Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Bölümü / Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Egocentric mental rotation in individuals with multiple sclerosis: relationship with disability and cognitive parameters

2025-12-01T15:44:05Z

Egocentric mental rotation in individuals with multiple sclerosis: relationship with disability and cognitive parameters Ünal, Merve; Fil Balkan, Ayla; Acar Özen, Nazire Pınar; Tuncer, Aslı; Salcı, Yeliz Background This study aims to examine whether egocentric-based mental rotation is affected in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and to analyze its relationship with disability, functional system scores (FSS), and cognitive parameters. Methods The study involved 57 right-dominant individuals with MS and 40 right dominant healthy subjects. Disability was assessed using the Neurostatus-Expanded Disability Status Scale (Neurostatus-EDSS). Participants’ performance on mental rotation tasks was evaluated with the Recognise Hand App™, Recognise Foot App™, measuring reaction times (seconds) and accuracy (%) for hand and foot stimuli. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS). Results MS patients exhibited lower performance in right hand mental rotation reaction time (p=0.042), right hand accuracy percentage (p<0.001), right foot accuracy percentage (p=0.035). Positive correlations were found between disease duration, EDSS total score, cerebellar FSS, bladder-bowel FSS, and ambulation scores with reaction times, while negative correlations were observed with accuracy percentages (p<0.05). Additionally, a positive correlation was identified between accuracy percentages and BICAMS (p<0.05). Conclusions The study revealed substantial impairments in right-hand and right-foot performance in right dominant individuals with MS. Mental rotation abilities were found to be related to disease duration, higher EDSS and FSS scores, as well as cognitive functioning. Identifying the cognitive domains and functional systems associated with egocentric mental rotation will contribute to better understanding this underexplored area and developing potential treatment strategies to enhance functionality.

Factors influencing adherence to Physical Exercise in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review focusing on Exercise over General Physical Activity

2025-10-21T09:39:45Z

Factors influencing adherence to Physical Exercise in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review focusing on Exercise over General Physical Activity Ayaz, Eda; Süzen, İrem; Bozkurt, Tugce; Unal, Merve; Salci, Yeliz Background While the barriers and facilitators of physical activity adherence are well-defined, there is a limited number of studies focusing specifically on exercise adherence, which is crucial to identify in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) due to its known disease-modifying effect. Objective To investigate the factors affecting adherence to physical exercise in MS patients. Methods Literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus electronic databases up to the current date. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for quantitative studies and the McMaster Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative studies, with evidence synthesis conducted using the Modified Bakker Scale. Results The systematic review incorporated thirteen studies, consisting of seven qualitative and six quantitative ones. These studies’ methodological quality was high; 12 were high, and the other was medium (unclear). In all reviewed studies, the primary patient-related and environmental barriers with high levels of evidence regarding exercise adherence included fatigue (38%), false beliefs (18%), cost (18%), and lack of time (15%). Barriers identified in very few studies included cognitive problems (3%), bladder-bowel problems (3%), and family support and advice (3%), indicating a necessity for further research to reveal their impact on exercise adherence. Conclusion The scarcity of studies on exercise barriers in MS is partly due to the absence of reliable assessment methods for evaluating exercise adherence, along with the prevalent emphasis on physical activity. Future research should prioritize the development of adherence scales tailored to physical exercise and shifting focus towards less explored barriers.

The relationship between resting heart rate variability and sportive performance, sleep and body awareness in soccer players

