between five groups of height (P>0.05). The ACL injury in first season (34%) was significantly more than other times (P<0.05). In relation to age, the significant difference was found between the different age groups (P<0.05), so players with 22-27 years (50%) had more injuries and players with 34-39 years (2%) had the least. The injuries during the game (85%) was prominently more than training time (P<0.05) (15%).Conclusion: Midfielder players with 22-27 years at first season especially during the game are more prone to ACL injury. So coach, players, and medical staff should pay attention to this important point to design preventive program to minimize ACL injuries.

Introduction: Many studies have shown a decreased quality of life among the mothers of children with cerebral palsy due to tedious child caring activities. However, the researchers have paid less attention to the potential correlation that may exist between mothers’ qualities of live sand child-related factors like walking ability in this population of children. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cerebral palsied children's walking ability on the qualities of lives (QOL) of their mothers.Materials and methods: In this causal-comparative study , which was conducted in 2011 in Tehran, Iran, 60 mothers of 4 -to-12 -year- old children participated. Their QOL was assessed via the SF-36 questionnaire and their children's levels of gross motor function were determined by an occupational therapist. The Pearson's correlation test and linear regression was applied to investigate the potential relationships between the study variables using SPSS.Results: 24 mothers of children without walking ability and 36 mothers of children with walking ability were participated in this study. The mothers' and their children’s mean ages were 33.79±6.02 and 7.11±2.71 years, respectively. The results of data analysis indicated significant differences between the two groups of mothers in terms of overall scores of QOL, social functions, physical functions and general health (P<0.05).Conclusion: Mothers of children without walking ability reported long caring hours and also had lower QOL.

Introduction: High frequency alternating current is a safe, reversible and selective method for nerve conduction block that has been under study during the last decade as a treatment for the diseases involving abnormal neural impulses. However, reducing the stimulus amplitude, and the undesired onset response, as well as optimizing the stimulus parameters for more effective block is still researchable. In this article, simulation of the electrical stimulation of neural fibers was used to study the efficiency of the asymmetric biphasic waveforms in inducing the block condition, and to investigate its mechanism of action.Materials and Methods: Computer simulations were carried out based on a detailed model of mammalian peripheral nerve fibers. Electrical stimulation of a 51-node axon with two point-source electrodes was simulated, one for inducing conduction block, and the other for applying a test stimulus. Asymmetric biphasic waveform was applied and the neural responses including the block phenomena and its mechanism were studied.Results: High frequency stimulation induces three different responses in the fiber, based on its amplitude and position related to the electrode: no excitation, repetitive excitation and block. The proposed waveform provides lower block thresholds and by increasing the asymmetry of the waveform, the net charge required to induce conduction block was significantly reduced in comparison with the sine and symmetric rectangular waveforms. The stimulation increases the average membrane voltage and this is higher when asymmetric waveform is used which can explain the higher efficiency of this waveform for inducing conduction block.Conclusion: Lower thresholds for the proposed waveform is very important in clinical use of the high frequency alternating currents due to higher efficiency of the stimulation, lower power consumption of the stimulator, and lower side effects of the stimulation, and can be considered as a step towards the clinical use of high frequency stimulations.

Introduction: As educational policies have shifted towards the increased inclusion of students with disabilities into mainstream schools, there has been an equally increasing need for changing normal students' attitudes using appropriate strateges. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of an awareness program on the attitudes of fifth-grade students toward the sociability and educational situations of their peers with physical disability.Materials and methods: 62 fifth-grade female students from two inclusive schools participated in the study. They were randomly divided into two experimental (n=31) and control (n=31) groups. Students' attitudes were evaluated by an attitude measurement questionnaire initially presented in Gash (1993). The results were statistically analyzed via measuring the analysis of variance and the Tukey's test.Results: Study results showed that at the termination of the awareness program, the attitude of the experimental group about the sociability and educational situation of their physically disabled peers were significantly increased compared to the posttest attitudes of the control group.Conclusion: Awareness programs improve the attitudes of students towards their peers with physical disorders.

Introduction: A sprained ankle is one of the most common injuries which due to an impairment of proprioceptive receptors and decreases the stability. Therefore the risk of re- injury is high. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of star excursion balance training (SETB) on ankle sprain rehabilitation. Materials and methods: Sixteen non-professional athletes with history of unilateral ankle sprain which reported no history of neurological or vestibular impairments were participated in this study (Mean age+/-SD; 24.2±2.7 years, weight +/- SD; 71.6±3.1 kg, height +/-SD; 177.2±3.4 cm). They were able to walk with no pain then admitted in twelve session’s physiotherapy. Star excursion balance training (SEBT) which reported as a more effective program to improve functional stability of the sprained ankle was used for 4-week as rehabilitation program. The single leg balance test was carried out to measure the effect of rehabilitation program, and re-injury rate after one year. Paired sample t-test was used for comparison of data mean.Results: Results showed the positive effect of rehabilitation program, which balance ability in post-test was significantly higher than pre-test (t=8.67, P<0.001). One year after recording data, 3 re-injuries were reported.Conclusion: Due to positive effect of SETB on static balance and hence ankle sprain rehabilitation, this study could be a basis to accelerate the rehabilitation and decrease the re-injury rate.

