Design specifications and capabilities of a 3D simulation software for clinical education of physiotherapy students in the neurology department.

Introduction: In this revolutionized era, thanks to cutting-edge technological breakthroughs like 3-dimensional (3D) computerized environments, physiotherapy trainers can improve their knowledge and confidence by using such training tools. Hence, there is room for developing these technologies for training medical students to expand their skills and expertise. This study aims to identify the design requirements and key functionalities of a 3D simulation software for the clinical education of physiotherapy students in neurology departments.

Effect of Dry Needling Plus Static Stretching on Plantar Flexors Spasticity in Chronic Stroke Patients.

Importance: Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is often accompanied by complications such as spasticity. Static stretching (SS) is a common physiotherapy intervention for reducing spasticity, whereas dry needling (DN) is a novel approach. However, the combined effects of DN and SS on spasticity have not been thoroughly investigated.

Immediate effects of kinesiology tape on quadriceps muscle peak torque and knee joint repositioning error in healthy males: Effects of different tensions and directions.

Background: Knee joint injuries may result from compromised quadriceps muscle strength or diminished knee joint proprioception. The application of Kinesio tape (KT) on the quadriceps muscle from origin to insertion (OTI-KT) or insertion to origin (ITO-KT) could impact knee joint proprioception and quadriceps muscle strength. This study aims to assess the effects of different tensions and directions of KT application on active and passive knee joint repositioning errors (AJRE and PJRE) and peak concentric and eccentric peak torque (CPT and EPT) of the quadriceps muscles in healthy males.

Effects of dry needling on spasticity, cortical excitability, and range of motion in a patient with multiple sclerosis: a case report.

Background: Dry needling is an intervention used by physiotherapists to manage muscle spasticity. We report the effects of three sessions of dry needling on ankle plantar flexor muscle spasticity and cortical excitability in a patient with multiple sclerosis.

Case Presentation: The patient was a 40-year-old Iranian woman with an 11-year history of multiple sclerosis.

Dry needling combined with exercise therapy: Effects on wrist flexors spasticity in post-stroke patients - A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The positive contribution of dry needling (DN) in conjunction with exercise therapy for patients with stroke and spasticity remains uncertain.

Objective: To examine the effects of DN combined with exercise therapy on wrist flexor spasticity and motor function in patients with stroke.

Methods: Twenty-four participants with stroke were randomly assigned to either the DN and exercise therapy group or the DN alone group.

Upper extremity physical performance tests in female overhead athletes: a test-retest reliability study.

Objective: Despite the studies that have investigated the reliability of Upper Extremity Functional Tests(UEFTs), the reliability of Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability(CKCUES), Seated Medicine Ball Throw(SMBT), push-up(PU) and Unilateral Seated Shot Put(USSP) tests in overhead athletes has yet to be assessed. The objective of this study was to determine both the relative and absolute test-retest reliability of the four UEFTs in female overhead athletes.

Methods: Twenty-nine female overhead athletes (age: 26.

Knee joint repositioning error in different trunk positions among females with chronic nonspecific low back pain: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Proprioception is a self-perceived sense of position and movement of one's body and its deficits can lead to motor control problems such as delayed muscle reflexes. Previous studies have confirmed lumbar proprioception impairments among individuals with Low Back Pain (LBP), which can afflict the normal central sensory-motor control and hence increases the risk of abnormal loading on the lumbar spine. Although the local investigation of proprioception is important, its influence on other joints in a kinetic chain particularly between extremities and spine should not be ignored.

Computerized Simulation Education on Physiotherapy Students' Skills and Knowledge: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Applying computerized simulation education tool for learning in medical domains is widely used in many countries. This review is aimed at systematically investigating the computerized simulation tools developed to educate physiotherapy students and determine the effectiveness of these interventions.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in Medline (through PubMed) and Scopus databases from inception to Sept.

Effects of dry needling and exercise therapy on post-stroke spasticity and motor function- protocol of randomized clinical trial.

Background: Spasticity is one of the most common problems after the first stroke. Dry needling (DN) has been presented as a new therapeutic approach used by physiotherapists for the management of post-stroke spasticity. This study aimed to determine whether the addition of exercise therapy to the DN results in better outcomes in wrist flexors spasticity, motor neuron excitability, motor function and range of motion (ROM) in patients with chronic stroke.

Effects of dry needling plus exercise therapy on post-stroke spasticity and motor function: A case report.