2025-10-21T09:24:36Z

The relationship between resting heart rate variability and sportive performance, sleep and body awareness in soccer players Tekin, Rabia Tugba; Kudas, Savas; Buran, Melike Mese; Cabuk Salih; Akbasli, Oguzhan; Uudag, Veysel; Yosmanoglu, Hayri Baran Background Heart rate variability (HRV) is a key marker of autonomic nervous system function and has been proposed as a tool for monitoring training adaptations. However, its relationship with performance beyond aerobic capacity remains unclear in football players. This study aimed to examine the associations between resting HRV and aerobic capacity, agility, neuromuscular coordination, sleep quality, and body awareness. Methods Twenty-five male football players (mean age 20±3 years) underwent HRV assessment via the Polar H10 system. Performance tests included the 20 m Shuttle Test (VO2max), Illinois Agility Test, Hexagon Test (neuromuscular coordination), and Vertical Jump Tests (muscular strength). Sleep quality and body awareness were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Body Awareness Questionnaire. Results HRV Score was positively correlated with VO2max (r=0.4, p=0.04), while LF/HF ratio showed a negative correlation with shuttle test distance (rs=-0.52, p=0.007). Mean RR correlated with neuromuscular coordination (r=0.56, p=0.004), sleep quality (r=0.45, p=0.024), and body awareness (rs=0.46, p=0.019). No significant correlations were found with muscular strength. Conclusions Resting HRV is associated with key performance indicators in football players, supporting its potential use in monitoring physiological readiness and training adaptations. Future research should establish reference values and evaluate HRV-based interventions for performance enhancement

Investigation of trunk control and balance in adolescents with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

2025-12-01T16:26:30Z

Investigation of trunk control and balance in adolescents with hemiplegic cerebral palsy Ay, Sultan Seren; Erdoğanoğlu, Yıldız; Sel, Sinem Asena Objectives: In this study, the aim was to compare trunk control and balance in adolescents with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) to their typically developing peers. Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight participants were included in this study. Nineteen of these children were Level I and II mildly affected children with CP between the ages of 10 and 18 according to the Gross Motor Function Classification system (mean age 13.262.94 years), while the other nineteen were typically developing adolescents between the ages of 10 and 18 (mean age 13.572.85 years). After sociodemographic information of adolescents was obtained, trunk control assessment was done with the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) and balance assessment was made with the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). Results: According to the results of the study, there was a significant difference in trunk control (95% CI (50.65 – 54.65), p=0.001) and balance (95% CI (53.21 – 54.99), p=0.001) between adolescents with hemiplegic CP and their typically developing peers. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that adolescents with mild hemiplegic CP exhibit weaker trunk control and balance compared to their typically developing peers. Even though the level of impairment in adolescents with CP is mild, adding exercises to rehabilitation programs aimed at improving trunk control and balance may contribute to motor development. We believe that this study should be repeated with a larger sample size.; Amaç: Bu çalışmada, hemiplejik serebral palsili adölesanlarda gövde kontrolü ve dengenin tipik gelişim gösteren yaşıtları ile karşılaştırılması amaçlandı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya 38 çocuk dahil edildi. Bu çocukların 19’u Kaba Motor Fonksiyon Sınıflandırma sistemine göre Seviye I ve II hafif etkilenimli 10-18 yaş arası SP’li çocuk iken (ortalama yaş 13,262,94 yıl), diğer 19’u ise tipik gelişim gösteren 10-18 yaş arası 19 adölesandan (ortalama yaş 13,572,85 yıl) oluşmaktaydı. Çocukların sosyodemografik bilgileri alındıktan sonra “Gövde Kontrol Ölçüm Skalası” (GKÖS) ile gövde kontrolü, Pediatrik Denge Skalası (PBS) ile denge değerlendirmesi yapıldı. Bulgular: Çalışmanın sonucuna göre hemiplejik SP’li adölesanlar ile tipik gelişim gösteren yaşıtları arasında gövde kontrolü (%95 CI (50,65 – 54,65), p=0,001) ve denge (%95 CI (53,21 – 54,99), p=0,001) açısından anlamlı fark bulundu. Sonuç: Bu çalışma, hafif etkilenimli SP’li adölesanların tipik gelişim gösteren yaşıtlarına kıyasla gövde kontrolü ve dengenin daha zayıf olduğunu göstermektedir. SP'li adölesanlarda etkilenim düzeyi hafif olsa da rehabilitasyon programlarına gövde kontrolünü ve dengeyi geliştirecek egzersizlerin eklenmesinin motor gelişime katkı sağlayabileceğini ve bu çalışmanın daha geniş bir örneklemle tekrarlanması gerektiğini düşünmekteyiz.