Iranian Rehabilitation Journal
Volume:22 Issue: 58, Jun 2024

Pelvic belts are prescribed for back and pelvic pain during pregnancy and postpartum. This study reviews level II literature (randomized clinical trials and clinical trials) considering the effect of pelvic belt application on pain and functional disability in pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain or low back pain.

Two reviewers independently performed a computerized literature search from PubMed/MEDLINE (NLM), Scopus, Web of Science, PEDro and Google Scholar databases. The included studies were agreed upon by the two reviewers, and a third reviewer mediated any disagreements. Data extraction was conducted by the two reviewers and cross-checked by a third reviewer. The quality of each included trial was assessed independently by the two reviewers and scored using the PeDro scale. Any discrepancies in selecting the studies and scoring them were resolved by a third collaborator.

A total of 9 studies met the inclusion criteria and were selected for the systematic review. Four fair- and one low-quality study reported more significant pain reduction by the flexible pelvic belt than the usual healthcare or physical therapy. In two fair- and one low-quality study, higher functional improvement was reported by belt than healthcare or physical therapy. Meanwhile, one high- and one fair-quality study showed no added functional ability in the flexible belt for health care or exercise.

The current review suggests using the flexible belt as a practical treatment approach in alleviating pain in pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain or low back pain (LBP) during pregnancy. However, the added efficacy in functional disabilities is controversial.

Diabetic foot syndrome is becoming increasingly common in India with a prevalence ranging from 24.9% to 49%. Diabetic foot syndrome patients have an increased likelihood of developing ulcers in their feet. Accordingly, this study evaluates the influence of photobiomodulation on altered plantar pressure distribution and ankle biomechanics in individuals with diabetic foot syndrome. 

A total of 20 diabetic foot syndrome patients with an absence of 10 g monofilament in one out of six sites at the plantar surface of feet, a biothesiometer for vibration perception threshold of >20 V, and diminished or absent ankle reflexes were included. The evaluation of ankle biomechanics was performed by SIMI motion analysis. In addition, the plantar pressure distribution was measured by the WinTrack pressure platform at baseline and the end of 10 sessions. They were treated with scanning mode on the foot plantar surface and probe laser at the popliteal fossa region for three sessions per week, for ten sessions. 

Plantar pressure parameters were significantly improved (P<0.01) and ankle biomechanics (P<0.01) after the intervention, respectively, except for no significant difference in the total contact area and ankle midstance kinematics.

Photobiomodulation therapy can be an effective treatment for improving foot plantar pressure redistribution and ankle biomechanics in individuals with diabetic foot syndrome.

Hand function impairment causes limitations in activities of daily living among stroke survivors. Dexteria app therapy is a game-based therapy with the use of a touchscreen gadget that involves various hand movements. This study evaluates the effect of Dexteria app therapy on hand function in sub-acute stroke survivors.

This study included 26 subacute stroke survivors, randomly allocated into 2 groups as follows: Group A (n=13) received conventional hand therapy while group B (n=13) received Dexteria app therapy. Both groups received 21 sixty-min therapy sessions. Gross hand function and fine manipulative hand function were assessed using the Brunnstrom hand recovery voluntary control grades and the Jebsen hand function test, respectively.

Inter-group comparison using the Wilcoxon rank sum test of the mean difference between groups A and B showed a significant difference in the Brunnstrom hand recovery voluntary control grades Z value which equaled -3.272 with P=0.001 and Jebsen hand function test Z=-3.0 and P=0.002.

Dexteria app therapy showed significant improvement in gross motor function and fine motor hand function than conventional therapy in sub-acute stroke survivors.

Communication disorders in children can change the parents’ lives. Some quantitative studies have investigated the effects of children’s disorders on parents’ quality of life (QoL) using questionnaires. These quantitative studies cannot comprehensively determine the extent of the impacts of such disorders in children on parents’ QoL. Quantitative studies have investigated the QoL using a few limited questions. However, qualitative studies can explore aspects of reality using a full, comprehensive, and in-depth way that may not be quantified by questionnaires. Therefore, this study qualitatively explains the effects of communication disorders in children on parents’ QoL.

In this original research, 14 parents who had children with communication disorders consented to participate in semi-structured interviews. The participants were selected purposefully and the sampling was continued until the data was saturated. The interviews were transcribed and then analyzed through qualitative content analysis.

Qualitative content analysis of the interviews extracted five main themes, including physical effects, psychological effects, economic effects, family dynamics effects, and job-educational effects. Each of these themes consists of several subthemes.