Background And Purpose: The use of dry needling (DN) with other treatments may be more beneficial in managing post-stroke spasticity. We report the effects of DN plus exercise therapy (ET) on wrist flexor spasticity.

Patient Presentation: The patient was a 45-year-old man with an 8-year history of stroke.

Reliability of ultrasound measurement of the lateral abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles in individuals with chronic low back pain: A cross-sectional test-retest study.

Objectives: Ultrasound (US) imaging has been suggested to evaluate the morphology and function of trunk muscles; however, little is known about the reliability of the US measures in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study aimed to evaluate intrarater reliability of US imaging of the lateral abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles in individuals with nonspecific CLBP.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, intrarater within-day and between-day reliability of US measurements of the transversus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique and lumbar multifidus (at the L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 levels) muscles were obtained on both sides.

Short-term effect of kinesiology taping on pain, functional disability and lumbar proprioception in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain: a double-blinded, randomized trial.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of kinesiology taping (KT) on lumbar proprioception, pain, and functional disability in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods: Thirty individuals with nonspecific CLBP participated in this double-blinded, randomized clinical trial from July 2017 to September 2018. The participants were randomized into two groups: KT (n = 15) and placebo group (n = 15).

Learning promotion of physiotherapy in neurological diseases: Design and application of a virtual reality-based game.

Introduction: The virtual reality-based (VR) game can be considered as a new approach to education and to enhance the skills of health-care students.

Aims: The purposes of this research were to design a VR game and to apply it to teach physiotherapy in neurological diseases.

Methodology: In this study, at first, a VR game was designed for upper limb rehabilitation in brain-injured patients based on the literature and the opinions of physiotherapy experts and game designers.

Investigating post-stroke fatigue: An individual participant data meta-analysis.

Objective: The prevalence of post-stroke fatigue differs widely across studies, and reasons for such divergence are unclear. We aimed to collate individual data on post-stroke fatigue from multiple studies to facilitate high-powered meta-analysis, thus increasing our understanding of this complex phenomenon.

Methods: We conducted an Individual Participant Data (IPD) meta-analysis on post-stroke fatigue and its associated factors.

The effects of cryotherapy versus cryostretching on clinical and functional outcomes in athletes with acute hamstring strain.

Purpose: Hamstring strain is a common sport injury that results in pain and functional limitation. Despite its high frequency in active populations, there is no agreement regarding the best method used for early intervention of hamstring strain. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of cryotherapy and cryostretching on clinical and functional outcomes in athletes with acute hamstring strain.

Immediate effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on six-minute walking test, Borg scale questionnaire and hemodynamic responses in patients with chronic heart failure.

[Purpose] This study examined the immediate effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on a six-minute walking test, Borg scale questionnaire and hemodynamic responses in patients with chronic heart failure. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty patients with stable systolic chronic heart failure came to the pathophysiology laboratory three times. The tests were randomly performed in three sessions.

Electrophysiological evaluation of the Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) in assessing poststroke wrist flexor spasticity.

Background: Spasticity is a common impairment following upper motor neuron lesions such as stroke. The appropriate measurement of muscle spasticity using validated tools to evaluate the outcome of therapies is important in clinical and research settings.

Objective: To determine the concurrent criterion-related validity of the Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) in assessing poststroke wrist flexor muscle spasticity based on its correlation with H-reflex tests.

Reaction time and anticipatory skill of athletes in open and closed skill-dominated sport.

In sports, reaction time and anticipatory skill are critical aspects of perceptual abilities. To date, no study has compared reaction time and anticipatory skill of athletes from open and closed skill-dominated sport. Accordingly, the present study investigated whether a difference exists in sensory-cognitive skills between these two different sport domains.

Comparing the validity of the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) and the Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) in the assessment of wrist flexor spasticity in patients with stroke: protocol for a neurophysiological study.

Introduction: Reliable and valid tools must be used to assess spasticity in clinical practise and research settings. There is a paucity of literature regarding the validity of the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) and the Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS). No study, to date, has been performed to compare the validity of the MMAS and the MTS.

Measurement of lower-limb muscle spasticity: intrarater reliability of Modified Modified Ashworth Scale.

The Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) is a clinical instrument for measuring spasticity. Few studies have been performed on the reliability of the MMAS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the intrarater reliability of the MMAS for the assessment of spasticity in the lower limb.

Inter-rater reliability of the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale in assessing lower limb muscle spasticity.

Primary Objective: To assess the inter-rater reliability of the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) in lower limb muscle spasticity.

Research Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Interventions: Not applicable.