Journal of Research in Rehabilitation Sciences
Year:2013 | Volume:8 | Issue:6|Papers Count:27

Introduction: Neck pain is a common cause for referral to physiotherapy. Neck pain may be related to rolonged static posture in head, neck, and shoulder during daily activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between Forward head posture (FHP) and neck pain in subjects with chronic neck pain and healthy individuals (aged 20-60 years old).Materials and Methods: This study had a case-control design. Thirty one subjects with chronic neck pain and thirty one healthy people were recruited in this research. Images were obtained from right lateral view for all participants using a digital camera. Then they were analyzed by ImageJ software to measure head and shoulder forward postures. T-test and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data.Results: Patients with chronic neck pain had significantly more forward head and round shoulder postures compared with normal subjects (P<0.001). Chronic neck pain was prominently correlated with trigger points in trapezius muscle (P<0.001).Conclusion: Chronic neck pain is associated with forward head posture and rounded shoulder. Therefore, it is important to address these faulty postures and correct them in treatment sessions. Also, it is more critical to find trigger points in surrounding neck muscles and treat them for pain management.

Introduction: Many research studies have been made on the effectiveness of life skills training program on cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and motivational skills in normal students. While afew investigations have been conducted about the effect of this program on mentioned variables simultaneously, in students with mathematical disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of life skills training programs on cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and motivational skills in students with mathematical disorder.Materials and Methods: The present research was a quasi-experimental study by pre-post test design with control group. Participants were forty boy students aged from 13-15 years old with mathematical disorder. This sample size was randomly recruited from some learning disorder schools in Tehran province. Participants were equally divided into two groups of experimental and control. Subjects in experimental group received life skill training program in 9 sessions while, control group did not receive any intervention. Wechsler intelligence test, key Math diagnostic mathematic test, life skills training program of world health organization and social self-competence questionnaire of Felner, Lease and Philips were used to collect the data. The obtained data were statistically analyzed by MANOVA using SPSS, version 16.Results: The results of MANOVA showed that the experimental and control groups had a significant difference, At least in one of the sub-scales of the cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and motivational skills (F=13.27, P<0.001). The final results of MANOVA showed that the life skills training program had a significant and positive effect on cognitive skill (F=8.78, P<0.010), behavioral skill (F=22.37, P<0.050), emotional skill (F=5.51, P<0.010), and motivational skill (F=17.42, P<0.010).Conclusion: Life skills training program could have a significant effect on cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and motivational skills in students with mathematical disorders. Since enhancement of these skills can lead to social competence of students, planning for life skills training is of particular importance for students with mathematical disorders.

Introduction: It is quite possible that people with low-vision and blind people have a severely affected quality of life due to the presence of their vision impairment. This study evaluated the relationship between visual function impairment and the quality of life in blind and low vision people.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive- analytical study, conducted in Zahedan, Iran in 2012, 121 blind and low vision people with an age over 7 years who were registered in Zahedan Welfare Organization and had no other disabilities were sampled using a Census method. At first, visual examinations including visual acuity, visual field and stereopsis vision were carried out. The data of interest were then collected using a demographic questionnaire and a quality of life questionnaire, which was translated to Persian in a research conducted in Isfahan, Iran in 2007. The reliability of the latter questionnaire was assessed via test-retest method and reported to be 0.89. The statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using SPSS software version 20.Results: The mean score of the quality of life for women were significantly lower than that for men (P<0.001). The results of Mann-Whitney U test showed that the mean QOL score were significantly lower in participants without stereopsis in term of leisure (P=0.009) and social welfare (P=0.003) dimensions and also that those participants with tunnel vision scored lower than the others on mobility and self-care (P<0.001).Conclusion: The results showed that defects of peripheral vision, stereopsis vision, gender and education level have significant effects on the quality of life of blind people resident in the studied region. According to the results of the study, providing educational, social and leisure programs for blind and low vision people, especially for women, and carrying out more research on this subject is necessary.