Introduction: Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have difficulty in sustaining their attention long enough for successful learning. The purpose of the present study was to compare explicit and implicit memory skills of children with attention deficit disorder to those of typically developing children.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, fifteen children with ADHD compared with fifteen typically developing peers. All participants were residents of Abarkouh city (Yzad, Iran). During explicit memory testing, they were asked to recall auditory presented words immediately and after a delay. For the assessment of implicit memory, they were requested to recognize the previously presented words from a list words. T-test and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis of the obtained data.Results: Results showed that children with ADHD had lower abilities than their normal counterparts in the explicit memory task (P=0.041). However, the implicit memory task performed with similar levels of competency in both groups (P=0.343).Conclusion: Children with ADHD have deficient explicit memory. We propose that educational and rehabilitation strategies should be based on implicit learning.

Introduction: Attention to postural control in individuals with intellectual disability is an important issue due to lower performance in their balance. Present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of perceptualmotor training on dynamic balance in boy students aged 11 to 14 years with intellectual disability.Materials and methods: In this quasi experimental study, thirty students with intellectual disability (IQ between 55-70) and mean age+/-SD; 12.4+/-1.7 years were recruited. They all agreed to sign the consent form. Then they placed into experimental and control group, randomly. Before and after perceptual-motor training, dynamic balance was measured with Biodex medical system. Training program included threesession a week (45 min each session) for 12 weeks. Perceptual motor components including; static and dynamic balance, identifying different directions, body identification, space perception, coordinated and simultaneous movements, visual perception, auditory perception, motor planning, laterality, locomotor and manipulation skills. Paired sample t-test and one-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyze data and assess the difference between pre and post training test. Significance level was set at 0.05.Results: Results of this study showed that the anterior-posterior balance index (P=0.003) and total balance index (P=0.017) improved during post test in experimental group compared to control group. Although, medio-lateral balance index didn’t represent any prominent differences between groups (P=0.155).Conclusion: Perceptual-motor training used in this study could improve dynamic balance, especially in anterior-posterior direction in participants with intellectual disability.

Introduction Research evidences show that postural abnormalities are increasing especially in young people. Spinal column is known as the main axis of body and its vital role is so critical. Presence any spinal deformity can be caused a kind of dysfunction in body. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postural abnormalities and their relationship with age and gender in primary students in Tehran city, Iran.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of nine hundreds and forty five students were screened. Cluster sampling was used to select the samples. Adam’s forward bend test was applied to check the scoliosis deformity. Lumbar lordosis and kyphosis were evaluated by the chessboard. All data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 18.Results: Data showed that the prevalence of lordosis was 52.4% in boys and 70.9% in girls; kyphosis was 8% and 4.8% in boys and girls, respectivly. Scoliosis deformity was obtained 0.8% in boys and 1.3% in girls. Also, significant relationships between the prevalence of lordosis and kyphosis with age and gender were observed.Conclusion: According to results, administrating in screening tests among all educational grades seems to be an appropriate role to prevent more and complex deformities in the elderly ages.

Introduction Children with cerebral palsy and their parents have judged the Home Special Caring Program as an effective plan for treating problems seen in this population as well as teaching various caring methods. This program adopts a neuro developmental approach to help parents improve their abilities in caring their children and teaching them how to be independent. For the successful implementation of this programat home, occupational therapists should provide parents with a complementary educational program (holding workshop, providing a booklet or phone follow-up). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of such programs on Home Special Caring administration.Materials and methods: Data were gathered and then analyzed using a qualitative content analysis method. 15 in-depth interviews were conducted with parents who participated in and implemented the program at home for three months. Transcripts of interview were coded using inductive conventional qualitative content analysisResults: Facilitating factors were grouped into these three main categories: "factors related to workshop", "factors related to booklet" and "persistent contact with children's therapists".Conclusion: These emerged factors implied the importance of paying more attention to the proper education of parents with cerebral palsied children and of maintaining their contacts with family of the affected child on the behalf of occupational therapists.