The study revealed the depth of the negative influences of children’s communication disorders on the parents’ QoL. Screening for parental QoL and providing family support systems for parents of children with communication disorders are warranted based on these findings. Moreover, the findings of the current study can be used for the development of new instruments for measuring QoL or caregiver burden among parents of children with communication disorders.

The development of effective connections between nurses and parents depends heavily on nurses’ empathy. Parenting strategies and attitudes have an impact on the emotional connection between parents and children in a variety of scenarios. Accordingly, this descriptive correlation study evaluates the level of empathy and investigates the relationship between parenting styles and the empathy of nurses. 

A purposive (non-probability) sample of 180 nurses was recruited in the current study and selected from four teaching hospitals in Kerbala City, Iraq, according to specific criteria. A pilot study was used to assess the questionnaire’s reliability, and a panel of (17) experts was used to determine the questionnaire’s content validity. The data were collected through interviews using two scales, namely the parental authority questionnaire, and the Jefferson scale of empathy physician/health professions. The data were investigated and interpreted using the SPSS software, version 22. Numbers and percentages were used to illustrate the quantitative qualities. The Spearmen coefficient was applied to evaluate the relationships between the study variables. The significance level was considered a P=0.05.

Nurses have a low level of empathy. There are significant correlations between the father’s and mother’s parenting styles (authoritative, permissive, and authoritarian dimensions) and empathy. In addition, there is a substantial association between nurses’ empathy and job desire. 

Nurse empathy is vital for building strong connections with parents. Parenting styles affect the parent-child emotional bond in various situations. The study on parental rearing patterns and empathy among nurses at teaching hospitals revealed that nurses who have low empathy levels and parenting styles significantly relate to empathy. Nurses’ empathy also impacts their job satisfaction. The study recommends adopting the authoritative parenting style to enhance empathy. Awareness programs through various media should educate parents about positive and negative parenting styles and their effects on children’s futures. By promoting empathy and supportive parenting, parents can nurture empathetic and well-adjusted individuals. The parenting style of both fathers and mothers is associated with empathy among nurses, and job desire may be an important factor that is related to nurses’ empathy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) can cause motor, sensory, cognitive, and communicative problems and poor feeding performances in children. Feeding problems could be life-threatening and negatively affect cognitive and physical growth. This study investigates the frequency of response to oral motor skills, the frequency and severity of feeding problems, and the relationship between age and oral motor skills with feeding problems in children with CP aged 2 to 7 years.

This was an observational and cross-sectional study. The participants were 60 children (26 girls and 34 boys) with CP with a mean age of 4.76±1.71 years. The screening tool for eating problems and oral motor assessment scale assessed participants’ feeding and oral motor skills. The Spearman test determined the correlation between age and oral motor dysfunctions with feeding problems.

The present study revealed that 80% of participants indicated feeding problems in the screening tool of the eating problems test. Problems with feeding skills (51.5%) were the most frequent. Furthermore, the most frequent response of participants to “closing the lips while feeding with a spoon” was 46.7%, and “sucking with straw,” equaled 55.0%,” which was passive. For other items, the most frequent response of the examinees was “functional.” Finally, the results showed no significant correlation (P<0.05) between age and mean scores of frequency and severity of feeding problems. A significant negative correlation was found between mean scores of oral motor skill with frequency (P<0.001, r=-0.476) and severity (P=0.001, r=-0.424) of feeding problems.

The majority of children with CP have problems with feeding and oral motor skills. Some skills in the fields of feeding and oral motor should be noticed more by speech-language pathologists and included in their therapeutic program, especially “feeding skills,” “closing the lips while feeding with a spoon,” and “sucking with straw.”

Since December 2019, COVID-19 spread worldwide. Patients with COVID-19 are at high hazard for dysphagia. This study investigates the incidence of dysphagia in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and identifies predictors of dysphagia in COVID-19 patients.

This prospective study analyzed 100 COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU of Firoozgar Hospital in Tehran City, Iran. The demographic and clinical features of the eligible patients were collected. Dysphagia and cognition were evaluated according to the Persian version of functional oral intake (FOIS-P) status and the Rancho Los Amigos scale (RLAS). The qualitative variables are described in frequency and percentages and the quantitative variables are illustrated by Mean±SD. Also, univariate and multivariate cox regression was performed to predict possible relations between demographic and clinical variables with dysphagia.

