Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Year:2017 | Volume:6 | Issue:1|Papers Count:30

Background and aim: The FIFA 11+ comprehensive warm-up programs are known to reduce sport injuries in soccer players, especially injury to Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). However, there is limited knowledge on how it affects anterior knee shear force in soccer players. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the FIFA 11+ injury prevention programs on anterior knee shear force in teenage male soccer players.Materials and methods: In the current semi-experimental study, 30 teenage soccer players, aged between 14 and 16 years, with no injury in the lower extremities, were randomly divided into control (n=15) and training (n=15) groups. Force was measured using a force plate (during a single leg jump-landing test). The maximum posterior ground reaction force was considered as the anterior knee shear force (equivalent to the pressure on the ACL). Repeated measures analysis of variance was run for data analysis.Results: The 11+program training group brought about a significant reduction in the anterior knee shear force compared with that in the control group (p<0.5).Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program can reduce shear force on the anterior knee of teenage male soccer players. This program may result in optimum control of ACL injury by limiting the anterior shear force on the knee, which is one of the risk factors of knee injury.

Background and aim: Naming disorder has largely been noted in Learning Disabilities (LD) by researchers. One of the aspects of naming which has been less considered in LD is verbal fluency. The current study aimed to explore verbal fluency among children with LD, to compare it with a control group, and to investigate the effect of demographic characteristics on it.Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 30 children with LD (15 male and 15 female, aged: 8.90±1.20) diagnosed by psychiatrists and 30 age-, gender-, and grade-matched controls (15 male and 15 female, aged: 8.71±1.39). Each participant was individually asked to complete a verbal fluency task comprising of semantic and phonemic fluency.Results: The results revealed that the mean scores of semantic and phonemic fluency were significantly lower in the experimental group as compared to those of the control group (p<0.001), and similar findings were found related to clustering and switching (p<0.001). There was a significant difference in semantic and phonemic fluency between ages across both groups, as well (p<0.05); however, no significant difference was observed in semantic and phonemic fluency scores between males and females in the two groups (p>0.05).Conclusion: The current study demonstrated a general weakness of children with learning disability in verbal fluency. Improvement of verbal fluency with development in both groups can highlight the increasing role of reading experiments on the naming skill although gender did not show to have any effect. Considering the importance of naming and lexical skills in literacy, the present study showed the necessity for further and detailed study of verbal fluency in children with learning disabilities.

Background and Aim: Reduced walking speed is one of the changes that occur because of the reduction in lower extremity muscle strength due to the aging process. The purpose of the present study was to examine age- and speed-related differences in the electrical activity of leg muscles between younger and older adults during walking.Materials and Methods: In the current semi-experimental study, 15 healthy young men and 15 healthy older men, with the mean age of 26.46 and 70.3 years, respectively, were randomly selected. The electrical activities of the tibialis anterior, soleus, and gastrocnemius muscles were measured using a surface electromyographic system during walking at preferred (100%), slow (80%), and fast (120%) speeds in the Foot Flat (FF), Midstance (MSt), Terminal Stance (TSt), Initial Swing, and Terminal Swing (TSw) phases. Data was analyzed using two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures and Bonferroni tests.Results: The Root Mean Squares (RMS) of the electrical activity of the gastrocnemius and soleus in the MSt and TSt phases at 80% and 120% speeds were significantly different between the groups (P<0.01). Further, the RMS of electrical activity of the tibialis anterior differed significantly between the groups (P<0.01) in the FF phase at 100% and 120% speeds, in the MSt phase at any of the 3 speeds, and in the TSw phase at 80% speed. Moreover, in the swing phases in both groups, the activity differed significantly between the 80% and 100% speeds and between the 100% and 120% speeds (P<0.001). The activities of all muscles in all stance phases differed significantly between the 80% and 120% speeds among the younger group (P<0.001) and at all speeds among the older adults (P<0.01).Conclusion: Age-related changes in the electrical activity of the leg muscles during walking are clearly noticeable even among healthy older adults. This may be a strategy to control balance, maintain a steady metabolic state, or limit neuromuscular fatigue.

