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Background and aim: The shoulder area is the most complex region of the body and inherently unstable that motions are produced and controlled by sequenced activation of muscles in force couple patterns. It seems that investigating of shoulder muscle activation pattern is essential in the various tasks in healthy subjects due to the unstable structure of the shoulder and vital role of muscles in the stability. In order to evaluate motor control changes in the various movement, designing the therapeutic programs suitable to the shoulder pain and to evaluate effects of physiotherapy and preventing of side effects, this study was conducted. Up to now, it has not been evaluated in the D1flex & D1ext patterns yet.

Materials and methods: Thirteen female healthy volunteers participated in the experiment. Dependent variables of muscle activation such as onset and offset as well as sequencing of muscles (upper trapezius, lower trapezius, serratus anterior, pectoralis major, anterior deltoid and posterior deltoid) of dominant side were calculated during D1flex & D1ext patterns by surface EMG and Data log software in the standing position with speed movement of 25 degree/second.

Results: Special patterns of muscle activation were observed during D1flex & D1ext. Sequencing of muscle activation was different in the both movement patterns. Also, significant differences were found in the latency time of all muscles (p<0.05) except upper fibers of trapezius related to flex/ext goniometer (p=0.33) between both movement patterns.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that there are special patterns of activation of muscles around the scapulohumeral articulation in the normal subjects. Rehabilitation and conditioning programs should be designed to restore and optimize the activation sequences and task specific functions of these muscles.

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Background and aim: Belts and back supports are frequently used to prevent low back pain. Despite many studies, there are not sufficient evidence and conclusive consensus about the effects of these supports. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of lumbosacral supports on motor control pattern during combined trunk motion.

Materials and Methods: 30 healthy young men were selected for the study. Temporal parameters of motor control and activity level of three pairs of trunk muscles were measured during combined trunk motion against minimum resistance and resistance equal to 50% of maximal isometric strength, under with and without back support conditions.

Results: By application of a lumbosacral support, movement response time was significantly decreased under minimum resistance (P=0/004). Application of support decreased reaction time and motor time under two resistance conditions significantly (P<0/05). No significant changes were found in trunk muscle activity levels following wearing a back support (P>0/05).

 Conclusion: By application of a lumbosacral support, individual reaction time was decreased. Although back support did not change the trunk muscle activity level, but the erector spinae muscle efficiency was increased to initiate desired movement.

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Background and Aim:Whole body vibration (WBV) has been regarded as an exercise training method and as a non-pharmacological supportive treatment option appearing to be efficient for chronic disease conditions, such as bone disorders and cardio-respiratory fitness. Since, data on the safety and efficacy of vibration on plasma parameters are lacking, therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of WBV on the plasma parameters in adult male Wistar rat model.

Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats weighing 140-180 g were divided into control and the vibration group. Vibration training consisted of vertical sinusoidal whole body vibration for 8 weeks, followed by blood collection.

Results: The vibrated rats weighed more than the control group (approximately 14 % more). Plasma CK, E2 and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the vibration group compared with the controls. The mean of Vit. D level was 15% higher hsCRP level was 11% lower and IL-6 level was 32% higher in the vibration group. No difference was observed for other selected plasma parameters.

 Conclusion: The potential effects of physiological responses of WBV on several physiological systems are without deteriorations in plasma parameters.

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Background and Aim: Anterior knee pain (AKP or AnKP) is one of the most common disorders of knee. Many studies have been implemented about anterior knee pain and effect of different treatments on this disorder. Todays, this general term has been divided and studied more closely. Knee extension syndrome is one of the common disorders in orthopedic and physical therapy that diagnosed with increased stiffness of quadriceps muscle and causes anterior knee pain. The purpose of this review article is to evaluate this disorder more closely.

Materials and Methods: A literature search was carried out using MEDLINE and SCIENCE DIRECT cite and JOSPT journal database to assess existing literature about anterior knee pain. Furthermore, literatures about the different standpoints of anterior knee pain and effectiveness of different treatments and interventions of anterior knee pain and knee extension syndrome have been identified.

