SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE
Year:2019 | Volume:8 | Issue:1 |Papers Count:25

Background and Aim: Maintaining balance and postural stability is a complex process resulting from the interaction of different systems. Kinesiotaping and stretching techniques are the therapeutic techniques used in physical therapy that are effective in improving the balance. Given the few studies evaluating the effect of these two therapeutic interventions on balance and lack of a study comparing them with each other, the present study was conducted to compare the effect of these interventions on the balance of young individuals. Materials and Methods: In the current single blind randomized clinical trial, 40 young male and female volunteers were selected and were randomly assigned into two groups of Kinesiotaping and stretching. The inhibitory Y-shaped tape with 25% tension was applied on Gastrocnemius. The muscle was stretched for 60 seconds for 4 times in the stretching group. Static Balance (COP excursion and velocity) was examined with Force Plate before and after the interventions. According to abnormal distribution of data based on Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney Test was used for between group and Wilcoxon Test was used for within group analyses. Results: Although based on the Wilcoxon test, COP excursion and velocity showed the decreasing trend before and after the intervention, none of the changes were significant (P˃ 0. 05). Comparison of the two groups based on Mann-Whitney Test showed no significant differences in the variables before and after the interventions (Anterioposterior COP Excursion, Velocity: P=0. 3, Mediolateral COP Excursion, Velocity: P=0. 1) Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that none of the kinesiotype and gastrocnemius stretching had any effect on the balance of healthy young people.

Background and Aim: Hyper pronation/supination may change biomechanical and neuromuscular function of the lower extremities. The purpose of the present research was studying the Electromyographic activity of Quadriceps and Hamstring muscles during single leg jump-landing in people with high, flat or normal foot arches. Materials and Methods: In the current cross-sectional study, 30 girls, aged 20-30 years old, with normal arch, high arch, and flat foot were recruited. The foot arch was measured using Navicular drop index, and then the amount of Electromyography activity of considered muscle was measured using wireless EMG (16 channels, Bayamed company) during single-leg jump landing. One-way ANOVA test was run to analyze the data with the significance level set at 95% (α =0. 05). Results: There were significant differences in feedforward activity of Vastus lateralis (P=0. 018) and Rectus femoris (P=0. 026) between groups with high arch and flat feet, and significant differences in feedback activity of Rectus femoris (P-0. 018), Biceps femoris (P=0. 046), and Semitendinosis (P=0. 048) between groups with healthy and high arch feet, as well Biceps femoris (P=0. 048) and Semotendinosis (P=0. 02) between groups with high arch and flat feet. Conclusion: According to the results, high arch and flat foot may be associated with altered activation pattern of knee stabilizers and may increase the risk of injuries in the knees.

Background and Aim: Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of disability in the elderly. Patients with medial knee osteoarthritis frequently experience knee instability, the sensation of buckling, and giving way that increase muscle activity. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of a new type of knee orthosis on the muscle activity of the lower limb muscles in medial knee osteoarthritis patients during gait. Materials and Methods: A total of 10 patients with knee Osteoarthritis (mean age 56. 1± 5. 6 years) participated in the current research project. The participants walked at their self-selected speed to perform 7 trials with knee orthosis and 7 trials without knee orthosis. The activity of the lower limb muscles was recorded using the surface electromyographic system. The paired t-tests with a significance level of 0. 05 were run for the final analysis. Results: The mean and standard deviation values of the root-mean-square and pain severity (P= 0/05) decreased significantly while walking with the orthosis compared to those without orthosis condition, although differences were not significant for walking speed (P= 0/34) and time taken to perform the timed up and go test (P= 0/8) during gait with and without the orthosis. Conclusion: According to the results of the current study, it seems that the new design of the knee orthosis has a significant effect on severity of pain and reduction of the muscle activation in individuals with knee osteoarthritis due to mechanical stabilization of the knee offered by the brace.

