Objective To compare the effects of telerehabilitation vs home-based exercise programs for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Method Patients diagnosed with moderate/mild KOA were enrolled in the study and randomized into two groups. The patients in the telerehabilitation group did their exercises via video conference simultaneously, accompanied by a physiotherapist, while the patients in the control group were given a brochure showing how to do the exercises and explaining how to do each exercise. Patients completed 30-s chair stand test (30 CST), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), TAMPA Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) twice before and after 8-week treatment, and Quality Indicators Questionnaire for Physiotherapy Management of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis (QUIPA) and Exercise Adherence Rating Scale (EARS) after treatment only. Moreover, the number of painkillers that patients used in the last 15 days was recorded before and after treatment, and patient satisfaction with treatment was questioned after treatment. Results Forty-eight patients were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 55.83 ± 6.93 years, and 43 (89.6%) patients were women. No significant differences were determined between groups in terms of baseline characteristics. After the 8-week follow-up, telerehabilitation group demonstrated better 30 CST, IPAQ-SF, KOOS, QUIPA, treatment satisfaction, and total and C subscale of EARS scores increment and greater NRS, HADS, TKS, and FSS score reduction than the control group. It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the telerehabilitation and control groups for all of the specified parameters; however, no statistically significant difference was found for the B subscale of EARS. Conclusion This study indicated that telerehabilitation is superior to self-management. Moreover, through this innovative and population specific web-based approach for KOA, a vast number of patients who have internet access could be reached. Thus, patients with KOA received effective treatment. Key Points • Telerehabilitation is superior to self-management. • Telerehabilitation is a quality practice with the potential to reduce symptoms in patients with knee OA.

Background/Objective: Core muscle endurance (CME), which is the ability of sustaining the activity of trunk muscles, has been shown to be lower in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim was to investigate the possible relationship between CME times and balance, fatigue, physical activity (PA) level, and thoracic kyphosis angle.Methods: Fifty-one patients with AS with a mean age of 41.0 years (interquartile range, 25/75 years; 29.0/51.0 years) were included in the study. Core muscle endurance times were assessed by using trunk extension, trunk flexion, and side bridge tests. Overall stability index, anteroposterior stability index, mediolateral stability index, and limits of stability were evaluated with the Biodex Balance System. Fatigue and PA levels were surveyed using Fatigue Severity Scale and International Physical Activity Questionnaire, respectively. Thoracic kyphosis angle was measured by using a digital inclinometer. Additionally, CME times were compared for "high-fatigue" versus "low-fatigue" and as "low PA" versus "moderate/high PA" groups. Spearman correlation coefficients and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis.Results: Significant correlations were detected between overall stability index, anteroposterior stability index, Fatigue Severity Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and all CME tests (p < 0.05) and between mediolateral stability index and side bridge test (p < 0.05). Limits of stability correlated only with side bridge test (p < 0.05). Core muscle endurance significantly differed between high-fatigue and low-fatigue groups (p < 0.05), except trunk flexor test (p > 0.05). No significant differences were observed between low PA and moderate/high PA groups (p > 0.05), except side bridge test (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Core muscle endurance times seem to be related to PA level, fatigue, and balance but not with thoracic kyphosis angle. Assessing CME in patients with AS might help in planning individualized exercise programs.

Background/aim: This study aimed to translate and validate the Turkish version of the Hand20 questionnaire. Materials and methods:Patients who had upper extremity involvement and stable symptoms for the previous 4 weeks in their upper extremities were included in the study. Patients who were illiterate or used a splint during the day were excluded from the study. Participants completed the Turkish version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH-T) questionnaire once and the final version of the Hand20 questionnaire twice in a 7-day interval. Internal consistency and reliability of the questionnaire was assessed. Moreover, correlations between Hand20 and DASH-T scores were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient.Results: A total of 104 patients participated in the study. The Turkish version of the Hand20 met the set criteria of reliability and validity. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93) and test-retest reliability were excellent (r = 0.82). Hand20 showed a positive and statistically significant correlation with DASH-T (r = 0.76, P < 0.001). Conclusion:The results showed that the Turkish version of the Hand20 had excellent test-retest reliability and validity. As a result of this study, it was determined that Hand20 was a valid and reliable instrument to measure the upper extremity disabilities of Turkishspeaking patients.

Similar to patients with RA, hand functions are significantly impaired in patients with SLE in daily activities.

Aim: The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis (MHISS) Questionnaire into the Turkish language and evaluate its validity and reliability in Turkish systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Method: The MHISS was translated according to Beaton guidelines. Patients being diagnosed with SSc, being between 18-65 years old and receiving no treatment between test-retest assessments were included to study. Test-retest reliability was evaluated, comparing the results of two administrations, with Spearman's correlation. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's α. Validity of the questionnaire was assessed by comparison with mouth opening, total scores of Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Construct validity was tested by factor analysis. Results: Forty-five SSc patients were included in the study. The Turkish version of the MHISS (MHISS-T) met set criteria of reliability and validity. Internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.863) and test-retest reliability were excellent (r = .88). The correlations between MHISS-T and inter-incisor distance, MHISS-T and HAQ and MHISS-T and DASH were negatively and statistically significant (r = −0.739, P < .001), very good and statistically significant (r = .664, P < .001), good and statistically significant (r = .570, P < .001), respectively. Regarding factor analysis, MHISS-T has three subscales. Conclusion:Our results demonstrated that the Turkish version of the MHISS-T has excellent test-retest reliability and very good validity. As a result of this study we determined that MHISS-T is a valid and reliable instrument to measure mouth disabilities in Turkish-speaking SSc patients. K E Y W O R D S disability, mouth, questionnaire, systemic sclerosis, Turkish version