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BACKGROUND: The measurement tool used for an accurate balance assessment should produce valid and reliable results in the population in which it is used. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether two performance-based task tests are a reliable and valid measurement test to assess balance in patients with early and advanced knee osteoarthritis (KO). DESIGN: Reliability and concurrent validity research. METHOD: Test-retest reliability by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the first and second trial periods of performance-based task tests (Alternate Step Test & Pen Pick up Test); their correlations with the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) were calculated and their concurrent validity in balance assessment were examined. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients (75% women, 25% men, mean 59 ± 10 years) with KO, 50 early (54 ± 7 years, 34 women, 16 men) and 50 advanced (64 ± 9 years, 41 women, 9 men), participated in the study. The ICC values for the Alternate Step Test (AST) and Pen Pick up Test (PPT) in patients with early KO are 0.881 (0.747-0.939, 95% confidence intervals) and 0.815 (0.689-0.892, 95% confidence intervals), respectively, while it is 0.852 (0.752-0.913, 95% confidence intervals) and 0.861 (0.756-0.922, 95% confidence intervals) in patients with advanced KO. Pearson correlation coefficient between AST & PPT times and TUGT time in patients with early and advanced KO was in the range of 0.535-0.746 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both task tests are reliable and valid clinical measurement tests that can be used to assess balance in patients with both early and advanced KO.

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PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine whether the 360° turn test is a reliable and valid evaluator that can be used to assess dynamic balance in patients with early (radiographic grades I and II) and advanced (radiographic grades III and IV) knee osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a methodological research. For the test time and step count of 360° turn test; test-retest reliability were determined by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient and concurrent validity in patients with knee osteoarthritis was investigated by correlation with the timed up and go test time. RESULTS: The final analysis was made on 117 participants. The intraclass correlation coefficient values for the test time and step count of 360° turn test in patients with early knee osteoarthritis are 0.931 and 0.902, respectively, while they are 0.923 and 0.943 in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis. The Pearson correlation coefficients between the time and step count of 360° turn test and the test time of the timed up and go test in patients with early knee osteoarthritis, respectively; while they are 0.547 and 0.388, the correlation in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis are 0.697 and 0.700, respectively (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The 360° turn test is a evaluator that has excellent test-retest reliability and moderate to strong concurrent validity in patients with both early and advanced knee osteoarthritis and can be used in the assessment of dynamic balance in this population.

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Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) on the treatment of trigger finger. Methods Eighteen patients, who were 2nd grade according to Quinnel classification and diagnosed with trigger finger, were included in this prospective cohort clinical study. The study consisted of only the experimental group and no control group. Eighteen patients with trigger fingers were applied to ten sessions, twice a week, for five weeks of rESWT (2000 impulses, 2 bar, 10 Hz). Pain scores (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), general functional capacity (Quick-DASH), range of motion, grip strength, and pinch strength were evaluated before treatment, after treatment, and three months after the treatment. Results Evaluation of ten sessions of rESWT that applied twice a week, for five weeks, was made before treatment, after treatment, and three months after the treatment. Statistical analyses were performed with the Friedman test. As a result of the analyses, there was a decrease in the pain levels (p < 0.001) and increase in general functional capacity, grip strength and pinch strength (p < 0.001), and range of motion (p < 0.001; p < 0.005). After the treatment and after three months, all outcome measures showed statistically significant improvements. Conclusion rESWT is an effective method to decrease pain severity and improve general functional capacity, range of motion, grip strength, and pinch strength in patients with trigger finger. We concluded that the treatment of rESWT might be a non-invasive option to treat the trigger finger. However, randomized controlled trials are needed to provide more evidence of this treatment.

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Objective To compare results of two different frequencies and densities of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) after 10 sessions. Methods A total of 41 patients with plantar fasciitis were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups were administered 10 sessions of treatment consisting of 15 Hz frequency, 3.0 Bar density and 2000 impulses/ session for the 1st group, and 10 Hz frequency, 2.0 Bar density and 2000 impulses/ session for the 2nd group. Visual analog scale (VAS) and a modification of the clinical rating system of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) were used for outcome measurement. The patients were assessed before treatment and followed up four weeks, and 12 weeks after end of treatment. Results Mean VAS scores were reduced after rESWT from 7.52 ± 2.34 (mean ± SEM) at baseline to 0.57 ± 0.68 at 12 weeks in the 1st group and from 6.45 ± 2.04 at baseline to 0.40 ± 0.60 at 12 weeks in the 2nd group. Similar changes were found for mean AOFAS scores from baseline after rESWT but were not observed significance between groups. Conclusion There is no significant different effect between the two treatment groups' results.

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BACKGROUND: Hand dexterity is important for daily living activities and can be related to cognitive functions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive dysfunction and hand dexterity in patients with COPD. METHODS: 35 COPD patients and 36 healthy individuals were assessed. The Minnesota Hand Dexterity Test and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used for assessment of cognitive function and hand dexterity. RESULTS: Hand dexterity test scores and cognitive function of COPD patients' were significantly lower than the healthy group (p < 0.01). The MMSE scores were negatively correlated with hand dexterity scores in the COPD group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a relationship between cognitive function and hand dexterity in the patients with COPD; however, hand dexterity did not alter according to hypoxemia severity. Hand dexterity which is important in daily living activities should be evaluated in greater detail with further studies in COPD patients.

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OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to adapt the English version of the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score for use in a Turkish population and to evaluate its validity, reliability and cultural adaptation. METHODS: Standard forward-back translation of the HSS knee score was performed and the Turkish version was applied in 73 patients. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Mini-Mental State Examination and sit-to-stand test were also performed and analyzed. Internal consistency reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to calculate the test-retest reliability at one-week intervals. Validity was assessed by calculating the Pearson correlation between the HSS, WOMAC and sit-to-stand test scores. RESULTS: The ICC ranged from 0.98 to 0.99 with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.87). The WOMAC score correlated with total HSS score (r: -0.80, p<0.001) and sit-to-stand score (r: 0.12, p: 0.312). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the HSS knee score is reliable and valid in evaluating the total knee arthroplasty in Turkish patients.

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To investigate the relationship between disease-related factors and balance, and a history of falls in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Thirty-six patients with COPD and twenty healthy individuals were studied. Pulmonary function (pulmonary function test), hypoxemia (analysis of arterial blood gases), history of falls and tripping (number of falls and tripping in the past year), balance (Berg's Balance Scale-BBS), quadriceps femoris muscle strength (manual muscle test), and exercise capacity (6-minute walking test-6MWT) were assessed. RESULTS: BBS scores were significantly different between groups (p=0.001). BBS scores, frequency of falls and tripping were correlated in COPD patients (p ≤ 0.01). BBS score and frequency of falls were correlated with dyspnea and peripheral oxygen saturation measured after the 6MWT, partial arterial oxygen pressure, and arterial oxygen saturation values in COPD patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, hypoxemia, dyspnea and fatigue are disease- related factors, which are related with balance impairment and falls in COPD patients. For this reason, we suggest that assessment of and training to improve balance impairment among the elderly with COPD should be a component of pulmonary rehabilitation programs in clinical practice.

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