 Results: Fifty articles have been surveyed: forty-two articles evaluated the effect of different treatments on anterior knee pain. Five articles evaluated the various aspects of anterior knee pain more closely and three ones related to knee extension syndrome.

Conclusion: According to these studies results, the causes of anterior knee pain can be classified in two categories: 1) anterior knee pain associated with patellofemoral disorders and 2) anterior knee pain non-associated with patellofemoral disorders. The knee extension syndrome is the cause for anterior knee pain but non-associated with patellofemoral disorders. In this disorder, the tilt angle of patella could be increased and this factor can increase the patients' pain. In contrast to general belief that focuses on tensor fascia lata- ilotiobial band complex (TFL-ITB complex), the rectus femoris muscle stretching should be focused more, because the ilotiobial band has a less effect on patellar tilt. 

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Background and Aim: This study was performed to compare the stiffness of hamstring and rectus femoris muscles in subjects with anterior knee pain and normal subjects.

Materials and Methods: In this non experimental and case-control study, 20 persons with anterior knee pain were selected simply from convenient sample and 20 healthy persons were selected by matching method. proximal and distal stiffness of hamstring and rectus femoris muscles were measured using an isokinetic device in the passive mode. Also, maximal concentric peak torque during flexion and extension movements of hip and knee, in two groups were compared by independent T-test and correlation analysis.

Results: There was no significant difference between anterior knee pain and proximal compartment of rectus femoris(P=0.320) and hamstring(P=0.125) stiffness, but there was significant difference between anterior knee pain and distal compartment of rectus femoris and hamstring stiffness (P<0.001). Significant relationship was found between anterior knee pain and muscles strength (P<0.001). No correlation was found between strength and stiffness of rectus femoris (P=0.356) and hamstring muscles (P=0.643) in patients group, but in healthy subjects this relationship was found (P<0.001). 

Conclusion: In patients with anterior knee pain, hamstring and rectus femoris muscles stiffness increased and muscle strength decreased. Increasing of muscle strength was effective on stiffness in healthy subjects, but there was no relation between them in patients group. Also rectus femoris and hamstring muscles possibly have different proximal and distal neuromuscular compartments.

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Background and Aim: In some disorders, word finding is difficult. There is different ways to assess naming process that verbal fluency is one way. So far has not been an index to verbal fluency assessment and treatment, the aim of this study was to determine normative data of semantic fluency for 18-69 -year – old adult Persian speakers.
Materials and Methods: This study was cross sectional and analytic. Participants were 540 normal adults 18-69 -year – old. They were divided in 4 age groups ( 18-30, 31-43, 44-56, 57-69) and 3 educational groups (0-8, 9-12, >12). The peoples were asked to name animals and fruits in 60 seconds, words were recorded and analyzed whit Troyer method and SPSS 16 software.
Results: The findings of this study did not show significant differences in semantic verbal fluency, clusters mean and number of switches between two genders. But significant differences were found in semantic verbal fluency (P=0.000) and number of switching (P=0.000) between educational groups. Also significant differences were found in semantic verbal fluency (P=0.014), clusters (P=0.000) mean and number of switching (P=0.000) between age groups.
Conclusion: Semantic verbal fluency and number of switching increase by promoting the education but decrease by rising of participant age. Clusters mean increase by rising of participant but the education had not significant effect. Gender had no effect on none of them. The findings of this study are consistent with other studies and difference in findings in some of studies, could cause of different in educational and age partitions.