Introduction: Finger and partial finger amputations are the most frequently encountered forms of partial hand loss. Partial finger amputation not only influences on social participation of amputee but also effects on their economic situation. Good appearance and secure suspension are two most important parameters which influence on the performance of artificial finger. This research was aimed to modify and design a new suspension system for finger prosthesis to enhance suitable suspension.Materials and Methods: Thirty subjects with partial finger amputation were recruited in this study (7 women and 23 men, mean age; 29.4 years). The ultimate suspension force of the new prosthesis was compared with that of traditional one by use of a force scale system designed for this study, with an error less than 0.01 N.Results: The suspension force of the new and traditional suspension system was 1.27 N and 0.80 N, respectively, which showed a significant difference.Conclusion: The result of this research study identified that the measured forces in new design of finger prosthesis is more than that of the traditional design, due to integration of some ridges on the inner socket surface in the new prosthesis. The new method of suspension not only improves the security of finger prosthesis, but also reduces the final costs.

Introduction: Various problems and maladjustments of children suffering from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) necessitate paying more attention to the disorder. The aim of the present study was to compare the emotional intelligence and attachment style of children with ADHD with those of normal peers.Materials and Methods: In this causal-comparative study, 1124 healthy students from 11 guidance schools of Kermanshah, Iran and 60 subjects from a group of 120 previously identified students with ADHD were randomly selected. All participants were then asked to complete Schutt's emotional intelligence questionnaires and Parental Bonding Inventory (PBI) (Parker et. al, 1979). Data were statistically analyzed using t test.Results: The results showed that concerning emotional intelligence subscales, regulating and expressing emotions in normal children and expressing and assessing other’s emotions in those with ADHD had higher mean score than the other components. Normal students earned significantly higher mean scores than children with ADHD regarding all components of emotional intelligence (P<0.01). Moreover, the mean scores of care with mother’s and with father’s affection were significantly higher in normal students than in students with ADHD (P<0.01). In addition, the mean score of hyperactive students were generally and significantly higher than that of normal students with regard to the areas of mother’s control, father’s control, and attachment style (P<0.01).Conclusion: The findings proved that there is a significant difference among children with ADHD and normal children in terms of various components of emotional intelligence. The applications of the results of the present study and its limitations as well as suggestions for further research have also been discussed.

Introduction: The feedback provided by auditory apparatus equips normal hearing people with an important controlling mechanism over the speech production processes. The speech of hearing-impaired children is both perceptually and acoustically abnormal. This study tried to compare the formant frequencies of three long vowels in Persian-speaking children who used cochlear implant and those who were of normal-hearing ability.Materials and Methods: 20 Cochlear-implanted (CI) children and 20 normal-hearing children with the age ranged from 5 to 10 years participated in this study. All participants were native speakers of Persian who were asked to produce prolonged vowels /i/, /u/ and /a/. The averaged F1 and F2 were calculated for each examinee using Praat software (version 5.3.13). Independent t test was conducted to examine the possible differences thatF1 and F2 values and F2 to F1 ratios may have in the two groups.Results: Study results revealed a relative increase in the F1 mean values of all the three vowels produced by CI children. This difference was, however, significant only in the first formant of vowel /i/ (P=0.011). The mean values of F2/F1 ratio for vowel /i/ showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.010).Conclusion: F1 formants are increased in cochlear-implant children. This condition might be due to a process in which the lack of auditory feedback is compensated by the proprioceptive feedback that is provided through the exaggerated articulation. The changes in F1 and F2 imply a reduced vowel space, in other words, vowel space is slightly centralized in CI children.

