Effect of Boxing Exercises on the Functional Ability and Quality of Life of Individuals with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra and characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. Boxing is a type of complementary therapy to improve symptoms in PD. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of boxing training on the functionality and quality of life of patients with PD.

Psychometric Properties of the 12-Item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), Greek Version: A Cross-Sectional Study on Applicants of Welfare Benefits.

Introduction: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) provides a framework for the biopsychosocial model of disability and was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) is an ICF-based tool that measures health and disability at the population level or in clinical practice.

Active Joint Position Sense in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy.

Objective The aim of the study was to examine the differences in joint position sense at the elbow joint between 15 children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) and 15 typically developing (TD) controls without neurological or other health deficits. Methodology Joint position sense, a major proprioceptive component, was evaluated actively using a Kin Com 125 AP isokinetic dynamometer (Chattanooga Group, Chattanooga, TN). Results A significant interaction was found (p<0.

The effect of a holistic self-management plan on asthma control.

The holistic self-management plan includes lifelong actions that enable patients to cope with their disease. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of a holistic self-management plan on asthma control. A 12-month controlled study was conducted.

The scope of physiotherapy services provided in public ICUs in Greece: A pilot study.

The aim of the present study was to determine the scope of physiotherapy services provided in Greek ICUs in Athens. A cross-sectional study was conducted with two postal questionnaires administered separately, one for ICU directors and one for ICU physiotherapists. Responses were received from 19 ICU directors and 103 physiotherapists employed in all the adult public mixed medical and surgical ICUs across Athens.

Validity and reliability evidence of the TOCA-C in a sample of Greek students.

Validity and reliability evidence of the Teacher Observation of Classroom Adaptation-Checklist (TOCA-C) was examined in 186 Greek students through exploratory factor analysis, divergent and concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. The TOCA-C showed a high internal consistency for the three factors of Concentration Problems, Disruptive/Aggressive Behaviour, and Prosocial Behaviour (αs = .89-.

Hyperventilation in asthma: a validation study of the Nijmegen Questionnaire--NQ.

Introduction: The Nijmegen questionnaire (NQ) has previously been used for screening the hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) in asthmatics. However, no validity study has been reported so far.

Objective: To examine the validity and reliability of the NQ in asthma patients and identify the prevalence of HVS.

Influence of visual impairment level on the regulatory mechanism used during the approach phase of a long jump.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the occurrence of stride regulation at the approach phase of the long jump in athletes with normal vision and visually deprived Class F12 and F13 athletes. All the athletes exhibited the presence of a regulatory mechanism. In the normal vision group this occurred on the fifth-to-last stride.

Validity and clinical utility of functional assessments in children with cerebral palsy.

Objective: To examine the validity and clinical utility of functional assessments (1-minute walk test, 10-meter walk test, Timed Up & Go [TUG] test, Timed Up and Down Stairs [TUDS] test, sit-to-stand [STS] test, and lateral step-up [LSU] test).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Four special schools for adolescents with physical disabilities.

Validity and reliability of the FSS in Greek MS patients.

Objectives: The study provided validity and reliability evidence of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in Greek patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Materials And Methods: The FSS was administered to 72 MS patients, without co morbid fatigue and 75 matched paired controls with respect to gender and age. Both groups responded to the FSS, SF-36v2, BDI-II and a demographic questionnaire on two time points separated by a 1-week interval.

Effects of static and dynamic stretching on sprint and jump performance in boys and girls.

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of static (SS) and dynamic stretching (DS) on explosive power, flexibility, and sprinting ability of adolescent boys and girls and to report possible gender interactions. Forty-seven active adolescent boys and girls were randomly tested after SS and DS of 40 seconds on quadriceps, hamstrings, hip extensors, and plantar flexors; no stretching was performed at the control condition. Pretreatment and posttreatment tests examined the effects of stretching on 20-m sprint run (20 m), countermovement jump (CMJ) height, and sit and reach flexibility test.

Validity evidence of the Lateral Step Up (LSU) test for adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy.

Purpose: The present study examined the concurrent and construct validity of the Lateral Step Up (LSU) test, for adolescents with CP.

Method: A total of 35 adolescents, classified as GMFCS Levels I, II and III, were examined using LSU, GMFM - 88 (D & E), other functional mobility measures (TUG, STS, TUDS), body structures and functions (strength, ROM and spasticity).

Results: LSU inter-correlations with: (i) GMFM - 88 (D & E) (r = 0.

The effect of treadmill training on gross motor function and walking speed in ambulatory adolescents with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a treadmill program on gross motor function, walking speed, and spasticity of ambulatory adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy (diplegia and tetraplegia).

Design: In this randomized controlled trial, 22 adolescents (13-19 yrs old) from a special school for children with physical disabilities were randomly allocated to the experimental and control training groups. The experimental training group underwent a treadmill program without body weight support at a comfortable speed.

Evaluating the approach run of class F11 visually impaired athletes in triple and long jumps.

The present study examined stride pattern characteristics of Class F11 visually impaired long jumpers and triple jumpers. Athletes demonstrated initial ascending footfall variability followed by descending variability, on the second (long jumpers) and third (triple jumpers) stride prior to take-off, at a mean distance of 6.26 m (long jumpers) and 7.

Postural profile and falls of osteoporotic women.

Objectives: 1. To compare postural alignment in erect standing between osteoporotic fallers, osteoporotic non-fallers and healthy women. 2.

The effect of physiotherapy-based breathing retraining on asthma control.

Background: The mechanism of the breathing retraining effect on asthma control is not adequately based on evidence.

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of physiotherapy-based breathing retraining on asthma control and on asthma physiological indices across time.

Study Design: A 6-month controlled study was conducted.

Competitive state anxiety and performance in young female rhythmic gymnasts.

The study was designed to examine the competitive state anxiety and self-confidence of rhythmic gymnasts participating in the Greek national competition. 86 participants, ages 11 and 12 years, completed the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2, 1 hr. before competition.

Validity of St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire for Greek patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the validity of St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), a disease-specific survey of health-related quality of life, in adult Greek patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Questionnaire scores, dyspnea scores, spirometry values, and demographic data were collected from 72 patients with a diagnosis of COPD exacerbation.

An 18-item standardized Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire-AQLQ(S).

The purpose of the present study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire-AQLQ(S) in a sample of 160 Greek patients with asthma. Following evidence for sample-specific validity, the AQLQ(S) model was examined through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. An 18-item AQLQ(S) with the four factors of symptoms, activity limitations, sleep, and exposure in environmental stimuli fits the data (chi(2)/df ratio = 2.

Kinesthetic ability in children with spastic hemiplegia.

The purpose was to examine the differences in kinesthetic ability, at the elbow joint, between children with (n = 15) and without (n= 15) spastic hemiplegia. The Kin Com 125 AP isokinetic dynamometer Configuration Chattanooga was used. Results revealed significant (p < .