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Background and Aim: Optic neuritis causes some deficits in visual function in the affected eye and there are some differences in these functions between the affected and unaffected eyes. The purpose of the study is to compare visual functions of both eyes to demonstrate the minimum and maximum value of affection in patients with acute unilateral optic neuritis.
Materials and Methods: Thirty patients (23 female, 7 male aged between 18 and 45 years) who 22 patients with retro-bulbar and 8 patients with anterior optic neuritis, enrolled in the study and their affected and unaffected eyes underwent visual function assessments. Visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), color vision (CV), and visual field (VF) (consist of MA and PSD) were examined for both eyes of all the patients and the significance of the differences between two eyes were calculated and compared by Independent T-test.
Results: According to our results, all the investigated visual functions consist of VA (t-test, t=7.29, P=0.00), CS (t-test, t=9.20, P=0.00), CV (t-test, t= -21.95, P=0.00), MD (t-test, t=5.29, P=0.01) except PSD (t-test, t=0.67, P=0.71) were affected by optic neuritis and there was a significant difference between the affected and unaffected eyes (P<0.01). The most significant difference were found for contrast sensitivity with letters (P=0.00) and there wasn`t any significance in the difference between two eyes for PSD parameter in VF (P=0.71).
Conclusion: Considering the most significant difference of contrast sensitivity between affected and unaffected eyes in patients with acute unilateral optic neuritis, it is suggested to pay more attention to the test in evaluating, diagnosis and follow up patients with acute unilateral optic neuritis.

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Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of different types of isokinetic contractions on hemodynamic parameters in men.
Materials and Methods: Ten healthy male subjects (age, 26.1±3.4 years) in three separate sessions performed three exercise protocols included Concentric/Concentric (C/C), Eccentric/Eccentric (E/E) and Concentric/Eccentric (C/E) contractions (flexion and extension) in the knee joint. In each session subjects performed 4 sets, 10 repetitions, at the speed of 60 degree per second. Hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure and rate of pressure product) were measured before exercise, immediately after exercise and after 30 min recovery. Data were analyzed using two- way repeated measures of ANOVA.
Results: Statistical analysis of data showed significant increases in heart rate, systolic blood pressure (P<0.001), mean arterial blood pressure (P=0.053) and rate of pressure product (P<0.001) during exercise and significant reductions in these parameters in recovery period. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was significantly different among the contraction protocols (F2,34=15.5) and post-hoc test showed that RPE was lower in E/E protocol than the other two protocols.
Conclusion: Hemodynamic parameters change in response to different muscular contractions, though these changes are not related to contraction type.

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Abstract

Background and Aim: consider ing based on the presence or absence of swelling of the optic disc, optic neuritis classified nto two types of anterior and retrobulbar optic neuritis. The aim of this study was to compare the visual functions of patients with anterior optic neuritis and retrobulbar optic neuritis.

Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted in 48 patients with optic neuritis including 35 patients (26 females) with retrobulbar optic neuritis and 13 patients (10 females) with anterior optic neuritis. Total cases aged ranging from 18 to 45 years old.The patients underwent clinical tests of visual functions, including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and color vision. The collected data was recorded and statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software. The significance of the differences between two types of the diseases were calculated and compared by independent t-test.

Results: The anterior optic neuritis patients were slightly older than the retrobulbar optic neuritis ones (Average30.6yearsVs26.6years). Average defect to the visual functions was more severe in anterior optic neuritis in compare to retrobulbar. The visual functions of visual acuity (t=1.74, P=0.048) and color vision (t=-3.00, P=0.005) were significantly different between two types of the diseases. However, there was not a statistically significant difference (t=1.64, P=0.104) for contrast sensitivity as a visual function.

Conclusion: In the retrobulbar optic neuritis that there is not a specific appearance of fundoscopy ,the visual function of contrast sensitivity can be used as a helpful tool for primary diagnosis of the disease. especially

Key words: Anterior optic neuritis, etrobulbar optic neuritis, visual acuity, contrasts ensitivity ,colorvision.