Background and Aim: Diabetes is a type of metabolic disorder characterized by limited or no insulin secretion or function, which leads to high blood glucose levels. Individuals with diabetes can have a high quality of life if their glycemic levels are well controlled. Taking part in support groups and social support may play a key role in supporting the ability of patients to maintain glycemic control. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of support group participation on the glycemic control of patients with diabetes.Methods and Materials: A total of 60 patients with type 2 diabetes (20 recently diagnosed patients and 40 patients living with diabetes for more than 5 years, 20 of whom had adequate glycemic control and 20 did not have adequate control of their glycemic levels) from Shahriyar city, Iran, were invited to participate in the study. Patients participated in support group therapy sessions held over eight weeks. Glycated hemoglobin was assessed as the outcome indicator of glycemic control prior to and after the intervention. One-way ANOVA was used for data analysis.Results: The results indicated that there was a significant difference between pre-test and post-test glycated hemoglobin levels prior to and after group therapy. Further results indicated that the length of illness and previous successful management of illness did not affect the impact of the effect of participation in support group therapy.Conclusion: We found that support group therapy was an effective treatment for maintaining glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Such therapy can be included as a psychological intervention in treatment plans for patients with diabetes.

Background and Aim: There are a few studies reported on the verb fluency task. This task is considered an appropriate criterion for executive function in addition to being a means of measurement for showing loss of deficit and integrity of the anterior subcortical region. Verb fluency has common characteristics with other executive function tests and considers factors that are not diagnosed with traditional tests.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 BSc. and MSc. students (30 males and 30 females). Participants were asked to produce any verb that could be retrieved in one minute. Scoring was based on the number of produced items using an independent t-test.Results: The results of the present study showed no significant differences between the mean number of verbs and verb type in males and females. Additionally, no statistically significant differences in the total number of verbs and their types were observed between MSc and BSc students.Conclusion: The use of transitive-intransitive and simple-complex verbs was almost the same in participants, although they had to retrieve certain structures of verb category during verb naming, like sentence completing tasks. Thus, this task can be used in the diagnosis and comparison of neurological disorders, and the results can be used as a basis for future studies.

Background and Aim: The previous research on normative feedback regarding balance control has only focused on psychological indices, and physiological information on the mechanisms of normative feedback on performance in difficult tasks (those involving visual and proprioceptive sensory disturbance), especially balance tasks, is scarce. Thus, the present study was conducted to determine the effects of normative feedback on balance control and the consistency of muscle function during tasks of variable difficulty levels among novice individuals.Materials and Methods: The present study followed a sub-experimental and laboratory based design. A total of 20 participants (mean age=23.59, SD=1.30 years) were randomly assigned to positive normative feedback and control groups. The experimental group participated in 160 acquisition trials (16 blocks of 10 trials each) over 4 consecutive days (40 per day). A post-test was performed after the last practice session. Participants in the positive normative feedback group received better information of their own average performance in each block of acquisition. Postural control indices and electrical activity of muscles were measured using the Biodex system and electromyography techniques using Megawin devices, respectively. Mixed ANOVA with repeated measures and covariance tests were run to evaluate between-group differences in the balance index and electromyographic findings.Results: The positive normative feedback group (M=1.45 ± 0.31) outperformed the control group (M= 5.97 ± 1.24) in terms of the balance index (P=0.004) and muscle consistency of the rectus femoris (P= 0.007) and gluteus medius (P=0.04) while performing tasks of various difficulty levels.Conclusion: As a psychological placebo, positive normative feedback acts as functional motivation to directly influence physiological changes in the level of balance control and consistency of muscle function when individuals perform difficult tasks.

Background and Aim: Autism spectrum disorders are cognitive and neurobehavioral disorders where have three main features: socialization disorders, impairment of verbal and nonverbal communications, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of manipulation training on handedness in children with autism spectrum disorders.Materials and Methods: The present study was an experimental investigation using a pretest-posttest design and a control group. The statistical population of the research included all 7 to 14 -year-old students with autism spectrum disorders in Shiraz in the academic year 2014-2015. After selection of the school by the exceptive education office, the pretest was administered to all students in this school who were 7 to 14 years old. A total of 20 students (5 girls and 15 boys) who met the research criterion were then chosen as participants and were randomly divided into either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group received manipulation training over 24 sessions, while the control group only performed common activities in the school. At the end of the treatment, post-test was administered to both groups. To assess handedness, the Edinburgh handedness inventory scale was used.Results: Covariance analysis indicated that there was a significant increase in the mean scores for handedness in the experimental group (p£0.05).Conclusion: Our findings indicated that manipulation training improved handedness in children with autism spectrum disorders. Therefore, it is suggested that the design and implementation of appropriate manipulation trainings be used in improving handedness in students with autism spectrum disorder.

