Journal of Clinical Physiotherapy Research

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a cornerstone of modern orthopedic practice, enabling millions of individuals to regain functional stability and return to active lifestyles. However, while surgical techniques and short-term rehabilitation protocols have advanced significantly, the long-term joint health of patients particularly the prevention of secondary complications such as post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), meniscal degeneration, and chronic instability remains an under prioritized frontier. This letter seeks to highlight critical gaps in current clinical and research paradigms and advocates for a proactive, evidence-based shift toward holistic, long-term care strategies.

Introduction:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent social-communicative deficits and repetitive behaviors. Its wide clinical heterogeneity and frequent psychiatric comorbidities, such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), challenge traditional diagnostic models. Given these complexities, the transdiagnostic approach has gained attention for targeting shared psychological and neurobiological mechanisms that transcend categorical diagnoses. The main purpose of this study was to review and synthesize existing articles on transdiagnostic mechanisms relevant to ASD and its common comorbidities.

Method:
This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO for studies published from 2010 to 2024. Eligible studies examined emotion regulation, cognitive flexibility, or neural connectivity in individuals with ASD.

Result:
Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria. Emotion regulation deficits, cognitive inflexibility, and atypical neural connectivity emerged as prominent transdiagnostic factors. These processes were consistently linked to broader symptom profiles and psychiatric comorbidities.

Conclusion:
Identifying and addressing these shared mechanisms may improve intervention outcomes across diagnostic categories and support more personalized care in ASD. Integrating transdiagnostic insights into clinical practice could enhance functional outcomes and quality of life for individuals with ASD.

Abstract

Introduction: One of the treatment methods for people suffering from secondary lymphedema is manual lymph drainage (MLD). Considering the importance and high impact of manual lymph drainage on reducing the volume of lymphedema in people with secondary lymphedema, the purpose of this systematic review is to analyze the results of previous studies about MLD on patients with breast cancer. Methods: A search was performed in the PubMed, Google Scholar, PEDro, Science Direct, and Scopus databases using the keywords 'physiotherapy, lymphedema, manual lymph drainage, and breast cancer' for studies published between 2002 and 2024. Results: Among the retrieved articles, only the articles that investigated MLD in the treatment of patients with lymphedema were included in the study. As a result, 9 out of 3390 articles were included in this study.

Conclusion: The review of the selected articles shows that MLD is a non-invasive and acceptable treatment method for lymphedema. Considering the safety and high effectiveness of MLD, along with its ease of use and potential for combination with exercise therapy, it is recognized as a therapeutic modality for lymphedema.

Keywords: Lymphedema, breast cancer, manual lymph massage, exercise

Introduction: Recognizing the importance of incorporating feedback from teaching staff, department heads, and peers in evaluating faculty members (teachers), this study aimed to gather the opinions of the faculty members at Qazvin Dentistry School regarding the tools used for teachers’ evaluation. The goal is to develop strategies for improvement based on their insights.
Material and Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, all teachers at Qazvin Dentistry School from the 2020-2021 were included using a census method. The research instrument was a questionnaire developed by the examiner, consisting of 50 items across three evaluation areas: peer colleagues, department heads, and the educational deputy. The face validity of the questionnaire was assessed through the opinions of supervisors and advisors of this research and also experts, while its reliability was evaluated using a Cronbach's alpha test, resulting in a score of 0.86. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 software.
Results: More than 90% of faculty members participating in this study rated the following items as suitable or very suitable: collaboration on scientific meetings, adherence to classroom programs, accountability in assigned duties, and cooperation with university officials to address university issues. According to the survey responses from colleagues, over 90% of participants considered the following items to be suitable or very suitable: the quality and relevance of specialized knowledge, regular and effective participation in educational activities, adherence to scientific principles in services and initiatives, commitment to ethical principles and professional behavior, responsibility in assigned tasks, meaningful and scientific contributions to learner assessments, efforts to advance educational activities within departments, and involvement in departmental planning. In the survey conducted among heads of educational departments, more than 90% of participants evaluated the following items as suitable or very suitable: adherence to ethical principles and professional behavior, perseverance in fulfilling assigned tasks, and active intellectual and administrative engagement with department members in both scientific and practical activities.
Conclusion: It is essential to improve the current evaluation method by combining student surveys, feedback from heads of educational departments, insights from the educational deputy, portfolio assessments, student outcomes, and grades. This comprehensive approach will provide a clearer evaluation of teachers while clarifying the purpose of the evaluation and emphasizing its constructive nature.

Introduction

Motor skills and executive functions are key components in child development and affect cognitive and physical growth. Understanding how these skills are connected is important for children’s development. While previous studies have primarily focused on preschool-aged children, this study aims to investigate the correlation between motor skills and executive functions in elementary school children.

Methods and Materials

This study was a cross-sectional study with utilizing a descriptive-analytical approach. The sample consisted of 225 students from regular schools in Tehran, with an average age of 115/85 months. In this study, the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition short form (BOT-2 SF) was used to assess gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and upper limb coordination, while the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) was employed to evaluate students' executive functions.

Results

The results indicate that motor skills (fine and gross motor skills) significantly correlate with executive functions in elementary students. Improving motor skills leads to better executive functioning, with bilateral coordination showing the strongest association (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the important relationship between motor skills, particularly bilateral coordination, and executive functions in elementary school children. It suggests that factors like age can affect how these skills are related. The results could help create customized educational and physical education programs that focus on the unique needs of each child, ultimately aiming to improve both their motor skills and executive functions simultaneously.

Dear Editor,

The anterior cruciate ligament ACL, is one of the four main ligaments in the knee joint. It plays a crucial role in stabilizing the knee by preventing excessive forward movement of the tibia (shinbone) relative to the femur (thighbone) and controlling rotational movements (1). ACL injuries are among the most common and severe knee injuries in sports. These injuries typically occur during sudden stops, changes in direction, jumping, or awkward landing (2). In over 70% of injuries, the tear happens due to a non-contact mechanism, like a quick directional change or landing with the knee almost fully extended (3). Additionally, ACL injuries are linked to a higher risk of developing post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis (PTOA), and athletes who return to sport face a significant risk of re-injury (4). Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly playing a transformative role in ACL, surgery and reconstruction by enhancing precision, improving outcomes, and streamlining decision-making for clinicians (5).