Introduction: Low back pain is one of the most prevalent disorders of musculoskeletal system which is experienced by approximately 80% of people at least once throughout their lives. Concerning the integral role of the abdominal muscles in lumbo-pelvic stability, a highly reliable measurement instrument is needed to make an accurate judgment about the functions of these muscles. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of ultrasonographic measurement of abdominal muscles thickness in healthy women as well as in women with chronic non-specific low back pain.Materials and Methods: 5 women with non-specific chronic low back pain and 5 ones without any low back pain participated in this methodological study. Abdominal muscles thickness was measured via ultrasonography three times, two of which performed on the first day of the study within a 2 hour-interval and the third was carried out 5 days later. Intra-class Correlation Coefficient and Standard of Error Measurement (SEM) were used for evaluating the reliability of the method.Results: The reliability of thickness measurements among women with chronic non-specific low back pain was excellent for all but two muscles: fright internal oblique muscle and left transverse abdomen. Standard error of measurement was greater than mean difference in all measurements.Conclusion: Ultrasonography can be used as a reliable method for evaluating abdominal muscles’ thickness.

Introduction: One of the most exclusive concepts of human brain organization is cerebral asymmetry and Autism is one of those disorders affecting cerebral asymmetry and hemispheres functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the asymmetry differences in autism children in relative to their typical matched peers and demonstrate handedness and language lateralization relation.Materials and Methods: In this study, twenty six boys with high-function autism symptoms, screened by ASSQ, and twenty seven age- and IQ-matched boys were randomly selected from some elementary schools in Najafabad. All participants were assessed using the Edinburg handedness laterality inventory, Tapping, and dichotic listening tasks. After data collection, analysis was performed using SPSS, version 19.Results: Results showed that 19.2% of autistic children were left-handed and there was a significant difference in the Edinburg handedness scores between two groups (P<0.050). Hands difference in tapping task was not statistically significant (P>0.050) in autisms and hand difference between two groups was prominently significant (P=0.021). REA was shown using dichotic listening task in autism boys (P<0.001), but significant difference (P=0.007) was seen between two ears in two groups. No correlation was found between handedness and language lateralization.Conclusion: Our results showed that the normal lateralization was not observed in three used tasks; tapping, Dichotic listening, and Edinburg laterality inventory. Normal cerebral asymmetry was impaired in autistic boys. High prevalence of left-handedness in children with autism also confirmed abnormal brain asymmetry in autism. Although there is a close relationship between handedness and language lateralization, and no significant correlation was found between them.

Introduction: Low back pain following load-carrying and holding is an important factor resulted in functional disability for clients and considerable economic losses. Dynamic load imposes varying moments about the intervertebral joints and causes the greatest threat to spinal stability. The goal of present study was to evaluate the effect dynamic and static loads on trunk muscle activation to provide more accurate assessment of lumbar spine injury.Materials and Methods: Twelve healthy men (20-40 years old) participated in this study. In the assessment day, subjects held dynamic and static loads in neutral and flexed trunk positions (in 12 selected conditions). Muscles activity (%MVC) of rectus abdominal, internal and external oblique abdominal, lumbar and thoracic erectorspine and multifidus muscles were calculated by using surface electromyography.Results: The results have significantly demonstrated that the higher lumbar erectorspine muscles activity during holding dynamic loads in comparison to static condition. Activity of abdominal, thoracic erectorspine and multifidus muscles increased while holding dynamic loads but it was not prominently significant (P>0.05).Conclusion: Higher activity of erectorspine muscle during holding dynamic loads increases compression load on spine; so in addition of mass (Kg), type of load (static or dynamic) must be intentioned in manual material handling to prevent spinal injury.  