Background and Aim: The lower limb amputees, due to the loss of limb, generally use hip strategy to control balance instead of ankle strategy. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a lower limb training protocol consisting of core stabilization exercises with and without augmented visual feedback on balance control strategies of prosthetic leg and the sound leg in below knee amputees.Materials and Methods: Based on the inclusion criteria, 21 amputees were invited to voluntarily take part in the current quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest protocol. They were randomly divided into three groups of control, core stabilization exercises, and core stabilization exercises using augmented visual feedback. Involvement of hip strategy in the balance control of the groups, in the intact limb, and prosthetic limb were determined using Dynamic Computer Posturography.Results: The results of analysis of variances using repeated measures showed significant differences (p=0.001) between the hip strategy scores of intact limb and prosthetic limp after training interventions. Bonferroni post hoc test indicated higher average scores in both training groups compared with that for control group. Between two training groups, the group with augmented visual feedback showed even a better score (p=0.001) using hip strategies to control balance. The strategy in both legs for core stabilization exercise group with visual feedback was more efficient compared with core stability exercise group without feedback.Conclusion: The results showed that core stabilization exercises can improve pelvic control strategy to maintain balance in the intact leg and prosthetic leg of thr amputee. Using augmented feedback will improve the strategy application even more.

Background and Aim: Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) display obvious balance and motor disorders. Since the vestibular system has a vital role in balance and motor function, the present study was conducted to study the effects of active vestibular stimulation on motor disorders in children with ADHD.Materials and Methods: A total of 38 children with normal intelligence quotient (above 90), using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, were diagnosed with ADHD by a psychiatrist based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM) -IV.TR criteria were included in the study. They were 7-12 years old and were selected from Atieh Rehabilitation Center. Participants were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups, and were evaluated before and after the intervention using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP). Children in the experimental group received vestibular stimulation intervention three times per week; each session lasted for 30 minutes and was based on a defined protocol. The control group participated only in academic education programs. The collected data were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Results: Vestibular stimulation resulted in significant changes in gross motor dexterity (P<0.006), balance (P< 0.001), visual motor control (P=0.007), and total BOTMP test score (P<0.006) in the experimental group when compared to those of the control group.Conclusion: Vestibular stimulation was effective in improving balance, gross motor function, and visual-motor control in children with ADHD.

Background and Aim: Motor skill learning is one of the main problems in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Since the prevalence of this disorder among children is considerable, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of verbal feedback frequency on the learning of throwing skill in children with DCD.Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 5 to 7 year old students (boys and girls, N=40) with DC living in Shahr-e-Kord, who voluntarily participated in the study. In the present quasi-experimental investigation, consisting of a pretest-posttest design, the participants were randomly distributed into four groups: feedback of %100 (n=10), feedback of %50 (n= 10), the feedback reducer (n=10), and controls (n=10). Data was collected using the Developmental Coordination Disorder Diagnostic Questionnaire (DCDQ’7) and children throwing accuracy test of Chiviancowsy and ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, and LSD post hoc test were used for data analysis (α=0.05).Results: The results showed that the various methods of feedback frequency had different significant effects on motor skill learning in the participants (F=9.402, P=0.001). Moreover, it was found that 50% feedback frequency had the best effect on motor skill learning (P>0.01).Conclusion: The results confirmed the guidance hypothesis. Therefore, it is recommended that % 50 frequency feedbacks be used for teaching throwing skills to children with DCD.