A total of 100 COVID-19 patients (43.3±13.3 years, 55% were men) who were admitted to the ICUs were appraised by speech and language pathologists. Meanwhile, 70% of the subjects had at least one comorbidity, with the most common ones being diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Also, 74% of patients were on invasive mechanical ventilation (60% through endotracheal tube and 40% through tracheostomy). In addition, 57% of patients presented dysphagia. Age (odd ratio (OR)=1.127; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.019%, 1.247%; P=0.02) and level of consciousness (OR=0.393; 95% CI, 0.178%, 0.868%; P=0.021) were predictors of dysphagia. 

Dysphagia was prevalent among COVID-19 patients predicted by age and level of consciousness. Early evaluation of suspected patients is required for timely and efficient interventions to avoid further problematic issues and progress their quality of life.

After the divorce of their parents, children face various behavioral problems, and the attachment styles of the parents and their parenting styles will affect these problems. This research assesses the mediating role of attachment styles in the relationship between parent-child relationships and parenting styles with children’s behavioral problems after divorce.

The investigation was classified as a descriptive-correlation type. The population consisted of mothers of children aged 6 to 10 years who had undergone divorce proceedings at the Shahid Bahonar Judicial Institute’s Welfare Department in Tehran City, Iran, during the first half of 2022. A convenience sampling method was used to select 268 mothers based on a correlation plan. They completed the child behavior inventory (CBCL), parent-child relationships survey questionnaire (PCRS), parenting styles inventory (PSI), and revised attachment style survey (RAAS). The research hypotheses were tested using the smart partial least squares in structural equation modeling. 

The assessment of the research tools’ reliability was conducted via the Cronbach α method and the composite reliability coefficient, with all variables showing a coefficient of above 0.7, indicating acceptable reliability. The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated using the average variance extracted, which exceeded 0.4, indicating relatively acceptable validity. The assessment of the adequacy of the structural model involved analyzing important coefficients of Z, R2, and Q2, with the obtained results indicating an appropriate fit. The results displayed that the mediating role of anxious-ambivalent attachment style and avoidant attachment style is evident in the association between authoritarian and permissive parenting styles and the parent-child relationship, particularly concerning children’s behavioral problems (β=0.184, P<0.05; β=0.019, P<0.01). Secure attachment style serves as a mediating role (partial role) in the association between authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive parenting style and parent-child relationship with children’s behavioral problems (β=-0.364, P<0.05; β=-0.096, P<0.01; β=0.056, P<0.05).

Avoidant and secure attachment styles can mitigate the impact of permissive and authoritarian parenting styles by mediating roles in the association between parent-child relationships and parenting styles with children’s behavioral problems after divorce. They also highlight the emphasis on maintaining positive parent-child relationships and implementing authoritative parenting styles to reduce children’s behavioral problems following. Further research is needed to address and assess concerns regarding children’s behavioral problems after divorce.

Fatigue leads to an increase in joint restoration errors because of nervous system fatigue and a lack of understanding of joint position and imbalance that may be due to the changes in walking patterns and excessive pressure on bones and soft tissue structures, which may ultimately lead to injuries in climbers. Accordingly, this study investigates the effect of fatigue on the restoration error of the knee and ankle joint angles.

This was a quasi-experimental study. A total of 35 mountaineers aged 20-35 years were selected by the non-random sampling method. This research was conducted on September 10, 2022, at the Tochal Climbing Rout in Velenjak, Tehran City, Iran. The tests were taken before and after a mountaineering program for a distance of 8 km at an average speed. The position sense of knee and ankle joints was evaluated using the Mobimed, which is a type of electrogoniometer. The normal distribution of the data was statistically analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and the data were analyzed using the paired t-test. The SPSS software, version 24, was used for all statistical operations (P≤0.05).

The findings showed that fatigue causes errors and significant changes in the restoration of knee and ankle joint angles and 30° (P=0.003), 45° (P=0.004), 60° (P=0.007), dorsiflexion of 10° (P=0.009) and plantar flexion of 20° (P=0.001), the restoration and sense of position is disturbed, which shows that fatigue is effective in understanding the state of the joints.

Fatigue increases the error of restoration of the knee and ankle joint angles, which can reduce the optimal performance of the muscles around the joints by reducing the person’s understanding of the angles and the sense of the joint position.

The high prevalence of borderline personality disorder, along with comorbid psychiatric disorders and impulsive reactions (suicide attempts, self-mutilation, substance use, and impulsive behaviors) increase the need for effective psychological interventions. In this study, the effectiveness of dialectical behavior skills training based on the Soler method and family education with individual therapies are compared in this group of patients.

In this single-blind case study, eight cases were selected through a targeted sampling method based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants were divided into two groups: Intervention individually and individual intervention with family education. Both group members and the family members of the second group received dialectical behavior skills training based on the Soler model. The participants completed the borderline personality inventory, self-harm inventory, and Barratt impulsivity scale in four stages: At the beginning of the sessions, in the middle of the treatment, at the end of the treatment, and three months after treatment.

