Background and Aim: Accurate control of movement is one of the multiple components in skillful motor performance that can be impaired by disease. Trackingtests quantify the effects oftreatments designed toimprovecontrol of movement and they are considered as anideal protocol forimproving motor control. The purpose of the present study was to examine reliability of the control error during target tracking tasks in trunk region in sagittal transverse torque plane in healthy subjects.

Materials and Methods: Nine healthy subjects (4 females and 5 males) randomly performed target tracking tasks at levels of 0% to 80% Maximum Voluntary Exertions (MVE) and twelve different directions (0 ̊, 30 ̊, 60 ̊, …, 330 ̊) twice in upright standing posture. In this study, the tracking system included a moving target circle, which moved on a straight line in specific direction from 0 to 80% of individual MVE with speed of 6% MVE/S.The direction of isometric trunk exertion was presented to participants in the online visual feedback by a computer monitor positioned in front of them. Trunk controllability was determined by computing the control errors (Absolute Value Error from the Target [AVET], Error from the Target Path [ETP] and Error from the Target in the Target Path [ETTP]) during each performance. Relative reliability (Intra-class Correlation Coefficient [ICC]) of the control error in each direction was determined. Also absolute reliability (Standard Error of Measurement [SEM]) and Minimal Detected Change (MDC95) were computed.

Results:The results have shown that ICC for AVET, ETP and ETTP ranged from 0.81 to 0.99, 0.71 to 0.98 and 0.7 to 0.99, respectively. Also SEM for these variables ranged between 0.003- 0.013, 0.001- 0.009 and 0.003- 0.011, respectively and finally MDC95 ranged between 0.008 to 0.036 for AVET, 0.003 to 0.025 for ETP and 0.008 to 0.03 for ETTP.

Conclusion: The study showed high and very high reliability for control error measures during target tracking tasks in sagittal transverse torque plane in asymptomatic subjects. Therefore this performance may be used as a test in trunk controllability assessment.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency are divided to coper and noncoper groups. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of perturbation training with traditional rehabilitation on functional tests of lower extremity and knee muscles isokinetic peak torque ratio in two groups of patients with ACL-deficient: coper and noncoper

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 24 patients with ACL-deficient were divided to two groups: coper and noncoper. They participated in a management plan for 4 weeks, three times a week, including perturbation exercises and traditional rehabilitation (stretching, strengthening, and endurance exercises). Lower extremity functional tests through hop tests and knee muscles isokinetic peak torque ratio were evaluated.

 Results: After 4 weeks, all the functional tests improved significantly in both groups and timed 6-meter hop test showed significant improvement in coper group with respect to noncoper grouop (p< 0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups in knee flexors to extensors isokinetic peak torque ratio but this ratio was lower and close to normal values in coper group.

Conclusion: Perturbation training with traditional rehabilitation improves functional abilities of lower extremity in both groups of coper and noncoper of the patients with ACL-deficient. Probably, the patients of noncoper ACL-deficient have chance to return in some daily activities too.

Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament, perturbation training, functional tests, knee isokinetic peak torque

Background and Aim: Proprioception is one of the most precise and delicate senses of the human body. It plays an important role in coordination and postural control by protecting the body against trauma and accidents. Although many studies have assessed the effect of fatigue on proprioception in the limbs and the low back region, but a few studies have investigated its possible effect on the cervical region.

Material and Methods: Seventeen (8 women, 9 men) young and healthy volunteers were asked to perform the Cervicocephalic Relocation Test (CRT) to the neutral head position by relocating the head on trunk after actively rotating the head to right and left sides, in two conditions before and after muscular fatigue. Absolute, constant and variable errors were used to evaluate cervical joint repositioning accuracy.

Results: Fatigue had no effect on cervical joint position sense, Furthermore no considerable difference was seen between male and female subjects (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The results suggest that following isometric fatigue of upper trapezuis muscles, no change is produced in the repositioning accuracy of both sexes. Furthermore, sex had no effect on cervical joint proprioception.

Key Words: Cervical joint position sense, Fatigue, Proprioception, Cervicocephalic Relocation Test (CRT).