Background and Aim: Neck musculoskeletal disorders are common among dentists. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of proprioceptive exercises on pain and disability index in female dentists with nonspecific chronic neck pain. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was distributed among 24 female dentists matched by age, gender, and neck pain complaints in the past three months. Particpants were randomly divided into two groups: the first group received proprioceptive exercises and the second group were not give any intervention. The pain and disability assessment were administered in the baseline and after six weeks of exercises. The Kolmogorov Smirnoff and Wilcoxon were used for statistical data analysis (α ≥ 0. 05). Results: The results of the present study revealed significant decrease in neck pain (P=0. 006) and disability index (P=0. 008) after six weeks of proprioceptive exercise. Conclusion: According to the results, the proprioceptive exercise intervention was successful in decreasing pain and disability in female dentists with chronic neck pain. Considering the extreme effect of the proprioceptive exercise group, we recommend that this program be used in the correction of individuals with chronic neck pain and muscles imbalance.

Background and Aim: The ability to communicate verbally with others is important and has an impact on maintaining quality of life. Disturbance in speech perception in the presence of noise is a common complaint to specialists of all ages. Central auditory processing and cognitive ability are effective in speech recognition in noise. Previous studies showed that gender and education have an impact on cognitive and processing skills. Therefore, the present study examined the effect of gender and educational level on the ability to recognize the Persian stop and fricative consonants in the presence of babble noise. Materials and Methods: The present observational and cross-sectional study was performed on 31 males and 29 females with normal hearing (31 with diploma, 21 with bachelor, and 8 with higher than bachelor educational level), aged 30-49 years, selected from available samples. After auditory and speech evaluations, recognition of stop and fricative consonants in the form of consonant-vowel-consonant syllable and in the presence of noise in signal-to-noise ratios of 0,-5, and-10 were compared. Results: Comparison of two age groups revealed that the recognition score of fricative consonants was significant in signal-to-noise ratios of 0,-5, and-10 (p= 0. 003). Also, there was a significant difference between the two age groups in terms of the recognition score of fricative consonants in the presence of some vowels in signal-to-noise ratios of 0,-5, and-10 (p= 0. 001). Conclusion: The present study showed that gender and educational level have no effect on the ability to recognize speech in the presence of babble noise; however, noise exposure reduced the recognition score of stop and fricative consonants in the presence of babble noise.

Background and Aim: Scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity of the spinal column together with the lateral deviation and the rotation of the vertebra around the vertical axis. The present study aimed to identify the effects of three methods of routine (Stretch-Strength Exercise), self-corrective, and mixed corrective exercises (Routine and Self-corrective exercise) on spinal lateral deviation degree (degree of scoliosis) in non-structural scoliotic individuals. Materials and Methods: In the current study, 53 participants (32 females and 21 men) with non-structural scoliosis (average age: 23. 36± 2. 22 yrs., height: 168. 61± 8. 3 cm, and weight: 62. 65± 8. 55 kg) were purposefully selected and randomly divided into four groups: routine (no= 14), self-corrective (no= 13), mixed exercises group (no= 14), and the control group (no= 12). Each of the participants performed corrective exercise protocols for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, and 60-75 minutes per session, while the control group continued their daily life activities. Spinal lateral deviations (degree of scoliosis) were measured before and after eight weeks of corrective exercises using photogrammetry method based on the coordinate system and Corel Draw computer software model 11. 0. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. ANOVA was run to determine the interactive effect of the intervention on the four groups. For intra-group comparisons, t-tests were run and one-way variance analysis for comparisons between groups. The significance level was set at 95% with α 5%. Results: Findings of the present study indicated that after eight weeks of routine, self-corrective, and mixed exercises, participants’ degree of scoliosiss in the exercise groups significantly decreased (P<0. 05). Based on the findings, the highest effects in reducing the angle of scoliosis were respectively observed for the mixed exercise (ES: 5. 08), routine (ES: 4. 06) and self-corrective (ES: 3. 24) groups. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the mixed exercise protocol, including self-corrective, stretch-strength exercise, is an effective method for reducing degree of scoliosis in individuals with non-structural scoliosis abnormalities.