Background and Aim: The fear of falling is common in people with Parkinson's disease. One of the most common tools to measure the fear of falling in these patients is the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFFE). No Persian version of the SAFFE is available and no study on the reliability and validity of this scale has been conducted in Iran. The main objective of the present study was to develop a Persian version of the SAFFE scale to assess fear of falling and activities in people with Parkinson's disease.Materials and Method: After obtaining permission from the developer of the original scale, the Persian version was prepared according to the International Quality Of Life Assessment Protocol (IQOLA). To review the clarity and necessity of the translated items, CVI and CVR methods were applied. The internal consistency of the items was also measured using Cronbach's alpha coefficient.Results: The clarity and necessity of the translated items based on the scores of CVI and CVR were acceptable. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was very high for fear of falling and activity restriction level, and moderate for activity level. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was very good for the entire scale (α=0.93) Conclusion: The Persian version of SAFFE had very good content validity and internal consistency of items and can serve as a useful tool in the clinical assessment of fear of falling and activities in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Background and Aim: Speech errors in children with Down Syndrome (DS) are inconsistent, such that in articulating the same lexical item, the children produce it in different ways. The Core Vocabulary Treatment (CVT) has been designed to increase the consistency of articulation in children with inconsistent disorder. The current study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of CVT on the speech intelligibility of 7-11-year-old educable Farsi-speaking DS children.Materials and Methods: The study was performed in the form of a pre-posttest design. Four DS children participated in the study. For each case, 12 to 14 treatment sessions were performed. Treatment was accomplished by 70 goal words. The instruments used were Inconsistent subtest of Persian Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology (P-DEAP) and the test of single word intelligibility. There were 7 assessment points in the study: two weeks, one week, and immediately before intervention as well as immediately, one week, two weeks, and six months after the intervention. Subsequently, 10 unfamiliar listeners judged the speech intelligibility in children by recording their speech prior to and after intervention.Results: The consistency of articulation increased after intervention and generalized to control words. Furthermore, intelligibility of speech also increased after the intervention (P<0.05).Conclusion: The obtained results, similar to those of other studies, showed that CVT is effective in enhancing the consistency of articulation. Further studies are necessary to ensure confidence in the effectiveness of this intervention to increase the consistency and intelligibility of speech in other languages.

Background and Aims: Hearing loss is one of the most common congenital disorders in newborns and infants. Approximately 1-4 of 1, 000 neonates are born with bilateral profound and permanent congenital hearing loss. Therefore, the diagnosis of hearing loss without performing hearing screening at birth is not possible. Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) is one of the tests to diagnose hearing loss and early intervention in neonates. The aim of the present study was to evaluate neonate hearing screening in Sayad-Shirazi Hospital in Gorgan to identify and early diagnose hearing impairment and to prescribe hearing aids.Materials and Methods: As a cross-sectional study, the investigation was performed on all neonates in Sayad Shirazi Hospital. After completing the questionnaire, the first evaluation (OAE) was performed on all alive infants in the first 48 hours of birth. The neonates were re-evaluated within the second months of birth if they were referred. The neonates with failed responses were referred to perform ABR. Data was analyzed using SPSS (version 22).Results: TEOAE tests were performed on 4453 infants in the first 48 hours of birth. A total of 2138 (48 %) infants were females and 2315 (52 %) were males. About 32% of infants had pass response to OAE and 68% of them had no responses (Refer). The second OAE test was repeated before two months of birth. From among 3024 neonates, 92% had response and 104 neonate had no response. ABR test was performed on 104 infants. Only three neonates had abnormal ABR and hearing loss was identified. Three neonates had hearing loss: parents of one of these neonates were relatives, another neonates suffered from high bilirubin, infection, and prematurity, and the third infant had moderate to severe hearing loss without any reason. Hearing aid was prescribed to these three children and two were referred to a consultant for cochlear implant.Conclusion: According to the results of the current study and similar studies in Iran and other countries, the need to implement a comprehensive plan for neonatal hearing screening and early intervention and early detection of hearing loss is important. This can also reduce the considerable costs that are spent for special education for these children.

Background and Aim: Single-leg landing is a common movement in many sports and is known to be an important cause of non-contact Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries that increase knee external motion in the frontal plane. The aim of the current study was to evaluate lower extremity kinematics during single-leg landing from different heights in patients with knee valgus deformity and to compare it with that in healthy individuals.Materials and Methods: A total of 15 female patients with knee valgus deformity and 15 healthy female individuals, ranging from 18 to 25 years, were selected to participate in the study. Participants performed single-leg landing from heights of 20, 40, and 60 cm and their actions were monitored using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. After data processing using the CORTEX software, the following parameters were examined: maximum knee valgus angle, maximum knee flexion, maximum dorsiflexion, and duration of eccentric phase. Statistical analysis was carried out using the independent samples t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance at a significance level of less than 0.05.Results: Although the valgus angle in the knee valgus deformity group was greater than that in the healthy group, this parameter did not significantly differ among the different height. Further, the duration of the eccentric phase did not differ significantly between the groups, but maximum knee flexion and maximum ankle dorsiflexion did (P<0.05).Conclusion: Compared to healthy individuals, those with knee valgus deformities land with lower knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion angles during single-leg landing from different heights. All the parameters assessed in the present study have been identified as risk factors for ACL injury; therefore, thorough training and correction of the landing pattern should be considered in order to reduce the load applied to the lateral compartment of the knee joint and to prevent deformity progression.