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Abstract

Background and Aim: The Action Observation stimulates mirror neurons. It is the effective acquisition of skills, motor learning and memory formation and this feature can be used to treat injuries such as stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of action observation on the symmetry of weight distribution in lower limbs and stability indices in semi-dynamic stability.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 91 healthy male and female non-athletes aged 20 to 45 years. Data were collected through questionnaires and clinical examinations. Subjects were randomly assigned to men and women with and without film observation. A 3-minute short film was preapared to stimulate mirror neurons in the standing position on the symmetry weight measurement system and Biodex platform system. In film observation group, before and after viewing the film, distribution of weigh bearing on the right and left sides, and dynamic stability indices in two stability levels of 5 and 8 were measured and calculated indices of total, anterior - posterior and medio- lateral indices were obtained. In without film observation group, measurements were performed at the similar time as a film observation group.

Results: Percentage weight distribution showed no significant difference between the two groups. The comparison of percentage changes between two groups showed that observation of the film improved significantly total index (p <0.002) and anterior – posterior index (p <0.018) in the stability level of 5. Analysis of the results in the separately men and women groups, showed the significant improvement of these parameters only in women group after film observation regardless of film observation, the percentage changes of stability indices showed no significant differences in men groups.

Conclusion: Action Observation (by activating the mirror neurons) can be effective methods to improve the balance standing of healthy people on the stable and unstable surfaces. Significant improvement stability indices in women after viewing the film, may suggest the greater sensitivity of women's mirror neurons related to men.

Keywords: Mirror Neurons, Action Observation, Symmetry of Weight Distribution, Dynamic Stability, Stability

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  Background and Aim: Since many of people in their functional activities mostly place their knee joint in flexed position, the hamstring muscles tend to be shortened. On the other hand, shortness of these muscles affect the knee joint directly and the ankle and hip joints indirectly. It predisposes the individual to musculo-skeletal injuries. Thus, by early diagnosing and treatment of it, the tension may be decreased, the relaxation increased and the development of injuries can be prevented. In order to achieve this goal, various stretching techniques are used. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of static and PNF stretching on shortness of hamstring muscles in 18-30 years young women.

  

  Materials and Methods: Thirty 18-30 years old nonathletic women without any history of pathology in hip, knee or back were selected. They were divided into three groups with 10 women in each group(static stretch, PNF stretch and control). The two stretch groups were received stretching program five days every week for three weeks, while the control group was not.

  Results: The range of knee extension of both groups of static and PNF stretching increased (p<0/05). However there was no significant difference between these two groups (p>0/05).

  

  Conclusion: Employing of both methods (static and PNF stretching) increase the hamstring muscles flexibility. However there was no significant difference between two groups in increasing rang of knee extension.

  

  Key words: Hamstring muscles, static stretching, PNF stretching

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 Background and Aim: Total Hip Replacement (THR) is done comprehensively all over the world. Despite the effects of braces on control of THR complications , few studies have been performed on this subject. The purpose of this study was to evaluate immediate effect of hip abduction brace on mobility and functional balance of patients with THR.

  

 Materials and Methods: Eight men and nine women with THR participated in this study. Mobility and functional balance were assessed and compared with and without brace conditions by means of TUG, FR and Berg tests.

  

  Results : A significantly higher TUG, FR and Berg scores were seen in brace condition compared to without brace situation (P < 0.05).

  

  Conclusion: Hip abduction brace can increase mobility and functional balance in patients with THR.

  

  Keywords: Total Hip Replacement, Functional balance, Functional Mobility, Hip Abduction Brace

  

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Background and Aim: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is one of the most important elements in normal musculoskeletal function during gait cycle and serve as a shock absorber during heel strike and load transfer from lower limbs to trunk. Its stabilizing is the product of osseous, ligamentus and muscular elements which muscle activity of these muscles (Gluteus Maximus, Biceps Femoris, Multifidus, Erector Spinea, and Latissimus Dorsi) is important in load transfer through SIJ. It seems that the function of the given muscles in sacroiliac joint pain subjects is interrupted. So, the aim of the present study is to compare muscle activity during different events of stance phase of gait cycle during preferred and slow speed between sacroiliac joint pain and healthy subjects.

