SUMMARY Aim:To compare the effects of exergames (EGs) using the Xbox KinectTM device and home exercise (HE) on balance, functional mobility, and quality of life of individuals aged 65 years or older.Method: One hundred participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomized to the EG or HE group. The EG group took part in a 6-week programme using the Xbox360Kinect TM device, and the HE group took part in a 6-week balance exercise programme at home 5 days a week. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to assess balance, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used to evaluate functional walking, and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) was used to assess quality of life.Results: Forty-eight participants in the EG group and 42 participants in the HE group completed the study. The groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and pretreatment values of BBS, TUG, and SF-36. Although the BBS scores of both groups improved significantly (all p < 0.05), the post-treatment scores of the EG group were better than those of the HE group. The TUG scores improved only in the EG group (p < 0.05). The increase in the BBS scores and decrease in the TUG test scores were significant only in the EG group (all p < 0.05). A significant improvement was also observed in the quality of life parameters of physical functioning, social role functioning, physical role restriction, general health perceptions, and physical component scores in the post-exercise evaluations of the EG group. The participants commented that they found the EG programme very entertaining.Conclusion: The EG can be considered a safe, entertaining and sustainable alternative to HE programmes, and it may have positive effects on balance, functional walking and quality of life in geriatric subjects.

ÖzetAmaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, Serebral Palsili (SP) çocukların bakıcılarının ev egzersiz programına uyumunu etkileyen faktörleri belirlemektir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Yüz kırk yedi SP'li çocuğun bakıcısı çalışmaya dahil edildi. Bakıcıların egzersiz programına uyumları bir anket ile belirlendi. Çocukların ve bakıcılarının sosyo-demografik verileri, aile özellikleri, çocukların SP tipi ve Kaba Motor Fonksiyon Sınıflandırma Sistemi (KMFSS) seviyeleri, bakıcıların ruh sağlığı ve tükenmişlik ölçeklerine ait verilerin tümünün bakıcıların uyum durumu ile ilişkili olup olmadığı araştırıldı. Bulgular: Univariate testlerde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı verilerin [çocukların yaşı, ağırlığı, KMFSS seviyesi, bakıcıların yaşı ve Maslach emosyonel tükenme (EE) skoru] egzersiz programına uyumu tahmin gücünü belirlemek için lojistik regresyon modeli ile analiz edildi. Sonuç: Serebral palsili çocukların fonksiyonel limitasyonlarının ciddiyeti bakıcıların ev egzersiz programına uyumlarını arttırırken, bakıcıların tükenmişlikleri uyumu olumsuz etkilemektedir. Bu nedenle bakıcıların sosyal ve medikal olarak desteklenmeleri başarılı ev egzersiz programları için gereklidir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Egzersiz, serebral palsi, bakıcı, ruh sağlığı, tükenmişlik, özbildirim, uyum AbstractObjective: The objective of this study is to determine the factors that affect the adherence to home exercise programs among caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: The caregivers of 147 children with CP were recruited for the study. The adherence status of the caregivers to an exercise program was assessed by a survey. The sociodemographic data of both children and caregivers; family characteristics, CP type, and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level of the disabled child; and inventories related to mental health and burnout of the caregivers were evaluated to determine whether these data were related with the adherence status or not. Results: Using statistically significant parameters in univariate tests [age, weight, and GMFCS level of the children and age and Maslach emotional exhaustion (EE) score of the caregiver], a logistic regression model was constructed to predict the adherence to exercise programs. GMFCS level and Maslach EE score were statistically significant independent factors that predicted the adherence to home exercise programs. Conclusion: The severity of the functional limitation of children with CP seems to enhance the adherence of caregivers to home exercise programs, while the burnout of caregivers has a negative impact. Caregivers should be supported socially and medically for a successful home exercise program.

Background/Objectives: Iron is essential for a number of enzymes involved in neurotransmitter synthesis. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) has shown a reduction in the concentration of biogenic amine metabolites, including dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. This study aimed to investigate the association of ferritin with FMS. Subjects/Methods: A total of 46 patients with primary FMS participated in this case-control study, and 46 healthy females who were age matched to the patients were used as the control group. Venous blood samples collected from all subjects were used to evaluate serum ferritin, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels. Results: The mean serum ferritin levels in the fibromyalgia (FM) and control groups were 27.3 ± 20.9 and 43.8 ± 30.8 ng/ml, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P ¼ 0.003). Binary multiple logistic regression analysis with age, body mass index, smoking status and vitamin B12, as well as folic acid and ferritin levels showed that having a serum ferritin level o50 ng/ml caused a 6.5-fold increased risk for FMS. Conclusions: Our study implicates a possible association between FM and decreased ferritin level, even for ferritin in normal ranges. We suggest that iron as a cofactor in serotonin and dopamine production may have a role in the etiology of FMS.

Osteoporosis has recently been recognized as a major public health problem by some governments and health care providers. Despite significant progress in knowledge about osteoporosis, public awareness is required for effective management if precautions are to be taken. The aim of this study was to evaluate the educational status of osteoporotic individuals, and their awareness about the disease and sources of information. We also aimed to compare the variables between the geographical regions of the country, since significant differences exist in socioeconomic status and lifestyle within the same cultural context. This multicenter study was carried out in eight cities located in six different geographical regions between September 2001 and January 2002. To our knowledge, this is the first multicenter study in Turkey evaluating the relationship between awareness of osteoporotic patients and other variables such as educational level and economic factors. Ten centers took part in this study and consecutive patients with either femoral or lumbar T-scores below -2.5 SD were enrolled into the study group. Bone mineral density was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Patients were interviewed using a questionnaire on past medical history, education, awareness about their disease and risk factors for osteoporosis. A total of 540 women (93.8%) and 36 men (6.3%) were included in the study. Fifty-four percent of patients declared that they were aware of osteoporosis. With regard to sources of information, 56.8% of patients reported physicians as the main source of information. Awareness of the patients was negatively correlated with age (P=0.025, r=-0,94) but positively correlated with education (P=0.0001, r=0.327), level of physical activity (P=0.001, r=143), calcium intake (P=0.005, r=119) and modern clothing style (P=0.0001, r=309). Educational status of the patients was negatively correlated with BMI (P=0.0001, r=-283) and positively correlated with physical activity (P=0.0001, r=268), modern clothing style (P=0.0001, r=600) and smoking (P=0.0001, r=273). Regional comparison of female patients demonstrated that significant differences exist in terms of educational status, clothing style, smoking, level of physical activity, calcium intake, and knowledge about osteoporosis. As a result, education has profound effects on awareness about osteoporosis and many aspects of human behavior, such as calcium intake, physical activity, clothing style and smoking. Significant disparities may be observed between the geographical regions of the same country.

A home-based exercise program can have an effect on some measures respiratory muscle and functional status. Greater emphasis should be placed on maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness as well as spinal mobility to encourage patients with AS.

The improvement in the median somatosensory evoked potentials following botulinum toxin A treatment suggests that central somatosensory patterns in hemiplegia can be modified by peripheral inputs.

This study failed to demonstrate any statistically significant difference in spasticity or in wrist PROM of both the volar and dorsal splint groups. These splints could be recommended as part of an integrative approach without expecting a major clinical effect rather than as an alternative to other treatment.

Sparing of distal regions such as the as radius suggests that osteoporosis might be due to localized effects of inflammatory activity or immobility rather than a systemic effect. Both increased resorption and decreased formation might be involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Radius BMD may not be appropriate to evaluate bone loss in patients with AS.