Background and Aim: Older persons are often affected by a low-grade proinflammatory state characterized by increased levels of cytokines and acute phase proteins. Previous studies indicate that different methods of exercise training have beneficial effects on the cytokine concentration. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of concurrent training on C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen levels in elderly men.Materials and Methods: A total of 24 elderly men who volunteered to participate in the study were equally assigned to training and control groups. Participants in the training group performed 14 weeks of concurrent training. Then, at the beginning of the study and at 48–72 h after the last training session, blood samples were collected to measure CRP and fibrinogen levels. Moreover, at both times, body composition and anthropometric indices were measured. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation coefficient tests.Results: After 14 weeks of concurrent training, the CRP and fibrinogen levels were significantly lower in the training group compared with those of the control group (P<0.05).Concurrent training significantly decreased body weight, body fat percent, body mass index, and waist-to-height ratio in the training group (P<0.05), while these parameters remained unchanged in the control group (P>0.05). Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between the mean changes in CRP and fibrinogen levels and the body fat percent and other body composition indices (P<0.05).Conclusion: The results of the current study indicated that concurrent exercise training is a suitable method for improving body composition and modulating the levels of cytokines predictive of cardiovascular disease in elderly men.

Background and aims: Increasing productivity and work involvement are important factors affecting job satisfaction, which achieved are by appropriate job characteristics. The present study aimed at investigating the Motivational Power Score (MPS) and its correlation with job satisfaction among occupational therapists in Ahvaz city.Materials and Methods: All occupational therapists working in Ahvaz city participated in the current cross-sectional study. Valid questionnaires of Job Characteristic Model and Job Descriptive Index were used in order to investigate MPS and Job satisfaction among the participants.Results: More than 85% of the participants had high and moderate job satisfaction scores. Also, MPS mean score was assessed to be in moderate level (142.85 ± 43.62). No correlation was observed between MPS and job satisfaction scores. No correlation was found between demographic variables and MPS and job satisfaction scores, either (P>0.05).Conclusion: Occupational therapists in Ahvaz city reported appropriate job satisfaction. Moreover, MPS were in moderate level. These results indicate the appropriate job status and characteristics among occupational therapists in Ahvaz city.

Background and aims: Auditory memory is the ability to receive process, store, and finally recall verbal information. Auditory-Verbal memory plays an important role in human life. One of the common methods to investigate auditory-verbal memory is using the behavioral neuropsychological tests. Therefore, many tests have been introduced. Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test is one of the most common tests in this area. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of gender on the results obtained from the Persian version of the test.Materials and methods: In the current study, 120 patients (60 female and 60 male) in their fourth and sixth decades were investigated using the Persian version of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test.Results: Significantly higher scores were observed in women than in men in the total recall (P=0.045), with the intervention (P=0.007), and delayed (P=0.002) phases.Conclusion: Higher scores were observed in women comparing the both age groups. The results confirm the superiority of women in the application of auditory-verbal memory and indicate the importance of using separate data for each sex.

Background and Aim: Kyphosis is one of the most common abnormalities of spinal cord, especially in teenager girls and corrective methods that are used to correct this abnormality in childhood and teen years are limited, or they are not adaptable with these people. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of corrective exercise on the kyphosis curvature in teenager girls.Materials and Methods: The present semi-experimental study was conducted on 20 students aged between 13 to 17 years (mean age: 14.4±1.3, mean height 159.8±4.8, mean weight 48.3±7.6, and BMI 18.8±2.5) with functional kyphosis (the angle more than 40 degrees). The participants were randomly divided into two groups: control group (n=10) and experimental group (n=10). The exercise plan included 80-60 minutes training, 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks and kyphosis curvature measurements were performed prior to and after the training program using flexible ruler. The paired sample t-test and covariate were run to find the difference at significant level of 0.05.Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in curvature kyphosis between the control and experimental groups (P=0.03). Also there was a significant decrease in the curvature degree in experimental group (P=0.004), but no significant difference was observed in the control group (P=0.56).Conclusion: The present study indicated that the corrective exercise is a convenient and easy approach to improve functional kyphosis curvature. These exercises are recommended to this group of people to improve the curvature of their back.

