Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of kinesiotaping (KT) using facilitation and inhibition techniques on electrical muscle activity in the vastus medialis (VM) muscle in healthy individuals and to examine the relationship between the initial electrical activity level of the muscle and the changes in electrical activity that may occur after taping. Patients and methods: Between May 2024 and August 2024, a total of 75 healthy female volunteers (median age: 32 years; range, 21 to 56 years) were included in the study. The maximum and mean amplitude values of electrical activity in the VM muscle were recorded during a six-second maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Surface electrodes were attached to the motor point of the VM muscle on the dominant leg. Measurements were taken three times: before the KT application and 30 min after KT applications using facilitation and inhibition techniques. Results: Compared to before the KT application measurements, the maximum and mean amplitude values of electrical muscle activity significantly increased after the facilitation technique (p<0.001) and significantly decreased after the inhibition technique (p<0.001). Additionally, the maximum amplitude value recorded before KT was negatively correlated with the increase in maximum amplitude observed after facilitation, and positively correlated with the decrease in amplitude after inhibition. Conclusion: Kinesiotaping applications using muscle techniques can modulate electrical muscle activity, either increasing or decreasing it. When before the KT application muscle activity is high, the facilitation effect is less pronounced, while the inhibition effect becomes more prominent.

Objectives: This study aims to examine the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy + home-based exercise (HBE) therapy; physical therapy modalities (PTMs)+HBE; and WBV+PTM+HBE on pain severity, physical performance, and functional status in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Patients and methods: This single-center, single-blind, three-armed, prospective, randomized-controlled study included a total of 65 patients (3 males, 62 females; mean age: 56.0±6.3 years; range, 45 to 70 years) who were diagnosed with knee OA between February 2014 and July 2014. The participants were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (n=22) received WBV+HBE, Group 2 (n=22) received WBV+PTM+HBE, and Group 3 (n=21) received PTM+HBE alone. The primary outcome measure was functional physical performance, while the secondary outcome measures were pain intensity and functional status. All the measurements were evaluated by a single blinded investigator before and after treatment. Results: All the functional physical performance tests (p<0.01), pain intensity (p<0.01), and functional status (p<0.01) showed statistically significant effects in terms of time and group × time interaction, but no significant difference was observed among the groups (p>0.05). We observed statistically and clinically significant improvement in all of the functional physical performance tests, pain, and functional status for Group 2. There was a statistically and clinically significant improvement only in the functional physical performance tests for Group 1. In Group 3, no clinical or statistical significance was achieved in any outcome measurements. Conclusion: Treatment program consisting of WBV+PTM+HBE can yield clinically and statistically favorable results by improving all of the pain, functional status and physical performance parameters of the patients with knee OA, while WBV+HBE can be clinically and statistically effective only in the physical performance parameters of the patients.