Bachground and Aim: Ankle sprain is one of the most common injury among the athletic injuries. Around 70-80% of these injuries tend to be chronic. Despite extensive clinical and basic science research, the incidence of Chronic Ankle Instability(CAI) has not significantly reduced. Because the causes of CAI is not quite clear, the rehabilitation still deals with great challenges . one of the treatment methods which has been under special attention for this injuries is Kinesio Taping(KT). In this study, effects of three KT methods on performance in athletes with CAI was investigated .

Materials and Methods: Thirty male athletes (futsall, football) with CAI participated in this study. The KT was used in three distinct times with three different methods (mechanical, functional and ligament- Tendon Correction) for these people and their short- time effects on functional performance of lower limb was evaluated. This evaluation was done thorough two functional performance test (Star Excursion Balance Test and Figure of 8 Hop Test).

Results: In taping with the aim of functional and mechanical correction, functional performance after KT dramatically improved but in taping with the aim of Ligament-Tendon correction functional performance did not change significantly after taping.

Conclusion: The result of this study suggests that functional and mechanical correction have the significant effect on functional performance of futsaland football athletes with CAI , the ligament-tendon correction has not significant effect.

Keywords: Chronic ankle instability, Kinesio tape, Functional performance tests.

Background and Aim : Athletes from different sport fields are needed to lower extremity dynamic balance for their specific skills. The question can be raised is whether athletes from different sport fields are different in lower extremity dynamic balance? The aim of this study was to compare the dynamic balance of lower extremity of football, handball and taekwondo athletes with functional tests.

Material and Methods : Ten football, 10 handball, and 10 taekwondo healthy male athletes with the mean age of 23.83±0.06 years participated voluntarily in this study . The lower extremity dynamic balance was assessed by Shuttle Run test (SR), figure of 8 Hop test (FEH), Side to Side Hop test(SSH) and Agility Hop test (AH). All analyses were conducted using SPSS version 19.

Results : The scores of SR, FEH and AH tests were higher in taekwondo players compared to football and handball players (7.11± 0.26, 9.86±1.09 and 9.2 ±1.31, respectively). Football players gained the highest score in SSH test (7.52±0.84). The FEH test score in handball players was higher than football players (9.59±0.94). Statistical analysis showed significant differences between three groups on two tests (SR P=0/03 and AH P=0/01).

Conclusion : This study showed that lower extremity function of athletes from different fields of sport may be different. It seems that football and handball players need more agility and speed than taekwondo players for doing their own skills. This issue should be considered in designing the sport specific training protocol for athletes.

Key words : Functional test, Football, Handball, Taekwondo

  Background and Aim: Speech in noise test (SINT) surveys the ability of person in extracting speech from ambient noise. Temporal resolution (TR) is ability of person to understand changes of stimulus over time that has important role in speech perception. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of age and sex on SINT and TR in individuals with normal hearing.

  Materials and Methods: SINT was done in the most comfortable level in 3 SNRs 0,-10 and -20 dB and Gap detection test (GDT) in 4 intensity levels in two age groups 25-40 yrs old (included 14 persons) and 41 -55 yrs old ( included 15 persons).

  Results: There was a significant difference between word recognition scores (WRSs) in quiet and in the presence of noise in each age group (P<0.0001). Significant difference was shown between two age groups in WRS s in two SINs of - 10 and- 20 dB (P≤0.02). WRS difference between silence and 3 SINs in two sexes was significant (P≤0.04). Significant difference was the revealed between GDT thresholds in 4 intensity levels (P<0.0001). Sex and age had no effects on GDT thresholds .

  Conclusions: According to our results, despite of normal hearing thresholds with increasing age WRS and GDT are reduced. It seems that, WRS and speech perception in female are better than male.

  Key words: Speech in Noise Test, Temporal Resolution, Age, Sex

Background and Aim: Scapular muscles stabilization and neuromuscular control are important factors in shoulder function during dynamic activities. The three-dimensional pattern of integrated movement between gleno-humeral and scapula-thoracic joints is known as the scapula-humeral rhythm. More involved rotator cuff and scapular muscles causes more motor units are being recruited, therefore perhaps with loading on scapular muscles, can evaluate muscles role in scapular position more accurately and comprehensively.

Materials and Methods: Thirty male basketball players, aged between 20 to 40 years were recruited for modified lateral scapular slide test. The linear distance between inferior angle of scapula and spinous process of T7-8 was examined in 90 degrees of scaption without load and with 1 kg loading by two examiners in one session using the caliper. One of the examiners repeated the test in next week.