Background and Aim: Ultrasonography can be used as an imaging technique to study the texture and structure of a muscle (thickness, surface area, fiber length, etc.). Muscle size is an important factor in the diagnosis of muscle health or disease. Masseter is one of the masticatory muscles. Determining the thickness of the masseter muscle with regard to its function on the temporomandibular joint has an important role in the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorders. The aim of the present study was to determine the average thickness of the masseter muscle in healthy young people.Method and Materials: A total of 50 volunteers (25 men and 25 women) in the age range of 18-30 years participated in the current study. Sonography of the masseter muscle was carried out while participants were in supine position and a 12 MHZ linear probe was on the mandible ramus in alignment with the auricle on the muscle belly.Results: The statistical results showed high reliability of ultrasonic thickness of the masseter muscle in the rest position (ICC=0.8). Muscle thickness in young healthy participants in the rest position was 1.4±1.4 mm. A relationship was observed between gender and thickness of the masseter muscle (P=0.038).Conclusion: Sonography is a high reliable method in measuring the thickness of the masseter muscle. The masseter muscle thickness was greater in males than in females.

Background and Aim: Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder in basal ganglia in brain. It is a chronic progressive disease, and mostly affects the old people. Physical therapy is one of the ways to help these people to improve their health.Materials and Methods: A total of 45 male and female volunteers with PD (stage 1-4, based on Hoehne and Yahr scale) were recruited in the study. They were assigned into three groups of control, without suit therapy and with suit therapy. The groups with and without suit therapy, in addition to pharmacotherapy, received 8 weeks of balance training including 3 sessions per week, each session for 45 minutes, while the patients of the control group received only pharmacotherapy. The patient's quality of life (PDQL questionnaire) and motor function (UPDRS questionnaire) were evaluted in the beginning and at the end of the period. All data were analysed using ANOVA.Results: The results revealed significant differences in the quality of life between the three groups (P<0.001). Treatment in the groups with and without suit therapy shows to be significantly more effective than that in the control group, but between groups with and without suit therapy, no significant difference was observed. The results of the study also showed significant differences in motor function among the three groups (P<0.001). The groups with and without suit therapy were significantly more effective than control group, and the group with suit therapy was significantly more effective than the group without suit therapy.Conclusion: It can be concluded that balance training has a positive effect on the quality of life and motor function in individuals with PD, and balance training with suit therapy is better than the one without suit therapy. Therefore, it is suggested that some balance training with suit therapy sessions be orgaized for these individuals.

Background and Aim: The upper extremity lymphedema is the most common side effect of the breast cancer treatment. The aim of the present study was assessment of the effect of the complex decongestive therapy on the lymphedema volume in women with breast cancer therapy-related lymphedema.Materials and Methods: A total of 33 women with the lymphedema participated in the present study. Data gathering instruments included the measurement of lymphedema volume via water displacement. The intervention was performed in two phases: phase 1: for 2-3 weeks, and phase 2: one month after phase 1. Therapeutic techniques in each phase included massage, compression bandage, exercise, and the skin cares. Repeated measures was run for statistical analysis.Results: The findings showed that complete decongestive therapy resulted in the reduction in lymphedema volume (p<0.001).Discussion: The current study showed that complete decongestive therapy is the effective treatment for the reduction of the lymphedema volume in women with breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema.

Background and Aims: The Pilates is one of the new training methods that seems to be effective in reducing weight, body composition factors, and performance. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of Pilates training on some physical fitness variables in 20 untrained overweight females.Materials and Methods: Participants of the present study (with the mean age of 46.65±4.85 years and the mean body mass index of29.28±2.65 kg/m2) were randomly divided into two groups: 10 persons in experimental group and 10 in the control group. Before starting workout, nutritional consultation was carried out for all the selected participants and an isocaloric diet was arranged to maintain weight. The experimental group performed Pilates training three sessions a week and for eight weeks, each session lasting for one hour. The control group did not do any special exercise and had only dietary changes. Flexibility of the abdominal muscles, the lateral stabilizer muscle endurance, weight, height, body fat, lean body mass, waist-to-hip ratio, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were measured prior to and after the intervention program. For statistical analysis of the data, one-way analysis of covariance was conducted at the P level of>0.05.Results: The results showed that, weight, body fat percentage, BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio decreased significantly in the training group (P<0.05). Also, lean body mass, muscles flexibility, and lateral stabilizer muscles endurance increased significantly in the training group (P<0.05).Conclusion: The results of the present study proved that eight weeks of Pilates exercise with 3 one-hour sessions per week can improve body composition, flexibility, and muscular endurance.