Background and Aim: The core stabilizer muscle weakness can have a negative effect on the balance. On the other hand, the stability of the core area as a connection with the effective transfer of force produced in the lower extremity to the upper limb through the trunk leads to better exercise. Purpose: The present study was carried out to compare the effects of core stability trainings on stable and unstable levels on the female athletes’ balance. Materials and Methods: The statistical society of the current study consisted of 30 female athletes from Guilan province who were intentionally selected to take part in the study. They were divided into two groups of 15: stable training and unstable levels of training for 6 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Static balance dynamic balance were evaluated using BESS and Y balance tests, respectively. To analyze the difference in balance between the athletes in the two groups, statistical analysis of covariance and t-correlation analysis were used. Results: The results of the study showed a significant effect of both training protocols on static and dynamic balance (P = 0. 001). Also, the results of covariance analysis indicated that training on unstable level had higher efficiency on static and dynamic balance (P <0. 05). Conclusion: The results of the present research suggest that, given the difference between the two types of training in affecting the balance component, in addition to the fact that both types of body stabilization trainings can be useful to improve the balance by strengthening the muscles that are Spinal and pelvic controls, coaches and athletes should use unstable levels of core stability training to improve balance.

Background and Aim: Reading is one of the fundamental stores in the life of an individual that has a direct influence on his/her life. Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by cleft palate, cardiac defects, a typical facial appearance, and learning disabilities. The purpose of the present study was to examine reading skill and related tasks in the first-fifth grade students with VCF syndrome. Materials and Methods: In the present sectional-descriptive case study, based on the available samples and based on inclusion criteria, six cleft palate 6-10 year old students with VCF syndrome were recruited from Isfahan Cleft Palates and Craniofacial Clinic. Each student was assessed using Reading and Dyslexia Test (NAMA Test). The total scores of reading skill were calculated by aggregating all scores in different subtests of NAMA Test. Results: Total score of reading skill for the first-grade students was 225, and 257 and 277 (second grades), 330 (third grades), 229 (fourth grades), and 314 (fifth grades) for the other four grades. Conclusion: These children gained lower scores in subtests of word continuum, rhyme, word comprehension, letter symbols, and category. Although because of the limited number of samples, we cannot make judgments about the weak points of these children, we can inform the parents and teachers about early diagnosis of reading difficulties, and give special tasks to these students. Based on the importance of education in these children’ s sense of well-being and quality of life, we must focus on early intervention. Additional attention and future studies are needed to find the factors that can be important in this regard.

Background and Aim: Knowledge of the changes of lower limb joint angles during landing provides good fundamental understanding to prevent knee injuries in people with flatfeet. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to compare lower limb angles as ACL risk factor during single leg drop landing in athletes with flatfeet and normal. Materials and Methods: In the current investigation, 10 young male athletes with flatfeet and 10 young male athletes with normal foot participated. The foot arch was measured using navicular drop test. Navicular drop between 5 to 9 mm was classified as normal foot and navicular drop greater than 10 mm as flatfeet. The kinematic and kinetic data were recorded using motion analysis and force plate. Data processing was performed via Mathlab software and lower limb angles parameters in knee maximum flexion in three motion plates were statistically analyzed running MANOVA at significance level of α = 0/05. Results: Significant differences were observed between the two groups in knee valgus (p=0/045) and hip adduction (p=0/037) angles in frontal plane. No Significant differences were observed between the two groups in other joint angles in other planes. Conclusion: According to the results, changes in the normal structure of the foot arch and consequently body alignment might affect lower limb angles in daily activities and sport that can cause changes in the pattern of injuries. The results of the current study can help better organize a rehabilitation program and activities for those with flatfeet.

Background and Aim: Phonological awareness refers to the person's knowledge of units of oral language that is important in learning alphabetic languages. Reading is a high level of language proficiency, whereby the person decodes symbols of spoken language shown as written language. With regard to the importance of reading skills, the present study was conducted to investigate the correlation between phonological awareness and its subtests with reading speed and accuracy in children with central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) to take a step toward increasing their linguistic knowledge and to provide the grounds to inform them and to employ educational and rehabilitation strategies in order to meet their needs. Materials and Methods: Phonological awareness test, in three levels of syllabic, intra-syllabic, and phonemic, including 180 pictures, and also text reading speed and accuracy tests were administered on 15 children with CAPD and the correlation between phonological awareness and its subtests with reading speed and accuracy was determined using Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: A correlation was found between general phonological awareness test and reading speed and accuracy, and among subtests of phonological awareness, including syllable awareness, inter-syllable awareness and phonemic awareness, there was only a correlation between phonemic awareness and reading speed and accuracy. Conclusion: In children with CAPD, due to the delay and problem in achieving phonemic processing skills, they encounter problems in correct comprehension of speech sounds and their distinctive features that could affect their achieving phonological awareness and therefore, the related skills, including reading, is weakened, too. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to phonological skills of children with CAPD along with strengthening their auditory processing skills to improve and strengthen their reading skills either.