  

Methods and Materials: Thirteen SIJ pain subjects (12 females, 1 male) and thirteen healthy subjects (11 females, 2 male) participated in this study. Muscle activity based on RMS from selected muscles was recorded during different events of stance phase of gait either preferred or slow speed by EMG Data-link Biometrics and normalized according to muscle activity during a 500 ms period in rest position before starting walking called Baseline Correction.

  

Results: Significant statistical differences were found between two groups in muscle activity based RMS during different events of stance (p=0/006), but there was no significant difference in effect of speed on RMS between two groups (p=0/37). Significant Statistical differences were also seen between selected muscles in each group separately during slow speed of walking (p=0/003) but no significant statistical difference during preferred speed in SIJ pain group (p=0/14).

  

Conclusion: SIJ subjects have showed increased levels of muscle activity during different events of stance phase of gait with preferred and slow speeds. These increased levels can be interpreted as a mechanism to control trunk movements effectively, provide sufficient support and transfer load to lumbar area efficiently.

  

Key words: Muscle activity, Sacroiliac joint, Gait, Trunk muscle, Lower limb muscles

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Background and Aim: The curves of the spine, especially lumbar lordosis, play an important role in the maintenance of an efficient upright posture and allow efficient absorption of the loads applied to the spinal column and increase the efficiency of the spinal musculature. Excessive lumbar postures, also called “hyperlordosis” and “hypolordosis” , are thought by some researchers to be indicative of altered muscle activity and stress patterns. Therefore tolerance of particular activities of daily living (ADL) of an individual with these postures is reduced. Despite the importance of neuromuscular control at spinal column maintenance and coordination, there are little investigations about the effect of thoracic and lumbar curvatures on trunk muscles activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate electromyographic behavior of trunk muscles in lordotic posture.

  

Materials and Methods: Twelve subjects with lordotic posture ( mean age 23.67 years, mean weight 56.67 kg, and mean height 162 cm) and eleven subjects with normal posture ( mean age 22 years, mean weight 59.36 kg, and mean height 164.91 cm) participated in this study. Subjects were asked to hold a load equivalent of 7% of her body weight.

  

Results: Data analysis indicated that there is not significant statistically difference in median frequency variable between two groups (p>0.05). But there is significant statistically differences at The percentage change in RMS of erector spinae and internal oblique muscles at three time periods between two groups. The percentage change in RMS of external oblique muscle has significant statistically difference at first and third time periods between two groups.

  

Conclusion: These finding reveal that excessive lumbar lordosis alter the activity levels of trunk muscles. Therefore, it seems that the use of posture correction exercises in therapeutic protocols is necessary for improvement of these changes. Also, it is recommended to do this research in dynamic tasks for attain of comprehensive information about the effect of postural deviation on electromyographic behavior of trunk muscles.

  

Keywords: Electromyography, Hyperlordosis, Posture, Prolonged load holding

  

  ^* Corresponding Author: Dr.AzadehShadmehr, Rehabilitation Faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

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Background and Aim: Residual refractive error is one of the most common complications of keratorefractive surgeries including laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). This study aimed to determine the incidence rate and risk factors for re - treatment following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in patients with myopia and myopic astigmatism.

  

Materials and Methods: A case control study was performed on the surgical records of all eyes that underwent PRK from May 2009 to May 2012 at Farabi Eye Hospital by one surgeon. During this period, 70 eyes with indication for retreatment (cases) and 158 control eyes were identified. All of the eyes included in the study had refraction data at least 9 months post-operatively. Student t, Man-Whitney U and chi-square tests were used for univariate analysis of presumed associations. All variables with a P value of < 0.2 on univariate tests were entered in a multiple logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk factors of interest.

