Performing dual-task (DT) activities is essential for independent living among elderly people. No study has investigated motor performance in various cognitive-motor DT activities, utilizing the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. This study aimed to compare motor performance between four cognitive-motor DT tests in community-dwelling older adults. The sample consisted of 60 older women. The cognitive tasks performed with the TUG test were (a) mental calculation, (b) memory recall, (c) verbal fluency, and (d) reaction to a stimulus. Lower limb muscle strength was assessed with the 30-Second Chair Stand Test, balance with the Four Square Step Test, and balance confidence with the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale. Completion times and DT costs were calculated. Mental calculation (r = 0.63, p < 0.01) and verbal fluency (r = 0.65, p < 0.01) tasks were similarly correlated with the TUG test, and significantly impacted motor performance compared to other DT tests. The reaction to a stimulus test showed a high relationship with the TUG test (r = 0.89, p < 0.01) and had the least impact on motor performance. These findings suggest that the cognitive task type can significantly influence motor performance during DT activities. Adding a cognitive load to the TUG test may improve its ability to identify older adults at risk for falls, aiding in the development of targeted interventions. Further research is required to validate these findings.
Catastrophizing is an important psychological construct in mediating the behavioral response toward pain.The purpose of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) in Greek clinical population.The scale was administered in 376 patients with chronic cervical and lumbar pain. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency (Cronbach α ) and concurrent validity were assessed. Exploratory (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to test the factorial validity of the hypothesized three factor structure.The PCS factors suggested high levels of test-retest reliability, whereas Cronbachs' α values were acceptable. The EFA yielded a three-factor solution and indicated a marginal fit to the data. CFA procedures indicated a rather acceptable fit to the data. The concurrent validity of the instrument was confirmed.PCS seems to be a reliable and valid instrument in Greek patients with chronic cervical and lumbar pain.
The present study describes the development and validation of an instrument designed to examine athletes' selective attention returning to competition following a musculoskeletal injury--the attention questionnaire of rehabilitated athletes returning to competition (AQ-RARC). Using a sample of 186 rehabilitated athletes, exploratory factor analysis revealed a 10-item model that examines functional attention and distraction attention. Confirmatory factor analysis further supported the factorial validity of the AQ-RARC with another sample of 184 rehabilitated athletes. The two subscales have good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The concurrent and discriminant validity of the new instrument were confirmed by examining correlations between the AQ-RARC with other constructs. It is concluded that the AQ-RARC is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used for clinical and research purposes.
Objectives: This study's objective was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) into the Greek language and to evaluate its psychometric properties.Methods: CAIT was translated and adapted into Greek according to official cross-cultural adaptation guidelines of self-reported measures. The Greek version of the CAIT (CAIT-GR) was tested for reliability (internal consistency, test-retest reliability), validity (discriminative and convergent validity) and floor-ceiling effects. Additionally, a cut-off value discriminating between stable and unstable ankles across healthy participants and participants with ankle complaints was calculated. A convenience sample of 123 Greek individuals was recruited, 43 of which had a history of at least one ankle sprain. All participants completed the final version of the CAIT-GR twice within 7-10 days. Participants with a history of ankle sprain also completed the Greek version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).Results: CAIT-GR mean scores were 26.9 ± 3.16 for participants without a history of ankle sprain and 20.6 ± 4.62 for the instability group. The cut-off value was at 24.5 points of the total CAIT score (range 0-30). CAIT-GR had a moderate correlation with VAS (0.54) and a high correlation with LEFS (0.735). Results indicated good discriminative validity, high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha of 0.97) and excellent test-retest reliability (ICC2,1 = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.97-0.98). Neither a floor nor a ceiling effect was observed.Conclusions: The CAIT-GR questionnaire was found to be a reliable and valid measure for chronic ankle instability. It is therefore, available for use in future clinical research and practice.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the leading cause of lifelong physical disability, affecting approximately 17 million individuals worldwide. Upper extremity dysfunction, alongside spasticity and coordination challenges, significantly impacts independence in daily activities. Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) has been proposed as a therapeutic modality to improve functionality in neurological populations, though its effects on upper extremity function in children with CP remain relatively unclear. This pilot study assessed the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of Upper Extremity Vibration Therapy using a Whole-Body Vibration Platform (UEVT-WBV) combined with conventional physiotherapy, in enhancing upper extremity function and reducing spasticity in children with CP. Ten children aged 4.5–18 years with upper extremity dysfunction due to CP were randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving UEVT-WBV alongside conventional physiotherapy or a control group receiving only conventional physiotherapy. Both interventions were implemented over eight weeks. Assessments were conducted at baseline, week 4, and week 8 using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) (spasticity), ABILHAND (manual ability), and a quality-of-life questionnaire. Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in spasticity and improvements in upper extremity function over time, as measured by MAS and ABILHAND, respectively. However, no statistically significant differences were found between groups, indicating comparable outcomes between UEVT-WBV and conventional physiotherapy alone. While hemiplegic participants achieved greater functional gains than those with quadriplegia regardless of intervention, quality-of-life improvements were minor and limited to emotional well-being and pain reduction in the intervention group. This pilot study highlights the feasibility of UEVT-WBV as an adjunct therapy in pediatric CP rehabilitation, providing foundational data for future studies. Further studies are needed to isolate the effects of UEVT-WBV and to identify its potential in targeted subpopulations.
Objectives: The focus of patients’ attention during the physiotherapy program has been reported to affect the rehabilitation goals. The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an external focus of attention (EFA) on static balance and functional ability in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Methods: Fourteen subjects with CAI, aged from 19 to 25 years, were randomly assigned to two groups: external and internal focus of attention (IFA) group. The outcome measures of the study were static balance and functional ability. A pre-intervention evaluation was performed. Following instructions to an external or an IFA, subjects practiced on a balance board 3 times per week for 4 weeks. At the end of each week, they performed evaluation tests, including a time balance test, foot lift test, side hop test, figure-8 test, and star excursion balance test (SEBT). Parametric (mixed analysis of variance) and non-parametric analysis (the Mann–Whitney and Friedman tests) were performed between measurements and groups. Results: The intervention program showed a statistically significant improvement in static balance and functional ability in both groups. The results indicated the main effect of time (F(2.488, 29.855)=43.880, P<0.001). For the time in balance test, analysis of variance revealed a main effect of time (F(2.571, 30.855)=11.188, P<0.001). Regarding the SEBT, every direction indicated a main effect of time for both groups. No significant differences between the two groups were found in static balance and functional ability. Discussion: Even though there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups, both types of focus of attention contributed to the improvement of static balance and functional ability, which may reveal an increase in motor control and neuromuscular ability of the subjects with CAI.