Background and Aim: Mindfulness has been defined as the non-judgemental and awareness at the moment of present experience. Mindfulness meditation is one of the main athletic performance enhancement strategies that affects through improvement of concentration. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of a mindfulness and acceptance training program on reducing sport injury anxiety and improving performance of soccer players. Materials and Methods: The research followed a semi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test and control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of 26 soccer teams in the second group of Tehran League 2. The statistical sample included two teams with an age range of 24. 5 years, who were randomly selected. To measure the data, Demographic questionnaire, Mindfulness Inventory for Sport (MIS), Sport Injury Anxiety Scale (SIAS), and Assessment questionnaire of Sport Performance were used. The Mindfulness intervention was implemented in seven sessions with one-week intervals. Results: The mean scores of anxiety in the experimental group in the pre-test stage was 2. 97 and 2. 49 in the post-test phase. The pre-test score of soccer players was 4. 62 and the post-test score was 5. 6. According to the data obtained, the pre-test scores had a significant effect on the score of anxiety in sport injuries and sport performance; by controlling the effect of pre-test scores, the two groups for sport injury anxiety and sport performance were significantly different (P <0. 05). So, the anxiety of sport injury in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group and the sport performance was higher in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion: Findings of the present study showed significant implications regarding the effect of a mindfulness and acceptance training program on reducing sport injury anxiety and improving performance of soccur Players. As a result, the sport coaches and sport psychologist can use mindfulness as a simple and inexpensive method to decrease sport injury anxiety and improve sport performance in athletes.

Background and Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of selected aquatic exercises on the amount of landing error in active men susceptible to anterior cruciate ligament injury. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 male students of Physical Education susceptible to injury were divided in to two groups of control (no= 15, with the average age of 20. 11 ± 1. 66 years, height: 178. 34 ± 4. 67 cm, and weight: 66. 68 ± 7. 69 kg) and experimental (no= 15, with the mean age of 21. 63 ± 2. 9 years, height: 179. 38 ± 5. 24 cm, and weight: 69. 01 ± 6. 75 kg). Prior to and after the exercise protocol, the LESS error rating system was used to evaluate the risk factors. Then, the experimental group performed the selected exercises in water for eight weeks. In order to analyze the data, paired and independent t-tests were used to examine the differences between and within groups. Results: The results of statistical analyses showed that selected exercises in aquatic would improve the landing error rate in male athletes susceptible to anterior cruciate ligament injury, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusion: The results showed that water practice improves the landing error rate. So, the use of selected exercises in water, along with other training methods, is recommended to improve the rate of landing error and reduce the amount of damage in people who are prone to damage to the anterior cruciate ligament.

Background and Aim: Lack of movement control and reduction of ROM in Lumbar vertebrae are among the most important risk factors resulting in low back pain. Therefore, focus on these factors is important to alleviate low back pain. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of TRX resistance training on functional capacity and lumbar range of motion in middle aged men with non-specific chronic low back pain Materials and Methods: In the current quasi-experimental study, a total of 24 middle aged men with non-specific chronic low back pain were objectively selected. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: experimental (mean± SD; age: 43: 12± 4. 2 year, weight: 74. 3± 6. 11 kg, height: 1. 72/4± 5. 32 meter, n=12) and control group (mean± SD; age: 41. 8± 3. 12year, weight: 77. 93± 4. 22 kg, height: 1. 76/86± 3. 13 meter, n=12). The experimental group performed TRX Resistance Training for eight weeks (three sessions per week). In order to assess Functional Capacity and Lumbar range of motion in participants, the 6-minute walking distance test and motion analysis system were used. For data analysis, repeated measure ANOVA was run at the significance level of α ≤ 0/05. Results: The findings showed that TRX resistance training had significant effects on functional capacity and lumbar range of motion in individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain compared that of control group (α ≤ 0/05). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, the TRX resistance training is recommended as an adjunct method in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to support the results of the current study.

