Journal of Modern Rehabilitation
Volume:12 Issue: 4, Autumn 2018

Latent Myofascial Trigger Points (LMTrPs) are defined as certain pain-free hyperirritable spots in a taut band of muscle, which lead to alternation in muscle activation pattern in both loaded and unloaded conditions. Fatigue can alter the stability of the cervical spine because of transferring loads to the passive connective tissues and also increasing muscle activity. Few studies have investigated the effects of fatigue on the parameters of the upper trapezius muscle as a more common muscle to MTrPs. This study attempts to examine the electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle fatigue during shoulder elevation.

Thirty-six right-handed subjects without upper extremity disorders took part in this study. The highest measured force level was assumed to be the Maximal Voluntary Contraction (MVC) of the trapezius. A sustained submaximal contraction of the trapezius was performed. The subjects were asked to sustain a unilateral (80%) MVC isometric shoulder elevation until the force gauge monitor showed (50%) of MVC in at least three minutes.

The Root Mean Square (RMS norm) of the sustained trapezius contractions showed differences between the groups. The Myocardial Depressant Factor (MDF) parameters of the left and right sides of both healthy subjects and patients were significantly different (P<0.001).

The increase in RMS is related to the recruitment of additional motor units and also an increased firing rate. These are necessary to compensate for the loss of force. This accumulation also inhibits the excitability of the muscle membrane, thereby causing a decrease in the firing rate and, consequently, a decrease in Median Frequency (MF).

The Phonological Working Memory (PWM) plays an essential role in many cognitive functions, such as language acquisition. Impaired PWM can result in learning disability. Therefore, the existence of a standard test for the assessment of this ability, especially in children, is vital. Evidence suggests that the Non-Word Repetition (NWR) task is a good representative of PWM competence. This study aimed to normalize the NWR test for Farsi-speaking children. Also, we aimed at assessing the external reliability of this test.

The NWR test, including main and parallel tests, was performed on 455 typically-developed children in five age groups ranging from four to nine years old. We attempted to have an almost equal number of participants in different socio-economic status groups and sexes.

We found a remarkable relationship between the main and parallel test results (P≤0.001). There was a direct relationship between age and NWR performance in the main (P≤0.001) and the parallel (P≤0.001) tests. Also, boys obtained better total scores in the main (P=0.002) and the parallel (P≤0.001) tests.

The test has high external reliability. The results showed non-word repetition ability increased with age. The reported standard scores and normative data can be used for screening and assessing PWM among children.

Physical training, especially aerobic exercise combined with mental training by patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), has numerous benefits, including tissue generation and enhanced anti-inflammatory activity. This study aimed at investigating the effect of ten-week aerobic-cognitive combined training on the serum levels of High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HS-CRP), Anti-cardiolipin antibodies, Immunoglobulin G (IgG), Immunoglobulin M (IgM), and mental status of female SLE patients.

Eight female patients with SLE (with the Mean±SD age of 50±47.04 year and the Mean±SD BMI of 29.57±5.83 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=5) and control (n=3) groups. The experimental group performed Brailletonik exercise, including aerobic (60-80% of Max HR) and cognitive training for ten weeks. The serum levels of HS-CRP, IgG, IgM, and mental status of the patients were evaluated in both groups before and after the training.

According to the results of 2×2 mixed Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), there was no significant effect of training on the serum levels of HS-CRP, IgG, and IgM (P>0.05), but HS-CRP and IgM level decreased in the experimental group by (42%) and (23.5%), respectively. The result of ANCOVA indicated the significant effect of training on mental status (P=0.005).

Physical combined cognitive training could be more effective in improving the mental status compared to a decrease in serum inflammatory factors of SLE patients.

Fluent speech requires inhibitory control for the modification of speech interruptions before the onset or during the speech. The current study aimed at comparing the inhibitory control skill in 6 to 8-year-old children with fluent speech and developmental stuttering.

This research is a descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study. The participants included 31 children with developmental stuttering (6-8 years old) selected based on the convenience sampling method. Also, 32 healthy children were selected from elementary schools in Tehran Province that matched in terms of age and gender with the first group. The children of two groups were selected from the same district (The fifth district) of Tehran Province. Visual Go/No-Go task was used to measure inhibitory control. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the groups.

The result showed that the mean score of children with stuttering in the inhibition index was lower than normal children. According to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the data distribution was not normal (P=0.042). Therefore, the parametric test of the Mann-Whitney U test was used. Despite the lower mean score of inhibition in children with stuttering than healthy children, there was no significant difference in the inhibition index between the groups (P=0.550).

