Journal of Clinical Physiotherapy Research

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide, and a significant number of breast cancer survivors suffer from lymphoma, upper extremity pain, numbness, and restricted arm/ shoulder range of motion. Breast cancer-related side effects impose on health care systems, daily physical activities, psychosocial function, and quality of life. The purpose of this narrative review was to assess the status of lymphedema after the breast cancer treatment. Modern treatment included surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy or axillary dissection), radiotherapy, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and rehabilitation that are a process aimed at enabling patients to reach and maintain optimal physical, intellectual, psychological, social aspects.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a childhood developmental condition that affects social-emotional skills and communication. Sensory processing represents a significant factor in influencing the behavioral responses. However, it has been shown that children with ASD usually experience some sensory difficulties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensory processing in children with ASD to identify which domains are mainly affected. Methods: The population of this study included 30 children with ASD aged between 1 to 5 years and 30 age- and gender-matched typically developing individuals. Sensory processing was assessed through a parent-reported questionnaire of the child sensory profile 2. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was used to analyze the data. Results: The findings of this study showed that individuals with ASD had a significant difference in all sensory processing components of the sensory profile 2 compared with the age-matched peers (P<0.05), except for the two components named touch processing and body position (P˃0.05). Conclusion: Since the present study shows that there is a difference between a number of sensory processing components in children with ASD and typically developing peers, it is suggested that therapists should perform this test in other groups of vulnerable populations such as developmental delay, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disorder, infertility, and Down syndrome.

Introduction: The purpose of present study was to compare electromyography activity of the abdominal muscles in response to the active pelvic floor muscle contraction in individuals with and without low back pain (LBP). Methods: A total of 30 female subjects (LBP=15) and (healthy=15) participated in the study. All subjects performed the active PFM contraction for three times. The correct pelvic floor muscle contraction was controlled by an ultrasound. Simultaneously, the electromyography signals of the right transverse abdominis, internal oblique and external oblique muscles were measured. Variables of electromyography amplitude were analyzed using an independent sample T-Test. Results: There was a high intra-tester reliability for electromyography measurement of abdominal muscle in LBP (ICC>90) and healthy individuals (77<ICC<96). Transverse abdominis, internal oblique and external oblique muscle electromyography activity were increased during the pelvic floor muscle contractions in both women group with and without low back pain. The results of independent sample T-Test displayed no statistically significant difference in muscle co-activation pattern of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles between the healthy group and LBP group (P>0.05). The mean values for muscle electromyography amplitude in transverse abdominis, internal oblique and external oblique muscle were 0.37(0.41), 0.18(0.14) and 0.16 (0.10), respectively, for healthy individuals and 0.25 (0.17), 0.13 (0.19) and 0.18 (0.17) for individuals with LBP. Conclusion: There is a recognizable co-activation between abdominal and pelvic floor muscles in healthy and low back pain women.

Introduction: Inspiratory muscles play an important role in respiration and spinal control. Therefore, diaphragm thickness and excursion must logically be correlated to the dual action of the diaphragm. This study investigated the difference between diaphragm thickness and excursion in quiet and deep breathing between patients with pelvic girdle pain (PGP) and healthy individuals by using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI).

Materials and Methods: Images of diaphragm thickness were taken using Brightness (B) mode RUSI in the intercostal space between the 7^th and 8^th, or 8^thand 9^th ribs, and diaphragm excursion was assessed using Motion (M) mode RUSI at the right midclavicular line. Imaging was performed in 30 participants with PGP and in 30 asymptomatic women and men (control group) aged 20-48 years in both groups. Results: In individuals with PGP, the diaphragm thickness and excursion were significantly lower than the control group at end-expiration in the deep and quiet breathing.

Conclusion: The PGP group showed reduced diaphragm thickness and excursion. Therefore, it seems that breathing training and exercise should be performed along with other forms of training.

Introduction: Scoliosis is defined as a lateral deviation of the normal vertical line of the spine measured on radiography, with the curve greater than 10 degrees. One of the braces commonly used for scoliosis is Milwaukee. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Milwaukee brace on quality of life (QoL) in adolescents with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using the QLPSD questionnaire. Material and Method: Eighty-four patients (10- 20 years old) with AIS were recruited. Patients divided into two groups: intervention group (with Milwaukee brace) and control group (without any interventions), The "Quality of Life Profile for Spine Deformities" (QLPSD) questionnaire was used to assess the individuals' QoL. The highest score indicates the lowest QoL and the lowest score indicates the highest QoL. The independent t-test was used to evaluate the difference between two groups. Result: There were a significant increase between two groups in total QLPSD score (P=0.015). Regarding the QLPSD dimensions, mental function (P=0.003), sleep disorders (P=0.001), self-image (P=0.016), and flexibility of spine (P=0.018) were increased in Milwaukee brace group compared with no intervention group. Pain differences in two groups was not significant (P=0.061). Conclusion: Using the Milwaukee brace reduced individuals' QoL with AIS. Due to the effective role of QoL on the treatment process, the Milwaukee braces should be prescribed cautiously.

Introduction: Students suffering from cerebral palsy have fewer experiences that involve their communication and interaction as a result of their motor speech disorders compared with their healthy peers. Social cognition, specifically the theory of mind, might also be affected in these students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the states of the theory of mind in children with cerebral palsy in Isfahan city. Methods: In this study, 40 students with cerebral palsy (mean age of 10.9±1.88 years) and 40 healthy students (mean age of 10.6 1.35 years) matched for age and sex were selected by a simple non-randomized sampling method. The variables of the theory of mind were examined by a “38-question theory of mind test” and a “reading the mind in the eye test”. An independent t-test was used to compare the levels of the theory of mind between the two groups. Results: The results of this study showed that the cerebral palsy group earned lower scores than the healthy group in the 38-question tests of the theory of mind (P=0.000) and the reading the mind in the eye test (P=0.039). Conclusions: The students with cerebral palsy were at a lower level than their healthy peers in most variables of the theory of mind. So, it seems this defect is one of the problems associated with the brain damage in these students and requires more special assessments and treatments in these patients’ group.

One aspect of Covid 19 is the various musculoskeletal and motor problems that patients face. Due to the novelty of this disease, a study which has examined its various side effects has not yet been published. Therapists have dealt with a number of issues in their clinical experience. Thus, an investigation of musculoskeletal disorders is essential in this disease. In this study, physiotherapy treatments for a case of Covid 19 hospitalization at Masih Daneshvari Hospital were present. A complete evaluation of the patient's musculoskeletal status was reviewed along with a review of respiratory symptoms, and then a treatment plan. Due to the novelty of this disease, many of its dimensions are unknown. Due to movement disorders in Covid-19 patients, physiotherapy is one of the important components of the treatment program, especially after discharge from the hospital. This small study provides a platform for extensive research on this topic.