Background and Aims: Children with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) suffer from impairment/limitation in their working memory capacity. More effective interventions require approved training program by experts. The purpose of the present study was to develop a working memory training program (WMTP) for children with SLD and assess their validity by experts. Materials and Methods: First, a proper working memory model was selected and then working memory-related activities were selected from various sources. Next, the activities were classified and approved by 13 experts in SLD. Later the face and content validities of activities of WMTP were evaluated and the activities were graded. The content validity was assessed using CVR. Results: The WMTP was designed based on Baddeley model. Overall, this program consists of 14 visuo-spatial working memory and 13 phonological activities with each activity divided into four categories according to the levels of difficulty. Each category consists of easy to hard (no=7), moderate (no=7), moderate to hard (no=7), and hard (no=6) activities. All the activities had acceptable CVR. Conclusion: According to the results obtained in the present study, the WMTP could be applied by occupational therapists for children with SLD. The efficacy of this program should be assessed in further studies.

Background and Aim: The aim of the present study was comparison of plantar pressure distribution and ground reaction force during walking between prefabricated shoes with hydrodynamic mechanism and EVA sport shoes. Materials and Methods: In the current study, 10 healthy male individuals participated. A special shoe with specific ways for liquid flow was made for the present study that was capable of reducing pressure from damping mechanism. Also, an EVA shoe was used for comparison as reference shoe. Ground reaction force and plantar pressure distribution were measured using Pedar insole system. Data analysis was performed using Pedar X software and in eight regions of foot. Results: The results of the present study showed that the special shoe with hydrodynamic mechanism could effectively reduce load in rear foot, forefoot, and toe regions. Conclusion: According to the results, damping effect of liquid shoe following impact force can effectively reduce the pressure and force in high risk regions of the foot.

Background and Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the musculoskeletal disorders and the posture of male barbers in Tehran province. Materials and Methods: In the current study, 254 male barbers from Tehran province were selected as available statistical samples. Data was collected using Nordic standard questionnaire and imaging work postures using a camera. For data analysis, Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and SPSS, version 21, were used with the significance level set at P≤ 0. 05%. Results: The results of the current showed that the most common area of disorders among the barbers were waist (34. 97%), neck (19. 28%), legs (15. 24%), knees (52 / 8), and wrist (38/5%) and the least common disorder was related to hip (58/3%). According to the REBA method, 37% of the workgroups have average risk level, 45% high risk, and 2% of the postures were related to very high levels of risk. Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that most barbers in Tehran province are at the risk of early muscoskeletal disorders, most of which are due to false and repetitive postures during the work days. Therefore, it is advisable that these workers be provided with trainings for the prevention and treatment of other possible complications caused by wrong postures.

Background and Aims: Design and effectiveness of training programs in order to reduce the risk of falls and improve balance in older people is considered by many researchers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Otago and Tai Chi exercise programs on balance and risk of falling in elderly men. Materials and Methods: In the current study, 36 elderly men were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and then randomly divided into three groups: Otago exercise, tai chi, and control. Measurement of balance was done using the center of mass displacement and measure of risk of falling was performed using Falls Efficacy Scale-International questionnaire before and after the training program. The participants took Tai Chi and Otago training programs for eight weeks. Displacement of the center of mass was calculated using kinematic data and was recorded using the motion analysis system camera in a standing position. Results: The results of analysis of variance with repeated measures showed that the risk of falling scores and balance index before and after the training programs in the two intervention groups were statistically different. Such inter-group analysis showed that, compared to Tai Chi exercises, Otago exercises have greater impacts on the balance index and risk of falling scores. Conclusion: According to the results, the difference in the risk of falling scores and balance index before and after the training programs in the two intervention groups were statistically significant. Such inter-group analysis showed that, compared with Tai Chi exercises, Otago exercise, has greater impact on the balance index and risk of falling scores.