  

Results: Pre-op (pre-operative) manifests refraction spherical equivalent ≥-5.00 diopter, intended/nominal optical zone diameter of<6 mm and ocular fixational instability during surgery were associated with an increased risk of retreatment (all P values <0.001) and maintained their significance on multiple logistic regression with strong odd ratios of 6.12, 6.71 and 7.89 respectively. No statistically significant association was found between cases and controls in variables of age, sex, follow-up time, pre-op astigmatism, pre-op keratometry reading, pre-op pachymetry reading, pupil diameter and Kappa angle (all P values>0.05).

  

Conclusion: Small optical zone, deep ablation and unstable fixation during laser ablation are strong predictors for retreatment after photorefractive keratectomy.

  

Keywords: Re-treatment, Photorefractive keratectomy, Myopia, Myopic astigmatism

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Background and Aim: Determination of intra ocular pressure is one of the most important ophthalmic dilemmas. This study compares pre and post photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) measures of intraocular pressure (IOP).

  

Materials and Methods: Simple myopic subjects were selected for this study from "Jomhuri" educational hospital in Erbil. All myopic PRK candidates were referred for IOP measurement. IOP was measured by noncontact tonometer (NCT) in all myopic cases pre and 3 months after PRK at the same diurnal time. Pachymetry was done for all participants.

  

Results: Two hundred and twelve participants were evaluated. The IOP was 15.12 ± 1.8 (mean ± SD) before surgery and 12.16 ± 1.9 after surgery (p<0.0001). The residual corneal depth was significantly determining the IOP result (p<0.0001).

  

Conclusion: Apparently, IOP significantly decreases after PRK however, some ocular diseases that are diagnosed according to the IOP may be missed. Therefore, specific concern should be considered for IOP measurement after refractive surgery.

  

Keywords : PRK, IOP. Refractive error, CCT

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Background and Aim : The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of demographic variables and disease characteristics on the quality of life scores and the distribution of the scores at different stages of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) .

Materials and Methods: One hundred patients with COPD participated in this cross-sectional study. Interview and the validated Persian version of the clinical COPD questionnaire (PCCQ) were used for data collection. The method of data collection for the study was interview with a demographic and validated Persian version of the clinical COPD questionnaire (PCCQ).

  

Results: Six percent of patients were revealed as mild COPD, 34 percent of patients as moderate COPD, 49 percent of patients as severe COPD and 11 percent of patients as very severe COPD. Significant differences were observed for total score and the component scores of the PCCQ among four stages of the disease. The age and length of the disease correlated significantly with the total PCCQ score (P<0.05). In order to compare between the CCQ total score and three domains of male and female groups , the results showed that women compared to men had lower quality of life in CCQ total score and functional areas (P<0/5).

Conclusion: Distribution of the quality of life scores in patients with different stages of COPD patients showed that there is an overlap quality of life scores in the mild, moderate , severe and very severe stages of COPD patients. As a result, classifying the disease using spirometry cannot distinct patients with COPD according to impairments in their health status. In adittion, the age, sex and length of the disease are the main factors that may affect the quality of life.

Keywords: Quality of life, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Demographic information, Clinical COPD questionnaire

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Background and Aim: One of the impaired senses in patients with chronic hemiparesis is the sole cutaneous sense. The role of this sense in maintaining the functional balance and mobility is still controversial in these patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the threshold of sole cutaneous sense and functional balance and mobility tests in patient with chronic hemiparesis.

 

Material and Methods: In this correlational study, seventeen chronic stroke patients by mean age of 59.10 (13.31) years and mean time after injury of 31.70 (23.61) months were selected by simple non– probability method. Functional Reach with ankle and hip strategy (FR), Step Test (ST) in affected and non- affected foot, Bend– Reach test (BR), Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used for assessment of functional balance and mobility and Semmes- Weinstein monofilaments test was used to measure the cutaneous sense of seven different points of sole in affected and non– affected foot.

 

Results: The main effect of foot (affected and non– affected foot) and points (seven different points of sole) of cutaneous sense threshold was significant (P˂0.0001) and interaction effect of foot ˣ points not significant (P=0.2).