The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test, Friedman test, and Mann-Whitney U test. The results indicate the effectiveness of the dialectical behavior skills training method based on the Soler model in reducing symptoms of borderline personality disorder and self-mutilation, as well as emotion regulation improvement at the significant level of P=0.05.

This treatment is recommended as an effective and short-term method for controlling symptoms of borderline personality disorder. Family education, in addition to dialectical behavior therapy, has been shown to have a positive effect on reducing symptoms in patients.

Considering the high prevalence of neck pain among dental professionals, as well as its adverse effects on the work activities and quality of life of dentists, this study investigates the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in dental students in addition to the relationship between the severity of neck pain and the ability to perform work.

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 108 senior dental students and residents participated. The data were collected through four questionnaires, including body map, neck pain and disability scale, neck disability index and work ability index. The data were analyzed through the SPSS software, version 25. Meanwhile, a P<0.05 was considered a significance level.

In this study, 85 out of 180 individuals (87.7%) experienced at least one musculoskeletal disorder. The most reported pain was in the neck (45.4%), back (36.1%), and right shoulder (31.5%), respectively. There was a relatively positive and significant relationship between neck pain intensity and inability to perform daily work (R=0.717, P≤0.01). Also, there was a reverse and significant relationship between neck pain intensity and the ability to work (R=0.384, P≤0.01). 

Musculoskeletal disorders are high among dental students and residents in universities of Tehran City, Iran. Meanwhile, neck pain is the most common disorder. The existence of this disorder affects the daily ability to work, which can reduce productivity, increase sick leave, and ultimately premature retirement.

This study assesses the frequency of depression, anxiety, and stress in formal and informal caregivers of autistic children in Karachi City, Pakistan.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among caregivers of autistic children in specified centers in Karachi City, Pakistan. There were 255 participants out of which 111 were formal caregivers and 144 were informal caregivers. Depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS) was used to collect the data. The chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between the frequency of depression anxiety and stress among the two groups.

A total of 76.3% of informal caregivers were suffering from mild depression, 59.3% were moderately depressed, and 76.5% were severely depressed (P<0.01). Similarly, 72.4% had mild anxiety, 68.2% were moderately anxious, and 50.5% were severely anxious (P<0.01). In addition, 75.0% demonstrated mild, 71.1% moderate, 85.7% severe, and 95.0% extremely severe stress (P<0.01). However, there were no significant levels of depression, anxiety, and stress found among formal caregivers.

Depression, anxiety and stress were more commonly present in parents of autistic children (informal caregivers) as compared to formal caregivers.

Painful trigger points (PTP) may be caused or exacerbated by many factors, including abnormal spinal posture. This study compares PTP in the shoulder and scapular areas of mildly kyphotic subjects versus subjects with a normal spine among physiotherapy (PT) students enrolled at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz City, Iran.

A total of 60 PT students, 30 with mild kyphosis and 30 with a normal spine, were randomly and voluntarily recruited. The data collection was planned based on the subjects’ spinal posture, shoulder and scapular pain levels, and the intensity of pain evoked in response to pressure. The spinal posture was assessed using a flexible ruler, while the trigger points were evaluated as described previously by Travell and Simon. A digital pressure algometer assessed the subjects’ pain thresholds, and the pain levels were quantified using a visual analog scale (VAS).

The data indicated significant differences between the mildly kyphotic subjects and individuals with a normal thoracic spine posture concerning their trigger points, pain scales, and pressure thresholds that caused pain. Despite the significant differences between both groups for their latent trigger points, the mean scores for the active trigger points were not significantly different.

There were more trigger points in students with mild kyphosis than in subjects with a normal spine posture. Meanwhile, mild thoracic kyphosis, likely from imbalanced paraspinal muscles, may be linked to the development and or severity of trigger point pain in mildly kyphotic students.

This study assesses the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists regarding non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) and explores their impact on treatment selection, ultimately enhancing quality outcomes.

A total of 107 participants were involved in the study. The questionnaire comprised three sections: Demographic information, evaluation of participants’ pain beliefs and attitudes using the pain attitudes and beliefs scale for physiotherapists scale and frequently employed treatment selection and plans for managing NSCLBP. The questionnaire was distributed via e-mail, WhatsApp and social media platforms using Google Forms.

Responses were gathered from 107 physiotherapists in India through the Google Form. Treatment orientation revealed 43.4% biomedical and 30.7% bio-psychosocial approaches.

