Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of whole-body vibration exercise (WBVE) and core stabilization exercise (CSE) on pain, muscle strength, and functional recovery in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (NLBP). Patients and methods: Between June 2016 and July 2017, a total of 74 patients with NLBP (12 males, 62 females; mean age: 44.7±8.9 years; range, 24 to 64 years) were included in this prospective, randomized-controlled study. The patients were randomly assigned to WBVE group (WBVEG, n=25), CSE group (CSEG, (n=25), and home exercise group as the control group (CG, (n=24). All groups performed 24 sessions of exercise for a total of eight weeks. Clinical outcome was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), computerized isokinetic muscle strengths (IMS) and progressive isoinertial lifting evaluation (PILE) test. Results: The VAS and RMDQ scores in WBVEG and CSEG statistically significantly decreased (p<0.05). The difference between the pre-treatment and at three-month VAS scores during intense activity were significantly different in both WBVEG and CSEG than the CG (p<0.05). The IMS values, except for the isokinetic flexion total work (IKFTW), increased significantly in all three groups (p<0.05). The IKFTW values increased significantly in the WBVEG and CSEG (p<0.05). A statistically significant increase in the functional work performance with PILE was observed in all three groups (p<0.05). The differences between the pre-treatment and three-month PILE test (ground to back and back to shoulder) were significantly different in both WBVEG and CSEG than the CG (p<0.05). Conclusion: In the treatment of chronic NLBP, WBVE and CSE appear to be effective in pain and functionality. Although there was a significant improvement in muscle strength and functional work performance in all three groups, greater improvements were observed in the WBVEG and CSEG than the CG.

Although three-dose administration was significantly superior to single-dose at the sixth month, current knowledge is not sufficient to decide whether single-dose or multiple-dose HA injection should be chosen. There is a clear need for verification of our results with long-term studies on larger patient groups.

Background. The causal relationship between bruxism and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is not clear.Objectives. The present study investigated which TMD are associated with probable sleep bruxism (SB) and awake bruxism (AB) according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). The study further evaluated the association between probable SB and AB and TMD. Material and methods.A total of 143 patients were selected -bruxers (SB and AB) and non-bruxers. A diagnosis of probable bruxism was made after a physical examination and when the symptoms were detected. The patients were evaluated using DC/TMD. From among Axis I assessment instruments, the TMD Pain Screener, the Symptom Questionnaire and the Clinical Examination Form were used. Moreover, the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) (v. 2), the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8 (JFLS-8), the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), and the Oral Behaviors Checklist (OBC) were applied within the scope of Axis II.Results. Diagnoses of muscle disorders and disk displacement with reduction were significantly more frequent in the SB and AB groups than in non-bruxers. A diagnosis of arthralgia was significantly more prevalent in the AB group than in non-bruxers. The JFLS-8 scores and the TMD Pain Screener scores were higher in the AB group than in the SB group and in non-bruxers. Distress levels, and the GCPS and OBC scores were higher in the SB and AB groups as compared to non-bruxers. The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that only the OBC score was significantly higher in the TMD subgroup (OR (odds ratio) = 1.228; 95% CI (confidence interval): 1.014-1.488). Conclusions.Both SB and AB were associated with pain-related TMD and intra-articular joint disorders. The muscle disorders and disk displacement with reduction subtypes were associated with SB and AB. Unlike SB, AB was also associated with arthralgia. Bruxers (both SB and AB) displayed parafunctional habits. However, AB was associated with greater functional limitation of the jaw as compared to SB.

Koronavirüs hastalığı 2019 (COVID-19), pandemik düzeyde olarak ortaya çıkan bulaşıcı bir hastalıktır. COVID-19 hastalarını tedavi eden sağlık uzmanları, ülkenin sağlık ihtiyaçlarını karşılamak için uzun mesai sürelerinde ve yüksek enfeksiyon riskine maruz kalarak çalışmaktadır. Bu durum, uzun süreli strese neden olabilir. Bu çalışmada pandemide görev alan sağlık çalışanlarında bruksizm, anksiyete ve depresyon sıklığını ve birbirleriyle ilişkilerini değerlendirmeyi amaçladık.Araçlar ve Yöntem: Çalışmamız, çevrimiçi kanallar aracılığıyla yürütülen kesitsel bir anket çalışmasıdır. Türkiye'de COVID-19 hastalarına bakmakta olan sağlık çalışanları online kanalllar yolu ile, Hastane Anksiyete ve Depresyon Ölçeği, demografik ek bilgiler ve bruksizm sıklığını değerlendiren kendi kendine uygulanan bir ankete katılmaya davet edildi.Bulgular: Çalışmamıza dört yüz yirmi bir sağlık çalışanı dahil edildi. Ortalama yaş 32.8 ± 7.06 idi. Pandemi süreci öncesinde şikayeti olmayan 263 kişiden 57'si bu dönemde ilk kez bruksizm geliştiğini ve 32 kişi ise gece uykuda bruksizm şikayetinin başladığını belirttiler. Anksiyete ve depresyon değerlendirmelerinde kadınların erkeklere göre anlamlı olarak daha yüksek anksiyete ve depresyon puanları vardı (p <0.001). Meslek itibarıyla en yüksek anksiyete (% 72.4) ve depresyon (% 63.8) oranı yardımcı sağlık personelindeydi.Sonuç: Pandemide çalışmak, sağlık çalışanlarının fiziksel sağlığını olduğu kadar mental sağlığını da etkiler. Türk sağlık çalışanlarında bruksizm, pandemi sırasında anksiyete ve depresyondaki artışa paralel olarak ortaya çıkmaktadır.

No abstract