Introduction: Any dysfunction of the auditory system can lead to communication problems and difficulty in adapting with environment. The main aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of hearing disorders in 3-6 years old kindergartens in the city of Hamedan, 2012.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, three hundred and forty five subjects (185 female, 160 male) were selected by random sampling. After filling in the form of hearing loss awareness by parents and educators, Otoscopy (ear examination), immittance test, and pure-tone screening was implemented.Results: Our results showed that there were %11.6 abnormal ear canal anomalies, %22.6 tympanic membrane disorder, %22.8 atypical tympanogram, %28.7 non acoustic reflex and %11.9 hearing loss Consisted of 10.3 conductive hearing loss, 1.3 sensory-neural hearing loss and 0.3 mixed hearing loss. About %11.9 of involved children had a mild to moderate hearing loss and no severe or profound one was observed between them. Ninety six (%27.8) and 6 (%3.7) children required intervention and rehabilitation training program, respectively. Parents (%2.3) and educators (%1.6) awareness of hearing loss was in low level.Conclusion: According to the high percentage of children in need of treatment and the impact of hearing disorders on learning in early childhood; auditory rehabilitation programs, keep parents and educator’s informed and early periodic auditory screening are strongly recommended.

Introduction: Depression is one of the most common mental disorders of old age. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an aquatic exercise program on the depression levels of the elderly male people.Materials and Methods: Thirty elderly male subjects (mean age: 68.46±5.19 g, mean weight: 64.66±4.72 kg, mean height: 167±4.25 m) were randomly assigned to either a control or experimental group. The experimental group participated in aquatic exercises three days a week for six weeks. The control group asked to continue their routine activities. Depression levels were evaluated using Beck test in two groups before and after the aquatic exercises. Descriptive statistics, independent and paired samples t test applied for statistical analysis (P£0.050).Results: Paired sample t test showed that depression status significantly differed between pre-and post-treatments for the experimental group while no differences observed in the control group. Also significant differences were seen between two groups.Conclusion: Aquatic exercise was successful in significantly decreasing older men’s depression and can be considered as an effective intervention.

Introduction: Functional impairments can reduce the child's participation in daily routine activities for children with cerebral palsy and lead to physical and psychological stress on caregivers. This disability can, in turn, have a negative effect on quality of life of mothers. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of assistive device on quality of life in mothers of children with cerebral palsy (CP).Materials and Methods: In this quasi experimental study, two hundreds and ninety one mothers of cerebral palsy children aged 0 to 14 residing in Tehran in 2011 were selected by convenience sampling method. Considering to the levels of gross motor function and manual ability of children with CP, assistive devices were provided for them. Then SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess the mother’s quality of life. The severity of cerebral palsy and manual ability were assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification system and manual ability classification system respectively. Descriptive statistics and Paired t test were used for analyzing the data.Results: The mothers’ mean age was 36.69 years (SD=6.15). The results indicated that subjects demonstrated a significant increase from pretests to posttests in role limitations due to physical health (P=0.001), Pain (P=0.004), emotional well being (P<0.001), vitality (P<0.001). As well as the overall dimensions of mental health (P=0.008), physical health (P=0.006) and total quality of life (P=0.001). However, there was no significantly difference between pre-test and post -test of other subscales (P>0.050).Conclusion: According to the results, assistive devices can provide help and improve the quality of life of mothers with cerebral palsy children. It also would be considered as a support for these children and their families.

Introduction: There is no surprise that the knee is the most common injured joints in soccer players. Also muscles strength is known as one of the most important factors for preventing muscle and ligament injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of FIFA 11+ injury prevention program on knee isometric muscle strength in young professional male soccer players.Materials and Methods: Isometric knee strength was assessed in twenty four professional soccer players. They classified equally into two experimental and control groups. Parameters were measured by Biodex (version 3) in 30o, 60o, and 90o knee flexion angles. Paired and Independent sample t-test, and two-way repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyze the data.Results: The results showed that the quadriceps’ isometric strength in 90-degree was significantly higher in pre-test than post-test (P£0.05). Significant difference was observed in quadriceps’ peak torque in both control and experimental groups in 30 degree (P<0.001), 60 degree (P£0.05), and 90 degree knee flexions (P£0.05). In experimental group, there is statistically significant between three knee flexion angles in quadriceps peak torque (P<0.001), while maximum peak torque was found in 90 degree (303.6 N/m). Prominent differences in hamstrings’ peak torque were seen between three knee flexion angles of experimental group (P<0.001). Maximum torque produced by the hamstring muscles was discovered in 30 degree knee flexion (155.1 N/m).Conclusion: It can be concluded that the FIFA 11+ program could be an effective muscle strengthening training in young professional soccer players to improve knee muscles endurance and strength. It is recommended that more exercises program which aimed to increase hamstring strength such as hamstring curl should be added to FIFA 11+ training program.