Background and Aim: Menier is a disease of internal ear that involves cochlea and otolith organs, which play important roles in the balance of body. Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (cVEMP), Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV), and Subjective Visual Horizontal (SVH) are tests to evaluate otolith organs. Understanding otoliths functions and choosing the appropriate test to evaluate them can help control and treat menier’s disease. The purpose of the present study was to collect and integrate the results of studies that investigated the otolith organs in Meniere's disease patients using three tests of cVEMP, SVV, and SVH.Materials and Method: PubMed, Elsevier, and Google Scholar database were searched using "menier", "Otolith", "Saccule", "Utricle", "cVEMP", "SVV", and "SVH" keywords. A total of 45 articles relevant to the topic were selected and studied.Conclusion: Generally, otolith tests have limited sensitivity and specificity. cVEMP shows abnormal results in menier’s disease that is almost independent of the duration of disease. SVV has good performance in acute phase of menier’s disease. In the acute phase of the disease, it shows error to the set line vertically and deviated to the affected side. About SVH, no remarkable report was found.

Background and Aim: Millions of individuals worldwide experience sensorineural hearing loss. The current treatments include prescription of conventional hearing aids. Hearing aids have varying degrees of success in patients experiencing considerable hearing loss. Recently, augmented acoustic environment (AAE) has been proposed as a method for alleviating the severity and progression of sensorineural hearing loss disorders, involving the exposure of patients to augmented levels of controlled acoustic stimulation. Treatment efficacy was assessed in other progressive sensorineural hearing loss disorders, such as presbycusis, in which the aim of the treatment was to reduce the damage to the auditory system following noise-induced hearing loss and to promote the migration of transplanted cells to the injured region. Different factors such as age, sex, level of sexual hormones, location of the effect (cochlea or anterior ventral cochlear nucleus [AVCN]), frequency, tonotopic organization, and hearing sensitivity determine the effect of AAE on the auditory system.Materials and Methods: Articles published between 1988 and 2014 related to the effects of augmented acoustic environment on the function of auditory system were searched and selected for review from Google scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases.Conclusion: The study of the factors determining the effectiveness of AAE has applications for hearing aids (following exposure to AAE), or the control of environmental noise for individuals who are at risk for hearing loss. Amplification of certain frequencies in the damaged area of the cochlea during the fitting of hearing aids may have similar peripheral and central (positive or negative) effects as those reported in other studies on AAE.

Background and Aim: Children with autism have cognitive dissonances and emotional problems, such as depression, anxiety, learning problems, and mental development problems caused by sleeping disorders. The object of the present review article was to study sleep disorders and their related factors.Material and Methods: The current review article was written to discuss sleep in children with autism according to the latest clinical research. Articles published between 2000 and 2015 were reviewed. We searched for three keywords (sleep, autism, and functional) using Google, ProQuest, PubMed, Science direct, and Google Scholar. Initially, 55 investigations were found meeting the specified criteria. Articles related to sleep disorders, sleep, functional autism, and sleep were selected using a targeted selection approach. During this process, seven articles were selected as the main articles for the review.Results: It was found that sleep in children suffering from autism might be influenced by mental damage, anxiety, and behavioral problems. On the other hand, appropriate physical activity may improve sleep patterns and sleep disorders. Understanding sleep, factors affecting sleep, sleep problems, and their treatments may greatly help in improving sleeping in children with autism.

Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis is an immune disorder which involves central nervous system. This chronic condition has physical and psychological consequences causing economical and social burdens for patients and their families. Providing scientific evidences based on treatment benefits would have significant importance in health management and patient's quality of life.The present study aimed to collect descriptive and applied evidences comparing the efficacy of different non-biologic supplementary medicine intervention in Iranian multiple sclerosis individuals.Materials and Methods: In the present study, we investigated the complementary medicine interventions for multiple sclerosis. Articles were searched in Iranian databases including IranDoc, Medlib, and Magiran as well as international databases including Pubmed and Google Scholar.Results: After initial screening and deleting irrelevant studies, 41 studies were chosen for the analysis. Studies were assessed and analyzed methodologically. Proper interventions were selected according to the least error criteria or the degree of strength.Conclusion: Most studies were performed on relapsing-remitting kind of multiple sclerosis. They focused on fatigue level, quality of life, and mood promotion evaluation. Exercises with moderate level and intensity can be used monitoring short intervals and with short duration. Aerobic exercises have positive effects on all body organs as well as respiratory capacity and function; thus, they can be applied based on patient history and fatigue level.