Introduction: mal-alignment of lower extremity especially at the knee can led to injury due to impact on muscle activity and proprioception. Therefore the aim of present study was to investigate the gender differences of some lower extremity muscle activation in subject with and without Genu Varum Materials and methods: Twenty four physically active students were recruited from the University of Tehran with the age ranged 18-22 years. They were categorized in 4 groups. Group 1: six females with genu varum, group 2: six males with genu varum, group 3: six females without genu varum, group 4: six males without genu varum) of. Electromyography was gathered of gluteus medius, vastus medialis, rectus femoris and tensor fascia Lata and muscle activation was calculated.Results: Statistical significant between groups differences were reported in activity of Gluteus Medius (P=0.001), Rectus Femus (P=0.002) and Vastus Medialis (P=0.001). There is no difference noted in the activity of Tensor Fascia Lata (P=0.756). The Bonferroni Post Hoc test results showed that the prominent differences in activity of Gluteus Medius (P=0.001), Rectus Femuri (P=0.003) and Vastus Medialis (P=0.003) of females and males with Genu Varum, also in activity of Vastus Medialis between females with and without Genu Varum Deformity (P=0.001).Conclusion: Based on this study results, it’s concluded that the subject with Genu Varum deformity suffering from neuromuscular control deficit and this deficits in females with Genu Varum was more than males, thereby this persons could be more prone to injury than males.

Introduction: The health of mothers with autistic children and their families would be improved if rehabilitation and medical professionals have through knowledge of how help them in using their time. Studies have shown that the responsibility of taking care of children with disability generally falls on their mothers and that the appropriate usage of time is essential to these mothers’ flawless performance. So in this study, we investigated how mothers with autistic children use their time.Materials and methods: In a cross sectional study, 42 mothers with autistic children were recruited through convenient sampling. 42 mothers with healthy children were also selected and matched with these mothers as a control group. Demographic questionnaire, Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS-II) and Mother Time Use Questionnaire (MTUQ) were used to collect data. The data of interest was statistically analyzed via independent t and Chi-square tests using SPSS, version 17.Results: Compared to mothers with healthy children, mothers with autistic children spend more time doing child-related activities each day (P=0.000) but no significant differences were found in areas of self-care, rest/ sleep, leisure, home work, work/ job and social participation (P>0.05). Furthermore, the quality (P=0.006) and enjoyment (P=0.03) of daily activities were significantly lower in mothers with autistic children compared to mothers of healthy children. Perceived level of importance related to daily activities (P=0.23) and satisfaction with time-management skills (P=0.16) were not significantly different between the two groups.Conclusion: having an autistic child causes imbalance in activity areas and influences the quality aspects of time use.

Introduction: Although there is a broad consensus about the importance of visual perception in reading, its role in the development of dyslexia is highly debated. In order to understand the relationship between dyslexia and disorders of visual perception, we have compared color opponent contrast sensitivity in dyslexic children with that in normal subjects.Materials and methods: 3 dyslexic and 3 normal children participated in this study. Their responses to stimuli, evoked by means of a pattern-generator software, were recorded in three spatial frequencies: 5, 8, and 18 cycles per degree (cpd). In each spatial frequency, the contrast sensitivity test was executed in two different levels (pattern detection and color discrimination) once in yellow background and once again in blue background.Results: In general, there was no significant difference between dyslexic and normal children in almost all the tests performed. Nevertheless, dyslexic subjects have shown reduced sensitivity in pattern detection both in yellow and blue backgrounds, yet they had better sensitivity than normal subjects in color discrimination.Conclusion: The results from comparison between dyslexic and control groups showed that color contrast sensitivity cannot be a proper differential indicator for dyslexia. It suggests that dyslexia does not affect all functions of the visual system. Individuals with dyslexia, however, may have anomalous perceptual responses albeit normal basic and primary visual functions.

Introduction: The invention of cervical, and subsequently, ocular VEMP tests opened a new eraof Assessing the vestibular system for audiologists and auditory-vestibular researchers. Depending on which particular neural pathways are being evaluated during potential recording, the test could be assumed as a complemantary test for the assessment of the balance system. The aim of present study was to provide a review on the latest methods of recording and evaluating the response changes in different vestibular disordersMaterials and methods: Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct and Ebsco electronic databases were search for locating articles published in recent 10 years using the keyword «vestibular evoked myogenic potential». Reference books related to the topic were also reviewed.Results: 58 articles were used for a detailed discussion on the main applications and implications of the VEMP test.Conclusion: Validated research results indicate that upon the proper administration of the VEMP and the effective elimination of conflicting factors, the test can be used as an important diagnostic tool in evaluating and monitoring the treatment processes of various vestibular diseases.