Introduction: The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between older people's mental health with their family support and psychosocial Well being.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, hundred elderly men and women residing in nursing homes and living at home in city of Mashhad were recruited through convenience sampling. They were asked to respond to General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). T-test was used for statistical analyses.Results: This study showed that there is a significant difference between the rates of mental health in people with their family member support and psychosocial well being and no support. It can be concluded that this rate is prominently higher in elderly people with psychosocial and family support (P<0.005). No difference was found in mental health between elderly men and women (P>0.005).Conclusion: These findings indicated that elderly people without psychosocial and family support (those who resided in nursing homes) suffered from more psychological pathology symptoms than those who lived with their families with appropriate environment.

Introduction: Due to special condition of people with mental retardation and their need to have an independent life, muscle strength, is very principal. Various studies have been reported sedentary life style is one of the main causes of physical weakness and health-related problems in these individuals. The purpose of this study was to comparison of hand and trunk muscles strength in athletes and non-athletes mental retarded students and healthy students.Materials and Methods: Sixty adolescent students (mean age±SD, 16.58±1.13 years) were randomly recruited in this study. This sample is included thirty mental retarded (mean IQ±SD, 62.87±5.15) and thirty healthy age matched students. They were divided into four groups: Non-Active adolescent with Mental retardation (MR), Active adolescent with mental retardation (AMR), Non-active Healthy adolescent (HA) and Active healthy adolescent (AHA). The inclusion criteria for mental retardation were IQ between 50 and 70 and for being athletic having more than one year experience in sport fields. Hand grip and trunk muscle strength (back, chest, and shoulders) was assessed by manual dynamometer. MANOVA test was applied to analyze the data at the significant error of 0.05. All data were analyzed by SPSS, Version 17.Results: The MANOVA results showed a significant difference in hand grip strength between MR and other three groups: AMR (P=0.023), HA (P=0.016) and AHA (P<0.001). Also in trunk muscle strength significant difference was observed between MR and other groups: AMR (P=0.008), HA (P=0.002) and AHA (P<0.001), But no significant difference was found between two groups of AMR and HA in both hand grips (P=0.871) and trunk muscle strength (P=0.597). Also there is no prominent difference between two groups of HA and AHA in both hand grip (P=0.090) and trunk muscle strength (P=0.056).Conclusion: The findings identified that sport activities could be an appropriate factor to improve muscle strength in people with mental retardation.

Introduction: Undoubtedly, pure tone audiometry is the most reliable test for the evaluation of auditory system disorders. Headphone position is among the factors affecting the precise detection of hearing thresholds. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of headphone position on pure tone audiometry thresholds.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 adults (25 men and 25 women) were randomly selected. At first, all participants underwent otoscopic and tympanometry evaluations and their histories were obtained. Then, hearing thresholds in conventional frequency range (with 1-and 5-dB stepwise increase in the intensity of these stimulus frequencies) were detected for both ears. Thresholds were detected and recorded in a descending order while headphones were first mounted by patients and then by examiners. The data were statistically analyzed via Paired t test.Results: The threshold difference pertaining to the shifts in headphone position was significant in all frequencies for both ears (P<0.05).Conclusion: Headphone position affects the pure tone audiometry thresholds in conventional frequencies implying the necessity of mounting headphones by a professional audiologist during all clinical evaluations.