Results: Amount of inter and intra-rater intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for 90 degrees of unloaded scaption was 0.73 and 0.82, respectively and for 1 kg loading position was 0.54 and 0.86, respectively. Amount of standard error of measurement (SEM) in inter and intra-rater measurements for 90 degrees of unloaded scaption was 0.83 and 0.59 cm, respectively and for 1 kg loading position was 0.97 and 0.45 cm, respectively.

Conclusion: 1 kg loading in scaption, did not significantly improve the reliability of the test that shows the amount of load is not appropriate to activate the muscles in the athletes.

Keywords: Loading in scaption, Lateral scapular slide test, Athletes, Reliability .

Background and Aim : The tracking tests are a known method to measure and quantify the performance of the neuromuscular system. They are also one of the accurate and flexible methods for measurement of the performance capacity of sensory-motor control or sensory-motor coordination. The purpose of the present study was to examine reliability of the torque error during trajectory tracking tasks in trunk region in torque-time plane in healthy subjects.

Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy subjects (7 female and 13 male) randomly performed target tracking tasks with two patterns (sinusoidal and saw shape). The sinus and saw tracking tasks had two periodic cycles included 10 seconds (3 cycles) and 15 seconds (2 cycles). The amplitude of the signal was set at about 30% to 70% of Maximum Voluntary Exertions (MVE) of each participant. The tracking tasks were performed in 6 directions of uniaxial exertion (flexion, extension, left and right rotation, and left and right lateral bending). Absolute error mean and the performance of the tracking task were determined by calculating Relative Root Mean Square Error (RRMSE) for each participant during each trial. Relative reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient: ICC) of the error mean and RRMSE for all participants was determined. Also absolute reliability (Standard Error of Measurement: SEM) and Minimal Detected Change ( MDC₉₅ ) were computed.

Results: The results have shown that ICC, SEM and MDC₉₅ for error mean ranged from 0.5 to 0.87, 0.002 to 0.006 and 0.007 to 0.016, respectively. Also these variables for RRMSE ranged between 0.5- 0.86, 0.05- 0.024 and 0.065- 0.139, respectively.

Conclusion: The repeatability analysis showed high and very high reliability for torque errors ( Error Mean, RRMSE ) measures during trajectory tracking tasks in torque time plane in asymptomatic subjects. Therefore this performance can be used for quantification of trunk controllability and also mentioned variables as reliable parameters in researches.

Keywords: Reliability, Trajectory tracking tests, Torque error, Isometric trunk exertion

Background and Aim: Low back pain is the most common and most costly musculoskeletal disorder among nurses. The studies have showed that ergonomic risk factors are the main cause of back injury. Our aim in this study is to evaluate the incidence of low back pain in nurses with participating in manual handling of patients and determination of its relationship with ergonomic risk level of inpatient wards in a subspecialty hospital in Tehran.

Materials and Methods: Thirty nurses who were active in manual handling of patients, (aged between 25to43), participated in this study. The Nordic standard questionnaire and Slump clinical test were used for evaluation of low back pain and pressure on the nerve root, respectively. MAPO (Movement and Assistance of Hospital Patients) quantitative index was used for evaluating the ergonomic risk level of manual handling of patients in 16 sectors of a hospital including 174 wards.

Results: The results showed that ergonomic risk level was high. Ninety percents of evaluated wards were in red band. Based on results of Nordic questionnaire, %66.7 of nurses had experienced back pain in the past 12 months. Based on the results, 46.7% of  nurses who were active in sectors with high ergonomic risk have been suffering of back pain in the past 12 months and 53.3% of theirs slump test were positive. The Chi-Square test confirmed that there is a significant relationship between low back pain prevalence and risk level from the MAPO index in parts. (p=0.004)

Conclusion:  Findings from this study showed that there was a relationship between ergonomic conditions of hospital’s sectors with back pain in nurses. Therefore, it is expected to improve ergonomic conditions particularly supply of adequate human resources, supply of auxiliary equipments for patient transmission, repairs timely and implementation of reforms constructive is associated with reduced incidence of back pain in nurses.

Key words: Ergonomic risk level, MAPO index, Slump clinical test, Low back pain, Nurses.