The cutaneous sense threshold in all seven points of affected sole showed significant (p˂0.05) low to high correlation (r= 0.24-0.81) with all of functional balance and mobility tests. There was not significant correlation between cutaneous sense threshold in seven points of non- affected foot and any of functional balance and mobility tests, with the exception of cutaneous sense threshold of the little toe floor with total, dynamic and static score of BBS, FR with ankle and hip strategy and TUG; cutaneous sense threshold of big toe with static score of BBS and FR with hip strategy; and medial border of sole with static score of BBS and FR with ankle strategy.

 

Conclusion: The cutaneous sense threshold of affected sole has a more correlation with functional balance and mobility tests. The cutaneous sense threshold of sole in big toe and medial border points has a significant role in functional balance and mobility tests in patients with hemiparesis.

 

Keywords: Functional balance and mobility, Cutaneous sense threshold, Hemiparesis

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Background and Aim: Balance impairment in patients with stroke leads to dependence in activities of daily living. Appropriate, accurate and inexpensive tools are necessary to assess the severity of balance impairment. In order to identify individuals with chronic stroke who have balance impairment and to apply proper treatment, the aim of this study was to examine the sensitivity and specificity of Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Functional Reach (FR) tests, Bend Reach test (BRT) and Step test (ST) in functional balance assessment of patients with chronic cerebrovascular accident.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional comparative study, eighty-one patients with chronic stroke by mean age of 58.82 (±13.48) years and the mean past duration of disease 36.33 (28.27) months were selected by simple non-probability method. Functional balance and mobility tests including TUG, FR, BRT and ST were used as index test and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used as reference test.

Results: All of functional balance and mobility tests including TUG, FR, BRT and ST have a significant ability to identify individuals with chronic stroke subjected to the balance impairment compared with BBS(p<0.0001). Sensitivity of functional balance and mobility tests including TUG, FR, BRT and ST in intact and affected feet at the moderate or above threshold were 90, 90, 88, 88 and 90 percent respectively and at the sever threshold were 60, 85, 58, 88 and 60 percent respectively. Specificity of these tests at the moderate or above threshold were 56, 85, 65, 57 and 53 percent, respectively and at the sever threshold were 89, 90, 92, 30 and 92 percent respectively. TUG functional balance and mobility test had the highest agreement with BBS balance test.

Conclusion: TUG functional balance and mobility test are the best tool to identify chronic stroke patients with balance impairment in both moderate or above and severe threshold.

Keywords: Chronic stroke, Balance, Sensitivity, Specificity

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Background and Aim: The concept of locus of control refers to the degree in which a person perceives daily occurrences to be a consequence of his or her own behavior. Some people accept responsibility of their own continued well-being and maintained improvement, but the others, particularly those who do not accept this responsibility, may be at risk of relapse. It recommends a kind of measurement in order to identify such persons so that further steps can be taken to inhibit the relapse before occurs. One of this measurement is Locus of Control of Behavior. The purpose of the present study is to translate the Locus of Control of Behavior (LCB) into Persian and investigation of validity and reliability of the scale.

Materials and Methods: In this research, 35 adults with stuttering and 35 non-stuttering were evaluated. After the translation of the test according to Protocol IQOLA and its equalization to Persian Language, content validity and face validity of it were determined by the opinions of experts. Then, for concurrent validity determination 35 adults with stuttering were examined by LCB and Rotters locus of control .In order to test reliability, test –retest and Cronbach,s alpha were used.

Results: Entirely relevant items had simple translation. The translation items had content and face validity. Correlation between the marks of LCB and Rotters locus of control was (p=0.000, r= %53). LCB has high Test-retest (p=0.000, ICC= %87) and internal reliability (p=0.000, &alpha;=%85).

Conclusion: The present research showed that the Persian version of the LCB is a reliable and valid tool for locus of control from the perspective of a person who is stutter.

Key Words: Stuttering, Reliability, Validity, Locus of Control of Behavior