Introduction: Anabolic hormone levels reduce with increasing age that may be responsible for many forms of change in body composition. Having a regular physical activity can be considered to restore the amount of decreased hormone level. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of resisted submaximal treadmill walking program on body composition variables and estradiol, progesterone, and cortisol hormones in osteoporotic postmenopausal women.Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was performed on twenty seven volunteer sedentary osteoporotic postmenopausal women. They were randomly divided into three groups based on walking type on treadmill: simple walking (n=8), weighted vest (n=9), and control (n=10). Training sessions consisted of 6 weeks submaximal walking program with 50-60% heart rate reserve about 30 minutes daily, three times a week. In weighted vest group, subjects wore a weight vest (4-8% of body weight). Body composition parameters (Body Mass Index or BMI, fat mass, and lean mass) and levels of estradiol, progesterone and, cortisol were measured before and after 6 weeks of training. All subjects in control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 17).Results: Fat was decreased and lean body mass was increased significantly in weighted vest group (P=0.027 and P=0.005 respectively). Correlation between fat mass and lean body mass was significant in training groups (P=0.010 and 0.050 respectively). Although after 6 weeks levels of estradiol and progesterone hormone did not have any significant change. Cortisol hormone did prominently change in simple walking and weighted vest groups (P=0.049 and P = 0.032 respectively) but there is no significant correlation among hormones (P > 0.050).Conclusion: It can be concluded that both training groups showed a significant correlation between body composition parameters, but external added load resulted in more improvement in these selected parameters. Although the cortisol hormone level decreased significantly in both training groups, but this decrease was more prominent in simple walking group than control. Also, there was no positive relation between anabolic hormone levels and external added load.

Introduction: Sport is the leading cause of injuries requiring medical attention among adolescents. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between static and dynamic balances and incidence of lower extremity injuries in adolescent athletes using functional tests.Materials and Methods: One hundred high-school male athletes participated in this study (mean age±SD; 17.30±1.44, weight±SD; 69.92±2.14, and height±SD; 175.06±7.43). They played soccer, volleyball, basketball and handball and had a history of lower extremity injury in past two years. A researcher used a form to record athletes' injuries information. To evaluate static and dynamic balances, the stork stand and star excursion balance tests were applied, respectively. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Fisher's Z test were used for statistical analysis at the significant level of 0.05. All data were analyzed by SPSS, version 17.Results: Findings indicated that there is a negative significant correlation between static and dynamic balance and incident of lower extremity injuries in adolescent athletes (r=-0.620, P<0.05).Conclusion: Core stabilizer muscles and neuromuscular control deficit might cause a poor balance and predispose adolescent athlete exposure to injury. So, the role of balance in training programs should be highlighted to reduce the injury potential and could be considered as an integral part in their training sessions.

Introduction: Gaps-in-Noise test assesses the auditory temporal resolution skill. Previous studies showed that the GIN test was an easy application and had a high sensitivity and specificity. This study was aimed to evaluate temporal resolution ability using gap in noise test in subjects with tinnitus.Materials and Methods: This cohort study was conducted on twenty participants with tinnitus and twenty control subjects. Control group (10 males and 10 females) had the mean age of 27.80 years old with normal audiometric threshold (<5dB HL) and subjects with tinnitus (10 males, 10 females) (14 bilaterally, 6 unilaterally) had the mean age of 30.3 years old with normal audiometric threshold. This research was performed and approved by rehabilitation faculty, Tehran University of medical sciences. GIN test results (approximate threshold and percent of corrected answers) were obtained and analyzed by Mann-Whitney non-parametric statistical test.Results: Approximate threshold in right and left ear of tinnitus patients were more prolonged than control group (P=0.004 and 0.001, respectively). The percentage of correct response was decreased in both ears in patients as compared to control group (P=0.007 and 0.001, respectively).Conclusion: GIN test results identified that the deficit in hearing skill of temporal resolution in patients with tinnitus. Therefore; it could be realized that the individuals with tinnitus would have probable lower central auditory processing performance.