The findings indicated that Children Who Stutter (CWS) had less efficiency in inhibitory control skill compared to normal children, and this problem could be because of the exacerbation or persistence of stuttering.

Previous studies showed that Whole Body Vibration (WBV) is an effective modality for strength and power. WBV has many usages in training and rehabilitation. Core muscles have the central role in the stability of the spine and our daily activity; so, strengthening core muscles is essential. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effect of WBV on strength, endurance, and performance of core muscles in young, healthy females.

This study was a quasi-experimental interventional study. Twelve young, healthy females (18-28 years old) participated in this study; they received WBV in semi-squat position 5 times in 60 seconds separated by 30-second rest. The parameters of WBV included the frequency of 30Hz and an amplitude of 4mm. The tests used for the evaluation of core stability included Vertical Jump (VJ), pressure biofeedback, front abdominal power, trunk extensor endurance, and trunk flexor endurance tests. The tests were performed before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after the intervention.

According to the results, the trunk extensor endurance test, front abdominal power test, and pressure biofeedback had a significant effect (P<0.05). However, no change was observed in the trunk flexor endurance test and VJ test (P>0.05).

This study indicated that WBV could be useful in core stability, specifically for trunk extensor endurance, lumbar strength, and front abdominal power. More studies are required to prove the effect of WBV on VJ and trunk flexor endurance.

Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) has been used as a valid and reliable tool to assess balance performance in various populations. However, it has been translated into the Persian language and has shown perfect psychometric properties in the elderly population. The Persian version in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) population was validated, but its reliability has not been examined. The aim of the current study was to investigate the inter-rater reliability, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency of the Persian version of DGI in MS patients.

A total of 62 participants took part in the reliability process. The sample included 51 females and 11 males. Inter-rater reliability was assessed by the agreement of the results obtained by two occupational therapists. We considered a 3-day interval for the first and second data collection. Test-retest and inter-rater reliability were measured with the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC2, 1) and internal consistency was evaluated with the Cronbach alpha.

The Persian version of DGI showed excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC for total score was 0.98 and ICC for the items ranged from 0.83 to 0.96) and test-retest reliability (ICC for the overall score was 0.97 and ICC for the items ranged from 0.82 to 0.96). The Cronbach alpha of the Persian version of DGI was 0.87.

The Persian version of DGI can be used as a reliable tool for dynamic balance measurement of MS patients in clinical settings and research studies.

This study seeks to answer the question: “What is the difference between the basic psychological needs (survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun) of stuttering and non-stuttering students?”

The present study was conducted on 15 stuttering students aged 13 to 17 years as the case group and 15 non-stuttering students (13 males and two females) aged 13 to 17 years as the control group. The formal validity, reliability, and internal consistency of the questionnaire were assessed.

Analysis showed significant differences between the two groups in need of love and belonging, and fun (P<0.001) and stuttering students showed more desire for love, belonging, and fun. Furthermore; analysis indicated insignificant differences between two groups in survival, power, and freedom needs (P<0.001).

Stuttering students are more in need of love and belonging; that is, the need for relationships, social connections, giving and receiving affection, and feeling to be a part of a group. They, moreover, need more to find pleasure, to play, and to laugh.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is a non-surgical procedure for the treatment of Coronary Artery Diseases (CADs). One of the most common disorders associated with these procedures is the occurrence of Cognitive Impairments (CIs). This study aimed to assess the Reaction Time (RT) and anticipatory skill of PCI patients and healthy subjects, using computer-based software as a safe and easy method.

Ten male PCI patients and ten healthy male individuals participated in this cross-sectional study. Auditory choice and complex choice RT, visual choice and complex choice RT, and anticipatory skill of the low and high speed of the ball of both groups were analyzed by Speed Anticipation Reaction Test (SART) software.

No significant difference was seen between two groups in terms of simple auditory RT (P=0.15), auditory complex choice of RT (P=0.19), and anticipatory skills of the low speed of the ball (P=0.16). However, the performance of PCI patients was significantly worse on the simple visual RT (P=0.01), visual complex choice RT (P=0.05), and anticipatory skill of the high speed of the ball (P=0.04) compared to those of the healthy controls.

The assessment of RT and anticipatory skill as neurocognitive tests is considered to be one of the useful methods for evaluating the cognition function of patients, who have cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the pilot study suggests that PCI patients had a similar or even poorer performance in cognitive function compared with healthy people.