Background and Aim: Elastic walking with direct involvement of thoracolumbar fascia can prevent from recurrent low back pain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of training of elastic walking on the frequency domain of ground reaction forces during running in 10 areas of foot in patients with low back pain. Materials and Methods: A total of 28 men with low back pain were randomly divided into experimental (n=16) and control (n=12) groups. The participants in the experimental group were trained with elastic walking for six weeks, three days per week, each time for 45 min. Frequency domains of ground reaction forces during both pre-and post-test were recorded using a foot scan system (sample rate: 300 Hz). Results: The results showed that in experimental group, the number of essential harmonies in the Toe 2 region during post-test was lower than that in the pre-test (P=0. 017). The duration of running stance phase during both pre-and post-test were similar in both experimental and control groups (P>0/05). Conclusion: Findings of the present study demonstrated that the effects of elastic gait training on improvement of ground reaction force frequency content in low back patients may have a clinical value during rehabilitation.

Background and Aim: Scoliosis is a complex and common deformity of the spine that affects the locomotor system. The purpose of the current study was to describe and compare functional movements in female students with mild and moderate scoliosis. Materials and Methods: In the current study, we selected 45 Scoliotic females with a single curve in the thoracic spine. The degree of curvature and functional movements were assessed by photography and functional movement screen test, then participants were divided into two groups based on severity of curvature: mild scoliosis: 22 females with 16. 05± 3. 24 degree angle of curvature and moderate scoliosis: 23 females with 28. 91± 5. 79 degree of curvature. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 20, and by running mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests. Results: The Functional movement scores were 14. 00± 2. 24 in mild scoliosis and 13. 26± 2. 00 in moderate scoliosis. The mann-Whitney U test results revealed that these scores did not differ significantly between the two groups (U=0. 142. 00, P= 0. 184). Also, chi-square test results revealed that there is no significant difference in the distribution of scores from zero to three between two groups for any of the movements (P>0. 05). Conclusion: According to the results, FMS score in the group with moderate scoliosis was less than that of mild scoliosis but this difference was not statistically significant.

Background and Aim: Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common musculo-skeletal disorders that can affect patient's independency in their daily activities. Quadriceps weakness, a common problem in these patients, has been attributed to Arthrogenic muscle inhibition. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of kinesio tape (KT) on muscle strength, quadriceps arthrogenic inhibition, pain, swelling, and active range of motion in women with knee OA. Method: A total of 20 patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis received KT for 24 hours. Quadriceps Strength (MVC), Central Activation Ratio (CAR), pain, knee range of motion, and edema were measured before and after application of KT. Result: Applying Kinesio tape significantly increased Quadriceps strength (MVC), central activation ratio, and range of motion and decreased pain (P<0. 001). No significant effect was identified for knee joint edema (P>0. 05). Conclusion: Application of therapeutic KT is effective in improving Quadriceps strength (MVC), removing the arthrogenic inhibition, increasing range of motion, and reducing pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Background and Aim: One of the main purposes of hearing aid fitting for a patient with sensorineural hearing loss is to improve speech intelligibility in noise. Many parameters can influence this goal among which is compression. Compression systems typically compress the amplitude of sounds in order to improve speech intelligibility. One of the factors which determine the function of compression is its knee point. The present study was carried out to comprehensively investigate the effects of using one knee point compared to two knee points in compression systems on the score of the Acceptable Noise Level test in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. Materials and Methods: A total of 15 patients suffering from sensorineural hearing loss participated in the study. All participants were fitted with Siemens Motion P 3mi hearing aids. The Most Comfortable Level and the Background Noise Level were measured and the Acceptable Noise Level was tested in three conditions, i. e. unreinforced, reinforced with one knee point, and with two knee point. Time constants (fast) and channel numbers (N=6) remained fixed. Results: The results of the present study showed that there was not any significant differences between the reinforced with one knee and two knee points conditions and the unreinforced and mean acceptance level of noise in reinforced conditions. No significant association was found between mean ANL and the average of hearing thresholds in unreinforced and reinforced conditions with one and two knee points. Conclusion: According to the findings, it was not possible to determine the Acceptable Noise Level based only on the measured hearing thresholds. Also, increasing the number of knee points from one to two had no major effects on the score of the Acceptable Noise Level test, and one knee point might be enough to understand Speech in noise. Therefore, it seems that there is no need to increase the number of knee points in the compression systems.