It is known that physical activity and exercise have many effects on patients with rheumatoid arthritis, such as reducing pain, stiffness, and fatigue and having positive effects on the development of complications related to the disease. However, despite all this information, the level of exercise and physical activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is lower than in healthy individuals. This may be due to reasons such as thinking that the disease will worsen, not having enough information about exercises, and not being supported enough by healthcare professionals and family in this regard. This review summarized the basic effects of exercises and recommended exercise programs.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fate of the articles after they were rejected from the Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Turk J Phys Med Rehab). Materials and methods: Between January 2016 and December 2021, rejected manuscripts by the Turk J Phys Med Rehab were retrospectively analyzed and whether these rejected articles were published in another journal was identified. For the manuscripts published elsewhere, article type, change in the article name, and the number and order of authors were noted. The index of the new journal, the impact factor for SCI-E journals and journal quartile were recorded. Whether the journal was a national journal/international journal, a specialty or non-specialty journal, and whether the impact factors were higher, lower, or the same as Turk J Phys Med Rehab were evaluated. Results: Totally, 76% of 1,051 rejected articles were accepted for publication in another journal, after an average of 13.73 months. The name of the article, the order of the authors, and the number of the authors remained unchanged in 71.4%, 79.3%, and 80.8% of the articles, respectively. A total of 69.9% of the journals were non-specialty journals and 61.8% were general international medical journals. In addition, 32.6% of the journals were included in the SCI-E, and 70.9% of the articles in SCI-E were included in the Q4 and Q3 scope. The impact factor with 51.9% were lower or the same with the Turk J Phys Med Rehab. Conclusion: Our study results showed that a high percentage of the articles rejected by the Turk J Phys Med Rehab found a place in another journal later, and that non-specialty journals that accept general articles were more prominent in the selection of journal. The fact that an article rejected from a journal can be corrected and amended in accordance with valuable reviewer comments by improving its academic quality and seeking success in other journals may be promising for researchers who submit their articles to journals.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the level of health literacy in patients with knee osteoarthritis and investigate the relationship between health literacy and exercise approaches and physical therapy use. Patients and methods: The cross-sectional study included 203 patients (143 females, 60 males; mean age: 63.5±9.2 years) between November 2018 and September 2019. Sociodemographic data, exercise habits, the number of applications to the physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic, and physical therapy applications were recorded. The Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 (THLS-32), was used to determine health literacy. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to evaluate pain and physical function. The relationship between THLS-32 and the number of admissions to the outpatient clinic, the number of physical therapy applications, exercise frequency, and WOMAC scores were investigated. Results: The median THLS-32 of the patients was 33.8 (13-46.8). A statistically significant negative correlation was found between THLS-32 scores and the number of admissions to the physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic for knee pain in the last year, the number of physical therapies, the exercise frequency, and total WOMAC scores. Conclusion: Increasing health literacy strengthens the capacities and participation of patients, reduces the costs of physical therapy, as well as medication costs, and consequently increases efficiency in the use of health services.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum adiponectin and leptin levels, which are cytokines released from fatty tissue, and pain, function and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Patients and methods: Between January 2018 and November 2019, a total of 85 patients (34 males, 51 females; mean age: 42.1±10.7 years; range, 18 to 62 years) who were diagnosed with IVDD and 84 healthy volunteers (34 males, 50 females; mean age: 41.9±10.7 years; range, 22 to 64 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0-10 cm) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scales were used in the patient group. Serum adiponectin and leptin levels were measured in all participants. The grading of IVDD was determined using the Pfirrmann Classification. Results: There was no significant difference in serum adiponectin (p=0.35) and leptin (p=0.19) levels between the patient group and the control group. No relationship was found between serum adiponectin and leptin levels and pain intensity (VAS), pain duration, and disability (ODI) in patients with low back pain. No relationship was found between the severity of IVDD as evidenced by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and adiponectin (p=0.18) and leptin (p=0.11) levels. There was a positive correlation between the severity of disc degeneration and body mass index (r=0.35, p=0.008) and waist circumference (r=0.34, p=0.01). Conclusion: Serum adipokine levels were not associated with low back pain symptoms and IVDD severity as evidenced by MRI. These findings suggest that the effects of obesity on chronic low back pain and disc degeneration cannot be explained by systemic inflammatory effects alone.

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of the use of a shoulder sling, shoulder sling with a pillow, or not using a sling on the shoulder functional score and pain levels following arthroscopic rotator cuff tear repair. Patients and methods: This randomized prospective study was performed with 90 patients (49 males, 41 females; mean age: 56.2±12.2 year; range, 33 to 77 years) with a small-to-mid, full-thickness rotator cuff tear between July 2020 and October 2022. All patients underwent arthroscopic double-row repair. The nonsling group wore no sling, the sling group wore a sling, and the abduction pillow sling group wore a sling with an abduction pillow. The same rehabilitation program was performed. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, Constant-Murley scores, and degrees of flexion and abduction were recorded preoperatively, on the 15th and 45th days, and at three months, six months, and one year. Results: On the 15th postoperative day, the VAS score was found to be significantly lower in the nonsling group. On the 45th day, the Constant-Murley score was found to be significantly higher in the abduction pillow sling group. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the Constant-Murley scores at three weeks, six months, and one year. The shoulder forward flexion angle was significantly lower in the nonsling group on the 45th day. There was no significant difference between the three groups in respect of the shoulder forward flexion at three months, six months, and one year. Conclusion: No difference was determined between the groups at the six-month and one-year functional results. Not using a sling bandage can be recommended by reducing pain in the early postoperative period.