BACKGROUND: Ataxia is a clinical syndrome characterized by coordination problems and postural disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effects of functional trunk training on trunk control and upper limb functions in autosomal recessive hereditary ataxia. METHODS: Twenty patients were randomly divided into treatment and control groups. Both groups received trunk stabilization and balance exercises, and the treatment group received additional functional trunk training sessions (3 days/week for 8 weeks). The International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale, Trunk Impairment Scale, Modified Functional Reach Test, Nine-Hole Peg Test and Quick-Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand questionnaire were used for assessments. RESULTS: The treatment group showed an increase in the upper limb performance bilaterally, whereas increased performance was seen only in the dominant upper limb in the control group. While the functional reach improved in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions in the treatment group, it was improved only in the AP direction in the control group. Also, the mean changes in outcomes were not significantly different between the groups except for modified functional reach test. CONCLUSIONS: Functional trunk training may be a more effective method to improve upper limb performance and dynamic trunk balance in autosomal recessive hereditary ataxia.

The advent of ChatGPT, a product of natural language processing technology, is increasingly being recognized in various areas such as health education, scientific research, and health services. The objective of this study is to examine the opportunities afforded by this application in health services, along with potential limitations and concerns associated with its use. ChatGPT provides professionals in the health sector with various possibilities during scientific publication preparation stages, planning educational processes, and implementing health services applications. It has the potential to enhance personalized medical improvement in health service areas, facilitate public accessibility, and promote health literacy by providing comprehensible health information. It can be used as an effective tool across a wide range from clinical decision support systems to the development of telehealth services, literature reviews to large-scale data analyses. However, the extensive use of ChatGPT in health services may bring about ethical and legal issues. Collaboration between technology developers and health service providers might be required to plan appropriate regulations regarding patient privacy and data security in scientific research processes. In conclusion, in order to obtain more effective results in future and fully exploit the potential of ChatGPT and similar AI technologies, it is necessary to provide these technologies with more data and continually improve them. Additionally, there is a need for research exploring the use of ChatGPT in health services and promoting innovations in this area.

The mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) can lead to poor endurance and mobility, often associated with pain, restricted range of motion (ROM), low energy levels and fatigue, negatively affecting quality of life and activities of daily living. This study aimed to examine the impact of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) on aerobic capacity, functional independence and quality of life in children with MPS and to determine the anxiety and depression levels of their caregivers. Study Design established in Cross sectional study. Twelve children aged 3 to 11 years were included in the study. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the use of ERT. Quality of life and functional independence were assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM). The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and timed up and go test (TUG) were used to evaluate aerobic capacity. Anxiety and depression levels of parents were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), respectively. A total of 12 MPS patients 7 boys (58.3%) and 5 girls (41.7%) with a mean age of 5.58±2.67 years were included in the study.1 patient had MPS type I, 2 patients had MPS type III, 5 patients had MPS type IV, and 4 patients had MPS type VI. Six patients were receiving ERT. The children had a mean 6MWT score of 330.83±114.29, a mean TUG score of 14.24±5.71 sec, a mean PedsQL score of 46.83±14.03 and a mean WeeFIM score of 70.83±26.85. Their caregivers had a mean BAI score of 19.25±10.95 and a mean BDI score of 19.41±6.81. A significant difference was found between the children receiving ERT and those not receiving in the WeeFIM scores (P<0.05); other parameters were comparable between the groups (P>0.05). ERT did not change aerobic capacity and quality of children with MPS but increased their level of functional independence. Multisystem involvement in MPS children may affect anxiety and depression levels of their caregivers but ERT does not seem to have any effect on this psychosocial aspect.

No abstract

No abstract