The predominant orientation of physiotherapists in India leans towards biomedical aspects in their attitudes and beliefs.

This is a need assessment study conducted on wheelchair users with limited locomotion ability in the legs in the Ahmedabad urban region in India. The results describe the unmet needs in the indoor and outdoor settings. Even though India is a large country with huge diversity in local climate and terrain and big socio-economic disparity, need assessment studies for assistive technology across various socio-economic or with region specificity are extremely scarce. Accordingly, this study aims to understand the needs and requirements of mobility assistive technology users that are not met by their current devices.

Data from 69 participants having physical disabilities were collected through interviews and 6 of the participants were video-tapped to observe their daily routine. Meanwhile, a qualitative analysis of the collected data was carried out.

The analysis highlights problems of participants, such as working in the kitchen, inability to perform everyday indoor tasks, inaccessibility of toilets and public transport, etc.

A mixture of qualitative and quantitative data analysis showed that the major features that the Indian wheelchair users wanted were the ability to adjust the height of the chair, the ability to reach objects without too much maneuvering of the wheelchair, ease of transfer from wheelchair to toilet seat and back and also meet outdoor needs. Hence, a wheelchair that can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings is one of the most imminent needs for such wheelchair users.

This study examines the impacts of health-related quality of life (QoL) on children who suffer from cerebral palsy, in addition to sociodemographic characteristics and other aspects.

Children who suffer from cerebral palsy (CP) who were referred to a Rehabilitation and Rheumatology Clinic in Bagdad, Iraq, were the subjects of a cross-sectional research. The primary data were gathered from parents and kids via a questionnaire. The CP module for The pediatric QoL inventory 3.0 in Arabic was used. The period of August 2022 to February 2023 was used for gathering the data. Researchers evaluated participants using the body mass index (BMI) and the gross motor function classification system. Data analysis was done using SPSS software, version 26 and involved calculating Mean±SD, reporting descriptive statistics, and testing random distribution assumptions. Reliability was assessed via the Cronbach α coefficient and interference analysis, with a considerable level set at P≤0.05.

This research enrolled 139 children of which 55.7% were male and the mean age was 5.7 years. The greatest age group was 5 years (51.1%), 59.7% of children were categorized in levels (III, IV and V) and the majority had a low QoL. The domain of daily activity received the highest score out of the six existing domains (57.05%).

CP affects the QoL of children aged 5 to 7 years. The intensity of the gross motor function classification system, physiological and topographical classification, and health-related QoL were associated significantly.

The present study aims to address the psychological motivations behind social media use, focusing on its under-explored regulatory function in the context of coping strategies and emotional regulation among teachers. This exploratory research explores the relationship between social media engagement and its impact on educators’ stress management and emotional regulation mechanisms.

To investigate this relationship, the study utilized two key instruments: The coping inventory for stressful situations and the Italian version of the difficulties in emotion regulation scale. These tools were administered to a sample of 214 Italian teachers, predominantly female (90.7%), with ages ranging from 25 to 65 years (Mean±SD 47.19±9.02 years). The study employed correlation analysis to assess the associations between social media use in addition to various coping and emotional regulation strategies.

The correlation analysis revealed a nuanced relationship between the usage of certain social media platforms and a higher inclination toward a problem-oriented coping style, alongside a decreased sense of a lack of negative emotional control. Accordingly, while social media can serve as a tool for problem-oriented coping, it may also hinder the ability to disengage from negative emotional states.

The results of this study shed light on the potential of social media as a resource and a challenge in the emotional and professional lives of teachers. By identifying specific coping strategies that are positively and negatively associated with social media use, the research points toward possible interventions that could mitigate the adverse effects of social media. This could include developing targeted support mechanisms to enhance teachers’ ability to manage stress and regulate emotions effectively, thereby optimizing their use of social media in a way that supports their psychological well-being.

This study investigates the chest wall motions and estimates respiratory volumes in a patient with scoliosis compared to a healthy person using the optoelectronic plethysmography method in a sitting position.

In this research, a scoliosis patient and a healthy individual comprised two subjects. Each person’s upper, middle, and lower chest movement in a seated position was measured using optoelectronic plethysmography.

The changes in respiratory volumes of the middle and lower parts of the chest in patients with scoliosis are more than those of a healthy person during quiet breathing. Moreover, the changes in the upper, middle, and lower parts of the chest in the healthy person are also more than those of the subject with scoliosis during deep breathing.

Optoelectronic plethysmography is a noninvasive method to evaluate chest wall movements, respiratory system function, and volumes with fewer limitations than other methods of evaluating respiratory function.