Background and Aim: A Concrete and Abstract Word Synonym Test is a test which assessed semantic system in patients with acquired language disorder specifically semantic impairment. The aim of this study is to design a valid and reliable test for assessment of comprehension of concrete and abstract words in different types of aphasia.

Materials and Methods: The type of study is test construction and was computed as cross-sectional. First, a collection of words based on frequency were chosen in order to construct the test. These words were given to 15 experts (10 speech and language pathologists and 5 linguists) in 3 stages, in order to rate words with 0-100 scale. Then words, which had higher average than 90 score were chosen. After determining face and content validity, the test was performed on subjects. Subjects included 20 aphasic patients (12 men and 8 women) and 50 normal people (28 men and 22 women) ranging in age from 20 to 65 years. After 5 to 7 days, to determine reliability of test, test was performed on subjects again. Results of this study were analyzed by SPSS 16.

Results: Results showed that this test has a higher validity than %90. Coronbach alpha for internal consistency was 0.500. For investigation of test-retest reliability, mean difference of test scores in 2 stages of administration was significance (p<0.038). Pearson correlation coefficient between mean scores of patients in 2stages were 0.857 and ICC range was 0.857-0.923 that was significant (p<0.001). The cut of point of test was also 46. Comparison of mean scores of concrete and abstract word synonym test in patients and normal people and also in patient with temporal lesion showed significant difference (p<0.001).

Conclusion: A Concrete and Abstract Word Synonym Test is a proper tool for assessing semantic system in aphasic patients and it can indicate semantic impairment in these patients.

Keywords: Synonym comprehension test, Concrete and abstract words, Validity, Reliability, Aphasia, Semantic impairment.

Background and Aim: Providing rehabilitation care of deglutition disorders or dysphagia is a challenging issue for speech and language pathologists. Comprehensive assessment of dysphagia includes early screening, clinical tests and finally instrumental tests to be assured. In spite of the importance and the advantages of clinical tests; accurate diagnosis and decision in dysphagia management largely depend on instrumental ones. These tests provide dynamic assessment and information about structures and physiology of normal and affected swallow for clinician. The aim of this review article was to find instrumental tests of swallowing with their application, limitation and advantages.

Materials and Methods: An electronic search was done via the PubMed, Google scholar, Science direct, Medline, Scopus, Iranian web of knowledge data bases and web of knowledge data bases from 1956 to 2012. Based on the used keywords, 150 papers were found of which 90 papers were selected in accordance with the selection criteria.

Results: Fourteen related instrumental tests were found. Only one of the tests is usable for screening and others for diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia. Three tests are used only in adults and others in children too.

Conclusion: The literature review showed that among the instrumental tests, (Video fluoroscopy swallowing study; VFSS), (Fiberoptic Endoscopic evaluation of swallowing; FEES) are golden standards for dysphagia assessment and treatment. Therefore, they are widely accepted among clinicians and researches in despite of their limitations, our study offers the possibility to professionals for selecting the appropriate instrumental test in dysphagia.

Keywords: Assessment, Dysphagia, Screening, Instrumental tests.

Background and Aim: Perception of words is one of the parameters that examine to assess the language skills, due to lack of appropriate test in this field, informal assessing was done and evaluating of Perception of words has been challenged. The aim of this study is to design and determine the characteristics of Picture perceptive Objective Vocabulary Test for normal Persian-speaking 6-13 years-old children in order to examine the perception of words accurately.

Materials and Methods: In this methodological study that was done cross-sectional, a list of words that had the ability to visualize, prepared. To determine the content validity index, 7 speech therapists were surveyed and were chosen 240 images of words, finally this test was done on 118 children (57 girls, 61 boys) in seven age groups. Reliability of this test was assessed by repeatability and internal consistency and correlation between children’s scores and their age was determined by Spearman’s correlation.

Results: Content validity index  for total of 240 words were 1. In assessing reliability of this test Spearman’s correlation and internal consistency were 0.87 and 0.83 obtained respectively. There was a significant correlation between children’s ability to respond and their age (p<0.0005).

Conclusion: Pictures test for assessing the ability for perception of words in different categories of 6-13 years old children have appropriate content validity and reliability. In the age range of the study, child's ability to perception of words increases with age.

Keywords: Picture Perceptive Objective Vocabulary Test, children, Validity and Reliability