Background and Aim: Neurological disorders such as Cerebro Vascular Accident (CVA) and Cerebral Palsy (CP) are the major causes of disability in adults and functional disability of the upper limbs. These are the most major difficulties that make a person unable to perform daily activities. Splinting is a kind of rehabilitation intervention in therapeutic performance that increases the process of recovery and decreases the level of functional disability post-disorder. The purpose of the present study was to categorize and review articles concerning the effect of splinting on spasticity and upper extremity function in children with CP and CVA patients.Materials and Methods: The current study includes a combination of the results of splinting on spasticity and upper extremity function in children with CP and CVA patients. The study was conducted using the evidence-based Duffy method.Results: From among 46 articles found in the field of splinting and their results on the function of CVA and CP patients, only 25 used the inclusion criteria for the type of splinting categorized as: Volar splint, Dorsal splint, Volar-Dorsal splint, Extension splint, C-Bar splint, Dynamic Splint, Anti-pronation splint, and Saebo splint. The results showed no significant differences between the effects of Volar splint, Dorsal splint, and Volar-Dorsal splint on upper extremity function, but due to the ease of using a Dorsal splint, it is more useful than other static splints. Furthermore, the C-Bar splint was found to be most useful and sufficient for finger activity and active Range of Motion of the hand.Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrated that splinting is a useful method of therapeutic intervention. However, the aim of splinting, the patients’ condition, and the therapist’s opinion on splinting are the factors that should be the most attended to.

Background and Aim: Auditory selective attention refers to the mental ability to resist distractor stimuli and to select relevant information from the surrounding acoustic events. Four processes are fundamental to attention: working memory, competitive selection, bottom-up, and top-down sensitivity control. ERP is a useful tool for evaluating selective attention.Method: In the present review article, relevant topics on the role of ERP in evaluating selective attention was searched in Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases using keywords including selective attention, ERP, working memory, bottom up, and top down control between the years 1988 up to 2015.Conclusion: Auditory attention selects the information to enter the working memory. Access to working memory is determined by the relative signal strengths of competing representations of information. Signal strength is modulated automatically by bottom-up salience filters and is modulated top-down by bias signals that are controlled by working memory and voluntary control of attention is mediated by a recurrent loop comprising working memory, top-down sensitivity control, and competitive selection. The framework for attention proposed in the current review is intended to act as a tool to facilitate the study of neural mechanisms underlying auditory attention by ERPs. Two principal models regarding auditory selective attention are "gain theory" and "attentional trace theory", the first related to lower level and cochlea and the second to cortical level.

Background and Aim: Balance impairment and dizziness are among the most common disorders among the elderly. Losing confidence in maintaining balance can sometimes be even more debilitating than actually falling down. Considering the global increase in the elderly population, it seems important to focus on their specific needs including balance and the question whether it is possible to predict the risk of falling.The ABC questionnaire is a valid and useful tool for evaluating balance confidence and fear of falling among the elderly. Recently, the questionnaire has been standardized and culturally adapted for use in Iran. Although this 16-item questionnaire has acceptable validity and reliability, completing it for clinical and research purposes among the elderly is time-consuming. Therefore, a shorter version consisting of six items was designed, which is useful for assessing fear of falling in different groups. Objective assessment of the short version showed that it is as reliable as the long version, as reported previously. Although some studies have used the short version, which has been shown to have a high correlation with the original version meaning that it can replace the latter. However, it is necessary to assess the validity and reliability of the short version (ABC-6) in different elderly populations.

Introduction: Fraser syndrome is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder with multiple anomalies and its prevalence is 11 percent of live births. The classic form of this syndrome is described with cryptophthalmos, syndactly, throat abnormalities, apparatus urogenitalis, facial disfigurement, lack of eyebrows, hypertelorism, cleft palate, suspensions, flat nose, anus closed, umbilical hernia, pubis diastasis, mental retardation, and heart and skeletal defects. Reported cases in Iran are very limited and none of the cases reported have addressed the patient's speech and language features.History: The patient was a girl was born in 2009 in Shahrood. She was given birth after a term pregnancy and via vaginal delivery. Parents were referred to the Speech Therapy Clinic in 2013 after complaining about the girl’s lack of attention and delay in speech and language development. The present study reports on the clinical observations on the progress of the patient's behavior and language over the two years.Discussion and Conclusion: Speech and language disorders are associated with the features of the syndrome. Due to lack of formal evaluation tests in this area, understanding its characteristics can lead to provision of intervention strategies.