Background and Aims: The study of hearing development in human fetuses and infants is relatively young. Hearing plays an important role in normal development of speech, language, learning, memory, and cognition even prior to birth. The aim of the present study was to review articles on development of hearing, speech, language, and cognition before birth up to eight years of age. Materials and Methods: In present study, articles on development of hearing, speech, language, nervous system, memory, limbic system, and learning that were published between 1932 to 2016 on Pubmed, Elsevier, Science Direct, Springer, Scopus, ISI, Google Scholar, and Wiley databases were searched and reviewed using the following keywords: development of hearing, development of speech and language, development of nervous system, development of memory, and development learning and cognition. Results: In contrast to vision, early experience of hearing begins before birth and its development continues along the development of speech, language, and cognition to years after birth. Conclusion: Fetal auditory memory plays an important role in acquisition of future language skills. Also, hearing is vital in normal development of speech, language, memory, learning, and cognition.

Background and Aim: Hearing process for daily activities of normal people is possible without special effort, and yet, in peoples suffering from hearing loss-with or without hearing aids – it mandates effort. The stress and fatigue secondary to this effort and concentration to percieve the speech have negative effects on these individuals’ performance. This challenge affects a big population in the community. This is more prominent in difficult hearing situations and noisy environments. Therefore, it seems to be important to assess listening effort, its physiopathology, and the contributing factors, and when possible, provide ways to manage it and decrease its negative effects on these individuals’ quality of life. Materials and Methods: To collect data for the current study, we performed a search of the relevant articles using several keywords, including: listening effort, listening fatigue, hearing loss, and hearing aid, in ScienceDirect, GoogleScholar, Scopus, and PubMed databases, published between 1975 and 2018. Conclusion: According to the results, the listening effort is not well studied yet. But it could affect other cognitive activities and lead to fatigue and increase stressing and consequently negatively impact the quality of life. Therefore, conducting more studies in this domain and considering its importance in future studies is necessary.

Background and Aims: The nervous system uses muscles and joints in order to perform activities in a coordinated manner, such as walking. Environmental changes are also added while executing the movement, which cause more complexities in movement control and misunderstanding of a comprehensive model. Hence, muscle synergy attempts to explain movements such as walking in such a way that it can generalize its findings as a pattern to all the same conditions. The purpose of the present study was to review the research on walking patterns from the point of view of muscle synergy using the evaluation, diagnosis, and rehabilitation approach. Materials and Methods: From among 136 articles, 13 were selected from databases, incuding Science Direct, Pubmed, Springer, Elsevier, SID, and Google Scholar, based on research criteria. Results: The results showed that CNS facilitates its implementation by simplifying the movement. To this end, CNS needs 5 modules to walking. The pattern is so stable that even there is no difference between the young and the elderly or at different speeds. Only there is a slight shift in the time pattern due to changes in biomechanical needs, but in pathology conditions, there are some changes both in the number of modules and their time pattern. Conclusion: According to the findings of the present research, it seems that the basic pattern of synergy is stable in walking under different conditions so that it can be used to assess the motor pattern in healthy individuals and patients in both rehabilitation and diagnosis.

Background and Aim: Glaucoma is one of the most common chronic eye diseases that can potentially result in bilateral blindness, and may also be related to psychological disturbances. The purpose of the present study was evaluation of the relationship between glaucoma and psychiatric disorders. Materials and Methods: In the current article, we reviewed the available articles on psychiatry disorders in patients with glaucoma based on specialized databases and identified articles based on their abstracts and full-texts. Results: Evaluation of available articles revealed that patients with glaucoma often have coexisting psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. The prevalence of anxiety and depression in glaucoma patients in different countries is approximately between 13-33% and 10-57%m respectively. Also, the association between Alzheimer's disease and chronic glaucoma is heterogeneous. It should be noted that the differences in results may be attributed to study design sand sample sizes. In connection with personality traits in glaucoma patients, immature defense style, perfectionistic pattern, neuroticism, hypochondriacal tendencies, irritability, and type A behavioral pattern are reported, as well. Conclusion: According to the results, in chronic diseases such as glaucoma, psychological factors are closely related to medical guidelines. These factors include memory deficit, depression, anxiety, personality type, and side effects of the drugs. Increased use of immature defense mechanisms, and accompanying depression and anxiety have been associated with decreased quality of life in these patients. The existence of type A behavioral pattern with high neuroticism can provide vulnerability to glaucoma.